tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10789330190096961832024-02-20T00:12:15.200-08:00Eye of the HawkJim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.comBlogger255125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-29040230404617144362010-09-30T07:59:00.001-07:002010-09-30T07:59:28.286-07:00Prediction: Third-place finish, sprained ankle will cost Cabrera MVP he deserves The vote will be close. Probably the closest since 2006 when Justin Morneau edged Derek Jeter by 14 points. But I think the Tigers' disappointing third-place finish and the sprained ankle that knocked Miguel Cabrera out of the lineup for the final week of the season will cost Cabrera the Most Valuable Player Award that he so obviously deserves.<br> I am not voting for MVP this year -- I'm voting for AL Manager of the Year. But, for the record, if I did have a vote it would definitely go to Cabrera, with the Yankees' Robinson Cano second, and the Rangers' Josh Hamilton third. <br> However, the fact that it is a three-player race this year will spread the first-place votes around -- and hurt Cabrera's chances.<br> Cabrera wants to win the MVP. He wants it and deserves it. No other American Leaguer has performed at such a high level all season. <br> Hamilton has been missing in action since he busted a couple of ribs on Sept. 4. But, although he appeared in only 130 games, he has enough at-bats to claim the AL batting title. And the Rangers are in the playoffs. Those two factors will weigh heavily in the minds of the 28 baseball writers who have a vote.<br> Since the schedule was expanded to 162 games in 1961, only two American Leaguers -- Mickey Mantle in '62 and George Brett in '80 -- have been voted MVP despite playing 130 games or fewer.<br> But in the past decade, only Alex Rodriguez of the 2003 Texas Rangers has won MVP honors while playing for a team that failed to finish first or second in its division. <br> And getting injured cost Cabrera a chance to further pad his already-impressive stats with some convincing final week HRs and RBI.<br> I predict Hamilton will be elected MVP with Cabrera finishing a close second and Cano taking a half-dozen first-place votes away from Cabrera and placing third.<br> ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Austin Jackson is having a season for the ages. He leads all AL rookies in just about everything -- including strikeouts. Suddenly, Austin's name is being mentioned in the same sentence with the legendary Shoeless Joe Jackson. <br> The Rangers' Neftali Feliz is no slouch. He broke the save record for a rookie closer and has been outstanding down the stretch. Again, the fact that the Rangers are in the postseason, while the Tigers are not, will sway some voters. <br> But I don't see how anyone could justify giving the award to a one-inning closer over a rookie who played and contributed as much every day as Jackson -- Austin, not Shoeless -- did.<br> MANAGER OF THE YEAR: My vote goes to Minnesota's Ron Gardenhire, with Tampa's Joe Maddon second, and the Rangers' Ron Washington third.<br> For Gardenhire, the honor will be long overdue. He has finished second in the balloting three times.<br> All of the awards, presented by the Baseball Writers Association of America, will be announced in November, after the conclusion of the World Series.<br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-23209904786506468912010-09-29T08:06:00.001-07:002010-09-29T08:06:53.312-07:00Leyland's future will depend on off-season deals and decisions, and team's' 2011 performance Jim Leyland's $4 million-a-year contract expires at the end of the 2011 season. The Tigers' skipper would very much like to return in 2012 and beyond. "When I'm not interested in doing this any more you'll know -- because I won't be here. I'll be home," Leyland said last week.<br> But it is the decisions and deals the Tigers make this off-season, and how well the team performs next year when Leyland will again be a lame duck, that will determine his future and his fate. <br> "I don't ever want to be the problem," Leyland, the Tigers' longest-tenured manager since Sparky Anderson, declared. "If I'm the problem, they won't have to tell me. They won't have to fire me. I'll know I'm the problem. And I'll be gone. There will be no fanfare, nothing. Just, 'Goodbye. See ya.' " <br> Leyland, only the 18th man in baseball history to manage 3,000 games, turns 66 in December. If the Tigers decide to bring him back in 2012, he will be 67.<br> "I don't feel 65 years old," Leyland insisted. "I might look it, but I don't feel it. I don't think anyone's saying we have some feeble old man as the manager. I have some spunk."<br> But whether Leyland feels his age or not, the clock is ticking.<br> ESPN.com recently invited its readers to rank 15 of the top managers of all time. ESPN's list of 15 candidates included Leyland and Sparky, along with Walter Alston, Bobby Cox, Leo Durocher, Tony LaRussa, Tommy Lasorda, Connie Mack, Billy Martin, Joe McCarthy, John McGraw, Lou Piniella, Casey Stengel, Joe Torre and Earl Weaver.<br> Cox and Torre are stepping down at the end of this season, although I suspect Torre isn't necessarily done. Pinella has already pulled the plug on his managing career.<br> Only Leyland and probably LaRussa will still be managing next year.<br> The Dodgers have already named Don Mattingly to replace Torre. But the Braves, Cubs, Blue Jays, Mariners, Marlins, Diamondbacks, Mets, Brewers, Pirates, Reds and even the Cardinals might all also have new managers in 2011.<br> 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> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-28630806283706431682010-09-26T09:55:00.001-07:002010-09-26T09:55:40.028-07:00Galarraga's "strange" season, pending arbitration, could convince the Tigers to let him go For Armando Galarraga, this has been the strangest season by any Tigers' pitcher since1952 when Virgil Trucks tossed not one, but two no-hitters -- but won just three other games the rest of the year.<br> I asked Jim Leyland if he has an explanation as to why Galarraga has won only two of the 19 games he has started since he pitched what all agree was a perfect game on June 2?<br> "I do not," the Tigers' manager replied tersely.<br> The Tigers maintain there is nothing wrong physically with the 28-year-old right hander.<br> So what's the problem?<br> Galarraga is eligible for binding arbitration this winter and, personally, I would not be at all surprised if the Tigers simply let him go.<br> Going to arbitration can be a costly proposition. With they win or lose, teams often end up paying a player more than they want to pay him. In Galarraga's case, it could be a lot more.<br> Galarraga and his agent are going to try to cash in on his famous "imperfect game."<br> You can't blame them. This is Armando's first and maybe his best shot at a big contract.<br> But, Galarraga's grace after he was robbed by umpire Jim Joyce aside, his 4-7 record with a 4.44 ERA doesn't leave the Tigers inclined to offer him a huge raise.<br> In fairness to Galarraga, he has pitched better at times than his record indicates. In 11 of those starts he allowed three earned runs or fewer. <br> But this is a results-based business. And the Tigers have a number of promising young pitchers in the minors waiting to take Galarraga's place as the No. 5 starter.