The Rant Thread

[racosun]

Maybe this can be a thread to get certain things off your chest, maybe criticism or praise, whatever you're in the mood for at the time. If you rant, then you've got to comment on a previous rant first. We can help each other make it through the frustrating times, or enjoy the best of times even more. I'll start it off.

Yeah, it's only 10 games into the new season, but I don't believe in that "it's too early to count" crap. Some people may think these games are too early to count, but we might be wishing we had more of them in the 'W' column during the last week of the season. They ALL count, no matter when they're played.

We've got a big division game today against a major contender, and what does Leyland do? He sits Pudge, Maggs, and Polanco. Don't get me wrong, I like Leyland alot. He's a fantastic manager, and a strong leader. But I don't agree with his lineup today at all. I can see resting one, maybe two of those guys, but certainly not all three at the same time. That makes our powerful lineup look pretty average, if not below-average. Cleveland sent a rookie pitcher out to take the start, so we should have pounced on this opportunity to clobber these guys, not rest our best hitters. On top of that, if we're taking all those quality bats out of the lineup, why not let Shelton take a crack at the cleanup role? He's still in the sixth spot. Yeah, he's been having lots of success from there so far, but that was when he had the bigger bats to protect him. Okay, rant over. Anyone else?

[Andy1134]

Good idea.

We suck today against the Indians.:mad:

[George & Al]

I like Leyland also.. But, clearly he doesn't have a Marketing degree.. Resting ALL THREE of these guys?? At a home game??? On a Saturday????

On the bright side, at least we will have some TV coverage tomorrow.

[jfine]

I like Leyland also.. But, clearly he doesn't have a Marketing degree.. Resting ALL THREE of these guys?? At a home game??? On a Saturday????

On the bright side, at least we will have some TV coverage tomorrow.

He rested them because they were all hurt, not because he wanted to - at least that is what he said on the radio pre-game show yesterday. I think the only one he intended to rest was Pudge, but the others claimed they couldn't play. Oh well, I just read that they are all expected to return today.

[George & Al]

I read today about the injuries.. I recind my prior statement! There's nothing a manager can do about injuires. I just hope they don't end up nagging for weeks or longer.

[racosun]

Thanks JFine, I wasn't aware that they were all banged up. Sorry, Leyland, I didn't know the whole story. I'm still wondering why Shelton didn't get the clean-up spot, though. He was clearly the biggest bat in the lineup, yet JL had Thames in the fourth spot. I know Da Meat Hook is on the DL, and says he's in alot of pain. That could be a lengthy stint. He's already a slow guy, this quad problem will only make that worse. I wonder what is bothering Maggs? I hope it isn't his knee. If we want any chance at all of contending for a playoff spot, we need all of those guys healthy and hitting all year long. The Tigers have been bitten by the injury bug far too much, hopefully this is all the problems we'll have this season (although doubtful). Thanks for the replies, guys. Someone else post a rant, let's try to keep this going all year.

[jfine]

Thanks JFine, I wasn't aware that they were all banged up. Sorry, Leyland, I didn't know the whole story. I'm still wondering why Shelton didn't get the clean-up spot, though. He was clearly the biggest bat in the lineup, yet JL had Thames in the fourth spot. I know Da Meat Hook is on the DL, and says he's in alot of pain. That could be a lengthy stint. He's already a slow guy, this quad problem will only make that worse. I wonder what is bothering Maggs? I hope it isn't his knee. If we want any chance at all of contending for a playoff spot, we need all of those guys healthy and hitting all year long. The Tigers have been bitten by the injury bug far too much, hopefully this is all the problems we'll have this season (although doubtful). Thanks for the replies, guys. Someone else post a rant, let's try to keep this going all year.

Well, what I've heard is that Leyland is afraid to move Shelton out of the 6th spot because he is so hot right now. As you guys know, sometimes moving players around the lineup can affect the players. I think Leyland figures that it's working for Chris right now, and he doesn't want to muck it up. Makes sense to me. Baseball is just a game of superstitions anyway.:crazy

[racosun]

Well, what I've heard is that Leyland is afraid to move Shelton out of the 6th spot because he is so hot right now. As you guys know, sometimes moving players around the lineup can affect the players. I think Leyland figures that it's working for Chris right now, and he doesn't want to muck it up. Makes sense to me. Baseball is just a game of superstitions anyway.:crazy

That's an understandable reason, but he just might be missing out on even MORE from Shelton by keeping low in the lineup with lesser protection. Maybe moving Maggs or Pudge to the sixth spot would allow Shelton to see better pitches and drive in even more runs. Shelton's so hot right now I'm positive he'll be able to mash anywhere, but it's becoming obvious that he's the real power bat on this team. Sooner or later he's going to have to be rewarded for that, and the guys that are not producing need to be punished.

