An Old Friend wrote: ↑21 Aug 2025 16:55 pm
After some searching, was able to track down the piece in Viva el birdos where it compared Matheny’s bullpen management to the rest of the league, and he graded out very well (including measuring better than Bochy & Francona).
The majority of media who cover (covered) the Cardinals were eager to parrot the same Matheny narratives over and over, but a deep data dive showed that much of that criticism was likely off target and unfair.
His bullpen management was bad. That’s documented.
Did you read An Old Friend's post and the attached link from VEB? Are you sure your "opinion" is correct?
Give it UP.
Reminds me me of your Cards AAA and Saggese threads...just relentless and having to have the last word...harmless and sad
Yes it is.
Very simple, Red. You and your tag team troll partner should just stay off a thread if you don’t like it.
I do take a particular enjoyment in the folks who want to dispute the piece that I posted but their debate points are basically "just because". People are generally challenged when data doesn't align with their preconceived opinions... and then they react emotionally instead of rationally or cordially.
Sounds like you’re talking about yourself because that’s exactly what you do
Exactly. OldFriend has it in his mind that the Matheny criticism should've been directed at Mo. So he found a Viva article (even though he [shirt] talked the site earlier in this thread) and is getting chummy with Cranny.
It's well documented that Matheny's bullpen use was reactive, random and widely called into question for years. Along with the way he ran the clubhouse, weirdly favored certain players, etc.
An Old Friend wrote: ↑21 Aug 2025 16:55 pm
After some searching, was able to track down the piece in Viva el birdos where it compared Matheny’s bullpen management to the rest of the league, and he graded out very well (including measuring better than Bochy & Francona).
The majority of media who cover (covered) the Cardinals were eager to parrot the same Matheny narratives over and over, but a deep data dive showed that much of that criticism was likely off target and unfair.
His bullpen management was bad. That’s documented.
Did you read An Old Friend's post and the attached link from VEB? Are you sure your "opinion" is correct?
Give it UP.
Reminds me me of your Cards AAA and Saggese threads...just relentless and having to have the last word...harmless and sad
Yes it is.
Very simple, Red. You and your tag team troll partner should just stay off a thread if you don’t like it.
Very simple, don't tell he how to post. Either that or just report me like you do others.
Apparently there are different rules. i.e....when I'm told to put someone on ignore., I do so.. I certainly wouldn't say I had and lie..and I wouldn't tell others how to post...so I guess I'll get reported...again!
An Old Friend wrote: ↑21 Aug 2025 16:55 pm
After some searching, was able to track down the piece in Viva el birdos where it compared Matheny’s bullpen management to the rest of the league, and he graded out very well (including measuring better than Bochy & Francona).
The majority of media who cover (covered) the Cardinals were eager to parrot the same Matheny narratives over and over, but a deep data dive showed that much of that criticism was likely off target and unfair.
His bullpen management was bad. That’s documented.
Did you read An Old Friend's post and the attached link from VEB? Are you sure your "opinion" is correct?
Give it UP.
Reminds me me of your Cards AAA and Saggese threads...just relentless and having to have the last word...harmless and sad
Yes it is.
Very simple, Red. You and your tag team troll partner should just stay off a thread if you don’t like it.
I do take a particular enjoyment in the folks who want to dispute the piece that I posted but their debate points are basically "just because". People are generally challenged when data doesn't align with their preconceived opinions... and then they react emotionally instead of rationally or cordially.
Sounds like you’re talking about yourself because that’s exactly what you do
Exactly. OldFriend has it in his mind that the Matheny criticism should've been directed at Mo. So he found a Viva article (even though he [shirt] talked the site earlier in this thread) and is getting chummy with Cranny.
It's well documented that Matheny's bullpen use was reactive, random and widely called into question for years. Along with the way he ran the clubhouse, weirdly favored certain players, etc.
Right. It has nothing to do with a lineup containing Gyorko, Piscotty, Grichuk, Martinez, Greg Garcia, Voit, Peralta, Moss,
Adams, Hazelbaker, etc.
Or a rotation in 2016 of -
Martinez - 3.04 ERA
Waino - 4.62 ERA
Leake - 4.69 ERA
Garcia - 4.67 ERA
Wacha - 5.09 ERA
So basically from 2012 to 2018, when the Cardinals had a good roster, they put up good results, and when they had a not so good roster, they put up not so good results. Doesn't seem like the manager had much of an impact at all.
