In throwing out my last blog, I realized that I only touched on the surface of the locker room antics that have apparently shaken up the Tigers at the core. I would feel as if I weren’t doing it justice I didn’t toss in my own two cents worth on this topic.
I am referencing the intense response of Tigers skipper when questioned by the media after several players (including former Tiger pitcher Jason Grilli, current back-up Brandon Inge) charred off to the media about what could be going wrong in Tiger-Town.
The villain in this play, relief pitcher Jason Grilli was asked what he thinks the possible problem could be in Detroit and why they have struggled out of the gate this year.
Grilli, prior to falling out of favour in D-Town
Grilli candidly suggested that they are a team that isn’t quite “feeling it” in the locker room. There is no chemistry, which is only magnified by the loss of a guy like “The Mayor” Sean Casey, (aka, the worlds’ slowest…er 2nd only to Bengie Molina baserunner) as well as not having Inge playing at third on an everyday basis. Reason being, is that the guys know that Brandon would go through a brick wall for anyone, and they trust, defend and support his glove that much.
VS. 
I wouldn’t want to have to watch who hits the finish line first in that race!
It is for these reasons, that Grilli believes the Tigers have been slow off the hop. He didn’t stop there though. He continued on to suggest (wait a second…what I should I say, had the nerve to suggest) that this really affected him when he was on the mound, which may have contributed to his lack of success which led to his inability to pitch.
Jason Grilli’s Trading Card for the 2007 Season…’Nuff Said!
Inge took the reins and attempted to compare this years’ squad to the ’06 World Series losing roster. He painted a vivid picture about how the ‘06 team took pleasure in knocking off the high-payroll type teams, adding that they were able to get up for big series’ such as that.
This years’ roster have now become one of those high-payroll super line-ups, and since becoming one of the payroll haves, they have become one of the teams that they used to beat; drawing a parallel that the have-nots are able to get up for a big game against them. They are ultimately having it more and more difficult to get up for such a feat.
Carlos Guillen chimed in with a gem, suggesting that perhaps the pre-season expectations were a little too lofty. Somewhat whining that perhaps the pressure has mounted to the point where they feel that no matter how well they do, they won’t be able to meet such ballooned expectations.
If I continued to search, I would almost guarantee that I could find more comments and more quotes and attempt to stretch things by taking them out of context. My goal isn’t an attempt to paint a picture of a spoiled rotten group of high-priced talents that are mailing it in on a nightly basis.
What I will in fact say is that it is certain that this team is missing something. That “X-Factor” that great teams have. The Tigers have a group of very talented individuals, that is certain. Being somewhat of an individual team sport, in which it is on the surface, the battle between pitcher and hitter, you wouldn’t think that it would matter if a group of guys only cared about padding their stats, or looking good. Unfortunately though, early signs indicate that this won’t be the case.
I think that there was definitely some truth to the words that were blurted to the media. I think that is why Leyland jumped all over them. You see, he is protecting his club. He is a players’ coach, and knows how to deal with egos and all other psychological mumbo-jumbo that comes along with being a coach in today’s professional sports.
Truth is, they have to shake off this distraction, and I think that that is where Jim Leyland comes in and handles things the way that he has before it gets out of control. This season isn’t lost just yet, as there are still 115 games to play. A lot can happen in that time.
You tell me. Why do we stink this year???
The way the crafty old man handled the media was mere perfection. It is a craft that many managers strive for, but are unsuccessful at ever attaining. Leyland could have taken a Hal McRae approach and thrown a fit (and phone) around the dressing room, or had a good ol’ fashioned Ozzie Guillen name dropping, player under the bus-fest only to name a few who lack the skill. However, Leyland’s tirade was very direct, clear, concise and somewhat comical.
I don’t know how to shut my mouth, man.
He negated former Tiger Grilli’s comments with a shot by suggesting that Grilli needs to worry about Colorado now. A further shot was directed at the fact that Grilli would still be here if he could pitch in situations, or throw strikes, but since he couldn’t that’s why he’s in fact gone. Ouch! And without naming names, he firmly stated that players hitting .200, or .220 shouldn’t use the media as a voice.
Reason being, he admittedly acknowledged that he himself has been horrible at best and he is man enough to admit it. For someone batting .220 to attempt to tabulate excuses is “Horse-bleep!” Followed by man more expletives.
He didn’t scurry any words in his direct response and considered the excuses themselves as “WEAK”. He closed up, by suggesting that to this point, he has kept quiet as he should about naming names, and centering out players themselves, but clearly expressed his ability to do so, should the players continue their attempt to find scapegoats, or lame duck excuses through the media.
He wants them to man up, and act like men. Not children, because when you are a professional, you go the park everyday and play with the passion and love of the game that you wouldn’t want to disrespect it.
It is to this, that I salute Jim Leyland for finally waking up the supposed sleeping giants and their mighty bats. I hope that this necessity to blow up every once in a while isn’t the norm and the team just takes the simple approach that Leyland has throughout his years leading the Pirates to multiple divisional titles and NLCS appearances, as well as winning it all with the Marlins.
He knows how to win, and should this Tiger team lay their faith within him, I’m sure that he can lead them there as well. Let’s just hope that they aren’t in the hole too much at this point to write of the 2008 edition of the Tigers.
