OT: Tigers v Rangers
Dammit, Guillen.
I'm pretty darn far from being a Leyland apologist, but this isn't Leyland's fault. This team is not ready to contend. There's too many holes in both the rotation and the lineup. The farm systems is finally starting to produce everyday players for the first time in close to 30 years. This team is being built for 2011 and especially 2012. There's more help on the way, but it's not quite ready yet (ie: Sizemore, Strieby, Crosby, Oliver, Furbush, Gaynor).
They are a good team, but not a playoff team yet. They get a lot of money off the books next year though, they have some very solid pieces as a foundation to build a true contender with. DD has handed out some stupid contracts in his tenure in Detroit, but he has drafted incredibly well and by and large has brought more talent in than he has let loose.
take a look at the Tiger's record after the all star break since he has been here. Even the World Series year they were terrible in the second half (36-38). The one thing they have going for them this year is 41 of 75 at home where they have played great ball after the break.
While researching this I guess it just isn't a Leyland problem with only two second halves resulting in winning records since 1988.
http://www.theoaklandpress.com/articles/2009/07/12/sports/pro/doc4a59492755c15099000956.txt
Just hilarious when the Leyland detractors can routinely predict second-half failures only to have the Leyland supporters come up with excuse after excuse after excuse...
I wanted him fired the first time I saw him smoking in the dugout. What a great example for all the kids who watch Tiger baseball.
God damn it. Fucking bases fucking loaded with one mother fucking out and can't fucking score a fucking run???? BULL FUCKING SHIT!!!!!!!!!
/rant
Some of those contracts that he handed out, well, he didn't have much choice. You can question the Dontrelle Willis deal, but that was a lefty who was arbitration eligible who was 2 years removed from a 22-win season. Oh, and the pitching market was in the middle of going completely apeshit. Look at the Bonderman deal. Had his shoulder not fallen apart, who knows what could have happened.
Dombrowski took over with essentially the framework of an expansion team. It takes a long time to get the farm system breathing again, let alone producing. That's why you saw the big deals for Rogers, Ordonez and Pudge early. He had to do something, and it had to be big, and it had to be fast. Never mind 2003. People quickly forget where we were 5 years ago. Pudge was starting a mutiny and the coaching staff wound up under the bus. Craig Monroe was our everyday up-and-coming left fielder. Think abou that for a minute.
Does Det have any pitchers left? If they don't score here, this game could go on for a while.
Did Rod just mention "the 2nd base side of 2nd base"???
WELL SHIT
[Harry is drunk when he introduces the game]
Harry Doyle: Hello, Tribe fans, welcome to Major League Baseball... sort of. The attendance today is 14 hundred and 12. Most of them left after that 10 run inning the Red Sox put up. Take over Monty, I'm in the bag.
[head hits desk]
Monte: [as the outfielder catches the ball, the crowd is disappointed] Fly ball... Caught!
Not time to freak out just yet. Jim Leyland will have his boys ready. It can't hurt being a playoff contender, can it?
was the third base coach on Jonny Damon's 11th inning run?
What do you mean? Leyland and co. can do no wrong.
With the bases loaded and one out in the 11th (or maybe the 12th, I forget), Rod Allen said, "This would be a great win the Tigers." I just knew that was going to jinx them. Sure enough, double play.