So, it's over...

A few rambling thoughts to wind up the season.

Tops on the Christmas list: relief pitchers and a couple hitting outfielders.

Big Jim leaving? I don't think it's that big a deal.

Finally a couple questions for you coaches out there:

Why don't more major leaguers "choke up" like they used to? Seems like a wise move with two strikes and a flame thrower up there. Rangers Leonys Martin does it all the time.

Why do so many major leaguers have such a pronounced open stance, then when the pitch comes in, they close it up? I understand shifting your weight from back foot to front, but this seems counterintuitive. (at least to me.)

Finally, many major leaguers (including Benoit) seem to go from a set position, rock back on one foot, and "pump" the ball into their mit, before bringing their hands together and deliver the pitch. Isn't that a balk?

a few thoughts from Senor Domzal:

Tops on the Christmas list: relief pitchers and a couple hitting outfielders.


Ya think. The hitters are there, middle relief by all means is the key. Two pitches and we are staring at the cards this week instead of emptying lockers.







Big Jim leaving? I don't think it's that big a deal.

He hit it perfectly on the head. ‘It’s time’. My hat is off to him for the strength he had facing the incredible scrutiny he was under on every decision. The guy knew what he was doing. Even in the game I attended, the 4 -3 loss, he kept Sanchez in, we nibbled back, got within one, yet hitting failed us. I would have pulled Sanchez but the patience of Leyland, the knowledge of his players, home crowd, the hitters he had, the opportunity to take this game was right there. I will miss Leyland. I felt confident in his moves. And truthfully, at his age, he has paid the price. He deserves to go out as he did. With dignity, and his head held high in my opinion.







Finally a couple questions for you coaches out there:



Why don't more major leaguers "choke up" like they used to? Seems like a wise move with two strikes and a flame thrower up there. Rangers Leonys Martin does it all the time. Couldn’t tell you. Logic says absolutely. I recall rose doing it all the time. And Morgan. And of course dick McAuliffe. Bats today may be lighter, can get around faster, or its not taught simply because if you do get around, you may go opposite field, which isn’t a bad thing.



Why do so many major leaguers have such a pronounced open stance, then when the pitch comes in, they close it up? I understand shifting your weight from back foot to front, but this seems counterintuitive. (at least to me.) in the end, every batter ends up pretty much in the same position. Weight distribution typically is what they are trying to get to. Legs driving the ball. Look at the last second before a batter hits the ball. Or misses for that matter. All that movement, stance, etc. is more semantics on the batters part. They all end up wide stance, head down, facing the ball arms extended or at least should be at point of contact.



Finally, many major leaguers (including Benoit) seem to go from a set position, rock back on one foot, and "pump" the ball into their mit, before bringing their hands together and deliver the pitch. Isn't that a balk? Sure looks like it to me. He’s not alone. But apparently umps have conceded this as a non balk move. I would have called it on a number of pitchers this year. More prevalent than I have ever seen. But, if it wasn’t a balk in spring training, they obviously are allowing it.







Tigers. Incredible collapse. I watched fielder up close. My seats were just few rows up, just past first. How do you define lethargy. Just incredible. I mean this guy looks beat. Only $218 million, imagine that. I finally had enough of him, first pitch double plays, pathetic base running, I hollered at him. ‘Fielder, only $218 mil, with that production you must work for the government. You don’t have to produce.’ Got a few fans reactions. Discovered they are not as critical of this balloon as I suspected. Very protective. Bull $hit. The guy needed to come thru. For as many times we have come to playoff time, he has collapsed. Even with the pitching debacle, his bat would have made the difference. Don’t get me wrong. I absolutely love the guy as a person. But man, when crunch time comes, you gotta be somewhat selective at the plate, know where you want to go with the ball, when to take the base, when to listen to the coach, he just came apart in my opinion.



Cabrera. Again, he’s hurt. You can see it. Peralta. I like the guy. Bat came thru. Finally jake wood wannabee Austin came around in the end, but oh, for a hit in game 3, or even something in game two when we could have gone up by 7, how large do those strikeouts look now. Verlander, sherzer, sanchez, even benoit all looked strong. Just that middle relief. We knew it all season. Now the country found out.



Guys like don kelly, Iglesias, torre hunter all are great pieces. I hope they get to keep them all. Somewhere along the way they need to find some speed on the basepaths. This has always plagued these tiger teams. Over the years a few bright spots, the ron leflores of the day, but, you can see how incredibly fast some of these playoff teams are. Iglesias is fast, but, we need more I think. At least pose a threat so to pull the shortstop out of position during the hit and run knowing ‘hes going’.



All I go back to is game two, up 5, and my instincts said to me, ‘it’s not enough’. Instincts stink sometimes.



Give me a tony larussa for one year. Not more, just one say. He has had many prima donnas to manage. This being said, they would immediately respect him. He could be the one to get us over the top. You may have one more season in this team before it has to be broken up. The Indians are very good, the royals are coming on strong. For the tigers to take this thing once and for all, larussa would be my first call after the press conference if I am Dave. I pray to God they don’t bring in some first year experiment, a tommy brookens say, even a Gibson might be controversial. And a gene lamont could be a fit but again, hes bringing some Leyland with him. I think with Jim gone, a fresh coaching staff might be in order with whomever takes the reign.