New Angels manager Joe Maddon vowed Thursday to marry new-age analytics with old-school fundamentals in an effort to bring back the style of play that made the Angels one of baseball’s most dominant franchises from 2002-2009. “We’re gonna bunt this year, guys,” Maddon said at his introductory news conference in Angel Stadium, drawing applause from an audience that included current Angels players Albert Pujols, Shohei Ohtani and David Fletcher and former Angels Rod Carew, Garret Anderson, Adam Kennedy and Bobby Grich. “What’s going on in the game today ... it’s data vs. art — that’s what it comes down to for me,” Maddon said. To just be all analytically inclined or all heartbeat inclined, you’re going to lose. While we’re playing the analytical game, I want us also to play the Angels game.

Source: Los Angeles Times October 24, 2019 22:52 UTC