The Genius of Jim Leyland

As this season has been unwinding, I'll admit to becoming increasing impatient at times, with some of the decisions of Tiger manager, Jim Leyland, most notable, what seems like a fascination with an underachieving Neifi Perez. On the surface, it seems like a no-brainer; that Omar Infante needed and deserved, another chance at being the regular second-baseman with the Tigers - filling in for the injured Placido Polanco. He has always been regarded as having great potential. I was all onboard with Dave Dombrowski; that another player who can field second-base was needed, but I was thinking more like a Craig Counsell... someone who could offer something batting from the left side, unlike Neifi Perez - a switch-hitter in name alone, who's career stats don't establish him as a threat batting left-handed. Obviously, Counsell, a free agent after 2006. wasn't available for the right price in Dombrowski's mind, so Perez was acquired, for a player who had been exposed as not being of starter quality down the road. Fine... better than doing nothing, Dave! Forget about an incident where Neifi decided on his own, to attempt a bunt, with 2 out in the bottom of the 9th, while being down 5-3, or other mental mistakes that you wouldn't expect to see from a seasoned veteran.

When Perez was acquired on August 20th, many believed that Omar was the better player, and that he should be #1 on the depth chart at second-base in Polanco's absence, and no one could realistically argue the logic of that point, inspite of Infante never grabbing an opportunity in the past. Many of us have wondered why Jim Leyland was giving Neifi Perez a carte blanche, yellow-brick road to everyday starter status, while sporting batting stats with the Tigers, that even the pitchers' would be embarassed about; currently, .200 against right-handers, and .083 against left-handers, or .156 ovwerall. Meanwhile, Infante was batting .312 in his five games filling in for Polanco after he went down, but had committed a costly two run error, in a 3-1 loss to Texas, that extended another losing streak. Hewas back to the bench, as Neifi Perez was swiftly brought into town.

That error against the Rangers was a huge "my bad" for Omar, and the trade for Perez happened the next day. Nobody ever expected Infante to take second-base, and shine like a superstar, and he has never been consistant in past opportunites. He strikes out a lot, while Perez does not. But Perez has done next to nothing since coming to Detroit, and some of us questioned Leyland, as if he wasn't paying attention. In the meantime, Omar Infante has made the best of the limited opportunities that he's had since Polanco's visit to the DL. So why has Leyland clung to Neifi Perez, we ask? Perhaps their recent 7-14 slide has made many of us nervous, to the point of looking for the reasons inside the decisions of the Tigers manager. Do we understand what Leyland knows he has to prepare for?

Perhaps Tiger fans are getting greedy with the success of this season. We've endured some abysmal baseball over the past 12 years, but now find the Tigers being guided by the best manager to wear the English "D" since Sparky Anderson. The truth of the matter is that Jim Leyland is among the best managers of the current era; winning Manager of the Year in '90 and '92 with Pittsburgh, developing stars such as Barry Bonds, Bobby Bonilla, Tim Wakefield, and Jay Bell, to name a few, and winning a World Series, with a young Wild Card team in Florida. What we may be witnessing is sheer genius, in a plot to shake Omar Infante from "great potential" to a reliable everyday starter. Who knows why the man does what he does? Detroit still boasts the best record in baseball, and that isn't a reality without Jim Leyland at the helm! In my mind, he's a lock for his 3rd Manager of the Year! We don't have a clue what he knows, or what he's preparing this team for, to be ready to compete for a championship. Tiger fans have assumed that Mike Maroth and Placido Polanco will be back for the playoffs, but is that either certain or likely? You aren't going to get Jim Leyland's true gut feeling on that at this point, but I get the feeling, he'll enter the playoffs confident with the players on the playoff roster, and they'll be ready.

For the past 2 games, Infante has been hitting with hunger, as his season average nears .300, along with a climb in his OBP and SLG, and the fans have been solid in his corner. When has he ever had this, and how did it all come about? We've always heard that he could a very good everyday player, as we have with Inge, Monroe, Thames, and Granderson, but we've never seen enough to believe it, so could this have had an effect on a player who speaks little English, and who wants the fans to believe in him? Leyland has put the fans in Omar's corner through means that only he understands, because he gets performance out of his players, and he does it his way. It looks to me like he's starting to look consistant in stinging the ball. Is this a fluke, or is it yet another player who Jim Leyland is influencing to good things, to keep the Tigers at the top of the heap? He's done it all year with many of the Tigers, whom the fans had written off. Coincidence has to be chalked-off after failure to understand continually turns out to be beneficial to the team's rise.

