ARLINGTON, Texas — When Kevin Cash was hired in December 2014 to take over the Rays, he made a point to note how fortunate he was, especially as a first-time manager, to step into such a good situation.
Yes, they were coming off their first losing season in seven years, having made the playoffs in four of the previous six, and both baseball operations chief Andrew Friedman and manager Joe Maddon had left.
But team officials, led by Matt Silverman, were confident they had the foundation in place — between rising young players, staff structure and a conducive culture — for continued success. And Cash, with the bonus of coming home, was thrilled to get the opportunity rather than being in a rebuilding situation.
It took a few sub-.500 seasons — 82, 94, 82 losses — to get everything synced and on track, but the Rays have been on quite a roll since.
After just missing the 2018 postseason with a 90-win squad, they have played on the last four years, with a World Series appearance in pandemic-impacted 2020. A fifth straight trip is well in sight, as they entered play Tuesday with an American League-best 60-37 record.
“I had confidence in the guys, certainly Matt, Erik (Neander, who now runs baseball operations), Chaim (Bloom, who now runs the Red Sox), that were telling me we’re going to be alright, there’s some really quality stuff that’s going to take place on the horizon. And I even learned that throughout the interview process,” Cash said.
“But I don’t know that anyone knew we’d have as much success as we’ve had.”
Cash always gives credit first to the players, then to the organization and the staff, but he obviously has had a steady hand in the success. His 2020 and 2021 American League Manager of the Year awards are shiny tokens, but the real proof is on his career docket, which added another bullet point Saturday as he became just the 101st manager — of the more than 800 overall — to win 700 games . And, at age 45, he is one of the youngest during the expansion era (since 1961).
Typically, Cash praised others.
“It means a big congratulations to a lot of people here in this organization,” he said. “(I) get to work with a lot of good people. But most of the credit goes to the players, right? They’re the ones that are out there doing it on the field, getting it done every single day, so congrats to them.”
But ask around, and it’s clear how much the players — along with the staff and bosses — value what Cash does and especially how he does it.
Outfielder Randy Arozarena, via team interpreter Manny Navarro:
“It’s the confidence that he gives us and the respect that he has for us. He lets us be us. He works hard to be who he is.”
First baseman Yandy Diaz, via Navarro:
“I’ve been here five years now. I respect all the managers I’ve had, but I think he’s been the best. One thing that he does that a lot of managers don’t do is that he gives you confidence. No matter how you’re going, or how your day is, he gives you confidence.”
Reliever Jake Diekman:
“He never panics. He thinks through the game so much that nothing really ever speeds up on him. I feel like it also helps that he played, because he understands. He has how he’d like the game to go, he has a backup plan or two, and if things get out of control either way there’s a different road map. …
“He’s very, very personable. You can go in and talk to him whenever you want. He’s always giving people crap, talking trash and stuff. I know every manager on every team wants to put you in the best position to be successful. I feel like he actually likes to do that the majority of the time. It’s just super comfortable. There’s probably no rules.”
Starter Zach Eflin:
“It’s been amazing. He has such a good culture here that he’s instilled in all the players in the clubhouse. It’s been a joy to be a part of. He’s such a humble person. Never too high, never too low, which makes for a great manager. Fully transparent. Always honest with us. I’ve only been here for a few months, and I love playing for him. He is a tremendous manager, a tremendous person. And just the perfect guy to lead the ship.”
Reliever Pete Fairbanks:
“I think it’s good, at least organization-wise and clubhouse-wise, that he doesn’t take himself too seriously. It’s a good tone-setter. It’s a hard game; you’re going to struggle. When you have leadership at the top that is almost encouraging you not to take yourself too seriously and know that stuff happens and good or bad, they’re going to be there to continue to give you the opportunities and have faith in you, I think is something that is good that it starts at the top.”
Shortstop Wander Franco, via Navarro:
“He’s a great manager. Sometimes he might have his moments, but we all do. I just love playing for him.”
Second baseman Brandon Lowe:
“He has a very, very good understanding of the game and how the new age of baseball is coming with analytics and statistics and everything else, and he’s really been able to kind of make both sides work. He still has that old school gut that he understands that if something that needs to be done, or something that shouldn’t be done, whether or not what the analytics say, he can kind of decipher whether or not it makes sense in the game . He’s not just coaching off ones and zeros. So it’s impressive how he’s able to kind of balance the two.
“(His rapport with the players) is different. It’s not your stereotypical manager, and I think that really plays up in this clubhouse. I’ve had managers where it was like you’re afraid to talk to him. And you didn’t really talk to him. That guy was your coach and that was about it.
“It’s not that way with Cashy. He goes out of his way to make those connections to really help bring this team together. Honestly, it does help that he’s out there joking on you and having as much fun as the players are. I think that’s one of the things that makes him good is he dishes it out with the best of them, but when it’s his turn to take it, he’s not going to get upset and he takes it in stride.”
Outfielder/first baseman Luke Raley:
“He’s a great motivator without motivating, if that makes sense. He just keeps everything really light. He’s just a great manager to play for. … He’s just such a good guy and means well and you can always approach and talk to him about anything, so it makes it really easy as a player. He probably gives me more crap than anyone on the team. I think that it was something to help me feel more comfortable, was him giving me crap. I think it really helped. So I just think that he’s really good at reading players and seeing what they need to make them the best they can be.”
The 700 club
Kevin Cash got his 700th win in his 1,289th game, which puts him in good company among managers who debuted in the expansion era (since 1961):
(Date they reached 700 plus WL record/percentage at the time)
Dave RobertsDodgers (July 3, 2023): 1,118 games, 700-418, .626
Earl Weaver, Orioles (Aug. 17, 1975): 1,162 games, 700-462, .602
Sparky AndersonReds (May 21, 1977): 1,162 games, 700-462, .602
Davey JohnsonReds (July 9, 1994): 1,216 games, 700-516, .576
Joe GirardiYankees (Aug. 4, 2014): 1,245 games, 700-545, .562
Billy MartinYankees (Sept. 16, 1977): 1,257 games, 700-557, .557
Ralph HoukYankees (Sept. 25, 1970): 1,267 games, 700-567, .552
Mike Hargrove, Indians (Aug. 22, 1999): 1,273 games, 700-573, .550
Tommy LasordaDodgers (May 4, 1985): 1,273 games, 700-573, .550
Charlie ManuelPhillies (June 16, 2010): 1,283 games, 700-583, .546
Ron GardenhireTwins (Sept. 22, 2009 ): 1,285 games, 700-585, .545
Mike SciosciaAngels (Sept. 20, 2007): 1,287 games, 700-587, .544
Kevin Cash, Rays 1,289 July 15, 2023 700-589, .543
Source: Elias Sports Bureau
Fast ascension
Cash also ranks as the sixth youngest to get there among managers who debuted in the expansion era:
Sparky Anderson, Reds (May 21, 1977): 43, 88 days; 700-462, .602
Tony LaRussa, A’s (July 4, 1988): 43, 274 days; 700-654, .517
Eric Wedge, Mariners (Sept. 22, 2012): 44, 239 days; 700-748, .483
Earl Weaver, Orioles (Aug. 17, 1975): 45, 3 days; 700-462, .602
Tom Kelly, Twins (Sept. 18, 1995): 45, 34 days; 700-701, .499
Kevin Cash, Rays (July 15, 2023); 45, 221 days; 700-589, .543
Source: Elias Sports Bureau
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