An Old Friend wrote: ↑21 Aug 2025 16:55 pm
After some searching, was able to track down the piece in Viva el birdos where it compared Matheny’s bullpen management to the rest of the league, and he graded out very well (including measuring better than Bochy & Francona).
The majority of media who cover (covered) the Cardinals were eager to parrot the same Matheny narratives over and over, but a deep data dive showed that much of that criticism was likely off target and unfair.
His bullpen management was bad. That’s documented.
Did you read An Old Friend's post and the attached link from VEB? Are you sure your "opinion" is correct?
It’s not an opinion. It’s a fact and well documented.
What specifically do you disagree with in the linked piece? Why didn’t you answer as to whether or not you’d read it?
I did read it.
It’s well documented his bullpen management was bad.
I read it as well. “Other than Kevin Siegrist….” He ended Kevin Siegrist’s career. And Seth Maness’. And Matt Bowman.
Absolute baloney re Siegrist, Maness, and Bowman. You have zero proof of that. It’s just the opinion of an amateur fan.
.
your opinions are an amateur fans opinions also
How many years has Bowman been pitching professionally?
And what possible proof do you have that Matheny “ruined”
Siegrist and Maness? That’s right ………none.
You’re angry. Too emotionally tied to this and to Matheny to have an objective conversation. It’s OK to admit it.
If I’m angry, it’s because a poster makes a claim as a fact that is only an opinion. Matt Bowman, for instance is still pitching professionally today.
Very well. I will amend. Mike Matheny ruined Matt Bowman’s CARDINAL career and the pro careers of Siegrist and Maness.
An Old Friend wrote: ↑21 Aug 2025 16:55 pm
After some searching, was able to track down the piece in Viva el birdos where it compared Matheny’s bullpen management to the rest of the league, and he graded out very well (including measuring better than Bochy & Francona).
The majority of media who cover (covered) the Cardinals were eager to parrot the same Matheny narratives over and over, but a deep data dive showed that much of that criticism was likely off target and unfair.
His bullpen management was bad. That’s documented.
Did you read An Old Friend's post and the attached link from VEB? Are you sure your "opinion" is correct?
Give it UP.
Reminds me me of your Cards AAA and Saggese threads...just relentless and having to have the last word...harmless and sad
Yes it is.
Very simple, Red. You and your tag team troll partner should just stay off a thread if you don’t like it.
I do take a particular enjoyment in the folks who want to dispute the piece that I posted but their debate points are basically "just because". People are generally challenged when data doesn't align with their preconceived opinions... and then they react emotionally instead of rationally or cordially.
Sounds like you’re talking about yourself because that’s exactly what you do
Exactly. OldFriend has it in his mind that the Matheny criticism should've been directed at Mo. So he found a Viva article (even though he [shirt] talked the site earlier in this thread) and is getting chummy with Cranny.
It's well documented that Matheny's bullpen use was reactive, random and widely called into question for years. Along with the way he ran the clubhouse, weirdly favored certain players, etc.
Right. It has nothing to do with a lineup containing Gyorko, Piscotty, Grichuk, Martinez, Greg Garcia, Voit, Peralta, Moss,
Adams, Hazelbaker, etc.
Or a rotation in 2016 of -
Martinez - 3.04 ERA
Waino - 4.62 ERA
Leake - 4.69 ERA
Garcia - 4.67 ERA
Wacha - 5.09 ERA
Then maybe the guy who put the weak rosters together shouldn’t still be here almost a decade later.
An Old Friend wrote: ↑21 Aug 2025 16:55 pm
After some searching, was able to track down the piece in Viva el birdos where it compared Matheny’s bullpen management to the rest of the league, and he graded out very well (including measuring better than Bochy & Francona).
The majority of media who cover (covered) the Cardinals were eager to parrot the same Matheny narratives over and over, but a deep data dive showed that much of that criticism was likely off target and unfair.
His bullpen management was bad. That’s documented.
Did you read An Old Friend's post and the attached link from VEB? Are you sure your "opinion" is correct?
Give it UP.
Reminds me me of your Cards AAA and Saggese threads...just relentless and having to have the last word...harmless and sad
Yes it is.
Very simple, Red. You and your tag team troll partner should just stay off a thread if you don’t like it.
I do take a particular enjoyment in the folks who want to dispute the piece that I posted but their debate points are basically "just because". People are generally challenged when data doesn't align with their preconceived opinions... and then they react emotionally instead of rationally or cordially.
