Brilliant Reader Questions: Managers, Burnes, Whiffs and More

Let’s answer a few Brilliant Reader Questions on this fine day.*

*Remember, if you’re a subscriber and would like to ask a BR question, just gmail it here. Labeling it a BR question is helpful, too.

BR Philip asks: I’m in Detroit, having just seen the Royals win three of four from the Tigers, as well as Jim Leyland’s number retirement ceremony. It got me thinking about managers: Leyland won three pennants and one World Series championship, finishing his career with a .506 winning percentage. I’m not going to question his Hall of Fame induction, but, in your opinion, what’s the threshold?

Pretty much everybody loves and respects Jim Leyland. There’s no doubt in my mind that this played a gigantic role in his Hall of Fame election. And, to be clear, I’m not saying that’s a bad thing at all. The Hall of Fame criteria for managers is pretty loose.

For example: