tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post2320990478650646891..comments2023-02-15T04:44:36.847-08:00Comments on Eye of the Hawk: Leyland's future will depend on off-season deals and decisions, and team's' 2011 performanceJim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-74356140433485533332010-09-30T11:58:03.053-07:002010-09-30T11:58:03.053-07:00Leyland isn't the only one who wants to stick ...Leyland isn't the only one who wants to stick around Detroit. Magglio Ordonez, Brandon Inge, Jeremy Bonderman, Johnny Damon, and Jhonny Peralta feel that way, too.<br /> Contrast that to the attitude that prevailed here 10 years ago when nobody wanted to come here and most of those who did, didn't want to stay.<br /> "Maybe they felt they didn't have a chance to win here," Leyland admitted.<br /> But that has changed.<br /> "Who would want to leave here," Leyland wondered. "Why wouldn't you want to stay in a place like this? What's not to like?<br /> "I don't think you're going to have a problem getting players to come here for many years."<br /> The credit for that goes to owner Mike Ilitch, to GM Dave Dombrowski, to the supportive Tigers fans -- and, yes, to Leyland.<br /> "I'm sure we've disappointed a lot of people, but overall I think, over the last five years I've been a pretty good manager," Leyland said.<br /> What do you think?<br /><br />============<br /><br />The above section illustrates why it amazes me how many in this town continue to criticize Dombrowski & Leyland. As recently as only FIVE years ago, baseball didn't matter in this historically baseball-rich town.<br /><br />Having said that, I said a couple of weeks ago that I felt Leyland was only a borderline HOF manager, suggesting his longevity might actually diminish his career highlights and actual accomplshments, but that one more World Series might solidify his spot in history.<br /><br />And to your specific question, while I tend to agree with Sparky that many fans over-estimate the importance of a baseball manager, win or lose, there is no doubt that Leyland has imparted his mark and professionalism on this franchise as a very good manager.<br /><br />I still need to understand his refusal, though, to move up his starting pitchers by one day in last year's final series against the White Sox. We got Figaro last year while San Fran last night got Lincecum in the same situation. Not using Verlander and/or Porcello on three days rest was an odd (stubborn?) adherence to strategy....msu1983https://www.blogger.com/profile/03305444239412506065noreply@blogger.com