I hope the Tigers do get dissed in the All-Star Game

[Tyrus]

Pat Caputo has been on a rant lately about Ozzie Guillen's dissing of the Tigers in the upcoming All-Star Game. He's particularly chapped because Jim Leyland wasn't named a coach in the game, which is played in Jim's old stomping grounds, Pittsburgh.

I tend to agree with Caputo on this one -- Leyland should have been named a coach on AL squad. Any All-Star manager with an ounce of class would realize that Jim Leyland is the managerial story of the year, by far. Ozzie runs a distant second with FagGate, but Leyland is the real story.

Although I'd like to see guys like Verlander, Bonderman, and Robertson get All Star spots, as they deserve, I don't see Ozzie giving the Tigers their due. If we're lucky, we'll have two representatives on the squad -- Pudge and someone else.

But this could play into the Tigers' hands. If Ozzie out-and-out disses them with his All-Star selections, that could be a huge motivational tool. Don't you think?

The "us-against-them" underdog card is a good one when it's actually true. And Ozzie is most definitely one of "them."

[Timberwolf]

Well it ain't coincidence why Ozzie did not select Gardenhire.

[TigerCap]

Fine with me - it could be a motivator. Ozzie is too short-sighted to see that.
I used to get so bent when Tigers were overlooked for the ASG. Now, "whatever". If nothing else, we'll get a good breather and sell out the stadium to show how much WE appreciate them.
Ozzie seems too insecure to give Leyland this opportunity.

Or..."paybacks are hell" :)

[tigersfan25]

I want Tigers to miss the AS game... I want them rested for the second half, especially the young starters.

And by the way, Jimmy said he would decline an invite anyway.

[Motor City Sonics]

I agree completely. They probably won't get too many shots at position players Pudge and maybe an outside shot at Granderson, but the pitching staff the Tigers could arguably have 5 guys on the staff (Verlander, Bonderman, Rogers, Robertson, Zumaya), but since Ozzie will have the final say on the staff, I think he'll take one and there will be at least 6 White Sox on the team. Great motivator. The regular season is far more important than this exhibition game.

[atomicrod]

I agree with everyone, lets get some rest after that long West Coast Trip and comeback.

There was a time the All-Star game used to be interesting. The fact that almost all the starting line-up is not Boston/Ny has taken a lot away for me.

[Tyrus]

Another thing: I honestly wouldn't put it past Guillen to purposely abuse our pitchers in the ASG, like having them warm up several times, or leaving them in too long, to gain a competitive edge in the regular season.

Come to think of it, I wouldn't put that past a lot of managers! I wonder if it happens. I bet it does sometimes.

[Timberwolf]

I always thought most managers have integrity. They would never stoop that low, Tyrus. I just don't see it. I know Gardenhire would never do that

[Tyrus]

I don't think Gardenhire would, either. But I'm sure there are other managers who would do it in a heartbeat.

If a manager would stoop so low as to lie about fighting in Vietnam, then I'm sure there have been managers who also would purposely abuse a rival pitcher in an All-Star game. They couldn't come right out and do it blatantly, but they certainly could make sure a pitcher has to warm up several times, then bring him out to pitch two or three innings.

But I think you're right, Timberwolf -- most managers do have integrity, and I can't see the likes of Joe Torre, Dusty Baker or Tony LaRussa doing that sort of thing.

[wolverinefan]

I don't think Guillen does that.

[FloridaTigers]

I'm glad we're going to lack All-Stars. Need our boys rested. Besides, I'm going fishing for a few days, which happens to fall on the All-Star Break. I wouldn't want to miss our Tigers play, so I'm glad they won't be.

[tiger337]

I want Tigers to miss the AS game... I want them rested for the second half, especially the young starters.



Same here.

[tiger337]

But this could play into the Tigers' hands. If Ozzie out-and-out disses them with his All-Star selections, that could be a huge motivational tool. Don't you think?



I doubt it. A lot of players prefer the days off. I think the game is a bigger deal to the fans than to the players.

Plus, do the Tigers need a motivational tool right now? They are on fire and I can't see them getting much hotter. I'd rather they just keep the motivation as it is right now. Extra emotion is not necessarily a good thing.

