The Cleveland Guardians, in the 2023-24 off-season, took a chance: some might say it was a risk.
They replaced a future Hall of Fame manager, Terry Francona, with a rookie skipper who had just retired a year before: Stephen Vogt.
They ‘believed’.
And boy, did their bet pay off.
The Guardians won 92 games in their first season under Vogt’s guidance, won a playoff series, and reached the AL Championship Series.
Not bad for a first-year skipper.
This week, Vogt spoke about how he was open to learning something new everyday and how the organization helped him in the process.
“Every lesson you learn, everyday brings new challenges… try to learn as much as possible.” AL Manager of the Year Stephen Vogt discusses what he learned in his first year with the @CleGuardians and what’s in store for 2025,” MLB Network posted on X.
"Every lesson you learn, everyday brings new challenges… try to learn as much as possible."
AL Manager of the Year Stephen Vogt discusses what he learned in his first year with the @CleGuardians and what's in store for 2025.
📺 #MLBTonight presented by @CohnReznick pic.twitter.com/zq1Ju5BNIr
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) December 10, 2024
Vogt also explained something that makes people think he still hasn’t reached his ceiling as a skipper: ‘Every time I did or didn’t do something, if was for the first time’.
Everybody makes mistakes, even the most seasoned veterans.
Vogt did have some questionable decisions in the postseason, but he is also a smart baseball man who surely learned from those mistakes.
That’s what it’s all about.
As long as he has the trust of his players, which he does, he is well-positioned to succeed.
He proved this year that he can handle a clubhouse with everything that represents.
The Guardians hope he can lead the team to the playoffs again, and once there, anything can happen when you have someone who knows the game and is willing to be bold.
NEXT: Former Guardians Starter Signs With Division Rival
