A sudden outbreak of common sense?

WHAT!? BLASPHAMY!

I clicked on this article to read it. At the exact time I did, Itunes (which was set on random play) began playing the Hallelujah Chorus.

I take this as a very good sign for Royals fans.

The Royals aren't going to score any runs 'tal with Dejesus clogging up the bases by walking all the time.

This is a deceiver and an anti-Dusty.

I note that the wholesomely Christian Rockies got a .335 OBP from their leadoff spot last year, only the 8 and 9 spots did worse. And they won the pennant.

Read Joe Morgan 14:14:

Then THE LORD said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart, and Frank Tanana.

Hillman should get his head out of the spreadsheets and watch a game sometime.

I was disappointed the A's didn't hire Hillman when they interviewed him last year.

He sounds great:

Though he has spent the past four years in Japan, Hillman is familiar with "Moneyball,'' and said, "It was great to meet the Billy Beane I've read so much about.''

Asked his thoughts about the best-selling book, which centers around the A's general manager and the philosophy that eschews small-ball (bunting and stealing bases are staples in Japan), Hillman said, "There were a lot of parts of 'Moneyball' I agree with, and I agree with them because I've seen it play out. ... There's a lot to be learned from stats. I'd love to (run and bunt) -- provided you have the personnel and the statistics indicate that it will help provide a win. I'm not going to run just for eye-service.''

And people seem to love him:

Yankees general manager Brian Cashman provided Beane with an enthusiastic recommendation of Hillman, as did former A's farm director Grady Fuson, who hired Hillman in Texas.

"That was a key hire for me, and Trey was the whole package," Fuson said by phone from San Diego, where he is now the vice president of scouting and player development. "The minute I interviewed him, it was a done deal -- and for me to hire someone I didn't know in that job was a big deal. But Trey's personality, people skills, planning ability, attention to detail -- it would be hard to find better. He's someone who makes sure things get done."

Not coincidentally, Hillman is interviewing with the Padres on Thursday. Fuson gets a kick out of the fact that his former right-hand man is interviewing will all three teams for which Fuson has worked.

"I find that unique," he said with a laugh. "Trey's in a great situation. He's never going to be hotter than he is right now. And with good reason: He's done well."

I note that the wholesomely Christian Rockies got a .335 OBP from their leadoff spot last year, only the 8 and 9 spots did worse. And they won the pennant.

Willy Taveras put up a .372 OBP out of the leadoff spot (in 400 PAs), and Kazuo Matsui put up a .380 (in 146 PAs), so the primary leadoff guys were fine. The problem was that both of those guys got hurt, so they had to fill in with the likes of Jamey Carroll (.178 OBP as a leadoff man) and Steve Finley (.194).

I'd love to see Helton lead off.

The new market inefficiency..Acta and Hillman versus Dusty Baker.

It would be nice to see some good teams hire good managers.

The new market inefficiency..Acta and Hillman versus Dusty Baker.

I bet that the Reds finish with a better record than either the Nats or the Royals.

I wish the Rangers had hired Hillman.

I note that the wholesomely Christian Rockies got a .335 OBP from their leadoff spot last year, only the 8 and 9 spots did worse. And they won the pennant.

Well, when you've got the highest team OBP in the league, you're going to score a lot of runs even if you don't arrange the lineup optimally.

I bet that the Reds finish with a better record than either the Nats or the Royals

and most baseball fans would have agreed with you before any manager was hired, it doesn't make that much of a difference.

although it's impossible to grade, I would easily bet that hillman under the reds would easily win more games than dusty.