A year into a three-year contract as Phillies pitching coach, former Reds manager Bryan Price walked away from baseball after last season. In a story published over the weekend, Price told USA Today’s Bob Nightengale his heart wasn’t in it. His explanation might have you nodding your head.
‘‘There’s no reason to do something you’re not enjoying,’’ Price said. “Or respecting the process or the people making the decisions.
“There’s a lot of people in the coaching and scouting departments and the front offices that are saying the right things because they can’t afford to stop receiving a paycheck. There’s an awful lot of people that are working and not on board with what is going on.’’
Price is no fan of the hold analytics have on the game. He scoffs at baseball’s emphasis on launch angles and pitch velocity. Baseball “is hard to watch,’’ Price said.
“We have to appreciate what the people want to see. It’s not necessarily bat flips or pitchers screaming at hitters when they strike them out. The broad picture is, we want action.’’
He also suggested managers’ hands are tied more than ever before. “I long for the days where managers make out their own lineups and make their own decisions,’’ said Price. “There’s (only) a handful of guys that do that now. Now the front office is telling you who’s going to play, how you’re going to use your bullpen and pre-define your moves as a manager.’’