<br> Again this season, Galarraga has frustrated Jim Leyland by pitching to avoid contact instead of attacking the hitters. Too often it appears he doesn't trust his stuff which, as he demonstrated against the Indians on the memorable June night, can be outstanding.<br> He has been, in a word, inconsistent.<br> Keeping him could cost the Tigers more than they think he's worth.<br> <br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-74873622344267380312010-09-23T06:20:00.001-07:002010-09-23T06:20:45.931-07:00Cabrera says Ordonez "wants to come back next year" -- but at what price? Magglio Ordonez is at home in South Florida, recovering from his busted right ankle and subsequent surgery, and collecting the last of his $18 million salary from the Tigers.<br> Out of sight, but definitely not out of mind.<br> Will we ever see Ordonez wearing the Olde English D again, or won't we?<br> I put the odds at 60-40 -- against.<br> Miguel Cabrera, Ordonez's teammate, friend and countryman, told me on Wednesday that he has spoken frequently to Magglio by phone and that Ordonez wants to return to the Tigers next season.<br> "He wants to come back next year, he wants to stay here," Cabrera said.<br> And the Tigers want him back.<br> But at what price?<br> Until he broke his ankle sliding home on July 24, everyone involved assumed Ordonez's return in 2011 was a done deal. The clause in his contract that would have guaranteed him a $15 million salary next season was a cinch to kick in.<br> However, his injury has caused everyone to reassess the situation.<br> Because Ordonez was injured before he could collect the needed at-bats, the Tigers are no longer bound to that $15 million figure. <br> But how much less might Ordonez and his high-power agent Scott Boras be willing to accept?<br> If the Tigers were to offer Ordonez $15 million, I think he'd sign in a minute.<br> But would Magglio come back for $12 million? What about $10 million?<br> There is more than mere money at stake here. <br> Ordonez is a proud man. He wants to feel appreciated. He wants to be rewarded for all that he has done in Detroit, including that pennant-clinching home run in 2006 and his 2007 batting title.<br> But, as much as the Tigers have missed Magglio for the past two months it remains to be seen how much owner Mike Ilitch, through GM Dave Dombrowski, will be willing to pay for a proven .300 hitter who hit 12 homers and knocked in 59 runs in 84 games this year -- but one who will turn 37 in January.<br> "I want him to come back, he's a great teammate and a great hitter," Cabrera declared.<br> As a free agent this winter, Ordonez will certainly attract interest. But, in today's economy, I wonder how high the bidding will go. <br> Free agency isn't always a path to riches. Remember what happened to Johnny Damon. He made $13 million in 2009. But he eventually signed with the Tigers for $8 million, because that was the best offer he got.<br> "They love Magglio, the city loves him, they love him here," Cabrera said, who has missed Ordonez, with his .303 average, batting in front of him. <br> Then Cabrera grinned. "He's got to grow the hair again," the Tigers' slugger said.<br><br><br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-31821178317469066382010-09-18T06:29:00.001-07:002010-09-18T06:29:59.594-07:00What kind of numbers would Raburn put up if he played every day? For nearly two years now, I have wondered: What kind of numbers would Ryan Raburn put up if he was given the opportunity to play every day?<br> Next season, we may finally find out.<br> You can etch the name of Austin Jackson in stone in center field for next year.<br> But left field and right field are very much up in the air.<br> Will the Tigers bite the $15 million bullet and bring Magglio Ordonez back next season?<br> If so, will he play right field or finish his career here as the designated hitter?<br> Where does faded rookie sensation Brennan Boesch fit into the picture for next year?<br> What about Casper Wells, whose stock has definitely risen in recent days with 21 hits, including five doubles, two HRs and 12 RBI, in his first 57 big league at-bats?<br> Such speculation, of course, is assuming the Tigers don't trade for or sign a slugging corner outfielder this winter.<br> One outfielder who probably doesn't have to worry about a job next year is Raburn.<br> All that remains to be determined is whether Raburn's slugging September has earned him a starting job in left field or whether he will again be a valuable reserve. Raburn is hitting .426 this month with a .634 slugging percentage.<br> His surprising finish has pushed his season numbers to a respectable .276 batting average with 13 home runs and 54 RBI in 312 at-bats. <br> On Aug. 4 Raburn was hitting an anemic .209 with just two HRs and 23 RBI, putting his future in a Tigers' uniform in doubt. <br> Since then, he has batted .357 while delivering 11 HRs and 13 doubles and driving in 31 runs. Since Aug. 5, Raburn leads the American League with 24 extra-base hits and a .683 slugging percentage.<br> Raburn also came on strong during August (.327/.592) and September (.355/.677) last season to clinch his place as an extra outfielder on this year's team. Now, if only he could get off to a good start.<br> If I had to guess at this point, barring a trade or a significant free agent signing, I think it will be Raburn in left, Jackson in center, and Boesch in right, with the versatile Wells and Don Kelly in reserve next year.<br> <br> <br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-74057874966695071772010-09-16T05:43:00.001-07:002010-09-16T05:43:25.015-07:00Damon will be on Hall of Fame ballot someday. How many other Tigers can make that claim? Johnny Damon probably won't wear a Tigers uniform next season. But he plans to play somewhere. And his name will definitely be on the Hall of Fame ballot someday in the not-too-distant future.<br> How many of his current Tiger teammates can make that same claim?<br> All too often, I fear, Damon's performance and presence have been under-appreciated this year.<br> On Wednesday, in a losing cause, Damon tripled for the 100th time in his career.<br> Among active players, only Tampa Bay speedster -- who, by the way, will be a free agent at the end of this season and who would certainly fit nicely into the Tigers' lineup next year -- has more three-baggers (104).<br> Among all big leaguers, all-time, Damon ranks 158th. Tigers' great Sam Crawford is baseball's all-time leader with 309.<br> Damon is fourth among active players in runs scored with 1,560. Alex Rodriguez is the active leader with 1,745. Damon ranks 51st all-time -- ahead of Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson, Wade Boggs, and Mike Schmidt.<br> Damon is ninth among active players with 482 doubles. Surprisingly, ex-Tiger Pudge Rodriguez is the leader with 564. All-time, Damon is 70th in doubles. Hall of Famer Tris Speaker is the all-time leader with 792.<br> Damon is seventh among active players with 2,557 hits. It likely won't happen here, but he has a shot at 3,000 which would virtually guarantee him a plaque on the wall in Cooperstown.