Tiger fans don't want to see this dream season crumble, and after all the losing seasons, we are quite adept at launching criticism, whether warranted or not. I for one, believe in Jim Leyland, and I believe his non-chalant demeanor over winning it all this season isn't as casual as he makes it out to be; deep down, he thinks he can guide the Tigers to a World Series win, but you won't hear him say that. How many times have there been this season, where some of his decisions were being highly criticized, but then... they worked out? It's refreshing the way Infante has responded, and quite different seeing him step into the batter's box, and believe that he will be getting on base; I've never felt that way with him before. I'll eat crow on my comments regarding Leyland's decisions to keep Infante on the bench, while watching Neifi Perez struggle. Obviously, Leyland is capable of turning subtraction into multiplication; that's pure genius.

garold

* Lions Memories

I was introduced to spectator sports at the hands of the Detroit Lions. Yes, the first professional sports game I witnessed was a Friday night pre-season game against the Baltimore Colts at Tiger Stadium. I attended the game with my father, an uncle, and my brother, Dan.

I remember the awe I was in, as we walked towards our seats on the first-base side... the lights blaring on the lush green grass, the vast light towers, and my first glimpse at a pro athlete. At the end of the lower-deck approach to the field was Johnny Unitas tossing warm-up balls in front of the visitors dugout. It was unreal! I was only about 10 years old, but I knew about Johnny Unitas; and his black hightops looked even more awesome, from about 10 yards away.

I don't recall whether the Lions won that game; it didn't matter to me. It was all about being there, and the seeds were planted to becoming a sports fan. I remember the Lion quartebacks were Jim Ninowski and Earl Morrall; George wilson was the head coach. Terry Barr and Gail Caudill were the recievers, Yale Lary comes to mind, along with Joe Schmidt, Alex Karras, Dick La Beau, Wayne Walker, Jim Martin. I was proud being a Detroit Lions fan, and a few years later, I began going to games on a regular basis. When I began driving, I used to get up at 6 a.m. on Mondays, to go down to the ticket office to get bleacher seats. Occasionally, I'd call my Uncle Hal, who was a sports writer for the Free Press, to ask him if I could use his seats... he was always up in the rafters during the games, and was pleased to hear from you. I went to my first Thanksgiving Day game in 1962 compliments of Hal Schram, and was hooked; the Lions sacked Bart Starr SEVEN times that afternoon. Beginning with 1968, I went to 28 straight after that. I was there when the Raiders had them down 28-0, and Detroit came back to win. I was there the day Chuck Hughes died on the field... Butkus jumping up and down waving towards the Lions bench, the collective gasp of over 54,000 in unison, then so quiet you could have heard a pin drop, with the sirens wailing from the ambulance outside the stadium, the first time Nick Eddy touched the ball for a 75 yard TD return, the blizzard against the Vikings, with Milt Plum's interception late in a scoreless game... the snowballs thrown at Harry Gilmer, Van Patrick in my ear calling the play, while I shivered in the bleachers, watching Mel Farr riping up the sidelines, the game against the Jets, where Barry reached 2000 yards, and Mike Utley paralyzed. I've been a season ticket holder in the past at the Silverdome, until it couldn't stand it anymore... giving them up one season before the move back downtown. Two years ago, I quit going to the Thanksgiving Day game, after making to 30 of 33; it was the biggest part of the day for me, but it just didn't matter anymore, when you care more than the front office.

Today, I feel totally betrayed by the Detroit Lions, and I'm ready to completely throw in the towell. I use to organize fantasy football leagues, but I don't care anymore. I don't care about going to games, and think more about how indoor football isn't really football anyway. After this pre-season, I'll be disappointed in myself, if I even waste any time watching a game on the tube, or get annoyed listening to them on the radio. Even writing about them is a waste of time, but the needed therapy to put this circus time to rest.

Enjoy the season, Lion fans, and may God have mercy on you all. Amen.

garold

* Who Makes The Tigers Playoff Roster?

Which players do the Tigers need on the Active Roster for the playoffs? Who deserves to be representing Detroit's bid to win the American League Pennant? Beginning with the current 25 man active roster, lets pencil-in the no-brainers:

C = Ivan Rodriguez, Vance Wilson
1B = Sean Casey, Dmitri Young
2B = Omar Infante
3B = Brandon Inge
SS = Carlos Guillen
LF = Craig Monroe, Marcus Thames
CF = Curtis Granderson
RF = Magglio Ordonez
SP = Jeremy Bonderman, Kenny Rogers, Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson
LR = Jason Grilli, Wilfredo Ledezma
MR = Fernando Rodney, Jamie Walker, Joel Zumaya
CL = Todd Jones

That covers 21 of the 25 spots, with one of them likely reserved for another pitcher, which would probably be either Mike Maroth, if healthy, or Zach Miner. Andrew Miller may have an outside chance, but he'd have to be so dominate down the stretch, or an injury occur to one of the other arms. A healthy Mike Maroth would be the best scenario for the 11th pitcher, while unfortunately leaving Zach Miner out of post season play. The Tigers pitching is too good to have a need for a 12th pitcher in October, and what they'll really need most is extra hitter.

