The Cleveland Guardians might have lost four in a row, but that doesn’t mean their season has been a failure.
In fact, they are still a decent 25-21 and have lots of time to make adjustments where they need to and get back some injured stars to aid their quest for the playoffs.
In the middle of it all, manager Stephen Vogt has managed to keep the team afloat without his best pitcher, Shane Bieber, having thrown a single pitch this year, and with many other injuries to deal with.
Star left fielder Steven Kwan was asked about Vogt’s recipe for success, and his answer was short and sweet.
“He loves us, and we believe that,” Kwan told MLB Network.
"He loves us, and we believe that."
Steven Kwan joins #MLBTonight to talk about Steven Vogt's management style and playing against his old manager, Terry Francona.@CleGuardians | #GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/cqcec1qD6C
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) May 19, 2025
Kwan also said Vogt is a ‘hands-off’ manager who trusts his players and coaches to do their job.
Some skippers like to micro-manage, which tends not to sit well with players.
With Vogt, it’s quite the contrary: he will say something when it’s needed, per Kwan, but he loves and trusts his players.
This might seem like a small thing, but it does make players feel more motivated and locked in when they know their manager will have their backs if they fail.
Vogt basically gives his players and coaches the tools to find success.
He gives them resources to compete and belong, but trusts that the players will do their part, find the holes in their games, and improve.
This is exactly why Vogt is known as a players’ manager.
The formula worked last year, as Cleveland reached the American League Championship Series, and it has helped the Guardians boast a positive record this year even with a negative run differential.
NEXT: Guardians' 2024 Postseason Hero Is Struggling Badly At The Plate