<br> Damon is also fourth among active players in stolen bases (383) fifth in at-bats (8,893), and eighth in games played (2,261). <br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-76755090086536048282010-09-12T11:28:00.001-07:002010-09-12T11:28:46.057-07:00Guillen doesn't care where he plays next year, he just wants to stay healthy Carlos Guillen said Sunday he doesn't care whether he plays second base or serves as the Tigers' DH next season.<br> He just wants to play.<br> "I enjoy playing baseball -- it doesn't matter where," declared Guillen. "I'd be OK playing second, DH-ing, any position. I just want to stay healthy."<br> Guillen, who has been sidelined since Aug. 17 with what was initially diagnosed as a deep knee bruise, will not accompany the Tigers on this week's road trip to Texas and Chicago. Instead, he will fly to New York where on Friday he will undergo a diagnostic surgical procedure to hopefully determine exactly why the pain in his left knee won't go away.<br> "They won't know until they get in there and clean it out," Guillen explained. <br> Guillen and the Tigers want to find out what is wrong and get it fixed.<br> And there is no point in waiting.<br> "Better to do it now and not wait for two more months," Guillen said. "Do it now so I'll be ready for spring training."<br> Guillen, who will turn 35 at the end of the month, has one year remaining on his contract and is guaranteed $13 million next year.<br> He has been plagued by injuries the past two years. In 2009, he appeared in 81 games. This season he has only played in a career-low 68, batting .273 with six HRs and 34 RBI.<br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-61497935777711749762010-09-09T10:26:00.001-07:002010-09-09T10:26:17.158-07:00Cabrera enjoying a banner year, but his chances of a Triple Crown are nil Miguel Cabrera was absent from the starting lineup again Thursday because of tendinitis in his left shoulder which hinders his swing and reduces his power. Barring a stupendous final three weeks, which now appears all but impossible, his chances of winning baseball's Triple Crown are nil. <br> Not that they were ever very good. <br> Historically, the odds against a Triple Crown are 17-1. <br> But in today's baseball, the odds are much greater than that.<br> Since 1900 it has only happened in either league 13 times. <br> In the past 110 years, only 11 players -- Nap Lajoie (1901), Ty Cobb ('09), Rogers Hornsby (1922, '25), Jimmie Foxx ('33), Chuck Klein ('33), Lou Gehrig ('34), Joe Medwick ('37), Ted Williams (1942, '47), Mickey Mantle ('56), Frank Robinson ('66), and Carl Yastrzemski ('67) _ have ever led their league in batting average, home runs and RBI. As you can see, two players, Hornsby and Williams, did it twice.<br> It is no coincidence that all 11 are enshrined in baseball's Hall of Fame.<br> But, in the so-called Expansion Era, it has only happened twice since 1956. <br> No fan under the age of 50 has ever seen it happen, which definitely puts me in the minority. <br> Cabrera continues to lead the American League in RBI with 110. But he trails injured Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers by 28 points (.361 to .333) in the batting race and Toronto's Jose Bautista by 10 home runs (43 to 33) in the HR chase.<br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-67734851953312026942010-09-08T11:34:00.001-07:002010-09-08T11:34:41.214-07:00Does Leyland deserve a plaque in baseball's Hall of Fame someday? Jim Leyland has moved past Baltimore's Earl Weaver and into 20th place on the all-time list of baseball's winningest managers. Weaver is a Hall of Famer. <br> By the end of this season, Leyland could also surpass Clark Griffith, who has 10 more wins than Leyland's 1,481 going into Wednesday night's game. Griffith is also enshrined at Cooperstown, although he was inducted as a player, not a manager.<br> Which raises the question: Does Jim Leyland deserve to be elected to the Hall of Fame someday?<br> Leyland's critics will howl, but a compelling argument can be made.<br> Only 19 managers in baseball history own more wins than Leyland. <br> Thirteen of those guys -- Connie Mack, John McGraw, Sparky Anderson, Bucky Harris, Joe McCarthy, Walter Alston, Leo Durocher, Casey Stengel, Bill McKechnie, Fred Clarke, Tommy Lasorda, Dick Williams, and Griffith -- already have plaques hanging on the wall in the Hall. <br> Three other managers with more wins -- Bobby Cox, Tony LaRussa, and Joe Torre -- are still active and will almost surely be elected someday.<br> Of those retired managers with more wins than Leyland, only Gene Mauch, Lou Pinella, and Ralph Houk are not in the Hall.<br> Ten others, with fewer wins than Leyland -- Weaver, of course, as well as Miller Huggins, Al Lopez, Wilbert Robinson, Ned Hanlon, Frank Selee, Whitey Herzog, Harry Wright, Hughie Jennings, and Billy Southworth -- are also in the Hall.<br> Leyland's world championship with Florida in 1997, his two trips to the World Series, with the Marlins ('97) and Tigers ('06), and his three consecutive division titles with Pittsburgh (1990-92) will guarantee him some Cooperstown consideration once he retires.<br> Leyland currently has a sub-.500 record as a manager. But so do HOFers Connie Mack and Bucky Harris. <br> If you had a vote, what would you do?<br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-65442373023259107482010-09-06T09:20:00.001-07:002010-09-06T09:20:41.587-07:00St. Pierre's feel-good story shows power of perseverance and positive thinking One of the pre-game chores that many big leaguers dread the most is autographing the seemingly-endless supply of baseballs in the locker room. But when one of the kids who works in the Tigers' clubhouse approached Max St. Pierre with two dozen blank balls to sign Monday morning, the rookie catcher gladly grabbed them and immediately began affixing his autograph.<br> "I'm in the big leagues," St. Pierre explained, smiling. "I've been waiting all these years just to get here. It's been unbelievable."<br> And he's not about to complain -- about anything.<br> St. Pierre's feel-good story is a monument to the power of perseverance, patience and positive thinking. <br> For 14 seasons, St. Pierre toiled in the bushes, playing in places like Oneonta, Lakeland, Erie (six times), and Toledo. "I tried to stay positive, but I'm not getting any younger," he admitted.<br> Along the way, St. Pierre overcame a drinking problem, was traded and released. <br> "It would have been easy to quit, I thought about it," he confessed.<br> Because he was born in Quebec and spoke with a French accent, he had a hard time communicating with the pitchers when he first signed with the Tigers in 1997. "They couldn't understand me because of my accent," he recalled. "They thought I was dumb."<br> But St. Pierre didn't let that derail him, either.<br> For nearly 1,000 minor league games, St. Pierre crouched behind home plate, waiting for his dream to happen, waiting for the chance that even he was beginning to believe might never come.<br> Particularly this year after he dislocated his left thumb in mid-May and broke his left hand in late June.<br> St. Pierre's hand still hurts every time he catches a ball. "They tell me it'll take two or three months to heal," he said.