With the likes of Bobby Cox, Jim Leyland, Joe Torre, and Tony LaRussa having retired in recent years the new wave of managers in the Majors are of a different style as their predecessors. With this new wave of statistics that is being felt all over the league it is no surprise that managers are also being asked to follow a more statistic based method of managing. Which is why managers like Joe Maddon of the Tampa Bay Rays, Robin Ventura of the Chicago White Sox, and Bud Black of the San Diego Padres tend to rely more on statistics than on the old school values that the previous wave of managers used. The game is going to take on a completely new feel.
Defensive shifts have been increasing a lot lately and players like David Ortiz have seen hit after hit being taken away because one side of the field is loaded with players. Back in the day when David Ortiz was getting clutch hit after clutch hit the right side of the infield didn't have three players and one almost in right field. Things like defensive shifts and the breaking down of the pitching staff to include more specialty pitchers (pitchers who can get out lefties or righties better) are also going to be on the rise. Billy Beane (general manager of the Oakland A's) started the statistic revolution and now teams are taking that concept and making it a part of their managerial search.
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