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It's becoming obvious, isn't it, that the Detroit Tigers Jim Leyland is AL Manager of the Year
There was a point, at the end of July, when the Tigers' season was decidedly frustrating.
They were 56-51. The American League Central was still very much a race - even though the Tigers obviously should have been running away with it. Manager Jim Leyland kept putting up these goofy lineup cards that made no sense. There was much anticipation the Tigers would collapse in the second half of the season again.
Well, they didn't. Given a couple more pieces to the puzzle by general manager Dave Dombrowski, Leyland has been pushing all the right buttons.
The Tigers are going to win the AL Central in a rout.
The Tigers have gone from underachievers to overachievers that quickly. Leyland stopped with those goofy lineups, he handled his pitching staff very well and pulled his club together.
There hasn't been a manager in the American League who has done a better job. Leyland deserves to be AL Manager of the Year. Manny Acta of the Indians and Joe Maddon of the Rays are the other leading candidates, especially Maddon if the Rays nip out the Red Sox for the AL wildcard spot.
They were 56-51. The American League Central was still very much a race - even though the Tigers obviously should have been running away with it. Manager Jim Leyland kept putting up these goofy lineup cards that made no sense. There was much anticipation the Tigers would collapse in the second half of the season again.
Well, they didn't. Given a couple more pieces to the puzzle by general manager Dave Dombrowski, Leyland has been pushing all the right buttons.
The Tigers are going to win the AL Central in a rout.
The Tigers have gone from underachievers to overachievers that quickly. Leyland stopped with those goofy lineups, he handled his pitching staff very well and pulled his club together.
There hasn't been a manager in the American League who has done a better job. Leyland deserves to be AL Manager of the Year. Manny Acta of the Indians and Joe Maddon of the Rays are the other leading candidates, especially Maddon if the Rays nip out the Red Sox for the AL wildcard spot.
Labels: Jim Leyland Detroit Tigers
posted by Pat Caputo at
6:40 PM
6 Comments:
Pat,
Wait just a minute. We have been told for years that Leyland bore no responsibility for all those frustrating collapses every second half. That it was the players who didn't perform. Now that they are winning, all of a sudden he's the greatest thing since sliced bread?!?! Come on , man !
Alan
Pat, JL is a NL manager trapped in the America League. With the additional pieces bought in by DD, JL can move players in and out of the line-up very effectively. He is very good in getting the most out of below average players and over the hill players. Now is he needs to get the Verlander to have a full tank and ready to go for game #1.
still think acta's the favorite. when a team overachieves expectations, manager gets the credit. indians are the biggest overachiever in al.
dombrowski should get exec of the year for the talent he brought in since last offseason.
the importance of the acquisition of martinez, particularly relative to the other primary choices that were rumored (dunn, werth) cannot be overstated.
Alan,
I understand your point, but Leyland did make some obvious mistakes in past. Remember Polanco not playing against Twins, playing Cabrera when he might have still be under the influence from the night before, etc. He has calmed down a bit and just managed. Not been overthinking.
Caputo
Barry,
That's true, I suppose. Sometimes he complicates things unnecessarily.
Caputo
Woody,
Acta did a magnificent job with Cleveland. Joe Maddon in TB, too. But who is going to the postseason?
Caputo
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