<br> But he doesn't mind. <br> "I'm in the big leagues," he said again.<br> For the 30-year-old St. Pierre, the call he had been awaiting for nearly half his life, finally arrived last week when the Tigers summoned him to the big leagues because of Gerald Laird's lingering back spasms.<br> And his phone hasn't stopped ringing since.<br> "In the minors, when my phone would ring, it was only my mother or my wife who would be calling," St. Pierre said.<br> "Now it's everybody.<br> "Voice mail, texts, lots of face book -- everything. Since I've been here it's been on fire. Radio shows, newspapers, friends -- people I haven't even talked to since high school now what to be my friends. I'd say, total, 200 or 300 messages. And it's not stopping. It's been unbelievable.<br> "I'm enjoying it, for sure," he added.<br> <br><br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-51849548432647230632010-09-02T07:44:00.001-07:002010-09-02T07:44:37.205-07:00Tigers' plight proves it's not how much money you spend, it's how you spend it Much has been made and much will continue to be made about the mountain of money -- nearly $134 million this season, and almost $500 million over the last four -- that Mike Ilitch has spent in the futile pursuit of another pennant.<br> However, although dollars dominate so many baseball conversations these days -- and understandably so -- money isn't everything.<br> If the season were to end today, 13 of this year's 16 biggest spenders -- the Red Sox, Cubs, Tigers, Mets, Angels, White Sox, Dodgers, Giants, Cardinals, Astros, Mariners, Brewers, and Rockies -- would all miss the playoffs.<br> With the exception of the ridiculously rich New York Yankees, it's not how much you spend, but rather how you spend it.<br> And that, after all, is the way it should be.<br> The Texas Rangers have won 75 games. They're in first place in the American League West and a cinch to reach the postseason. Their payroll is $64.811 million.<br> The Tampa Bay Rays have won 82 games. They are one game behind the Yankees in the AL East and likely to be the wild card, at worst. Their payroll is $72.847 million.<br> The Minnesota Twins have won 77 games. They're in first place in the AL Central by four games. Their payroll is $97.659 million.<br> The surprising San Diego Padres have won 76 games. They're in first place in the National League West. Their payroll is $37.799 million.<br> The Cincinnati Reds have won 78 games. They're in first place in the NL Central and headed for the postseason. Their payroll is $76.152 million.<br> The Atlanta Braves have won 78 games. They're in first place in the NL East. Their payroll is $83.890 million.<br> The disappointing Tigers have won 65 games. They're in third place in the AL Central. Their payroll is $133.995 million.<br> Feel free to draw your own conclusions.<br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-50621742127277685152010-09-01T06:26:00.001-07:002010-09-01T06:26:50.701-07:00The Tigers, too, have something to play for this month -- but it's personal The long-shot White Sox plucked Manny Ramirez, a major league problem child with Hall of Fame credentials, off the waiver wire, renting him for the rest of the season for $3.8 million. The front-running Minnesota Twins have bolstered their suspect bullpen, picking up proven relievers Matt Capps and Brian Fuentes.<br> Meanwhile, on Wednesday, the Tigers summoned career minor league catcher Max St. Pierre and recalled right-handed reliever Robbie Weinhardt. <br> Therein lies the difference between the true contenders and the also-rans.<br> And it's a big difference.<br> Another day, another rookie. Or two.<br> In case you haven't noticed, on most nights the Tigers' starting lineup now includes four or five freshmen.<br> While the Twins battle to hang on to the lead in the American league Central, and the ChiSox struggle to catch them, the Tigers, veterans as well as rookies, are auditioning for 2011. <br> Veterans Johnny Damon, Jeremy Bonderman and Brandon Inge hope to convince the Tigers, meaning Dave Dombrowski and Jim Leyland, to bring them back next season.<br> Rookies, such Will Rhymes and Casper Wells, and trying to prove that they belong in the big leagues.<br> The Tigers, too, have something to play for this month -- but it is personal, not the postseason.<br> For some, such as Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen, this will be a season to forget.<br> But for St. Pierre, who has toiled in the bush leagues since 1997, pursuing a dream that has long seemed impossible, this will be a year to remember.<br> St. Pierre's call-up came a couple of days early because of Gerald Laird's lingering back spasms.<br> Those who know St. Pierre, those who played with him in the minors, applauded the decision as well-deserved.<br> But the fact remains, if the Tigers were still in the pennant chase, they would look at this last month of the season a lot differently.<br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-32546299688141978352010-08-29T12:09:00.000-07:002010-08-29T12:11:55.007-07:00Bottom line: 7.25 million reasons why Peralta wants to be a Tiger again next year One Detroit daily naively made a big deal late last week out of Jhonny Peralta's stated desire to play for the Tigers again next year.<br> No wonder. <br> Peralta was 7.25 million reasons to hope and pray the Tigers bring him back.<br> But let's get real here: Peralta's reasons for wanting to return have nothing to do with his new teammates in the Tigers' clubhouse ("I like everybody here"), his high regard for manager Jim Leyland ("He's the kind of guy I feel comfortable around"), or the city and suburbs that surround Comerica Park ("I feel happy here").<br> Peralta wants to remain a Tiger because he knows he will make much, much more money here next season -- maybe twice as much -- than he stands to make anywhere else.<br> If the Tigers decide to exercise the club option in Peralta's contract and bring him back next year, either as their everyday shortstop or as a replacement for Brandon Inge at third base "(I don't care about the position"), they will be obligated to pay him $7.25 million.<br> However, if they elect not to exercise that option, they will only owe him a $250,000 parting gift and Peralta will immediately become a free agent.<br> However, in Peralta's case, that opportunity is not nearly as inviting as it sounds.<br> As a free agent on the open market, Peralta, a career .265 hitting who is batting .242 this season, probably won't be offered more than $3-4 million for one year or $6-7 for two -- if that.<br> Remember, the Cleveland Indians, who know him best, let him go because they didn't want to pay him $7 million next year. And it was the Indians who agreed to put that onerous option clause in Peralta's contract in the first place.<br> Peralta is making a career-high $4.85 million this year.<br> If they so desire, the Tigers could let Peralta walk, then try to resign him as a free agent for a significantly reduced price.<br> If that happens, we will see him much Peralta truly likes it here.<br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-89605125342085957272010-08-25T05:22:00.001-07:002010-08-25T05:22:31.481-07:00Damon's decision applauded in Detroit, but it is being booed in Boston Remember when nobody wanted to come to Detroit to play baseball?