[tiger337]

I really doubt Guillen is an evil genius plotting how to ruin the Tigers in the allstar game. I think people are getting a little paranoid.

[IdahoBert]

One of the neat things about baseball is that you don't necessarily have to have a team of All-Stars to be a great team. You need a team where everyone top to bottom can contribute. All-star recognition is just a snack; it's short-term ego candy. Instead, we have a real meal on our hands. I'll take that any day.

[ewsieg]

Personally if I was Guillen, I think i'd select Verlander and pitch him all 9 innings...all the while hoping for extra innings to get Bonderman or Zumaya some innings too.

[travis]

Once again, Leyland made it clear that he belives he does not deserve to be coaching in the all-star game, and had he received an invite he would have turned it down.

Had he not said this, I still wouldn't have held this against him. As a coach, it would be a cold day in hell before I invited the coach of my rival team to be on my staff at any point, even if he was a friend or aquaintance.

As much as I want Leyland and all our players given credit for what they've done so far, I could never fault Ozzie considering the position he's in. I mean, imagine how many people he is going to disappoint.

[slim pickens]

I like seeing my team represented, and they will be getting the rest that they need, if only a few go, they will only play 1 inning at best since they wont be starting. But if none go, I am ok with that to, because if something happened to a player, I would forever blame Guillen. (even though it wouldnt be his fault, I just dispise him).

[atomicrod]

I don't think Gardenhire would, either. But I'm sure there are other managers who would do it in a heartbeat.

But I think you're right, Timberwolf -- most managers do have integrity, and I can't see the likes of Joe Torre, Dusty Baker or Tony LaRussa doing that sort of thing.

I'm not positive if this is the exact detail or not, but wasn't one of the resons the All-Star Game in Milwaukee was called a tie was due to Torre not wanting to pitch Freddie Garcia more than one inning because he had thrown a day or so before ?

It appears that All-Star pitcher only throw one, maybe two innings now anyway. Since the game is in a National Leauge city this year and the pitcher has to bat, I'm guessing that will continue to be the case.

[djhutch]

I want as many of our players to make the All-Star game as possible. Pitching is what has made us this successful, & our pitchers aren't going to be throwing 4-5 innings.

I'm beginning to think Zumaya may make it.

[BiggieG]

Although the rest would be nice, the excitement for a kid to be chosen for his first All-Star appearance is almost supernatural. I think the old fella's experience the same type of excitement if they have went multiple times in the past. I think the experience would be awesome for any player, and also for any fan.

[tigersrok]

There are plenty of players on this team who have the stats to justify all-star appearances, however when the all-stars are announced I expect a lot of people to be dissapointed in the number of selections. I personally don't care how many players we send to the game, but I feel we will get at most 3 and a lot of people on this board will feel that our team was snubbed.

[One Man's Fool]

This morning on Mike and Mike in the Morning, Buster Olney starts naming his three starting AL outfielders, and he names Suzuki, Wells and Maggs . . . which seems like a positive thing at first, but he says it like this " . . . Magglio Ordonez . . . I'm going to throw the Detroit Tigers a bone . . . "

Hey Buster, I think I know a place where you can put your bone.

[dndlion]

Besides, I'm going fishing for a few days

I heard Bondy on the radio the other day, and they asked him about the AS game. He said he was looking forward to do some sturgeon fishing during the break, so if he was not selected it would not bother him. The Tigers last series is in Seattle and that is where he is from. Good sturgeon fishing in the NW.

[rhino]

Another thing: I honestly wouldn't put it past Guillen to purposely abuse our pitchers in the ASG, like having them warm up several times, or leaving them in too long, to gain a competitive edge in the regular season.

Come to think of it, I wouldn't put that past a lot of managers! I wonder if it happens. I bet it does sometimes.

This wouldn't fit with Ozzie's sensitivity training:cheeky:

[gamtchll]

Maggs is a no doubter.

3rd in league in RBI amongst AL outfielders. ...with a .310 avg, no doubt.

[DET Mr Malefic]

They are on fire and I can't see them getting much hotter.

