The Devil and Jim Leyland

[Gee Walker]

So that's what it's like to have a manager with his head constantly in the game, planning days in advance and yet able to make good moment-by-moment moves. I forgot how a real manager operates during the Buddy/Larry/Phil/Luis/Tram era.

Leyland tonight again got clutch production from his bench (and Vance GUESSED on the pitch - if you pitch someone the same way with great control four times in a row, it might be a good idea to change it on the fifth time, lol). But what impressed me most was the start of the eighth inning, with Verlander giving up the leadoff single to Punto.

Most managers would have had someone warmed up, and either not let Verlander start the eighth, or relieved him after the first guy got on. I was in that boat... yelling at the radio in my car.

So what does the rookie do?

Picks Punto off first. Has an easy inning after that - and a boost of confidence from his manager that he's got the stuff to match the Cy Young winner.

So how does Leyland do it? Has he made a managerial blunder yet this year? I can't think of any, at any level. And his unconventional moves have been working just fine, thanks.

[Elysian Fields]

I think he's the best or one of the best managers in baseball. He's just a natural baseball guy who knows the game through and through.

[skeletor]

I think he's the best or one of the best managers in baseball. He's just a natural baseball guy who knows the game through and through.

well i would concur..plus the guy LOVES being a Tiger....It was in his
blood...for years..nice for him to finally come home...and he isn't afraid
to crack the whip, swear like a sailor, or turn over the food tables in
the clubhouse..after some bone head moves..he has to constantly
change that culture of loserville......if Leyland finishes strong, or
even makes the wild card...he'll be the KING OF DETROIT....

[racosun]

So how does Leyland do it? Has he made a managerial blunder yet this year? I can't think of any, at any level. And his unconventional moves have been working just fine, thanks.

I agree with your post. It's hard to find a move that has actually backfired on the guy, he's fantastic. If I HAD to find a blunder that he's made, I'd say it was the Cleveland game when they had their rookie on the hill, and he benched three key players, leading to a loss. I thought that was an opportunity to slug the crap out of the division rival, but ol' Jim saw it as a chance to rest some guys. Other than that, he's been nearly perfect with his management. We're not only finally getting some good press, but a LOT of it, and from virtually everyone. FOX Sports has us ranked as the #1 team in MLB right now.

[riverfrontier]

Yes, the media finally seems to be picking up on this. As for Jim Leyland, I've always wondered just how much of an influence a manager has. With basically the same cast as last year, he seems to be getting a lot more out of this team, so I guess in this case the manager has had a tremendous impact. Intangible factors like 'chemistry' and 'morale' are hard to gauge, but their effect can definitely be seen.

[tigers527]

With basically the same cast as last year

Let's be fair here...Not to be a Trammell apologist, as I do not think he would get what Leyland is currently getting out of this team. The cast from last year compared to this year.
last year
C Pudge...got divorced seemed to mess him up walked what 11 times
1B Pena/Shelton....Pena was Pena, and Shelton had a great month and wore down
2B Infante/Palonco...Getting Palonco for Urbina was a steal, unless Palonco decides to mess with people while weilding machettes.....which I doubt.
SS Guillen....got hurt for the last few months of season, and was recovering from surgery going into last season.
3B Inge.....was a hot mess defensively, learning the position. Seemed to lower his offensive numbers a bit from his Uber-utility role in 2004.
OF Logan, Ordonez, Monroe, Young, White....Since Ordonez didn't play until the allstar break the only edge I might give Trammell would be White in LF (but it is a defense for offense, Whites offensive #'s beat, Monroes slight defensive edge)

And I am not even going to measure this years Pitchers to last year.

ANYWAY...............GO TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!