<br> Now, nobody wants to leave.<br> Not Johnny Damon, not Brandon Inge, not Magglio Ordonez, not Jeremy Bonderman, not newcomer Jhonny Peralta.<br> What has changed?<br> The biggest differences, I believe, have been owner Mike Ilitch's willingness to spend and the presence of Jim Leyland, who had modified the mind-set in the locker room.<br> The clubhouse bickering and backstabbing has become a thing of the past.<br> In addition, behind the scenes, Dave Dombrowski has overhauled the organization, upgrading the Tigers' scouting, drafting, and player development.<br> Having said all of that, how many other big league ballplayers would have done what Damon did, turning down a chance to return to the big stage of a pennant chase to finish out this season as an also-ran?<br> So much for the theory, so prevalent last spring, that Damon and his wife enjoyed the bright lights of Broadway and Boston and maybe Chicago too much to ever agree to come to dingy, depressed Detroit.<br> "I love Detroit," Damon declared in announcing his decision to veto a possible trade to the Boston Red Sox.<br> It may not be obvious in the standings or on the stat sheet, but Damon has meant more to the Tigers this season than Mohawk haircuts and monogrammed bathrobes.<br> And is desire to stay here has been loudly applauded.<br> But whether Damon intended it that way or not, his decision came as a slap in the face to the Red Sox and their rabid fans..<br> Columnist Dan Shaughnessy, writing in the Boston Globe, declared, "His decision to stay with the Tigers is downright idiotic. <br> "Why would Damon want to stay with the moribund Tigers when he had a chance to join the Red Sox for 5 1/2 weeks of stretch-run fun?" Shaughnessy asked. "Why try to keep hitting at cavernous Comerica Park when he could return to friendly Fenway? Why play games that don't matter when you can play games that still matter.<br> "Think about it: For the next five weeks, you could live in downtown Boston and your wife could shop on Newbury Street. Or you could live in downtown Detroit, amid the boarded-up buildings and the proverbial skeleton frames of burned-out Chevrolets. Is this really a tough call?"<br> I must admit, I, too, was surprised by Damon's veto.<br> Both Damon and Dombrowski insist no decision has been reached regarding next season. No promises have been made. "There is no guarantee where I'll be next year," Damon admitted. "I hope I'm back." What are the chances Damon, Inge, Ordonez, Bonderman and Peralta will get their wish and be invited back next season?<br> I rank them this way, from Most Likely to Return, to Least Likely:<br> 1. Inge<br> 2. Bonderman<br> 3. Ordonez<br> 4. Damon<br> 5. Peralta<br><br><br> <br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-73118066085083248902010-08-24T06:25:00.001-07:002010-08-24T06:25:55.946-07:00Tigers' willingness to dump Damon confirms this season's dream is dead The Tigers signed Johnny Damon, further inflating their already-bloated payroll by $8 million, because they honestly believed they had a chance to win the American League Central and advance to the playoffs this season. Their willingness now to trade him to the Boston Red Sox confirms what all but the most die-hard Tiger enthusiasts acknowledged weeks ago: That dream is dead.<br> Damon must now weigh the chance, however remote, to play some meaningful games in September and possibly October, with Boston against the bitterness that still lingers toward Red Sox fans who, after the then-bearded Damon signed with the Yankees, donned T-shirts that read: "Looks like Jesus, acts like Judas, throws like Mary."<br> The thought of again being in the thick of a pennant chase tugs at his heart. Because Damon is, above all else, a winner.<br> This is not about money. Damon is due about $1.8 million the rest of this year.<br> Having said that, the prospect the Tigers would probably get from the Red Sox in return for Damon might help.<br> As Damon discovered last winter with the Yankees, baseball is a business. And the 36-year-old Damon very much wants to play at least one more year.<br> Damon's first choice would be to remain a Tiger. But I don't think the Tigers will come close to matching his current $8 million salary in 2011 -- if, indeed, they offer to bring him back at all.<br> By performing well for the Red Sox in the national spotlight down the stretch, he could enhance his chances of getting a comparable contract offer for next year from someone else. <br> It would mean a chance to, once again, prove his worth as a clutch player. Damon knows, if he helps the Red Sox reach the postseason, his image in Boston will change dramatically.<br> There is no doubt in mind that the Red Sox claimed Damon, not because they want him back but because they wanted to block their rivals, the Tampa Bay Rays or the Yankees, from claiming him. I'm sure Damon suspects that, too.<br> In that respect, the Red Sox have already succeeded<br> If Damon, whose eight-team "no-trade" list includes the Red Sox, scuttles this trade -- as is his right -- he remain a Tiger for the rest of this year.<br> But then what?<br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-81156386105712852062010-08-23T10:21:00.001-07:002010-08-23T10:21:03.743-07:00Aubrey Huff is finally doing for the Giants what he didn't do for the '09 Tigers Nobody ever said life, or baseball, was fair.<br> There were a dozen reasons why the Tigers fell one win short of the postseason last year. <br> But, no matter how you broke it down, the dismal, disappointing performance of Aubrey Huff had to rank near the top of the list:<br> Forty games, just 20 hits, two homers, 13 RBI, and a .189 average.<br> No other Tiger played so much and contributed so little down the stretch last year.<br> But look at him now.<br> Talk about rubbing salt in an old wound.<br> Unceremoniously released by the Tigers who acquired him from the Baltimore Orioles in mid-August, Huff, who made $8 million last year, thought he had reached the end of the line last January. <br> Then the phone rang. It was the San Francisco Giants. The Giants were only offering $3 million -- but that was $3 million more than Huff's next, best offer.<br> After watching how little Huff did for the Tigers late last season, when one big hit would have been enough to put them into the playoffs, I couldn't believe he got that much.<br> Now, incredibly, the 33-year-old Huff, who has played more than 1,440 games without ever once appearing in the postseason, and who had earned a reputation as a player whose commitment didn't always equal his ability, leads the Giants in just about every significant offensive category with 21 HRs, 70 RBIs, 128 hits, 76 runs, 64 walks, and 120 games played. At last check, he was batting .295. <br> "I never really realized how the big leagues were supposed to be until I got here," Huff recently told ESPN.com.<br> It was nice knowing you, too, Aubrey.