The Gun Of Bavaria Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 I still don't know what to make of this guy. Do the Tigers have the former NL Manager of the Year of the guy who was at the controls of a Rockies' disaster. - GOB Newest Tiger leader already in control Ken Rosenthal / FOXSports.com Posted: 11 hours ago LAKELAND, Fla. - Dozens of Tigers lie on the grass, stretching before their morning workout. Their new manager, Jim Leyland, drifts among them, stopping to tell an off-color golf joke to a group of four, fungo bat in hand. The players burst out laughing at the punch line, first baseman Chris Shelton chuckling loudest. Leyland, 61, reaches down, grabs Shelton by the shirt and says, "That was a good one, wasn't it?" Six years Leyland was away, six years the game was lesser for it. Leyland was born to manage, says one of his former Pirates and Marlins players, Bobby Bonilla. His in-game strategy ranks with the best. His tough-love approach evokes loyalty from both the biggest stars and lowest reserves. He's your best friend. He's your worst enemy. He's your best friend again. Leyland is one of seven children. His wife is one of 11. His father was one of 16. "What makes one brother tick may not make another brother tick," he says. "You've got to figure out the best way to get results out of both brothers." Egos don't bother Leyland. Neither do eccentrics. He won in Pittsburgh with Bonilla and Barry Bonds. He won in Florida with Kevin Brown and Gary Sheffield. Don't bet on Ivan Rodriguez going AWOL on Leyland the way he did last season under the less experienced Alan Trammell. Don't bet against Leyland ending the Tigers' streak of 12 straight losing seasons, even in the increasingly competitive AL Central. "He doesn't get (the respect of) everyone; no coach, no manager, no teacher, no parent can get everyone," says Tigers first base coach Andy Van Slyke, one of Leyland's former Pirates. "But he comes pretty darned close." Leyland walks quickly and purposefully on this picture-perfect Florida morning, moving from field to field, shouting with enthusiasm. He makes personal contact with nearly 20 players during the first hour of the workout, giving most just a quick word. For those who need reassurance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
faba Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 GOB Personally I am leery of guys coming off long layoffs- the game and players are constantly changing- just a warning from me to your Tigers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbn007 Posted February 23, 2006 Share Posted February 23, 2006 GOB Personally I am leery of guys coming off long layoffs- the game and players are constantly changing- just a warning from me to your Tigers It took Joe Gibbs a while to get back into the swing of things. But Leyland always had a rep. as a guy anyone can play for. And most players loved playing for his teams. I think the Tigers get the Leyland they expected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.