Managers, Fantasy Managers, and Managing ARod

[DOUGHBOYS]

I got a kick out of parts of the post-season.
No, I'm not a Giants fan and didn't really have a rooting interest in any team for that matter. After six months of the fantasy grind, I find it relaxing just to watch the players, without my own agenda.
What struck me was how the real life Managers themselves, were managing like they had a fantasy team.
From years of being in fantasy, the decision to bench one of our best players if not performing is an easy one. If Tim Lincecum has been bombed two times in a row and has a matchup on the road, we may not pitch him. Similarly, if ARod is o-fer a series and goes into Detroit to face Verlander, Scherzer, and Fister, ARod could and should be riding our bench, unless we don't have a capable backup third basemen.

Players like Lincecum and ARod would never miss more than a start or game during a season due to lack of productivity.
It may harm their psyche.
BUT....when the chips are down in the playoffs, psyches be damned!
Granderson is benched. Swisher is benched. ARod is benched more than once. Lincecum is sent to the bullpen.
It was a beautiful thing to see.
Managers playing to win....JUST LIKE US!

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Joe Girardi's decision to phone the press box to omit ARod's name in getting pinch hit for was troublesome. The political correctness needed to Manage the Yankees must go beyond my realm. I can think of no other team in baseball that even thinks of such a thing, much less carry it out.
ARod is one of the most boo'ed players in baseball, whether he heard the boo's that night or not, it won't make him feel better or worse about his performance. He knows the boo's are justified. He may be boo'ing himself.
There is no question that ARod's bat speed has slowed.
Until his next five years are over with the Yankees or he finds a new home somewhere else, ARod will be the focus of ridicule and derision from fans and the press.
And there won't be anything Joe Girardi can do about that.