<br> And if that isn't reason enough to root against the Giants, shortstop Edgar Renteria -- remember him? -- is batting .278 in San Francisco. <br> <br><br><br><br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-80425649389314910002010-08-17T07:31:00.000-07:002010-08-17T07:32:00.099-07:00Tigers thumb their nose at Selig again; bestow $3.45 million on top draft pick Just because the wheels may have come off the Tigers' bandwagon this season doesn't mean Mike Ilitch is going to change his free-spending ways where the annual amateur draft is concerned -- whether baseball commissioner Bud Selig likes it or not.<br> The Tigers realize they are never going to be able to compete, dollar for dollar, with the filthy-rich New York Yankees on the free agent market. They believe they can get more bang for their big bucks in the draft. <br> And they have the players, including Justin Verlander and Rick Porcello, to prove it. <br> In addition, the Tigers traded Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin, who were both originally signed to contracts that were "over-scale," to the Florida Marlins for Miguel Cabrera.<br> They did it again late Monday night, risking the further wrath of the commissioner by bestowing $3.45 million on their top draft pick, infielder Nick Castellanos. It was the richest contract ever given a kid who had not been selected on the first round.<br> And it followed the patterned the team set in signing Verlander (2004), Porcello (2007), Jacob Turner (2009) and others.<br> In baseball, as in life, you get what you pay for.<br> Castellanos was the 44th player selected in the June draft. In an effort to keep rookie spending in check, Selig's office recommends that such a player should only receive $776,700. In other words, according to Selig, the Tigers "overpaid" by about $2.673 million.<br> All of that money, of course, pales in comparison to the $9.9 million bonanza that Bryce Harper, this summer's No. 1 draft pick, reaped from the Washington Nationals. The commissioner's office had recommended that No. 1 pick receive $4 million, and not a penny more.<br> But the 18-year-old Castellanos was not the only draft pick who benefitted from the Tigers' contractual largesse.<br> The Tigers also signed their second and third picks, pitchers Chance Ruffin and Drew Smyly, for $1.15 million and $1.1 million respectively -- well in excess of the $728,100 and $537,300 suggested by the commissioner for those two slots.<br> Although baseball doesn't have an official pay scale for draft picks, it tries to impose an unofficial system. And teams that have flagrantly exceeded the "recommendations" have frequently heard from the commissioner's office.<br> But the Tigers, among some others, believe that fury is a small price to pay for acquiring premier players who would otherwise return or go to school and later sign with someone else.<br> That opportunity will disappear if, as many believe, baseball adopts a rigid salary structure for draft picks in its next collective bargaining agreement. That would take effect in 2012, locking draft picks to specific bonuses and salaries which are sure to be a whole lot lower than this year's top rookie contracts.<br> Meanwhile, the Tigers, to their credit, will continue to play the game in a manner which, they believe, gives them the best chance to be good. <br><br><br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-82922938192474508212010-08-12T09:18:00.000-07:002010-08-12T09:25:27.275-07:00Tigers cancel Boesch's ticket to Toledo, decide to "let him grind it out" How close did the Tigers come to shipping erstwhile rookie sensation Brennan Boesch back to to Toledo last week?<br> Very close. In fact, as they say in boxing, it was a split decision.<br> "It wasn't 100 percent send him down and it wasn't 100 percent keep him here," Jim Leyland admitted, in revealing the results of several clubhouse discussions and meetings involving the Tigers' manager, GM Dave Dombrowski and the coaching staff regarding the slumping freshman slugger.<br> "What should we do? Do you want to send him out, relax him a little bit? Or do you let him grind it out? Some people felt it was best to let him grind it out. Some felt it was best to send him down. What's best for the kid? There were several different opinions from people I respect. It goes to show you no one knew the answer."<br> What the Tigers finally decided to do was to wait until the conclusion of last weekend's series at Comerica Park against the Los Angeles Angels.<br> Then, if Boesch still looked lost at the plate, the Tigers would return him to the minors when they recalled Carlos Guillen.<br> But Boesch, whose average had dipped from .345 on July 4 to .282, went 2-for-9 with a home run against the Angels -- his first HR since June 27.<br> That was enough to earn him a reprieve, at least temporarily.<br> And Boesch rewarded that decision by collecting one hit in each of the Tigers' three games against Tampa Bay.<br> So he is safe, for now. <br> As the Tigers embarked on their road trip to Chicago and New York, Boesch was 7-for-29 in his last nine games after suffering through a 6-for-67 post-All-Star break slump.<br> Maybe the worst is over. The Tigers can only hope.<br> "I don't want him to be a deer in the headlights because we're not sending him down -- at least to my knowledge," Leyland declared.<br> "You have mixed emotions because you want to do what's best for the kid. To be totally honest, I don't really know what the best solution is. It's a tough decision. <br> "The only thing that helps develop a young player is time. In most cases it takes time.<br> "For now we've decided to let him grind it out. I think it's best for the organization right now if we stay with him. I'll pick spots for him to let him breathe a little bit, but I want to see him grind it out. I don't want to tear the kid up. I don't want to hurt him in any shape or form. But I think he's relaxing a little bit now. I think he can handle it.<br> "He's one for the future."<br> But it is the present that the Tigers and their frustrated fans are most worried about right now.<br><br><br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-49371468623110704682010-08-11T07:49:00.001-07:002010-08-11T07:49:54.089-07:00When Perry pitches two days in a row, the second is rarely as good as the first Jim Leyland had a heart-to-heart talk with Ryan Perry when the reliever and possible closer-in-waiting arrived at Comerica Park on Wednesday.<br> The Tigers' manager was trying to figure out why, almost without fail, when Perry is called upon to pitch two days in a row, he doesn't fair as well the second day as he did the first.<br> "I don't know if it's a mental thing, I just don't know," Leyland admitted. "That's kind of a mystery to us.<br> "But I do know this: If he's going to be what we think he can be, he's going to have to do that.<br> "For whatever reason, when he pitches two days in a row, his numbers are significantly different the second day. It's amazing," Leyland continued.<br> "I think that's his major issue -- bouncing back with the same stuff the second day. Some guys come back the second day with a dead arm. But that's not his problem.<br> "You've got to remember, you're talking about a second-year guy who didn't have much minor league experience."<br> Given all of the uncertainty that continues to engulf Joel Zumaya and his future, Perry could be the leading candidate to replace Jose Valverde as the Tigers' closer when Valverde's contract expires after the 2011 season.