The odd couple

Jim Leyland’s remark about Craig Monroe being one of his favorite players led my notes today, but it’s hard to describe in that format how unexpected a pairing this is. Leyland came here with the reputation of a no-nonsense guy who focuses on his stars and veterans, but his camp has been a surprise the way it unfolded. Leyland isn’t a giant authority figure; he wants his players to act like professionals on their own and be loose around him. I think you can see that starting to set in, but there remains an aura around him.

Monroe, on the other hand, is opening up, and really has been for a few years now. He used to be in the background behind better-known players, didn’t really speak up much unless other players did, but he’s much more comfortable in his own personality now. There aren’t many guys in baseball who improve every year for four years running to go from waiver claim to a bona fide run producer. He hasn’t had anything handed to him since he joined this team, hasn’t had anything easy, and he’s made a career for himself the hard way. That earns him some credit with a guy like Leyland, who keep in mind has called Placido Polanco "a manager’s dream." I’m not calling him a team captain or anything, but I think he deserves more credit than he’s received the last couple years.