No one would ever contend that the guys doing the actual pitching shouldn't absorb nearly all the blame when things go wrong.
Obviously, it's mostly on them. How could it be otherwise? They're the ones doing the chucking so the ultimate responsibility should fall squarely on their shoulders. That's just plain old common sense.
But, by the same token, to suggest a manager doesn't play a vital part in how his bullpen performs is preposterous. How a skipper utilizes, manipulates and maneuvers his relievers can go a long way in determining their eventual effectiveness. If he has a "feel" for who to use and when, a manager can be of estimable value.
Conversely, if most of his moves and decisions seem to backfire, then maybe the pitchers aren't solely at fault. Maybe the manager is deficient in knowing when to spot certain guys and for how long to stay with them.
Based on the results achieved during his approximate two-year stint in Cincinnati, it appears that Jerry Narron clearly falls into the latter category. Narron just can't seem to get a grasp on how to get anywhere near the most out of his bullpen.
Instead of exuding a confidence and conviction when he makes a pitching change, Narron conveys the impression that he's just guessing. His body language suggests he's merely hoping for the best, not expecting it.
A Sparky Anderson he ain't! And that's the trouble. If Narron had mimicked Anderson's "Captain Hook" persona, the Reds would have been infinitely better off.
It would be highly instructive to go back from the beginning of last year and document how many times Narron's bullpen decisions have blown up in this face. The guess here is that the number would be downright astounding.
A sharper skipper more in tune with his hurlers might have gotten the Reds into the postseason last season. As it was, the Reds led lots of games in '06 when Narron pulled a pitcher, only to see that lead dissipate and a loss occur. There's no skirting the fact that Narron's mismanagement of the pen was a key factor in why the Reds finished out of the money. If it wasn't outright bungling, it sure bordered on genuine incompetence.
Again, it must be stressed that the pitchers themselves must be the ones who are held accountable. Regardless of whether their manager utilizes them properly or places them in an optimum situation to succeed, they're paid to get guys out. And when they don't, pointing the finger elsewhere can ring hollow.
Struggling pitchers need to look at themselves in the mirror. And for the most part, the Reds' relievers have done just that. Most of them are standup guys who put it on themselves when they mess up or implode. Few of them ever attempt to deflect the blame elsewhere. They willingly take the hit and express true remorse over having let the team down.
However, that hardly absolves Narron. His bullpen sins range from staying too long with ineffective pitchers, yanking hot ones, relying too much on situational matchups, not punishing relievers who continually walk hitters and for not developing a sense for who can do what and when. So often, Narron comes across as someone who hasn't a clue or is just taking a stab in the dark.
One other telling point must be noted about Narron's stewardship of the staff. Relievers under his watch never seem to significantly improve or step it up. On the contrary, many of them clearly regress and falter. Coincidence? Pure happenstance? I think not!
With the Reds clearly in a funk and with the team reeling, rumblings are beginning to stir that Narron may be in trouble. In truth, his stint with Cincy has shown him to be nothing more than a mediocre manager if that. The impression one gets is that owner Bob Castellini and G.M. Wayne Krivsky won't put up with the Reds' lethargy much longer.
Naturally, the manager is one of the first places they'll look. And should Narron get bounced now or in the near future, much of his undoing will be directly related to his shabby handling of his relievers.
Because when it comes to his use of the bullpen, Narron has, for the most part, been full of nothing but bull.