<br> "He (Perry) is a real keeper," Leyland said. <br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-44449007837290352532010-08-08T13:57:00.001-07:002010-08-08T13:57:50.042-07:00Cabrera's Triple Crown chances hurt by lack of protection, mounting walk total Miguel Cabrera walked three times over the weekend. He has been walked nine times on this homestand.<br> Rookie Brennan Boesch's second-half return to reality, coupled with the loss of Magglio Ordonez, have left Cabrera more or less all alone in the middle of the Tigers' lineup.<br> As a result, Cabrera, who leads the American League in RBI with 93, is third in hitting at .343, and third in home runs with 26, also leads the league in intentional walks with 15 and is fourth in walks overall with 62.<br> Opposing pitchers know Cabrera is now the one guy in the Tigers' lineup who is most likely to beat them. And they feel free to pitch to him very carefully if, indeed, they don't outright walk him.<br> And that cuts into his chances for base hits, HRs and RBI -- in other words, the Triple Crown.<br> Cabrera's last home run came on July 31. His last RBI came on Aug. 1. His batting average has dropped eight points (from .351) this month.<br> "When Boesch was hitting, we had a legitimate guy hitting behind him. Right now, we don't have a guy hitting behind him who can protect him," Jim Leyland admitted.<br> "Of course, Cabrera is so good, the only guy who can really protect Miguel Cabrera is Miguel Cabrera."<br> And the Tigers only have one of those. <br> "For the most part, they really haven't done a whole lot of pitching around him," Leyland insisted. "Sometimes that becomes a head game. 'Are they going to pitch to me? Are they not going to pitch to me?'<br> "When a guy is as good as he is, he can expand the strike zone sometimes. But he can't expand it too much. If you start swinging at bad pitches, you're going to make outs."<br> Cabrera was walked 68 times all last season. His career high is 86 bases on balls, with Florida in 2006.<br> But the Tigers' team record for walks is safe. Surprisingly, that was set by Roy Cullenbine, who was hardly a slugger, in 1947 when he walked 137 times.<br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-67174684704199012572010-08-05T10:42:00.001-07:002010-08-05T10:42:10.653-07:00Like it or not, Guillen is headed for brief rehab assignment in minors Carlos Guillen will be eligible to come off the disabled list on Monday. As far as Guillen is concerned, he is ready to return to the lineup right now.<br> Nevertheless, on Thursday the Tigers sent Guillen to Class A West Michigan in Grand Rapids, just as they did with Brandon Inge earlier this week, for what figures to be a brief rehab assignment. <br> Guillen didn't have a vote. "It's not my decision," he said.<br> But Guillen wasn't shy about making his feelings on the subject known.<br> "Rehab!" the Tigers veteran said with a disgusted look on his face.<br> "I don't think I need a rehab. I've been hitting almost every day. I feel ready to play," said Guillen, who has been sidelined since July 25 with a strained right calf.<br> Guillen still hasn't forgotten his trip to Syracuse earlier this season when he was on a rehab assignment with the Toledo Mud Hens because of an injured hamstring.<br> "The worst hotel, the worst clubhouse, the worst place to play," Guillen recalled.<br> "Only one place to got to eat _ Denny's. I don't know if they have a downtown. I didn't see any buildings. I saw a couple of cars on the street. That was it."<br> The Tigers' top two minor league subsidiaries, Toledo and Erie, are both on the road at the present time. And West Michigan, which plays at home on Friday, goes on the road to Dayton, Ohio, on Saturday.<br> Oh well, it beats Syracuse. At least they have Skyline Chili in Dayton.<br> "I don't want to go anywhere," said Guillen, obviously unimpressed.<br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-22497229996218184692010-08-03T09:30:00.001-07:002010-08-03T09:30:58.681-07:00Leyland, Carlos Guillen disagree on Ozzie's rant regarding treatment of Latinos Tigers veteran Carlos Guillen agrees with the basic premise of the recent controversial rant by Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen regarding the disparate handling of Latino and Asia players in baseball and the preferential treatment the Asians allegedly receive.<br> Tigers manager Jim Leyland does not.<br> "I can't speak for other organizations, but we have all kinds of things to help them (Latino players) adjust to the language and the culture," Leyland insisted. "The Tigers organization has a good program in place.<br> "I have a son (Patrick) playing in the Gulf Coast League and I know we have an actual teacher down there (in Lakeland, Fla.) teaching the Latin kids the English language," the Tigers' manager explained.<br> "In fact, my son is trying to learn Spanish at the same time.<br> "As soon as our Latin players come here to this country, we provide educational programs and English lessons for them." <br> Carlos Guillen, who like Ozzie is a native of Venezuela, knows all about baseball's English classes. He attended one when he signed his first pro contract with the Houston Astros in 1993.<br> "It didn't work," Guillen declared with a grin.<br> "My English is still screwed up.<br> "I don't think it works," Guillen added "Do you think the kids want to learn English at that age?" "I still don't feel comfortable speaking English," admitted the veteran Tigers, who has been in the big leagues since 1998.<br> "We've got 20 percent of the big league players from Latin America or South America. Do we have a translator? No. Do we have a personal trainer? We don't have one.<br> "Good luck. They don't know if you speak English or understand what they are going to say.<br> "Why don't they have English classes for the Japanese players?<br> "How are you going to explain to a trainer or the doctor or the manager how you feel when you don't speak English?" Carlos continued. "It's hard. You can imagine how it is in the minor leagues.<br> "It's hard for you guys (in the media) to understand what we're saying. Sometimes you put something wrong in the paper but it's not your fault. And it's hard for us to understand your questions.<br> "Communication is the key to everything. With your family, your home, with your kids. If you don't have good communication with your kids, they're going to learn it out on the street.<br> "It's the same thing in here, in the clubhouse. You have to have good communication with your teammates and your team." <br> Because of his understanding of the game, Guillen has often been mentioned as a possible candidate to be a big league manager when he retires.<br> But he admitted his difficulty with the English language might make him reluctant to pursue a second career when his playing days are over.<br> Then again, he added, "You don't have to speak perfect English to be a big league manager."<br> Right, Ozzie?<br> <br><br> <br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-84964925338553682262010-08-02T04:52:00.001-07:002010-08-02T04:52:59.432-07:00Ten-game homestand could signal start of Tigers' turnaround -- or seal their fate The good news is the Chicago White were thwarted in their efforts to trade for a slugger, namely Adam Dunn or Manny Ramirez, to juice up their offense.