‘08 TIGERS DERAILMENT...A GROUP EFFORT
In Play! Magazine
By Drew Lane
It is mid-August and we still are talking about the Detroit Tigers. After the stretch from 1992 until 2005, that is the silver lining in the cloud hovering over the 2008 Tigers.
However, the bar has been dramatically raised since the 2006 World Series appearance along with a payroll of 138 million bones. Other than the payroll, why were so many prognosticators, local and national, fooled by this year’s model? Much of it stems from the relatively free pass afforded the current Detroit management.
Dave Dombrowski has a well earned reputation as a contender builder and when he spends with the biggest, the assumption is that it is money well spent. Jim Leyland, who is getting “crotchetier” every day, is an astute manager with an equally winning record.
While we endlessly analyze the lineup and roster for answers, it can also be suggested that Tigers management is in a bit of a slump. Dombrowski’s most recent off season moves were given generally high marks when they were made but, to be blunt, they have not panned out well. ...
Read more
http://www.bluetoad.com/publisher/jackrosenberg/Michigan_In_Play_magazine/issue28/magazine.php?page=7
