Backseat blogger questions moves by Tiger Skip
By Punch N. Judy
BaseballBigMouth.com baseball news
“Well, that certainly wasn’t the plan.”
That’s what BBM staffers were saying to each other in the aftermath of a World Series Game 1 in which Detroit played flat, uninspired baseball and the visiting St. Louis Cardinals came out loaded for bear – or in this case Tiger.
The decision by manager Jim Leyland to start mercurial rookie Justin Verlander in the lid-lifter didn’t come as much of a shock to this writer as the “Wizard of Woodward” has gone against Hoyle for the better part of this magical hardball season. But as my grandfather used to lament time again when discussing euchre strategy, you should never give away a trick that can be had. With the Cards still jet-lagged and probably hung-over from their seven game triumph over the Mets, I can’t help but think the logical move would have been to give the ball to Kenny Rogers. But then again, hind-sight being what it is, perhaps I’m just splitting hairs on this one.
The lineup itself was and has been of greater concern to me as this post-season rolls along. Considering the year Marcus Thames has had, you can’t help but wonder if this guy has found his way into Leyland’s dog house. To me if Sean Casey isn’t at first base he shouldn’t be in the lineup at all. By DH’ing the hobbled Casey, the manager is essentially weakening the team in two ways. 1) He’s choosing Casey, who hasn’t swung a bat in over two weeks over the dangerous Thames. And 2) He’s playing Ramon Santiago, (the worst post-season hitter since Alfredo Griffin of the 88’ Dodgers) essentially giving away three at bats that could cost the team a rally at some point. I’ve heard of playing hunches but sheesh!
If there was one highlight other than the obvious fact that the Series’ made it’s return to Motown for the first time in 22 years, it had to be the appearance of venerable Tiger radio voice Ernie Harwell. Mixing in some homespun anecdotes with on the money play-by-play, Harwell never sounded better. He even managed to get in his signature homerun call, albeit at the expense of the locals when Scott Rolan took Verlander deep in the top of the second. Ah well, sometimes you gotta give a little to get a little.
At the time of this post we are about an hour away from the first pitch. Terrible weather at the Judy homestead has me worrying that tonight’s game could be called – for you newbie’s I’m but a Magglio blast from Comerica Park. Given the week rest already endured by the Detroiters I would prefer they get the game in. Although chalk full of sweep like predictions prior to the opener, this blogger is throwing away his crystal ball for the remainder of the Series.’ You could say I’m just going to enjoy the rest of the ride.