Scott Fiesthumel posted a wonderful story on the SABR-L list that I thought was worth relaying.
Scott says "a guy I know told me he remembers a Cincy Reds manager who was asked in spring
training where the club would finish. He told the reporter, 7th place. Team
management didn't appreciate this and fired the manager. Naturally, the club
finished in 7th place."
Heh... honesty, as they say, is the best policy. At least he didn't have to sit through a 7th-place season.
Anyway, Scott continues, "I have looked it up and I find two seasons, 1948 and 1949, that the Reds
finished in 7th place and had two managers (Neun/Walters in 1948) and (Walters/Sewell
in 1949). Does anyone know if the story is true?"
What Scott forgets is that since the maanger was fired in spring training, he wouldn't be listed as a manager during the season. At any rate, if anyone can find the source it would be greatly appreciated, but generally I just thought it was a fun story.
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20030227095200999