Pat Murphy: Creating All-Stars by establishing dominance

Pat Murphy has won back-to-back Manager of the Year Awards while leading one of baseball's youngest rosters, establishing a pattern of benching players mid-at-bat to enforce fundamental standards. Murphy's approach includes pulling Sal Frelick and Caleb Durbin in April for defensive mistakes, Brandon Sproat in August for wild pitches, and Cooper Pratt in a recent game against the Mets for failing to execute a bunt and not running out a ball. While these moves have generally earned fan support and appear to improve player performance, the Pratt benching drew criticism when David Hamilton's replacement at third base threw wildly home in the tenth inning, allowing the Mets to win. Murphy maintains that establishing consequences for poor play sets the tone for the entire clubhouse and ensures winning baseball.

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