STLtoday.com

In our annual anonymous player poll conducted this spring, we asked more than 100 of them which opposing managers they would and wouldn’t want to play for, as well as which rival organizations have good and bad reputations among players.

Almost a sixth of our voting pool named Bruce Bochy, 70, as the opposing manager they would most like to play for. Just behind him was Terry Francona, 66. Both men have taken a recent break from a grueling profession before returning in new cities.

This was far from a scientific survey. Even when granted anonymity in exchange for their candor, modern professional athletes can tend to be measured in their assessments or opinions of other organizations. Still, ballplayers are going to be ballplayers. There were more than a few interesting answers.

anonymous MLB player survey results of the question "Which manager, aside from your own, would you not want to play for?", with the top vote-getters Bud Black of the Colorado Rockies and Oli Marmol of the St. Louis Cardinals each receiving 5 of the total 40 votes.

Bud Black COL 5

Oli Marmol STL 5

Mike Shildt SD 4

Ron Washington LAA 4

Gabe Kapler MLB 3

Dave Roberts LAD 2

Derek Shelton MLB 2

Mark Kotsay ATH 2

Note: Respondents were allowed one answer only. Managers receiving one vote: David Bell, Aaron Boone, Kevin Cash, Joe Espada, Terry Francona, John Gibbons, A.J. Hinch, Torey Lovullo, Don Mattingly, Bob Melvin, Carlos Mendoza, Scott Servais, and Brian Snitker.
Source: Anonymous MLB player survey conducted by The Athletic from late February to early May 2025

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/640663 ... ayer-poll/

Opti

PLayers go and do their job often to the bet of their ability despite who their boss is at the time. Teachers teach well even if they don't care for their principal. Office workers do the same though they may have a (bleep) boss.

Baseball players are no different. They go the ballpark and do their job regardless of who the manager is , his rules, how he manages the game.
Many pro ball players mention coaches/managers who impacted their life . Often it was their high school or college coaches .
In MLB, the players are adults get paid a lot of $$ and their managers get paid a few million too. PLayers just go out and play and don't get hung up on their boss. If the team doesn't win , they know their 'boss' the manager gets the axe (justified or not ) and they will stay have their job . Move on to the next manager.

To play in MLB, I'd play for any manager

One of the five players who voted for Marmol had this biting criticism:

“I don’t really know many managers. I’m trying to think of someone in our division, just so I can say someone. Who is the Cardinals’ guy? … Yeah. Just put him down.”

So 2 of the top 3 in votes were our last 2 managers handpicked by Mo. What a telling statement.

It also reinforces my statement that firing Shildt was the right move. The wrong move was hiring Oli to replace him.

Hi future GM. Wrong and right in my opinion. And where's Joe Madden in the poll. I know he's a little older, but I think he still has his fastball. He knows the game as well as anyone. He's not a hardass like TLR. he's likeable. And he's very entertaining. Also, a tremendous teacher of the game. Has great respect for the Cardinal Organization and tradition.