The Cleveland Guardians might have lost four in a row, but that doesn’t mean their season has been a failure.

Actually, they remain quite competitive at 25-21 and still have ample opportunity to implement necessary changes, recover from injuries, and bolster their roster as they aim for playoff contention.

Amidst everything, manager Stephen Vogt has kept the team afloat even though their top pitcher, Shane Bieber, hasn’t thrown a single pitch this season, along with dealing with numerous other injuries.

Left fielder Steven Kwan was queried about Vogt’s formula for success, and he responded concisely and succinctly.

“He loves us, and we believe that,” Kwan told MLB Network.


Kwan also mentioned that Vogt is a ‘hands-off’ manager who has faith in his players and coaches to handle their responsibilities.

Certain captains prefer to micromanage, which often doesn’t go over well with the team.

When it comes to Vogt, the opposite is true: he speaks up whenever necessary, according to Kwan, yet he has great love and trust for his players.

This could appear as a minor detail, yet it significantly boosts player motivation and engagement knowing that their manager has their back even after failure.

Vogt basically gives his players and coaches the tools to find success.

He provides them with the tools to compete and feel included, yet he believes that the players will take responsibility for themselves, identify weaknesses in their playstyles, and get better.

This is precisely why Vogt earns his reputation as a player’s manager.

The strategy was effective last year when Cleveland made it to the American League Championship Series, and it has assisted the Guardians in maintaining a winning record this season despite having an unfavorable run differential.