The streak is over
No kidding: When everybody was trying to predict back in spring training what kind of season the Tigers would have, I thought the Tigers were somewhere around a .500 team. They’d end their streak of losing seasons, but not make the playoffs, and I thought that would be a success. After 12 straight losing seasons, most of the city would do backflips over a winning season, I thought.
Well, here’s the winning season. And the way the season has gone, clinching .500 or better was something like that Welcome to Michigan road sign you blow by on I-75 as you speed up coming out of Ohio. You’re not quite where you want to be yet, but you’re getting there.
I think Brandon Inge had it right for how the Tigers feel. By no means is a winning season a goal for them, but it’s something to appreciate for how far they’ve come. As Craig Monroe said recently, he can appreciate this season better because he was around for the low point in 2003.
It’s hard not to look at this point, though, and think of Bobby Higginson. He reaches the Major Leagues two years after the Tigers’ last winning season and he’s out of baseball the year they get back there. Whether you like him or not, that’s a rough deal to live with, no matter how much money you’ve made in baseball.
The Tigers’ history of failure for the last dozen years is part of what makes their story so intriguing this season. When the Brewers went into the final weekend of last season with a chance to end their streak of losing records dating back to ’92, it was a big deal. When the Royals won in 2003 to end their streak of sub-.500 seasons, it was well-noted. The Tigers have turned so drastically this year that it was a given by the All-Star break. So there goes the road sign.
Jason Beck
Jason, I just wanted to thank you for your insites through the year. I have enjoyed checking in on your thoughts as well as reading your articles on Tigers.com.
Good point about Higginson. He was so villified around here that I don’t think many people him. His attitude in the last 2 years may have been part of the reason the clubhouse could never get out of the funk they were in (since he was the senior leader of the team). But he gave what he could to this franchise…and I feel he only acted the way he did because he wanted to play for a winner. It has to be a bitter pill to swallow, seeing this. I wish him nothing but the best.
The best thing about this season, so far, has been Leylands ability to mix in our younger players, while still giving us a chance to win.
Pretty amazing, if you think about it.
He has stayed with Granderson, despite his recent toubles. Ledezma has become more of an option, Miner has kept his place in the rotation, Thames continues to get his chances(in the right spot), Clevlen has been put in a position to be successful, Inge plays daily despite his average being lower than expected(but we can all see, that the potential is there), etc, etc.
Not only does Leyland have an eye on the playoffs and the best record today, but he has positioned the Tigers to be even better next year! Brilliant.
A lifelong Tiger fan can only love and appreciate what is being done this year.
Leyland just yanked Miner. GOOD move! Whoa Perez may be a gold glover but he has misplayed 2 balls in two nights now. Last night the doubl play on Konerko was an absolut gift as Perez dropped the ball and was lucky enoguh to still get the DP.
Tonight Thome’s RBI double should never have happened.
If this happens again I would expect you wil see Leyland play Infante again. And he would be right.
Doesn’t look good tonight. When you come back after a 3-run HR and then lose momentum immediately you can have the starch taken out of you. They win today —bonus. If they can take the finale tomorrow they will have made a major, statement on the season IMO—win or lose today.
Leyland is making mistakes. I like the guy but let’s face it. Granderson has to be bunting in that situation and Rodriguez given the green light on 3-0 with 2nd and 3rd and no out and 3 runs behind??
Ludicrous. Leyland should be ashamed of himself after that and he needs to learn how to play small ball with a small offense. I am PO’d with those tactics. Smarten up Leyland.
Dan,
don’t you think that Leyland possibly has the bigger picture in mind, with the “moves” you speak of??
A LOT of success can be drived from confidence, and that confidence can be helped along by the “boss”. Even when somebody fails.
This was one game, but Leyland’s tactics of believing in his players pays off, over the long haul.
When you are trailing by a couple of runs–you take a strike. PERIOD.
Too many guys hacking at first pitch still.
Granderson is struggling and I hope Leyland is not so stubborn that he insists on letting him try to hit his way out of it. It will only get worse. He needs to take the pressure off of him, drop him in the lineup, make him contribute by doing little things that are important to help boost his confidence. (i.e bunt runners along)
Do you know how good a kid like this can feel if he would have been able to sac bunt those guys to 2nd and 3rd? To go into that dugout after feeling he has been letting everybody down and to get the high fives for a job well done?
Leyland is tampering with the “Team’s” season here and really needs to get a grip on his ego. Granderson is going to be one of the premier players in either league. It won’t be this year (and it won’t be next if it is allowed to continue like this).
You can see the agony in his face and it grossly unfair to put him through this and the team to have to pick him up.
Take the pressure off the kid Jim!