More important than the availibility of Mike Maroth is going to that of Placido Polanco, a trusted hitter, and their best defender at 2B. His status will determine the fate of a few other players who have contributed to making the season a successful one for Detroit, but may be left off the active roster, to have adequate back-up in the infield, such as Chris Shelton. With Polanco out for the post-season, Neifi Perez will be on the roster for sure; with Polanco ready to go, Perez likely gets waived, inspite of his $2.5M contract for 2007, paving the way for Shelton, who is a fan favorite, can provide some needed power, which the Tigers have been very light on lately. They will need an extra bat capable of providing some instant offense to win a game, and to date, Perez hasn't shown that he can provide that, while Shelton has. If Shelton returns in September swinging the hot bat like he can, Perez is expendable; again, with a healthy Polanco. A sacrifice would have to be made. This wouldn't be a good time for a fan revolt, and there would be, if Perez is still batting anemically and kept on the roster, with Polanco back, and another player more deserving being left off. This isn't an opportunity to waste, and the best hitting bench must be assembled, while giving adequate coverage on defense. It doesn't appear that Dmitri Young is going to be wearing a first-baseman's glove again, so Shelton fills a need defensively as well, fielding as good as Sean Casey, and moving Pudge or Carlos Guillen to 1B only weakens the Tiger defense at their regular positions. Omar Infante makes more errors at SS than any other position he fills, and Ramon Santiago doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell of making the active roster, and likely has seen his last days as a Detroit Tiger.

Chris Shelton is finding his stroke in Toledo, hitting for average, with good SLG & OBA. Can he be productive again in a Tiger uniform, and earn a spot for the post-season in September, while the Tigers are trying to win the Central? It's all in Shelton's hands, along with Perez' stint in Detroit, if Polanco can suit up in October. You have to pencil in Neifi Perez at this point (unless Polanco returns) and Chris Shelton to leave one roster spot now available. There has been much silence about the status of Placido Polanco's recovery from his seperated shoulder. It's a scary thought to consider; being without their best hitter with runners in scoring position, and we can only hope he makes it back. If he does, Omar Infante and Chris Shelton are more valuable to success in the playoffs, and Neifi Perez doesn't fill the Tigers last need; a hitter who fares well against lefthanders.

This last spot will likely go to the outfielder who proves to be the most versatile during September. Brent Clevlen, Alexi Gomez, Nook Logan, are currently on the 40 man roster, with possibly Ryan Raburn, David Espinosa or Ryan Ludwick, all right-hand hitters, being added before August 31st. Raburn has been playing some outfield lately, in addition to 2B, and it would be genius to bring him up before the deadline; he's been ripping the cover off the ball. Clevlen, who was just optioned back to AA Erie to finish their season, has proven to be the best power and defense combination in his surprise tour with the Tigers; he will be recalled when the rosters expand. Alexi Gomez, has been recalled for another look from Toledo to take Clevlen's place, and is a needed left hand stick. Former Tiger Nook Logan brings speed and some good defense, but hasn't hit a lick this year. While Gomez brings his swing from the left side, Clevlen actually has hit right-handers better, along with left-handers as well. Gomez has a hard time hitting his weigh against lefties, and didn't come anywhere near the SLG% or OBA that Clevlen put up with his time in Detroit. I think the last roster spot is Brent Clevlen's to lose; possibly to Neifi Perez. (which I'd rather be kicked in the nads twice, than see that happening) Brent definately has played a role in the magic this season, both offensively and defensively, in his limited time, and he has had success against left-handers and right-handers alike.

September is going to be an exciting month for Tiger fans, with the competition heavy for the active roster. It should contribute to more "W"s and perhaps hold onto the best record, to give Detroit home field advantage in the playoffs. Magglio can be rested, in order to heal some nagging injuries, and Granderson can be giving a day off once a week, to see who will rise to the surface, and grab that last roster spot. I'm confident that the organization will make the right decisions to secure the Central Division title, and gear themselves with the best roster to give the Tigers their best chance to go to the World Series. It's been a long time, Mr. Iilitch; let's celebrate the end of this magical season all the way!

garold