Sounds like you’re talking about yourself because that’s exactly what you do
Exactly. OldFriend has it in his mind that the Matheny criticism should've been directed at Mo. So he found a Viva article (even though he [shirt] talked the site earlier in this thread) and is getting chummy with Cranny.
It's well documented that Matheny's bullpen use was reactive, random and widely called into question for years. Along with the way he ran the clubhouse, weirdly favored certain players, etc.
Right. It has nothing to do with a lineup containing Gyorko, Piscotty, Grichuk, Martinez, Greg Garcia, Voit, Peralta, Moss,
Adams, Hazelbaker, etc.
Or a rotation in 2016 of -
Martinez - 3.04 ERA
Waino - 4.62 ERA
Leake - 4.69 ERA
Garcia - 4.67 ERA
Wacha - 5.09 ERA
An Old Friend wrote: ↑21 Aug 2025 16:55 pm
After some searching, was able to track down the piece in Viva el birdos where it compared Matheny’s bullpen management to the rest of the league, and he graded out very well (including measuring better than Bochy & Francona).
The majority of media who cover (covered) the Cardinals were eager to parrot the same Matheny narratives over and over, but a deep data dive showed that much of that criticism was likely off target and unfair.
His bullpen management was bad. That’s documented.
Did you read An Old Friend's post and the attached link from VEB? Are you sure your "opinion" is correct?
Give it UP.
Reminds me me of your Cards AAA and Saggese threads...just relentless and having to have the last word...harmless and sad
Yes it is.
Very simple, Red. You and your tag team troll partner should just stay off a thread if you don’t like it.
I do take a particular enjoyment in the folks who want to dispute the piece that I posted but their debate points are basically "just because". People are generally challenged when data doesn't align with their preconceived opinions... and then they react emotionally instead of rationally or cordially.
Sounds like you’re talking about yourself because that’s exactly what you do
Exactly. OldFriend has it in his mind that the Matheny criticism should've been directed at Mo. So he found a Viva article (even though he [shirt] talked the site earlier in this thread) and is getting chummy with Cranny.
It's well documented that Matheny's bullpen use was reactive, random and widely called into question for years. Along with the way he ran the clubhouse, weirdly favored certain players, etc.
Right. It has nothing to do with a lineup containing Gyorko, Piscotty, Grichuk, Martinez, Greg Garcia, Voit, Peralta, Moss,
Adams, Hazelbaker, etc.
Or a rotation in 2016 of -
Martinez - 3.04 ERA
Waino - 4.62 ERA
Leake - 4.69 ERA
Garcia - 4.67 ERA
Wacha - 5.09 ERA
Then maybe the guy who put the weak rosters together shouldn’t still be here almost a decade later.
Longest leash of any top executive in the league. Inexplicable.
His bullpen management was bad. That’s documented.
Did you read An Old Friend's post and the attached link from VEB? Are you sure your "opinion" is correct?
Give it UP.
Reminds me me of your Cards AAA and Saggese threads...just relentless and having to have the last word...harmless and sad
Yes it is.
Very simple, Red. You and your tag team troll partner should just stay off a thread if you don’t like it.
I do take a particular enjoyment in the folks who want to dispute the piece that I posted but their debate points are basically "just because". People are generally challenged when data doesn't align with their preconceived opinions... and then they react emotionally instead of rationally or cordially.
Sounds like you’re talking about yourself because that’s exactly what you do
Exactly. OldFriend has it in his mind that the Matheny criticism should've been directed at Mo. So he found a Viva article (even though he [shirt] talked the site earlier in this thread) and is getting chummy with Cranny.
It's well documented that Matheny's bullpen use was reactive, random and widely called into question for years. Along with the way he ran the clubhouse, weirdly favored certain players, etc.
Right. It has nothing to do with a lineup containing Gyorko, Piscotty, Grichuk, Martinez, Greg Garcia, Voit, Peralta, Moss,
Adams, Hazelbaker, etc.
Or a rotation in 2016 of -
Martinez - 3.04 ERA
Waino - 4.62 ERA
Leake - 4.69 ERA
Garcia - 4.67 ERA
Wacha - 5.09 ERA
Then maybe the guy who put the weak rosters together shouldn’t still be here almost a decade later.
Longest leash of any top executive in the league. Inexplicable.
I’m still trying to wrap my head around Cranny, CTs biggest Mo defender, shoving him under the bus to defend MIKE MATHENY?
