It seems that whenever a new general manager is hired they express the same or similar comments, few of which are ever carried out. This is why I am inclined to say that their comments after being hired are simply more b.s.
For example, Sandy Alderson formerly of the San Diego Padres, is now general manager of the New York Mets. Now there is speculation as to whether the Mets will return to the glory days they once enjoyed more than two decades ago. According to the reports, Alderson has a vision to fix the mess in Flushing. But does he have the know-how?
Alderson is quoted as saying “We are going to work hard”. We’re going to work smart, I think. We’re going to try to exploit all of the ways that players can be acquired, developed, retained. Were going to strive for consistency, but above all, excellence.”
I can guarantee that this will not be carried out. The team will not “exploit all the ways that players can be … developed”. If it is, it will be a first in Major league baseball. I have yet to see a major league baseball team look to the sport sciences for ways in which they can improve player performance.
They always give lip service to this factor but they never carry it out. The information is available and it only needs implementation. But when you do not have even enough knowledge to know that such information is available there is no way that you can get excellence out of the ballplayers.
Most likely Alderson will bring in greater use of statistics and have the team play by the numbers rather than developing players’ physical and technical abilities to be able to execute ball skills more effectively on the highest levels. This is an art in itself and requires specialists.
But when they are not even interested in learning what may be available, how can they develop the best athletes? Thus, even though we hear the right words we never see the implementation.
For more information on this topic, see Sports: Is All BS? and Build a Better Athlete