Today’s NY Times‘ science section features an interview with Dr. Steve C. Wang, a mathematician at Swartmore College who has developed a “statistical Mr. Potato Head to portray the spectrum of managerial characteristics…”
His chart mirrors his findings that “facial characteristics can communicate distinctions with striking clarity. By turning rates of bunting, stealing and pinch-hitting into hair sizes, nose shapes and smile widths.”
Delightfully, science here has imitated real life. Lou Piniella, the excitable manager of the Chicago Cubs, scowls and looks as if his hair might jump right off his scalp. Joe Torre, formerly of the Yankees and now with the Los Angeles Dodgers, appears downright serene. And Bruce Bochy with the San Francisco Giants, whose teammates once dubbed him “Bucket Head,” is depicted with a noggin roughly the size of a Rose Bowl float.
The field generals are mixed in their reactions. Willie Randolph said, “It’s easy for people to think that all managers are the same, that we all pull the levers the same way. Looking at this, I really never thought of it this way, but we all have our own characteristics.”
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