One month has passed since Tom Herr officially exited his hometown stage to join the Single-A Hagerstown Suns. Herr enjoyed great success in his two-year stint on the Barnstormers’ bench and — even though he was robbed of the Manager of the Year award last September — he received plenty of praise for his work.
The Barnstormers have handed the controls to Frank Klebe, who comes with Herr’s seal of approval and the 
support of most of the guys who will return to the clubhouse. Klebe is a player’s manager if ever there was one. It’s impossible not to like him.
Still, the Barnstormers are headed into a major transition. How much are they going to miss Herr?
In the Atlantic League, the manager plays a vital role in player personnel decisions. Herr was great in this capacity. He could identify talent and put it to good use. Plus, his 13-year career in the big leagues and his status as a local legend gave him clout. If he wanted a guy, he was usually able to get him signed. It remains to be seen if Klebe will have the same kind of control. He should. It’s the only way a manager can truly be evaluated.
Herr was not universally liked in the clubhouse. Few managers are. Some appreciated his hands-off approach and the way he trusted players to police themselves. Some wanted more of a disciplinarian and more of a fiery presence. Herr was true to his personality. He’s generally a reserved guy and he kept his speeches to a minimum.
As far as in-game management, Herr was solid. Although he might have bunted a little too often and played too much small ball in tiny Clipper Magazine Stadium, he was usually able to manipulate matchups to the Barnstormers’ advantage. He also handled the bullpen well, which is no easy feat in a league where hitting is king and outs are hard to get.
The time was right for Herr to leave. He turns 51 in April and he achieved every goal with the Barnstormers. There’s no way to top winning first- and second-half division titles and breezing through the playoffs with five consecutive wins. He needed to make the jump to affiliated ball and pursue his big-league dream.
Over the next few months, we’ll see how much Herr’s departure affects the Barnstormers. He was the most important part of their on-field operation and he won’t be easy to replace. In just two seasons, Herr showed he could win a championship. Now the Barnstormers have to show they can win without him.