An Old Friend wrote: ↑21 Aug 2025 16:55 pm
After some searching, was able to track down the piece in Viva el birdos where it compared Matheny’s bullpen management to the rest of the league, and he graded out very well (including measuring better than Bochy & Francona).
The majority of media who cover (covered) the Cardinals were eager to parrot the same Matheny narratives over and over, but a deep data dive showed that much of that criticism was likely off target and unfair.
His bullpen management was bad. That’s documented.
Did you read An Old Friend's post and the attached link from VEB? Are you sure your "opinion" is correct?
Give it UP.
Reminds me me of your Cards AAA and Saggese threads...just relentless and having to have the last word...harmless and sad
Yes it is.
Very simple, Red. You and your tag team troll partner should just stay off a thread if you don’t like it.
I do take a particular enjoyment in the folks who want to dispute the piece that I posted but their debate points are basically "just because". People are generally challenged when data doesn't align with their preconceived opinions... and then they react emotionally instead of rationally or cordially.
Sounds like you’re talking about yourself because that’s exactly what you do
Exactly. OldFriend has it in his mind that the Matheny criticism should've been directed at Mo. So he found a Viva article (even though he [shirt] talked the site earlier in this thread) and is getting chummy with Cranny.
It's well documented that Matheny's bullpen use was reactive, random and widely called into question for years. Along with the way he ran the clubhouse, weirdly favored certain players, etc.
Right. It has nothing to do with a lineup containing Gyorko, Piscotty, Grichuk, Martinez, Greg Garcia, Voit, Peralta, Moss,
Adams, Hazelbaker, etc.
Or a rotation in 2016 of -
Martinez - 3.04 ERA
Waino - 4.62 ERA
Leake - 4.69 ERA
Garcia - 4.67 ERA
Wacha - 5.09 ERA
2016 Cardinals:
Team WAR: 39.4 (9th in MLB)
779 runs scored, 712 runs allowed, +67 run differential
X-W/L: 88-74
Actual W/L: 86-76
Once again, you keep listing a bunch of cherry-picked names--as if that's some kind of compelling argument--without noting the actual underlying production of the players on the roster. The reality is the 2016 Cardinals were a good--not great--team that performed pretty much in-line with their underlying raw production. So why do you persist in trying to weave this utter fiction that Matheny somehow magically made chicken salad out of chicken-s?
Last edited by NYCardsFan on 22 Aug 2025 09:05 am, edited 2 times in total.
An Old Friend wrote: ↑21 Aug 2025 16:55 pm
After some searching, was able to track down the piece in Viva el birdos where it compared Matheny’s bullpen management to the rest of the league, and he graded out very well (including measuring better than Bochy & Francona).
The majority of media who cover (covered) the Cardinals were eager to parrot the same Matheny narratives over and over, but a deep data dive showed that much of that criticism was likely off target and unfair.
His bullpen management was bad. That’s documented.
Did you read An Old Friend's post and the attached link from VEB? Are you sure your "opinion" is correct?
Give it UP.
Reminds me me of your Cards AAA and Saggese threads...just relentless and having to have the last word...harmless and sad
Yes it is.
Very simple, Red. You and your tag team troll partner should just stay off a thread if you don’t like it.
I do take a particular enjoyment in the folks who want to dispute the piece that I posted but their debate points are basically "just because". People are generally challenged when data doesn't align with their preconceived opinions... and then they react emotionally instead of rationally or cordially.
Sounds like you’re talking about yourself because that’s exactly what you do
That's funny. I don't know why you think that - I'm literally the one that POSTED THE DATA.
An Old Friend wrote: ↑21 Aug 2025 16:55 pm
After some searching, was able to track down the piece in Viva el birdos where it compared Matheny’s bullpen management to the rest of the league, and he graded out very well (including measuring better than Bochy & Francona).
The majority of media who cover (covered) the Cardinals were eager to parrot the same Matheny narratives over and over, but a deep data dive showed that much of that criticism was likely off target and unfair.
His bullpen management was bad. That’s documented.
Did you read An Old Friend's post and the attached link from VEB? Are you sure your "opinion" is correct?
Give it UP.
Reminds me me of your Cards AAA and Saggese threads...just relentless and having to have the last word...harmless and sad
Yes it is.
Very simple, Red. You and your tag team troll partner should just stay off a thread if you don’t like it.
