SAN FRANCISCO — In the technologically-advanced, analytically-driven world of baseball, decisions are rarely, if ever, made without a thorough review of data.
If the Giants polled their fan base on the idea of hiring former Phillies manager Gabe Kapler to replace Bruce Bochy, the numbers would have been overwhelming.
There’s no conceivable way the data would suggest the organization should hire Kapler, whose mediocre record as Philadelphia’s manager mattered far less to most fans than his role in mishandling sexual assault allegations during his tenure as the Dodgers director of player development.
After spending the better part of the decade touting itself as one of MLB’s model franchises, the Giants are wrapping up one of the worst calendar years in the franchise’s history.