In another thread I compared them to all the other teams in the history of baseball that started a season 54-25. There have been 39 others. Of those 39, the best started 59-20. That has only happened three times.

So you're very right in saying that they can't get much hotter..........they're literally 5 games off the pace for the best start in history through this many games.

[shauntacular]

I don't even give a crap about the all star game and I'm tired of all the hubub surrounding it. It was nice to have the game in Detroit last year because it brought revenue to the city, and the same will be true for Pittsburgh this year. The thing is that I can't even stand to watch the thing anymore. The game means nothing. I have zero stake in the outcome. Don't give me that crap about home field advantage in the WS either because I think that's a load of bull and that home field should go to the team with the better record. The only player I'd like to see go to the ASG is Bonderman because I think it'll up his asking price in arbitration this offseason and I want the kid to make as much money as possible. Other than that I don't give a crap. Just another stupid exhibition game that may or may not end in a tie.

I hate Bud Selig.

[eastside billee]

I hope Guillen only picks one Tiger. I hope he says things that absolutely CHAP the Tigers' *****. That way, when the TIgers play against the White Sox the rest of the year, they want PAYBACK and want to make Guillen SICK!

[gamtchll]

Umm---- is Ozzie gonna pick this guy? -----


"He's a piece of [bleep]," Guillen told reporters late last week. "He's another Venezuelan [bleep]. [Bleep] him. He thinks he's got an enemy? No, he's got a big one. He knows I can [bleep] him over in a lot of different ways. He better shut the [bleep] up and just play for the Detroit Tigers."

[shauntacular]

LOL. I hate Ozzie Guillen.

[FloridaTigers]

Umm---- is Ozzie gonna pick this guy? -----


"He's a piece of [bleep]," Guillen told reporters late last week. "He's another Venezuelan [bleep]. [Bleep] him. He thinks he's got an enemy? No, he's got a big one. He knows I can [bleep] him over in a lot of different ways. He better shut the [bleep] up and just play for the Detroit Tigers."

Oh, the First Place Detroit Tigers? :classic:

[Lucifer]

Leyland has already said that he has tickets up in the 300 level to watch the All-Star game as a fan with some of his friends.
As for Ozzie, let him be insane. Hand us motivation. Just don't lose us home-field advantage in the World Series....LOL.
I read an AP columnist today who made his own All-Star predictions. He had 2 Tigers on the team, Verlander and Robertson. That's it. No mention of Pudge whatsoever, although he said Guillen was having a good enough season to deserve a spot, but he's got others ahead of him (Jeter, Young, etc.).

[GrandersonNextKaline]

Dont use the "us against them" line, I'm sick of that, the Pistons were that. Drew Sharp wrote today about how they'll only get two all-stars because the tigers are never on espn. The Tigers get plenty of respect around the country, if we dont get alot of guys on the all-star team then so what, but dont say it's because we dont get any respect. Baseball is not about New York, Boston, and LA, the league doesnt rely on those cities like the NBA, everytime the allstar game comes around in the NBA people in detroit get all uptight about how no Pistons ever made it (until this year). If the Royals were the best team in baseball it wouldnt hurt MLB at all and neither do the Tigers. I know Im getting ahead with this stuff but if people start to turn the Tigers into the "We get no respect" - Pistons then they're idiots.

[zachcadillac]

Why do people think Pudge should make the team?

[MonkeyDarts]

Why do people think Pudge should make the team?
I wondered the same thing. Unless he won the vote wouldn't Mauer be the catcher to be picked to back-up Varitek?

[Casimir]

One of the neat things about baseball is that you don't necessarily have to have a team of All-Stars to be a great team.

Precisely the beauty of this team. I don't think there are a lot of compelling arguements to have more than 1 or 2 Tigers on the all star team. I just don't think that going position by position we have the 1st or 2nd best option anywhere (including @ C). The success of this team has been achieved by different individuals in different games.

[Casimir]

Why do people think Pudge should make the team?

If 2 of Joe Mauer, Jorge Posada, Kenji Johjima can't make the game, Pudge could be considered. Its a crime that Mauer isn't starting the game, especially since this time it counts.