I do take a particular enjoyment in the folks who want to dispute the piece that I posted but their debate points are basically "just because". People are generally challenged when data doesn't align with their preconceived opinions... and then they react emotionally instead of rationally or cordially.
Sounds like you’re talking about yourself because that’s exactly what you do
Exactly. OldFriend has it in his mind that the Matheny criticism should've been directed at Mo. So he found a Viva article (even though he [shirt] talked the site earlier in this thread) and is getting chummy with Cranny.
It's well documented that Matheny's bullpen use was reactive, random and widely called into question for years. Along with the way he ran the clubhouse, weirdly favored certain players, etc.
Right. It has nothing to do with a lineup containing Gyorko, Piscotty, Grichuk, Martinez, Greg Garcia, Voit, Peralta, Moss,
Adams, Hazelbaker, etc.
Or a rotation in 2016 of -
Martinez - 3.04 ERA
Waino - 4.62 ERA
Leake - 4.69 ERA
Garcia - 4.67 ERA
Wacha - 5.09 ERA
2016 Cardinals:
Team WAR: 39.4 (9th in MLB)
779 runs scored, 712 runs allowed, +67 run differential
X-W/L: 88-74
Actual W/L: 86-76
Once again, you keep listing a bunch of cherry-picked names--as if that's supposed to be some kind of compelling argument--without noting the actual underlying production of the players on the roster. The reality is the 2016 Cardinals were a good--not great--team that performed pretty much in-line with their underlying raw production. So why do you persist in trying to weave this utter fiction that Matheny somehow magically transformed chicken-s into chicken salad?
I’m not weaving anything. I’m just saying he did fairly well with some of the average players on the roster. He sure didn’t have All Stars at every position and a bunch of Cy Young candidates in the rotation. If that’s “cherry picking” so be it.
His bullpen management was bad. That’s documented.
Did you read An Old Friend's post and the attached link from VEB? Are you sure your "opinion" is correct?
Give it UP.
Reminds me me of your Cards AAA and Saggese threads...just relentless and having to have the last word...harmless and sad
Yes it is.
Very simple, Red. You and your tag team troll partner should just stay off a thread if you don’t like it.
I do take a particular enjoyment in the folks who want to dispute the piece that I posted but their debate points are basically "just because". People are generally challenged when data doesn't align with their preconceived opinions... and then they react emotionally instead of rationally or cordially.
Sounds like you’re talking about yourself because that’s exactly what you do
Exactly. OldFriend has it in his mind that the Matheny criticism should've been directed at Mo. So he found a Viva article (even though he [shirt] talked the site earlier in this thread) and is getting chummy with Cranny.
It's well documented that Matheny's bullpen use was reactive, random and widely called into question for years. Along with the way he ran the clubhouse, weirdly favored certain players, etc.
Right. It has nothing to do with a lineup containing Gyorko, Piscotty, Grichuk, Martinez, Greg Garcia, Voit, Peralta, Moss,
Adams, Hazelbaker, etc.
Or a rotation in 2016 of -
Martinez - 3.04 ERA
Waino - 4.62 ERA
Leake - 4.69 ERA
Garcia - 4.67 ERA
Wacha - 5.09 ERA
2016 Cardinals:
Team WAR: 39.4 (9th in MLB)
779 runs scored, 712 runs allowed, +67 run differential
X-W/L: 88-74
Actual W/L: 86-76
Once again, you keep listing a bunch of cherry-picked names--as if that's supposed to be some kind of compelling argument--without noting the actual underlying production of the players on the roster. The reality is the 2016 Cardinals were a good--not great--team that performed pretty much in-line with their underlying raw production. So why do you persist in trying to weave this utter fiction that Matheny somehow magically transformed chicken-s into chicken salad?
I’m not weaving anything. I’m just saying he did fairly well with some of the average players on the roster. He sure didn’t have All Stars at every position and a bunch of Cy Young candidates in the rotation. If that’s “cherry picking” so be it.
Did you read An Old Friend's post and the attached link from VEB? Are you sure your "opinion" is correct?
Give it UP.
Reminds me me of your Cards AAA and Saggese threads...just relentless and having to have the last word...harmless and sad
Yes it is.
Very simple, Red. You and your tag team troll partner should just stay off a thread if you don’t like it.
I do take a particular enjoyment in the folks who want to dispute the piece that I posted but their debate points are basically "just because". People are generally challenged when data doesn't align with their preconceived opinions... and then they react emotionally instead of rationally or cordially.