[racosun]

Once again, the Tigers hitters were made to look like absolute fools against a young, inexperienced pitcher. They were lucky enough to overcome Felix Rodriguez, but weren't so fortunate tonight against Ervin Santana and the Angels. Santana struck out a career-high 10 batters, including Craig Monroe three times. Monroe finished 0-4 with 4 K's, a typical night for him this season. Shelton is in a full-on funk, thanks to no support around him. He usually has guys like Thames, Inge, Monroe, Infante, and Gomez "protecting" him in the lineup. Yes, I know, quite formidable. It's time for Leyland to drop that superstition and get his young slugger into a more productive lineup slot. Having two or three innings per game of a combo of Shelton's "protection" whiffing at anything off the plate and laying off the stuff right down the pipe isn't going to cut it, as showcased by our massive power output of the past week or so. We're striking out so much the whole team will have hernias by mid-season. Does Don Slaught even scout the opposing pitchers? They look so clueless and unaware at many of the pitches they see. It really stinks, like Leyland said after the last Cleveland loss. Disgusting baseball. At least the pitching has been decent. Kenny Rogers is a darn good signing. Too bad we can't get him any run support. I thought this team was supposed to have one of the most feared and capable lineups in the AL? Rant over.

[OldEnglishD]

Once again, the Tigers hitters were made to look like absolute fools against a young, inexperienced pitcher. They were lucky enough to overcome Felix Rodriguez, but weren't so fortunate tonight against Ervin Santana and the Angels. Santana struck out a career-high 10 batters, including Craig Monroe three times. Monroe finished 0-4 with 4 K's, a typical night for him this season. Shelton is in a full-on funk, thanks to no support around him. He usually has guys like Thames, Inge, Monroe, Infante, and Gomez "protecting" him in the lineup. Yes, I know, quite formidable. It's time for Leyland to drop that superstition and get his young slugger into a more productive lineup slot. Having two or three innings per game of a combo of Shelton's "protection" whiffing at anything off the plate and laying off the stuff right down the pipe isn't going to cut it, as showcased by our massive power output of the past week or so. We're striking out so much the whole team will have hernias by mid-season. Does Don Slaught even scout the opposing pitchers? They look so clueless and unaware at many of the pitches they see. It really stinks, like Leyland said after the last Cleveland loss. Disgusting baseball. At least the pitching has been decent. Kenny Rogers is a darn good signing. Too bad we can't get him any run support. I thought this team was supposed to have one of the most feared and capable lineups in the AL? Rant over.

Nice post. I have nothing to contribute lol, except to say : bullseye.

[racosun]

Nice post. I have nothing to contribute lol, except to say : bullseye.

Thank you, I find that I tend to write better when I'm angry. :grouchy :atthepc :grouchy

A game like yesterday's is why Leyland goes off in the clubhouse. The team seemed to just mail the day in. They've got a three-game series in LA, they can't just mail in the whole damned series! Why? Can't they see the progress themselves? It's there for the taking, if they want it bad enough. My 11-year-old son is concentrating harder on his Little League practices than these guys are on turning around a once-storied franchise. Not to mention the fact that they make millions of dollars and always dreamed of making it this far.

Simply put, when you whiff that many times in just a short amount of games, it's on the hitting coach. I like Don Slaught, but he's obviously not doing something right. Then again, alot of the blame can go to the guys that have no patience at the plate. They need to look themselves in the mirror. Guys like Craig Monroe, Brandon Inge, Omar Infante....those guys don't really seem to try very hard, or even care. A good glove will only get you so far, just ask Carlos Pena. When you have a pitcher on the ropes, you exploit it. That's how baseball is played and won. In Seattle, Hernandez was very shaky and had no command whatsoever. So instead of taking pitches and wearing the kid down, we just whiff and whiff and make him look like the phenom everyone is praising him to be. Let me tell you, he didn't bring his phenom stuff with him, but the Tigers' hitters seemed baffled and overwhelmed every time they set foot in the batter's box. Same for Ervin Santana. He was in trouble many times during the game, only to be bailed out by impatient and unwise plate discipline. Some of our guys have run out of excuses. Inge and Monroe have been in the big show for some time now. They were expected to be vets and leaders on the team. Instead, they're major holes in the lineup, and opposing pitching knows all about it. They're getting eaten alive. Did anyone see what K-Rod did to Craig Monroe? There's no fear (or respect) at all. He tore him a new one on three pitches, all heaters right down the middle. All pitchers feel the same level of respect for our bottom part of the lineup. Plenty of work needs to be done, Mr. Slaught. Time to test out that new equiptment you brought with you, and do what Gibby and Bruce Fields couldn't do: teach these kids how to hit, and hit smartly.

[tigers527]

Shelton is in a full-on funk, thanks to no support around him. He usually has guys like Thames, Inge, Monroe, Infante, and Gomez "protecting" him in the lineup. Yes, I know, quite formidable. It's time for Leyland to drop that superstition and get his young slugger into a more productive lineup slot.

I think Sheltons late struggles are for 2 reasons, hes been swinging out of his shoes, thinking hes the next power hitter. And more importantly, he got pegged on his arm in Oakland. It swelled up and he worked through it I would think it should be better now. The support issues are relavent too. I dont know how many times Sheltons led off of late. I dont think Guillen is too terrible though and he follows Shelton in the lineup most nights.

Oh well, I guess I am on wrong site I am not going to rant yet. For the first time in recent history (unless they really wet the bed) they are going to have an above .500 record for a month. :gt