How important is "chemistry" for a winning team?

Question

It's not something you can measure, but it's often discussed. How important is it in baseball - a sport largely defined by the one-on-one battle between pitcher and catcher - compared to more "team" sports like basketball, football or hockey?

Does it matter a great deal in baseball?

Answer 1

No, I don't think chemistry is very important in baseball. Especially when compared to other sports. Like you said, baseball is defined by the one-on-one battles. I always felt analysts that mentioned team chemistry were "reaching" for something to talk about that they thought would make them sound like they had some insight that the rest of us didn't. I always felt common sense told me that players on a baseball team didn't have to be "friends". Have you been watching "The Bronx is Burning"?

Answer 2

well, Reggie Jackson played on FIVE World Series championship teams in the 1970s that were notorious for hating him and often, each other.

The 1997 Marlins were a sour batch and they won it all. Does ANY Team with A.J. Pierzynski REALLY get along??? Apparently as it comes out, Schilling is kind of a Dick... and he won with AZ and the Swox.

Because baseball comes down to ultimately being a sport of individual performances that form a team, no I do not think chemistry matters.

HOWEVER... I do believe that many times a team WITH chemistry can be a total greater than the sum of it's parts.

Answer 3

It matters just as much in baseball. It's still a team sport. The 2005 White Sox had amazing chemistry. Many of those people are gone now and look at the team now. Chemistry matters in all team sports.

Answer 4

Chemistry is very important baseball. If the team doesn't play well together then they be as good. And when you said that baseball is mainly batter vs. pitcher, well thats only have of it. You forgot about fielding. Which probably the most important thing in baseball. You see if your team doesn't have good chemistry when in the field that can really mess you up. Cause without chemistry you might not communicate as good so you could mess up. And if you mess up in fielding than you can blow a game. So overall Chemistry in baseball is very important in Baseball. And I hope my answer explains why.

Answer 5

It matters a lot. Look at the White Sox in 2005. There really was no reason why they should have won the World Series. But look at the post-season especially. It was surgical the way they went 11-1.
The Red Sox the year before.
The '69 Mets.
All OVER the place there are examples.
Look at the Yankees. Their lack of it (okay, and lack of pitching) has been their biggest bugaboo in the post-season.

Answer 6

No, it does not really matter.
Tinkers and Evers didn't speak off the field and barely spoke on while being on the last great Cubs teams.
Oakland won three in a row with guys fighting each other in the locker room on a regular basis.
Billy Martin's Yankees had a lot of bad blood for each other but still won championships.
It's a nice plus for the players if they actually like each other, but it really doesn't seem to be that important.

Answer 7

Look at the 2004 Red Sox and you'll see team chemistry.

So yes in order to win the world series you must have good team chemistry. Would you do good if you had a bunch of guys you hatted on your team. NO!

Answer 8

It is hard to quantify, but it is very important. You will not see a winnign team without good chemistry. It may not always need to be in the locker room but it has to be on the field and when you win everyone is happy.

Answer 9

Chemistry is huge. Look at the Boston Redsox. You always see Manny and Big Papi laughing and playing in the dugout. It because they are having fun doing what there doing. That is a big reason why they are in first.

Answer 10

Look at the Yankees this year. They have a lot of money and players but, no team chemistry.