Bob Boone hasn't been a very popular manager with the talk show nation. Callers love to second-guess his moves. They love to say he overmanages. They love to point out that he played his son, Aaron, through a first-half slump. But in the most important precinct of any manager poll, Boone is very popular: His players like him.

        “He's been great,” Reds shortstop Barry Larkin said.

        You can debate Boone's game decisions all you want. A double switch here, an early hook there might have lost the Reds a game or three this year.

        But losing the players loses the season, and Boone has managed to avoid that. Remember, this was a team that lost 96 games last year, a team that played terribly in spring training and a team that had two former players and one former coach accuse the Reds of having a divided clubhouse last year.

        The manager's most important role is managing personalities and keeping peace in the clubhouse. You do that by keeping everyone happy, or at least keeping them from being unhappy.

        Boone has done that.

        “It's important that the players respect a manager, and they respect Bob,” Reds general manager Jim Bowden said.

        So the Reds' decision to exercise the option in Boone's contract for next season was a popular one in the clubhouse.

        “I'm happy to see it,” Larkin said. “Some stability in that position is important. It will be nice to go into the offseason knowing he's going to be back.”

        While Boone's popularity with the players had something to do with him getting the renewal, his record probably was the determining factor. Boone has kept the Reds, generally picked to finish fifth or sixth in the National League Central going into the season, in the race all year.

        And he has done it with his best player, Ken Griffey Jr., hurt for most of the season.

        “He led us into the thick of the pennant race,” Reds reliever Scott Sullivan said, “without all the big names the Cardinals, Astros and Cubs have.”

        Boone takes a hands-on approach to managing. He spends batting practice around the cage, discussing hitting, often grabbing a bat for a quick demo. He'll go out to the basepaths and tutor players on getting a good jump at second base.

        But Boone's rules could be written on a postage stamp.

        “He has two rules: Be on time and play hard,” Griffey said.

        Boone has moved players in and out of the lineup. He has rested players who didn't think they were tired. He has shuffled the batting order. But he has done it all without starting a revolt.

        “He's really good about communicating,” Larkin said. “He talks to guys. I've played for managers who didn't.”

        The players, from Griffey to rookie callups, have been receptive to Boone's moves.

        Consider: When Larkin was slumping, Boone dropped him as low as seventh in the lineup. Larkin didn't complain. When Griffey came back from his latest injury, Boone had him hitting fourth instead of his customary third. Again, no complaints.

        Communication doesn't always mean sitting down and having heart-to-heart discussions with players. Boone does that occasionally, but he does the little things that go a long way — such as telling a player the night before if he's in or out of the lineup.

        But win or lose, Boone will get ripped by fans. He makes enough moves most nights that one is certain to tick off the talk show callers.

        “That's what talk shows are for,” Bowden said.

        Even Bowden finds a move he questions most nights.

        “You say, "Why he's doing this?'” Bowden said. “That's the game of baseball. That's what makes it great. When Bob does something, he always has a reason. He's open to criticism. He's willing to make adjustments. All we want to do is win.”

Moehler makes Reds' debut today Bowden had Plan B ready Moehler wanted to stay in Detroit Rogers might say OK to Mariners Boone gets contract extension Analysis: Players like Boone Reds 7, Pirates 2 Reds Box, Runs Casey goes on DL with muscle tear Reds Notebook: Gullett's return more likely Rose headed to hall - boxing, that is Should Cinergy fall quickly or slowly? Cardinals 4, Giants 0 Diamondbacks 8, Rockies 5 Dodgers 8, Padres 6 Mariners 4, Rangers 1 Athletics 2, Angels 1 Louisville 2, Norfolk 0

Brown says Bengals need to win now
NFL Notebook: No. 3 Harrington signs with Lions
Buckeye rookies to face first test
Marshall favored to reclaim MAC title
Morrison gets wild card into Masters tournament

• Return to Reds front page...