Some brief methodological info before getting to the numbers. In states with multiple teams we asked which one poll respondents were a fan of, or if they were not a fan of any team. In states with only one team we simply asked if respondents considered themselves to be a fan of that team. The approval numbers are only among people who identified themselves as being fans of a particular team. It should be noted that the Tony LaRussa numbers are among Cardinals fans in Illinois where the team has a strong following (we haven't polled in Missouri since we started doing these.) Also the Jim Riggleman numbers are among Nationals fans who live in Maryland.
To the numbers:
-Baseball fans are by and large happy with the managers of their favorite teams. 15 of the 18 had positive approval numbers.
-The biggest path to popularity is turning a historically irrelevant team into a success. 3 of the 4 highest rated managers are the Angels' Mike Scioscia, the Rays' Joe Maddon, and the Phillies' Charlie Manuel. None of their franchises are known for having a track record of success but they've been at the top of the heap the last few seasons (and even further back in Scioscia's case.)
-The three managers with negative numbers are the Pirates' John Russell, the Astros' Brad Mills, and the Indians' Manny Acta. Timing may be important in considering these numbers though. Mills and Acta were both polled on in June after both of their teams had gotten off to abysmal starts in their first year at the helm. But the Indians and Astros have shown some signs of life since the All Star break so it's possible their fans are feeling more charitably toward them now. Can't really say that for Russell and the Pirates.
The approval numbers from most popular to least popular here:
| Manager | Approval Numbers | Spread | Dates Polled |
| Mike Scioscia | 65/4 | +61 | July 23-25 |
| Joe Maddon | 59/4 | +55 | July 16-18 |
| Tony LaRussa | 60/7 | +53 | June 12-13 ( |
| Charlie Manuel | 56/11 | +45 | June 19-21 |
| Joe Torre | 53/10 | +43 | July 23-25 |
| Bud Black | 45/2 | +43 | July 23-25 |
| Dusty Baker | 47/10 | +37 | June 26-27 |
| Jim Riggleman | 29/7 | +22 | July 10-12 ( |
| Ron Washington | 33/12 | +21 | June 19-21 |
| Bruce Bochy | 34/15 | +19 | July 23-25 |
| Lou Piniella | 39/24 | +15 | June 12-13 |
| Ozzie Guillen | 41/27 | +14 | June 12-13 |
| Don Wakamatsu | 33/21 | +12 | July 27-August 1 |
| Bob Geren | 21/11 | +10 | July 23-25 |
| Edwin Rodriguez | 20/16 | +4 | July 16-18 |
| John Russell | 24/29 | -5 | June 19-21 |
| Brad Mills | 16/22 | -6 | June 19-21 |
| Manny Acta | 15/27 | -12 | June 26-27 |
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