NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — What came first, the winning or the team chemistry? In the stories romanticizing a winning team’s camaraderie in the clubhouse, that debate is rarely mentioned.
Do teams win because they have great chemistry? Or is chemistry a product of winning? Are they mutually necessary?
Since general manager Jerry Dipoto was hired, the Mariners have pushed more to the analytical side. They don’t sentimentalize long-standing narratives or “this is how it’s always been” thinking. They’ve tried to think creatively about building from within, whether it’s biomechanics, mental skills training, leadership techniques or technological advancement.