Six reasons to root for the Tigers

by Brian in 317 on Oct 19, 2006 10:56 AM EDT

Well the Pirate fan in me tried to ignore all the ex-Buccos patrolling the dugout and foul lines for the Tigers while they were (altogether too quickly) eliminating my no-show A's last week. But now that that's all over and done with, I can freely root for the Detroits the rest of the way, and here's a big reason why:

Jim Leyland Manager
Don Slaught Hitting Coach
Lloyd McClendon Bullpen Coach
Gene Lamont Third Base Coach
Rafael Belliard Infield Coach
Andy Van Slyke First Base Coach

The only coach on the Tigers staff with no apparent Pirates connection is Chuck Hernandez the Pitching Coach.

Funny that Willie Randolph might also end up managing in the series. I'm one of probably only a handful of people who might remember being in the Three Rivers crowd on that day back in the mid 70s ('75?) when Willie got his first major league hit.

This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of the managing editor (Charlie) or SB Nation. FanPosts are written by Bucs Dugout readers.

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Leyland

I think it's pretty badass that he doesn't send the pitching coach out to talk the pitcher's, he just goes himself.

by ILLZ on Oct 19, 2006 1:05 PM EDT reply actions

Lots of Pirate connections

Sean Casey and Chris Shelton with Detroit...

Willie Randolph, Rick Peterson, Guy Conti, Roberto Hernandez, Oliver Perez with the Mets...well, Ramon Castro, too, but I don't think he would care for us to remember his brief stop in Pittsburgh (note - he never played for the organization, but if you're bored, google it).

by Greg Schuler on Oct 19, 2006 1:38 PM EDT reply actions

One more reason...

...I live in Missouri and have to put up with St. Louis fans...the self-proclaimed greatest fans in the country...a month ago, they were jumping off the Cardinal bandwagon so fast they were tearing their ACLs...and now they're being as obnoxious as they've ever been...

by Bill C. on Oct 20, 2006 2:28 PM EDT reply actions

hmm

They sound like Boston fans. This year at an A's/Bosox game there was an absurd number of Bosox fans (if you've gone to a KC/Bosox game you might know the syndrome). One was continually trying to show us how a "real fan" of a "real team" with a "real ball park" acts. His little act was incredibly obnoxious (and I kept thinking how a visiting fan who acted like that would be treated at Fenway). I'm not surprised to hear that some Cardinals fans act that way, too, given their long history (and successes) and great popularity in the hinterlands.

by Brian in 317 on Oct 20, 2006 3:39 PM EDT up reply actions

jeez- i guess rafael belliard

is going to be working on fielding with the pitchers come spring training. If I was a Tigers fan, I'd be really frustrated by that (offensive) defensive performance.

I'm disappointed that the season is over... it would have been nice to see this one go seven games.

Neither of the two teams in the World series this year had a winning record in the regular season after the All Star game! Weird.

by Brian in 317 on Oct 28, 2006 10:16 AM EDT reply actions