It had to happen sometime: Jim Leyland finally called it quits last week after 8 seasons as manager of the Detroit Tigers. Now, whether you liked the man or not, you have to admit that, at the very least, his arrival coincided with a major turnaround for this team. I might bitch about questionable bullpen moves, or the continued existence of Don Kelly, but you know what? I lived through Randy Smith's reign of terror over this team. I remember how abysmal this team was for the entirety of my childhood. I didn't know what the hell a competitive Detroit baseball team looked like for the first 16 years of my life. I sat through as many games as I could during the 2003 season. I wouldn't even wish that hell on Boston fans. Well, maybe.
The point is, Jim Leyland got this team to two more World Series and three more AL Central championships than the triumvirate of incompetence that ran this team in the 11 years prior to his arrival. And for that, I can never thank him enough. But for better or worse, the Marlboro Man has finally decided to ride off into the managerial sunset, so that begs the question: Who in the hell do you bring in to take his place? A look at some of the possible candidates:
Lloyd McClendon- The in-house favorite for the job, and a longtime associate of Leyland's, Legendary Lloyd managed the Pirates for six seasons in the early 2000's, to little success. But considering what Dave Littlefield gave him to work with, no one can really blame him for that. Not to mention, even Pirates fans will tell you guy can manage a pitching staff, something everyone's gotten on Leyland about this year. Of course, they'll also tell you he is rather resistant to playing rookies for any reason. Other than that, if you're a fan of staying the course with the current coaching staff, McClendon's probably the best in-house candidate.
Tom Brookens- It seemed for the longest time, Brookens was heir apparent to the position of Tigers' manager, having managed through their minor-league system before replacing the human windmill, Gene Lamont, as third-base coach. But then, he sucked at that job once he got here. Do not want.
Gene Lamont- Leyland's right-hand man since his Pirates days, and the guy who took over for him in Pittsburgh, didn't exactly impress in his first go-around as a manager. Pirates fans will tell you he was the worst manager in the post-Leyland era. Do you know how bad you have to be to earn that honor? You have to completely destroy the arms of any decent pitchers you have, and throw everybody and anybody around you under the bus in the process. Not interested.
Manny Acta- Not much of a track record here. Managed some dreadful Cleveland and Washington teams, but one can't hold that entirely against him. Though, the more sabermetric-minded corners of the Tigers' fanbase like his willingness to consider advanced statistics and disdain for the bunt. An interesting option, anyway.
Dave Martinez- Joe Maddon's bench coach in Tampa Bay for the last 6 years. The closest thing you're gonna get to Joe Maddon, seeing how he's still under contract.
Brad Ausmus- Best known as the guy that Randy Smith traded for every other year. Here's the problem: he's never managed at any level before, save for Team Israel in the World Baseball Classic, which is a little like saying your numbers in church league slow-pitch qualify you to play in the major leagues. And with the Tigers in World Series-or-bust mode, he's hardly the guy for the job, at least this year.
Torey Lovullo- Who? A one-time Tigers prospect, Lovullo managed his way up through the Indians system, ending up in Boston after being passed over for Manny Acta to manage the Tribe. Managed AAA Pawtucket before becoming part of John Farrell's coaching staffs in Toronto and Boston. If you're gonna go with any guy without major-league managerial experience, he's probably your guy.
Don Mattingly- My, the Dodgers' coaching situation just got interesting, didn't it? It seems like only last week that his option vested to keep him in LA through 2014, and then the most awkward press conference ever happened with him and Ned Colletti on Monday, in which he essentially called out upper management for not extending him sooner. The money quote: "My option vested once we beat Atlanta, but that doesn't mean I'll be back." The Dodgers responded by firing his hand-picked bench coach, Trey Hillman (you may remember him better as the awful manager of the equally awful Kansas City Royals), indicating that Donnie Baseball might be on his way out. But it looks like he's not going anywhere, for the moment. Third base coach Tim Wallach, however, might be...
Tony LaRussa- Not going to happen. The odds are better of him replacing Bud Selig than of him coming out of retirement to manage anywhere.
Kirk Gibson- As much as I'd love to see it, there's no way he'd ever come back and coach the team that hung him and Alan Trammell out to dry after 2005.
Charlie Manuel- The resume speaks for itself: winning the NL East 5 years straight, back-to-back NL pennants, and a World Series ring with the Phillies. Great track record (save for the last two years with the Phightin' Phils), and a reputation as a "players' coach" like Jim Leyland, make him probably the best of your available outside experienced options, but only if you're looking for a short-term fix.
Ozzie Guillen- Yes, he won a World Series with the Sox. But, he's also a ticking time bomb and a sideshow that'd make P.T. Barnum green with envy. Look how quickly he flamed out with Miami during the four months this decade that Jeffrey Loria actually made an attempt to field a competitive team. Dude can't keep his mouth shut to save himself, and that could prove to be a huge distraction to a team that doesn't need it. Do not want.
Eric Wedge- Why is this even an option?
Dusty Baker- If the Tigers hire him, I will start rooting for the White Sox.
Jose Canseco- LOL.
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