<br> The bad news is, aside from stopgap third baseman Jhonny Peralta, the Tigers weren't able to bolster their injury depleted attack, either.<br> And, given their sinking status in the standings, the Tigers' need was definitely greater.<br> Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins, who have suffered their share of major injuries, too, somehow keep on winning.<br> That pretty much sums up the American League Central as we enter the final two do-or-die months of the season.<br> Night after night, this once-promising summer is coming unraveled right before our eyes. <br> Know this: There is nothing wrong with the reeling Tigers that a 10-game winning streak wouldn't help remedy.<br> And they're 35-17 at Comerica Park, where their next 10 games will be played.<br> But right now can anyone envision the shell-shocked Tigers sweeping the ChiSox, Angels and Rays on this homestand?<br> I know I can't. Not anymore.<br> The Tigers are hurting physically -- and mentally.<br> Their just-completed road trip to St. Petersburg and Boston was grueling. And the way they lost those six games out of seven, especially the last two in Boston, was emotionally draining.<br> That has to take a toll.<br> Chicago's turnaround has been amazing. <br> That's why the four-game showdown with the White Sox, beginning with a challenging day-night doubleheader on Tuesday, is critical.<br> It could signal the beginning of the Tigers' turnaround -- or seal their fate.<br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-3655293405457023272010-07-27T09:37:00.001-07:002010-07-27T09:37:28.135-07:00Leyland doesn't argue for show: "I'm not going to make a fool of myself." If you thought Jim Leyland was merely trying to fire up his struggling, injury-depleted troops when he charged out of the dugout to dispute umpire Marty Foster's obviously erroneous "safe" call at second base on Monday night, then you don't know the Tigers' manager very well.<br> Because Leyland doesn't do that. He doesn't believe in it.<br> "I'm not like some managers who go out there after the umpires to fire up their team," Leyland insisted last week, before his latest outburst.<br> "I've never been a manager who did that. To me, that's just a sign of frustration.<br> "If I've got to do that, we've got a horse-manure team," Leyland added.<br> "I'm not going to go out there and make a fool of myself if I think the umpire is right," Leyland continued.<br> "I'm not going to lie to my players when I think the umpire made the correct call. I'm not going to just put on a show for the fans."<br> Monday night, Leyland was convinced Foster was wrong -- on two counts.<br> First, the umpire called the sliding B.J. Upton safe when the replays clearly showed rookie Will Rhymes had tagged him out.<br> Then Foster accused Leyland of spitting on him.<br> That was what really set the Tigers' manager off. <br> "That was a blatant lie," Leyland, still seething, told reporters after the game.<br> "That's a serious accusation and I'm not gonna accept it," Leyland said. "I'm not going to take that from anybody. I don't even spit on the ground."<br> According to Leyland, he had been munching on a mouthful of sun flower seeds when Foster's "safe" call sent him racing out on the field. When Leyland launched his protest, some of the seeds flew out of his mouth and struck the umpire's shirt. But it was unintentional.<br> Nevertheless, it is possible the Tigers' manager could be suspended after the incident is reviewed by the commissioner's office.<br> "I don't know what they're going to do and I don't give a damn," Leyland said after Monday's game. "I'm tired of protecting umpires. I'm tired of not being able to say anything. When you start accusing somebody of doing something, you'd better be careful. I'm defending myself. If you want to kick me out, that's fine."<br> My favorite Leyland ejection occurred in 2006 when he came out of the dugout in the middle of the seventh inning at Yankee Stadium to dispute plate umpire James Hoye's idea of balls and strikes. But just as the argument was warming up, the traditional singing of "God Bless America" began. Leyland stopped in mid-epithet, respectfully stood at attention alongside the the umpire until the song ended, then, knowing he was gone anyway, resumed his tirade.<br> <br> <br><br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1078933019009696183.post-44280160484288512372010-07-26T10:35:00.001-07:002010-07-26T10:35:30.547-07:00Tigers' rash of injuries have other teams hoping to make a desperation steal Dave Dombrowski's phone is going to ringing nonstop this week. Other teams, having heard about the injuries to Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen, smell blood. They are like sharks in the water, hoping the Tigers might be desperate enough now to do something dumb.<br> There is no sympathy in baseball.<br> With the trade deadline looming at 4 p.m. on Saturday, everybody is looking for a good deal -- or a steal.<br> There is real feeding frenzy during this final week to make trades without waivers.<br> "Things change daily at this time of the year," Dombrowski said. "These days are like weeks the rest of the year."<br> And other teams know the Tigers have plenty of fresh meat in their farm system.<br> But most of the best of the Tigers' young prospects are already needed in the big leagues. And they are not about to part with promising young pitchers Jacob Turner or Andy Oliver unless they are offered another "Miguel Cabrera deal" -- in other words, a trade simply too good to turn down.<br> Ryan Strieby, Wilkin Ramirez, or Charles Furbush might be available but they aren't likely to bring much in return.<br> A report out of Washington alleges the Tigers have "great interest in Nationals' slugger Adam Dunn. That might make sense, depending upon the Nationals' price.<br> The 30-year-old Dunn, who is due about $4 million the rest of this season before he becomes a free agent at the end of the year, is a bona fide slugger. He is currently hitting .281 with 23 homers and 63 RBIs. And he has belted at least 38 home runs each year since 2004.<br> Dunn, who is definitely not another Aubrey Huff, would help Cabrera carry the slugging load and ease some of the pressure on Brennan Boesch and the kids Jim Leyland now finds himself forced to play every day.<br> On Saturday, Leyland flatly denied that the Tigers have any interest in veteran third baseman Mike Lowell or left handed pitcher Ted Lilly. Of course, that was before Ordonez and Guillen joined Brandon Inge on the disabled list.<br> Meanwhile, Dan Haren -- who supposedly was near the top of the Tigers' "wish" list, even though the Tigers were on Haren's "no trade" list -- was traded to Angels on Sunday.<br> I have never understood why teams like the Diamondbacks willingly shower a player like Haren with millions of dollars, ($44.75 million for four years) then dump that same guy less than halfway through his contract because he is making too much money.<br> Sometimes baseball doesn't make much sense.<br> Jim Hawkinshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07870819666269356971noreply@blogger.com0