....and the 'Midas-touch' with Tiger owner, Mike Illich, and team president/GM, Dave Dombrowski. Plus, manager Jim Leyland had a little imput. A group decision that should bode well , and lead to a Central Division title. The team WELCOMES former Mariner, Jarrod Washburn (LHP), although he may turn out to be a 3-month rental. But his presence should 'shore-up' an already formidable staff. Thus, making the loss of ace reliever, Joel Zumaya, a little less 'painful'. Zumaya will have a season-ending shoulder operation.
Back in 1987, then Tiger manager "Sparky" Anderson sent a little known minor league prospect named John Smoltz to the Atlanta Braves for journeyman Doyle Alexander. Unlike most 'journeymen', Doyle Alexander was somewhat successful. A status strange and unusual for a 'journeyman'. He had accumulated 163 wins at that point in his career, and would add another 29 during his tenure as a Tiger. His Tiger career--unfortunately--only lasted 3-years, leading to his retirement from baseball...at age 39. But Smoltz's HOF career with the Braves was just beginning...much to the chagrin of all Tiger fans. After all, he was a local boy, borned in Detroit. And for more than a decade we were often reminded by the lousey Tiger teams gracing the ballfield, of what we lost. If only.... . That deal always looked bad after it was done, and the losses set in. But with Alexander's mound exploits, the Tigers won the American League East (98 wins), but lost the Minnesota Twins (AL West--88wins) in a best of 5 series*. A couple of years later the Tigers hit the basement with 103 losses. This forebode bad things, making the Tigers laughing-stock and door-mat of MLB. A team loaded--with few exceptions---very average and over-paid players. Especially Bobby Higginson (OF). But we had Jack Morris (p) and "Big Daddy" Cecil Fielder, and a few other pretty good players....these were the 'exceptions' referred to earlier.
Forunately, todays team is will be very good for a long time-with or without Washburn. However, Detroit will try to sign him to a long contract, keeping him part of the rotation. Especially if the Tigers enjoy the same results experienced by the 1987 Tigers.....without any postseason losses.
* The playoff format changed to its present make-up in 1985 *(a best of 7-games series). The only other change involved adding a 3rd Division (Central), and in 1993 the "Wild Card" was introduced. The last 'changes' simply reflected baseball's expansion (adding new teams) and its realignment.
Back in 1987, then Tiger manager "Sparky" Anderson sent a little known minor league prospect named John Smoltz to the Atlanta Braves for journeyman Doyle Alexander. Unlike most 'journeymen', Doyle Alexander was somewhat successful. A status strange and unusual for a 'journeyman'. He had accumulated 163 wins at that point in his career, and would add another 29 during his tenure as a Tiger. His Tiger career--unfortunately--only lasted 3-years, leading to his retirement from baseball...at age 39. But Smoltz's HOF career with the Braves was just beginning...much to the chagrin of all Tiger fans. After all, he was a local boy, borned in Detroit. And for more than a decade we were often reminded by the lousey Tiger teams gracing the ballfield, of what we lost. If only.... . That deal always looked bad after it was done, and the losses set in. But with Alexander's mound exploits, the Tigers won the American League East (98 wins), but lost the Minnesota Twins (AL West--88wins) in a best of 5 series*. A couple of years later the Tigers hit the basement with 103 losses. This forebode bad things, making the Tigers laughing-stock and door-mat of MLB. A team loaded--with few exceptions---very average and over-paid players. Especially Bobby Higginson (OF). But we had Jack Morris (p) and "Big Daddy" Cecil Fielder, and a few other pretty good players....these were the 'exceptions' referred to earlier.
Forunately, todays team is will be very good for a long time-with or without Washburn. However, Detroit will try to sign him to a long contract, keeping him part of the rotation. Especially if the Tigers enjoy the same results experienced by the 1987 Tigers.....without any postseason losses.
* The playoff format changed to its present make-up in 1985 *(a best of 7-games series). The only other change involved adding a 3rd Division (Central), and in 1993 the "Wild Card" was introduced. The last 'changes' simply reflected baseball's expansion (adding new teams) and its realignment.
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