Tigers Reveal Troubles with Hands-off Management

The following article stems from conversations with members of the Tigers’ clubhouse who want to remain anonymous. After some debate, we’ve decided to bring you sports coverage because our beloved Tigers, Lions, Red Wings and Pistons help unite the region and draw investment into the region.

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Gordie Fall, Sports

For most of the season, the fractured Detroit Tigers have been unable to string together wins or avoid in-game collapses. Fans have blamed everyone from management to players.

Turns out, one of the biggest sources of fan frustration was the glue keeping everyone together – Brandon Inge.

While the oft-struggling third baseman was an easy scapegoat because of his lackluster bat and decreasing range in the field, Inge was a problem-solver and mentor to the team’s large pool of young talent. Since becoming a Tiger in the plateauing season of 2003, Inge gained invaluable experience and fielded most positions, eventually becoming the longest-serving player on the team before being sent to the Oakland Athletics in late April.

Inge’s role as mentor was vital because manager Jim Leyland and his coaching staff are entirely hands-off, believing that professional athletes can solve their own problems. While this style may win over players and work well for a veteran team, it’s no way to coach young talent. When a player cannot solve his problems, GM Dave Dombrowski and Leyland simply move the guy out.

Inge was the de facto coach. So when he left, so did the coaching.

Most Tigers are still developing, and strong coaching can stabilize and improve the roster for years to come. By leaving players to their own devices, the team regularly falls apart when the pressure intensifies. Prime examples are the September collapses in 2006 and 2009.

There is a time to let players set their own paths and a time when players need help to develop.

Since Inge was released, the Tigers have slumped. They entered the season as the overwhelming favorite to win the American League Central and got off to a good start at 9-3. But since Inge’s release in late April, the Tigers have managed only four sets of consecutive wins and are now 33-35 – poor enough for third place in the below-average division.
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For the Tigers to succeed this season, changes must be made quickly. The easiest and most realistic solution is to bring back Inge. His return would stabilize the clubhouse, bring back a trusted leader for many Tigers and bridge the divide between the roster and the management.

Since the Oakland Athletics are perpetually in rebuilding mode and appear to have little chance to make the playoffs this season, the Tigers may be able to re-acquire Inge for a minor prospect and some cash. (Inge will be paid $400,000 from Oakland and $5 million from Detroit this season).

To avoid embarrassment, the Tigers would need to merely announce that Inge returned for a minor on-field role and a major off-field role, possibly with perks like an official captaincy and the potential to work within the organization as a coach upon retirement. This would satisfy the fans who love Inge (by bringing him back) and pacify the fans who dislike Inge (by making it clear he is here for more than his glove and bat).

The major benefit: It gives the Tigers their best chance of reaching the playoffs this year. Mike Ilitch wants to win the World Series before he dies, so he must take this potentially polarizing step to make his goal a reality. Firing Jim Leyland or Dave Dombrowski would begin a multi-year rebuilding process, no matter who comes in to replace them. It has been made very clear that the goal is winning now, so nothing should be done to compromise the current makeup of the team. Instead, Dombrowski would simply be restoring the team’s chemistry.

Many members of the Tigers have expressed disappointment with the lack of hands-on management, and all believe that bringing back Inge would solve the problem.

This is the team’s chance to undo a potentially fatal mistake. Tigers fans can only hope the team’s management can swallow its pride and push the reset button before it is too late.

Gordon Fall has been around the Detroit sports scene for his entire life and even entered the world with a Red Wings hockey stick in hand. With a variety of connections around the Detroit area, Fall will be presenting the unspoken, yet optimistic truth of our city’s sports scene.

Sports, Tigers