Back in Time Today
Not every skipper who puts on the uniform is destined for Cooperstown. In fact, some MLB managers become infamous for all the wrong reasons—epic losing streaks, baffling decisions, clubhouse chaos, or simply failing to connect with their players. Whether they were overhyped hires or just caught in the wrong era, these eight managers totally blew it—and left a trail of disappointed fans and broken rosters in their wake.
1. Maury Wills (Seattle Mariners, 1980–81)
A legendary base stealer as a player, Wills brought little of that success to the dugout. His tenure with the Mariners was short and strange, marked by confusion and bizarre decisions—like ordering the grounds crew to enlarge the batter’s box without telling anyone. He finished with a .317 winning percentage. Ouch.
2. Stump Merrill (New York Yankees, 1990–91)
Merrill took over the Yankees during one of their darkest stretches and didn’t do much to help. Under his watch, the Bronx Bombers bombed—finishing 71–91 in 1991. His handling of young talent and clubhouse leadership left a lot to be desired. Thankfully, Joe Torre wasn’t far behind.
3. Jerry Royster (Milwaukee Brewers, 2002)
Royster took over midseason in 2002 and proceeded to guide the Brewers to a disastrous 53–94 record. He became the first Black manager in team history but never got control of the ship. The team struggled in every phase, and Royster was gone by season’s end.
4. Dave Bristol (1970s Braves)
Bristol managed four different teams with little to show for it, but it was his time with the Braves that really sealed his fate as one of the worst. Clashes with Hank Aaron, front-office friction, and a losing record defined his Atlanta tenure. He ended his career with a .431 winning percentage.
5. Art Howe (New York Mets, 2003–2004)
Fresh off a successful run in Oakland, Howe’s quiet leadership style flopped in the New York media frenzy. The Mets were bad, the vibe was worse, and his players didn’t seem to believe in the plan. New York finished fourth both seasons. Even Moneyball didn’t dramatize this disaster.
6. Ray Miller (Twins & Orioles)
An excellent pitching coach—but not a leader of men. Ray Miller’s managerial stints were marred by poor rosters and worse results. His combined record was 266–322, and neither the Twins nor the Orioles found any spark under his leadership.
7. Brad Ausmus (Tigers & Angels, 2014–2019)
Ausmus looked like the next great mind in baseball—a smart former catcher with Ivy League brains. But he never turned that potential into wins. With loaded Tigers and Angels rosters, he struggled to motivate and adapt. His teams routinely underachieved, and fans were left scratching their heads.
8. Bobby Valentine (Boston Red Sox, 2012)
Hyped as a savior for a struggling Red Sox squad, Valentine instead oversaw one of the most toxic and dysfunctional seasons in recent memory. Players openly rebelled, morale tanked, and the team limped to a 69–93 finish—their worst in nearly 50 years. One season was all it took. Boston never looked back.