Thiel: McClendon failed to give his team best chance to win

Lloyd McClendon probably knew the moment he learned of the firing of general manager Jack Zduriencik in August that he was done as Mariners manager. Any lingering doubt was made moot by the hire of Zdurinecik’s replacement, Jerry Dipoto, who clashed with his manager in Anaheim, Mike Scioscia, a classmate of McClendon’s in The Old School.

But after his final game Sunday, McClendon still seemed to be lobbying for his job.

He knew well that the postseason was reachable in both of his years, if for no other reason than the advent of a fifth playoff berth made it attainable with a modest record of seven games above .500. He also chose to make a point that his players played hard for him, thereby indirectly endorsing his ability to motivate.

“They came out and played hard every single day,” he said. “I’m very proud of this club. They gave everything they had. Some days were better than others. I can’t fault the effort.

“I try not to think about what-ifs. (Knowing that) 86-87 wins gets the playoffs is a little frustrating, but there are no regrets.”

In those words were the explanation of the sinking of McClendon’s tenure, at least as it relates to what is valued in baseball today.

Playing hard is a good thing, but not playing hard virtually is career suicide for every big-league player who is average or less, which is most of the Mariners roster. As much as some managers and many fans believe otherwise, the intensity that a player brings to a 162-game season is strictly under the control of the player.

The manager may be responsible for getting a player to play a little better, but harder? No. The season is too long and the money is too much and too hard to get to long indulge a lollygagger. No credit is given, then, for big leaguers playing hard. It’s a requirement.

As to McClendon’s frustration at being left out of the playoffs, it is understandable, particularly given the parity in the American League. But injuries and poor production from key players aside, McClendon had under his control multiple small aspects that could have been difference-makers in a season when the Mariners were so close to winning a lot more often — they had club-record and major-league high 23 extra-inning games, and 27 of their defeats came in the opponents’ last at-bat, also a major-league high.

Here’s a single example: Baserunning.

The Mariners’ lineup included a lot of Zduriencik-favored brawny types ill-suited to steal a base, advance to third from first on a single, or score from third on a medium fly ball. Yet there seemed to be a perpetual green light under McClendon. For a roster hard-pressed for much of the season to create baserunners, squandering such a valuable asset was inexcusable.

The Mariners attempted 114 stolen bases, and were caught 45 times, a success rate of 60.53 percent. That was 29th in MLB. The only team worse? You guessed it — the Angels under Scioscia at 60.47.

Bad baserunning was not the worst problem in a lackluster season. It can’t be proven that 10 outs saved with smart baserunning would have produced another half-dozen victories. But the Mariners ran themselves out of numerous games, which is something that McClendon could have controlled. He failed to give his team the best chance to win.

That’s what Dipoto believes advanced analytics can do. The stolen-base failure rate isn’t advanced analytics; it’s merely obvious. But information about runner/pitcher/catcher tendencies is valuable. The information is simply a tool, not voodoo, that quantifies performances and offers predictive outcomes. Dipoto understands its value. McClendon does not.

That’s why Dipoto offered his surprisingly candid explanation for firing McClendon Friday despite a winning record of 163-161: “After extensive conversations it became clear to me that our baseball philosophies were not closely aligned,” the club release quoted him as saying.

Dipoto did not want a repeat of his experience with Scioscia, who won the Anaheim argument when owner Arte Moreno sided with his 16-year manager. He wants a manager who will work with the more granular information now available to put the Mariners in the best position to win.

Adapting is not easy. The amount of information available for each key situation can be overwhelming. But with MLB pitching so dominant and run production down, every at-bat, every baserunner is more important than they were 10 years ago.

The game has grown too strategically intense to rely upon a three-run homer to fix things.

At what turned out to be his final presser, McClendon said another curious thing, referencing the Mariners’ backslide from 87 wins to 76.

“Sometimes when you’re on the verge of winning, most clubs take a step back,” he said. “It’s unfortunate.”

Such things have happened. That doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to prevent it, in part by using every available tool. As baseball is again showing in the playoffs with the ouster of the 98-win Pirates, and World Series favorite Toronto down 0-2 to the Texas Rangers, margins are excruciatingly thin.

Baseball remains a fluky sort of game because it is put in motion by a round club striking a round object. The potential outcomes may seem endless, but they aren’t. After more than 100 years of data at everyone’s disposal, the key is to learn a little more than the other team about potential outcomes.

The data helps instruct about one’s own team too. If a roster is full of slow guys, it’s good to know to hold ‘em. Otherwise you fold ‘em until next year.

Art Thiel is co-founder of sportspressnw.com

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 8-17

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 8-17. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Silvertips’ playoff picture coming together as season hits final week

Everett is officially the Western Conference’s No. 3 seed and is likely heading into a matchup with Kelowna or Vancouver.

Los Angeles Rams offensive guard Tremayne Anchrum (72) against the Denver Broncos during the second half of an NFL preseason football game, Saturday, Aug. 28, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Seahawks add to position of need, sign guard Tremayne Anchrum Jr.

The 25-year-old has played in 31 games, starting once, since being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in 2020.

Everett Community College head coach Chet Hovde watches as the women's team practices on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
EvCC coach Chet Hovde, who ‘lived for’ basketball, dies at 77

Coach Hovde graduated from Everett High School in 1965. He spent 33 years as the women’s basketball coach at the community college.

Jackson’s Ian Friedrichsen celebrates his goal with his teammates during the game against Bothell on Thursday, May 11, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep boys soccer: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines for this high school boys soccer season

Jackson’s Rachel Sysum is hugged by Leneyah Mitchell after hitting a home run during the game against Bothell on Friday, May 19, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Prep softball: 5 things to watch for the 2024 season in Snohomish County

A look at the top local storylines to keep an eye on this high school softball season.

X
Prep roundup for Friday, March 15

Prep roundup for Friday, March 15: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Glacier Peak’s Samantha Christensen runs to home plate to celebrate her home run with her teammates during the game against Snohomish on Friday, March 15, 2024 in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
GALLERY: Glacier Peak softball tops rival Snohomish

The Grizzlies prevail 9-5 in a clash of area powers.

X
Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14

Prep roundup for Thursday, March 14: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

The Washington Wolfpack logo is revealed during the Everett AFL team unveiling at Tony V's Garage in Everett, Washington onThursday, Oct. 26, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Everett’s new arena football team to have 4 televised games

The NFL Network will broadcast 30 AFL games this season, including two Wolfpack home games.

Washington coach Mike Hopkins yells to the team during the second half of the team's NCAA college basketball game against California, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2024, in Seattle. California won 82-80. (AP Photo/Stephen Brashear)
Looking back at Mike Hopkins’ turbulent tenure as UW men’s basketball coach

The departing Huskies coach had highs early, but the good times didn’t last long.

X
Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16

Prep roundup for Saturday, March 16: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.