Sounds like you’re talking about yourself because that’s exactly what you do
Exactly. OldFriend has it in his mind that the Matheny criticism should've been directed at Mo. So he found a Viva article (even though he [shirt] talked the site earlier in this thread) and is getting chummy with Cranny.
It's well documented that Matheny's bullpen use was reactive, random and widely called into question for years. Along with the way he ran the clubhouse, weirdly favored certain players, etc.
Right. It has nothing to do with a lineup containing Gyorko, Piscotty, Grichuk, Martinez, Greg Garcia, Voit, Peralta, Moss,
Adams, Hazelbaker, etc.
Or a rotation in 2016 of -
Martinez - 3.04 ERA
Waino - 4.62 ERA
Leake - 4.69 ERA
Garcia - 4.67 ERA
Wacha - 5.09 ERA
2016 Cardinals:
Team WAR: 39.4 (9th in MLB)
779 runs scored, 712 runs allowed, +67 run differential
X-W/L: 88-74
Actual W/L: 86-76
Once again, you keep listing a bunch of cherry-picked names--as if that's supposed to be some kind of compelling argument--without noting the actual underlying production of the players on the roster. The reality is the 2016 Cardinals were a good--not great--team that performed pretty much in-line with their underlying raw production. So why do you persist in trying to weave this utter fiction that Matheny somehow magically transformed chicken-s into chicken salad?
I’m not weaving anything. I’m just saying he did fairly well with some of the average players on the roster. He sure didn’t have All Stars at every position and a bunch of Cy Young candidates in the rotation. If that’s “cherry picking” so be it.
His bullpen management was bad. That’s documented.
Did you read An Old Friend's post and the attached link from VEB? Are you sure your "opinion" is correct?
Give it UP.
Reminds me me of your Cards AAA and Saggese threads...just relentless and having to have the last word...harmless and sad
Yes it is.
Very simple, Red. You and your tag team troll partner should just stay off a thread if you don’t like it.
I do take a particular enjoyment in the folks who want to dispute the piece that I posted but their debate points are basically "just because". People are generally challenged when data doesn't align with their preconceived opinions... and then they react emotionally instead of rationally or cordially.
Sounds like you’re talking about yourself because that’s exactly what you do
Exactly. OldFriend has it in his mind that the Matheny criticism should've been directed at Mo. So he found a Viva article (even though he [shirt] talked the site earlier in this thread) and is getting chummy with Cranny.
It's well documented that Matheny's bullpen use was reactive, random and widely called into question for years. Along with the way he ran the clubhouse, weirdly favored certain players, etc.
Right. It has nothing to do with a lineup containing Gyorko, Piscotty, Grichuk, Martinez, Greg Garcia, Voit, Peralta, Moss,
Adams, Hazelbaker, etc.
Or a rotation in 2016 of -
Martinez - 3.04 ERA
Waino - 4.62 ERA
Leake - 4.69 ERA
Garcia - 4.67 ERA
Wacha - 5.09 ERA
2016 Cardinals:
Team WAR: 39.4 (9th in MLB)
779 runs scored, 712 runs allowed, +67 run differential
X-W/L: 88-74
Actual W/L: 86-76
Once again, you keep listing a bunch of cherry-picked names--as if that's supposed to be some kind of compelling argument--without noting the actual underlying production of the players on the roster. The reality is the 2016 Cardinals were a good--not great--team that performed pretty much in-line with their underlying raw production. So why do you persist in trying to weave this utter fiction that Matheny somehow magically transformed chicken-s into chicken salad?
I’m not weaving anything. I’m just saying he did fairly well with some of the average players on the roster. He sure didn’t have All Stars at every position and a bunch of Cy Young candidates in the rotation. If that’s “cherry picking” so be it.
No, you have compared him favorably to other Cardinals managers such as Joe Torre and Tony LaRussa based solely on the records of the teams they managed, which is beyond simplistic. In fact, you have asserted that those W/L records "speak for themselves" in evaluating managerial performance, which is of course absurd. And you have clearly asserted--without evidence--that Matheny outperformed the quality of the rosters he was given.
As for your last throw-away observation: during all those years, what teams DID have "All Stars at every position and a bunch of Cy Young candidates in the rotation"? I could go down the rosters of all the other teams and cherry-pick their role players and replacement-level players, but that doesn't mean those names are representative of the overall productivity of the rosters.
