- I spent much of the summer proclaiming that if I had a vote for American League Manager of the Year, I would vote for Jim Leyland. I take that back. He made more than a few curious calls down the stretch that, unfortunately, negated the tremendous job he did the first five months of the season. Also, it's obvious he didn't have any control of his best player, Miguel Cabrera.
I don't know the reason why, honestly, but it is a fact - Leyland has trouble stopping the bleeding. When it starts going South for his teams, he never seems to contain it.


- I was lukewarm to the thought of the one-game playoff in Minnesota and, frankly, figured the Tigers would get crushed. Yet, it was one of the best games I have ever seen. Great strategy. Plenty of drama. Many great moments and plays.

- Anybody still want to trade Rick Porcello to Toronto for Roy Halladay? He should be named Rookie of the Year, maybe sealing it Tuesday.

- Gerald Laird is a good player who had a bad game at the worst possible time Tuesday night.

- I wouldn't be surprised if Magglio Ordonez has a pretty good season in 2010.

- The Tigers should never move Brandon Inge nor Curtis Granderson. They are both destined to be career Tigers.

- I will vote for Justin Verlander for Tiger of the Year.

My column about the Tigers in Wednesday's Oakland Press: http://tinyurl.com/ybvpcxx