History Proves Firing Ausmus Midseason Isn't The Answer
By: Evan Jankens
@kingofthekc
The Detroit Tigers are on a six game losing streak. On the season, the team stands at 14-16, which is seven games out of first in the AL Central behind the Chicago White Sox.
I knew what to expect coming into work Monday morning. Everyone was going to be screaming the sky is falling and the Tigers need to fire Brad Ausmus.
Believe it or not, that might not be the right answer, according to history.
I looked at all 30 Major League teams to see how many times teams changed their manager mid-season and managed to make the playoffs. The stats might shock you.
We will start with the American League. Twenty-five teams have changed their manager mid-season. Not one of those teams managed to make the playoffs.
- The Orioles (2005,2007,2010), Blue Jays (2002, 2004, 2008), Mariners (2007, 2008, 2010), Royals (2002, 2005, 2010) all changed managers three times.
- Texas Rangers (2001, 2014) and Indians (2002, 2012) have changed their managers twice during the season.
- The White Sox (2011), Tigers (2002), Rays (2001), Red Sox (2001), Astros (joined AL in 2013 changed their manager once in 2014) and A's (2011) have changed their manager once during the season.
- The Twins, Yankees and Angels are the only teams in the AL that haven't changed their manager during the season during that span.
The National League is a little bit of a different story. The 2003 Florida Marlins did win the World Series after Jeff Torborg (16-22 start) was fired and then replaced by Jack McKeon -- who finished with a 75-49 record. That team is in the minority though.
- 2004 Houston Astros fired Jimy Williams who started the season 44-44 and replaced him with Phil Garner who finished up with a 48-26 record. The Astros went on to lose to the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Championship Series.
- The 2008 Milwaukee Brewers made the playoffs after they fired Ned Yost who started the season 83-67 and with only 12 game remaining Dale Sveum finished up the season with a 7-5 record and the Brewers lost to Phillies in the NL Division Series.
- In 2009 the Colorado Rockies fired Clint Hurdle after a 18-28 start. They hired Jim Tracy who finished the season going 74-42. That Rockies team went onto the playoffs to Philadelphia Phillies in the NL Division series.
- Florida/Miami Marlins have changed their manager most in baseball since 2000. Five times have they gone changed mid-season (2001, 2003 World Series Champs, 2010, 2011 and 2015).
- The Houston Astros changed managers four times during the season since 2000 while they were in the National League while making the playoffs once in 2004. T
- he Diamondbacks have also changed their manager four times during the season (2004, 2009, 2010, 2014).
- The Phillies (2004, 2013, 2015), Nationals (2001,2009,2011), Reds (2003,2005, 2007) and Brewers (2002, 2008 made the playoffs, 2013) changed their manager three times.
- The Cubs and Rockies (2002, 2009 made the playoffs) have changed manager twice since 2000 (2002,2010).
- Mets (2008) and Pirates (2005) have only changed their manager once during the season.
- Only the Cardinals, Braves, Giants and Dodgers haven't changed their manager during the season in the National League.
There you have it! Since 2000, 54 teams have changed their manager during the season. Four of those teams made the playoffs and only one went on to win the World Series.
If you think firing Brad Ausmus is the spark the Tigers need to turn the season around, history tells you otherwise.
