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Hot Seat: Should Mike Matheny Start Feeling the Heat?

By Jeremy Remiger

Dec 9, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Saint Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny speaks with the media during the MLB winter meetings at Gaylord Opryland Resort . Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 9, 2015; Nashville, TN, USA; Saint Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny speaks with the media during the MLB winter meetings at Gaylord Opryland Resort . Mandatory Credit: Jim Brown-USA TODAY Sports /
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After four seasons, four postseason appearances and three division titles, here’s why Mike Matheny should still feel the heat.

I know, it’s crazy talk for anyone to suggest that Mike Matheny has done anything but a great job in his four years as the St. Louis Cardinals’ skipper. But is it that crazy?

Matheny has a career record 0f 375-273. His teams have finished three of his four seasons with 90 wins or more. Last season was arguably his finest regular season as a manager, leading the Birds to 100 wins despite a myriad of injuries. It really was an amazing season. Despite the .579 winning percentage, though, the skipper has left us with plenty of head-scratching moments. I’m sure most would agree that once games enter the 7th inning, that we as fans view any move Matheny might make with an “I can’t look” mindset. Despite that, his teams have always had the talent to overcome those moments.

The regular season is a long haul. For the most part, a division can’t be won or lost in a game during the second week of July. Decisions made that have an impact on a single game are usually met with little more than fan grumbling.

Matheny’s postseason winning percentage has gone down every season that he has managed.

That’s the beauty of the regular season, but it’s not the regular season that Cardinals’ fans concern themselves with. Cardinals fans want postseason success. The postseason is a different animal altogether, and it’s in the postseason that Matheny’s shortcomings as a manager have been exposed.

Oct 9, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny (left) with general manager John Mozeliak before game one of the NLDS against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 9, 2015; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Matheny (left) with general manager John Mozeliak before game one of the NLDS against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports /

For as great as Matheny’s regular season record has been, his postseason record is a different story. Matheny is 21-22 in October. It might actually shock some that he has a losing record in October.

In fact, Matheny’s postseason winning percentage has gone down every season that he has managed. This makes me wonder: what’s the tipping point for Matheny and the front office as far as pressure goes?

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In one sense, he should feel pretty comfortable with his job status. Not many current managers have put together the four-year run that Matheny has. There is, however, a very legitimate question as to whether Matheny has hit a ceiling in what he can achieve as a manager overall.  If the Cardinals, with Matheny at the helm, can get no farther than they already have, what is the point in staying that course?

For the first time during his reign as the manager, Matheny enters a season where the Cardinals have definite questions. Adam Wainwright’s health, Matt Adams’ offensive production, and Matt Holliday’s age are just a few questions that lie ahead.

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Not many outside of Cardinals Nation expect the 2016 Redbirds to walk away with the division title. If Matheny can manage the team past national expectations, it would probably give Matheny extra cushion from the hot seat. But if the Cardinals falter in another October, would it be time for some heat to be applied? Spring training is right around the corner, and the most interesting season since Matheny’s inaugural season awaits.

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