Ranking the NL East: Managers
By Nick Engle
Jun 4, 2014; St. Petersburg, FL, USA; Miami Marlins manager
Mike Redmond(11) against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
1. Mike Redmond
The Miami Marlins are by no means as stacked as the Washington Nationals, but they are headed in the right direction and that includes their young manager Mike Redmond.
At 43, Redmond is only a few years removed from his playing career and started managing in 2011 for the Toronto Blue Jays’ Class-A affiliate in Lansing. In his first minor league year, he took those Lansing Lugnuts to their best record in team history and was named the Midwest League manager of the year. He then spent a year with the Blue Jays’ Class A-Advanced Affiliate in Dunedin before signing a three-year deal in 2012 with the Miami Marlins. As a show of the club’s faith in Mike Redmond’s abilities, the Marlins signed him to a three year extension at the end of last season before the end of his original contract.
I know what many of you are thinking: the Marlins have not performed on the field and his overall record of 139-185 at Miami reflects this poor showing. What gives?
I believe this is a case of a manager getting the most out of his less than talented club despite the below average record.
He seems to inspire confidence in his players. The club has few, if any, outward clubhouse issues, he has the full backing of the front office, and he finished fifth in the NL Manager of the Year voting. Come on, how can you not pick a guy that is willing to hit the batting cages nude to help his slumping team?
I bet many of you have opinions on our list. Please leave the comments below and let’s get the conversation started!