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More fawning bullcrap on the inscrutable wisdom of Obi-Wan Leyland

Discussion in 'Sports and News' started by Starman, Sep 20, 2006.

  1. Starman

    Starman Well-Known Member

    http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060920/SPORTS02/609200451

    Let's see. A manager has blown 10 games off a division lead in six weeks, throws in a non-roster minor-league callup as a white-flag move in the late innings of (yet another) hopelessly blown game, and it turns into another fellatiopalooza on his seasoned savvy, crusty grizzled genius and brilliant veteran wisdom.

    Jedi mind tricks are especially effective on the weak-minded. How about Using The Force to win a game or two, eh??
     
  2. BYH

    BYH Active Member

    Goodness, that was pretty kissy kissy sucky sucky.

    But I would warn you, Starman, that the same obits were being written about the ChiSox 52 weeks ago.

    Not saying the Tigers will win the World Series, or even the division. But that last game--or half-game, in this case--is often the toughest to make up.
     
  3. Starman

    Starman Well-Known Member

    JUST POSTED: Might as well make it a double-barrelled suction-fest in true, sensurround stereo. :eek:

    http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060920/SPORTS08/609200320/1345

    BRILLIANT. Almost like Charlie Weis watching game films, studying opponents, coming up with game plans to capitalize on opponents' weaknesses. BRILLIANT. How come nobody else thinks of these things?

    If the guy's such a goddamn wizard, how come they've gone about 15-35 in their last 50 games? Where's all the crusty grizzled genius, now that they need it?

    Just a reminder: Leyland has stomped off in disgust from every MLB managing job he's ever had. I call Labor Day, next year, as the over-under date.
     
  4. Ben_Hecht

    Ben_Hecht Active Member

    And when the starters' arms all fall off, I want to hear all the defenders, then.

    C'mon, Twins.

    C'MON.
     
  5. Smasher_Sloan

    Smasher_Sloan Active Member

    Tigers after 151 games:

    2006: 90-61, First place, 1/2 game lead

    2005: 67-84, Fourth place, 24.5 GB
     
  6. Ben_Hecht

    Ben_Hecht Active Member

    The kid pitchers grew up, simultaneously.

    Good for Leyland.

    Now, we'll see if he can bring the horse home.
     
  7. dooley_womack1

    dooley_womack1 Well-Known Member

    Starman, is there anybody a coach out there you like?
     
  8. novelist_wannabe

    novelist_wannabe Well-Known Member

    I don't remember much about his stint with the Rockies, but it's hard to blame him for leaving both the Pirates and the Marlins. The Pirates tried to trade Bonds and he balked, so they kept him, only to have him leave the next year, and the team hasn't spent sufficient money to win since. And who wouldn't bolt in the wake of the fire sale the Marlins had in 1998? He had no chance to be successful in either case. Yes, the Marlins won a World Series four years later, and yes, Leyland certainly has his foibles, but is it fair to expect a guy to put up with losing for four years for that one chance to win big?
     
  9. Cousin Jeffrey

    Cousin Jeffrey Active Member

    Leyland's only mistake was taking the Rockies job without thinking through how bad they were going to be. Leaving the Pirates? C'mon, the team had a board room of owners, no plan and seemingly no future. McClatchy didn't come until later, not that it's helped aside from a new park.

    The Marlins? They rewarded their "fans" with the biggest fire sale in 20-plus years. Would you stay there? He may look old but he wasn't a geriatric confined to Florida.

    The Rockies departure was a bad move on his part.
     
  10. JackS

    JackS Member

    Outing alert (for the older set): Starman is Mikey from the Life cereal commercial.
     
  11. novelist_wannabe

    novelist_wannabe Well-Known Member

    Who woulda thunk that kid would grow up to administer justice? 8)
     
  12. leo1

    leo1 Active Member

    actually dooley, i think that's a good question, and not just for starman.

    maybe it deserves its own thread but who, if anyone, are the real geniuses out there in coaching, either today or historically? for every so-called genius it's easy to point out why he's overrated or the contributing factors (like a massive payroll or a genius player personnel guy). is it the guy who wins with limited resources? does he have to actually win though? does that make billy beane and terry ryan geniuses? is it the guy who wins a championship (or almost wins one) at multiple stops like parcells? maybe the answer is that coaches & managers have nothing to do with success or failure. or maybe the answer is that sustained success is so rare that no one is a genius.
     
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