The Cleveland Guardians are off to a hot start this season with an 8-3 record as they sit atop the AL Central despite losing ace Shane Bieber to Tommy John surgery.
One of the reasons behind the hot start has been first-year manager Stephen Vogt’s leadership, but even he admits he still has a lot to learn and sometimes finds himself in unfamiliar situations, including when he has to deal with umpires.
The AP’s Tom Withers shared some funny insight from Vogt about arguing with umpires, as the rookie manager said: “I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s me that has to go do that.'”
Guardians first-year manager Stephen Vogt admitted it's still weird for him to go on the field to argue with umpires.
"I’m like, ‘Oh, that’s me that has to go do that," he said. "I still kind of catch myself from time to time.”
Vogt said he has a temper but "a long fuse."
— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) April 9, 2024
Vogt added that he still catches himself from time to time and that he has a temper but “a long fuse” when it comes to confrontation.
This is something you don’t often think about when it comes to hiring a new manager, especially a former catcher who always had to prioritize a strong relationship with umpires in order to help out his pitching staff.
It’s good that Vogt has a long fuse, and if he can remain calm and learn how to carry over his relationships with umpires as a catcher to being a manager, he’ll have a long career in this league.
Having a manager who doesn’t argue with umpires every game is probably a good thing, but of course, it takes some time to adjust from being a player.
Unfortunately, Vogt doesn’t have another guy to run out onto the field and get in the ump’s face anymore and he’ll have to learn to do it himself.
Maybe Vogt can start watching some footage of Bobby Cox and Lou Piniella for some inspiration.
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