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'Sleep is very valuable': Guardians manager Stephen Vogt learning lessons of the job
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- 'Sleep is very valuable': Guardians manager Stephen Vogt learning lessons of the job
CLEVELAND — As a player, Stephen Vogt knew how to wind down after a game and decompress mentally. He had his checklist of what went right or wrong, and then he'd note what he needed to do the next day, and it was on to the next one — just like that.
As a manager, well, the mind doesn't exactly calm down like it used to, and finding some peaceful shuteye is now at a premium.
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"Sleep is very valuable, I'm learning," Vogt said.
Even with a Guardians team that is off to an 12-5 start with the second-best run differential in the American League after Tuesday's 10-7 win in 11 innings in Boston , the manager isn't offered the luxury of really ever turning his brain off for a moment.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt (right) reacts after a two-run home run by catcher Bo Naylor (23) in the fourth inning against the Chicago White Sox, April 10, 2024, in Cleveland.
It was something Terry Francona said when asked for his reasoning (aside from his health) for seeking retirement that, for a manager, you took home that day's game (especially after a loss) to a much greater degree than a player or assistant coach.
It's something Vogt is now learning first hand.
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"It's way, way different," Vogt said, speaking to how easy it can be to turn the page after a rough day at the ballpark. "You think through 26 guys, you think through pregame, you think through postgame, you think through all the different moves, all the different things, the areas for growth, things we did really well. And so it's a much longer winding down process.
"I care about these guys and I want all of them to be at their best every single day, and how much can I help or can't help, or what are we doing?"
Guardians off to strong start in 2024 under new manager Stephen Vogt
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt stands on the mound during a pitching change in the fifth inning against the New York Yankees, April 13, 2024, in Cleveland.
Vogt helped navigate the Guardians through a wild comeback win in extra innings Sunday over the New York Yankees . One thing that stuck out, compared to being a player in those moments: "Much different, because you have zero control."
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Vogt can try to make decisions that are in the team's best interest but, from there, his contributions stop. It's a new kind of anxiety. It's also a new kind of fun.
"I turned to Alby [bench coach Craig Albernaz] in the 10th inning, and I just started smiling, like, this is awesome," Vogt said.
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt congratulates José Ramírez (11) after his two-run homer during the fifth inning of the home opener against the Chicago White Sox, Monday, April 8, 2024.
Vogt noted that if anything, the philosophies with which he entered the season are only becoming stronger, more validated as the Guardians see positive results. They've been one of the surprise teams in baseball early on, racking up wins and building a reputation as a team that never quits .
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"Just continuing to get those guys to believe in themselves over and over and over, that we are good, that we have enough," Vogt said. "And they do believe that, and I'm doubling down on that."
Will Stephen Vogt be ejected often as Guardians manager? He doesn't think so
Home plate umpire Marvin Hudson (pointing) goes over the ground rules with Athletics manager Mark Kotsay (left) and Guardians manager Stephen Vogt (right), March 28, 2024, in Oakland.
Like any rookie on the field, Vogt is going through a countless "firsts" in the dugout. He's "The guy" now. He's at the helm. Sometimes it takes a second to remember it because it's still so new.
Vogt has had to argue a few calls on the field with umpires in the first few weeks of the season. He knows a call needs to be discussed, but he joked he had to remember it was actually him who needed to go out there.
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"No, it is weird. It's weird. I'm, like, 'Oh, that's me that has to go do that,'" Vogt said. "I still kind of catch myself from time to time."
Guardians manager Stephen Vogt seeks clarification from umpire David Rackley during the third inning of the home opener against the Chicago White Sox, Monday, April 8, 2024.
Francona was ejected 50 times in his 23-year managerial career, though his pace slowed just a bit with Cleveland, where he was thrown out 17 times in 11 seasons. Vogt knows it'll happen, but doesn't think he'll be a manager who is often heading back to the clubhouse early.
"I do have a temper, but it's a pretty long fuse," Vogt said.
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Ryan Lewis can be reached at rlewis1@gannett.com. Read more about the Guardians at www.beaconjournal.com/sports/cleveland-guardians. Follow him on Threads at @ByRyanLewis .
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: New Guardians manager Stephen Vogt shares lessons from the job
