Don Slaught resigns as hitting coach.....

[slim pickens]

Sites reasons as being away from family.

[zachcadillac]

I wasn't pro- or anti-Slaught. But now that he's chosen to leave, the organization should promote Leon Durham, who has done too much good work with too many current Tigers to be passed over.

[Anthony]

AKA they asked me to quit, and keep it PR friendly, or get fired.

[west-side]

Wow- when someone says that it usually means they were fired. I know the hitters really laid an egg in the World Series, but I didn't think it would mean that Slaught would be gone.

[kitna2furrey]

Those who can't do, make great teachers. Perfect position for Neifi to fill!

[west-side]

I wasn't pro- or anti-Slaught. But now that he's chosen to leave, the organization should promote Leon Durham, who has done too much good work with too many current Tigers to be passed over.
AMEN!

[Biff Mayhem]

AKA they asked me to quit, and keep it PR friendly, or get fired.


I think you nailed it.

[DET Mr Malefic]

I wasn't pro- or anti-Slaught. But now that he's chosen to leave, the organization should promote Leon Durham, who has done too much good work with too many current Tigers to be passed over.

Agree. Not to mention that if he's not soon promoted, he'll fill the same role on a major league staff elsewhere.

[zachcadillac]

I also don't think Leyland would publicly "fire" one of his former players. I think maybe they both agreed the arrangement was not working, and went from there.

[keglerv]

A bit surprising but I would also like to see Durham get his shot. He is overdue to be at the big league level.

[estrepe1]

I agree with the sentiment that it is time for Leon Durham to be promoted. I wasn't pro or anti him either but I am fine with this decision.

[Yoda]

I agree with the sentiment that it is time for Leon Durham to be promoted. I wasn't pro or anti him either but I am fine with this decision.

I'd be willing to bet that the success Durham has had may have forced the issue. I wouldn't be surprised if he's already been offered the job.

[kpking3032]

well, depending on the situation in Texas, I'd love to see Rudy Jaramillo get here somehow, but I doubt he's going anywhere....He is a magician

[Statik]

I'd be willing to bet that the success Durham has had may have forced the issue. I wouldn't be surprised if he's already been offered the job.

Agreed, he has done alot to be a pro. You sometime can fire managers without knowing replacements, but rarily a position like hitting coach...

Whoever is taking over I'm sure has already got a reserved parking spot and a voucher for 100lbs of crazy bread (with any purchase of a $5 regular cheese pizza).

[Tigertown Rats]

OK, I'll express some ignorance here. Why has Durham earned the job? I seem to recall the Toledo hitters having the same problems at Detroit's (high Ks, little patience).

Just checked. .259 AVG. Highest Ks with 1194, 4th in BB with 465, .330 OBP and .425 SLG

[estrepe1]

well, depending on the situation in Texas, I'd love to see Rudy Jaramillo get here somehow, but I doubt he's going anywhere....He is a magician

That would be a coup.

[Shaggy Ry]

I don't think he was fired at all - I figured this would happen though, I just got the feeling that Slaught wasn't long for the coaching business(and mentioned as much a few times during the season). He had a flourishing business away from the game and always got the feeling Leyland had to talk him into the gig in the first place. Besides he can now add former MLB hitting coach to his resume to help sell his product.

Leyland wouldn't scapegoat his hitting coach in this situation and I don't think Dombrowski would have forced the move on him given we were in the World Series.

I'm going back to bed.

[BigMM]

Wow. That came out of nowhere.

I think you guys are right, he was asked to resign or be fired.

[Domino]

This is great news... he should be gone and I'm glad they are making this move and handling it with class.

[CapitalTigers]

Bring up the Bull!

[Domino]

Anyone have a press release can't find this anywhere.

[zimm]

if the Bull is hired, Inge must stay.

[tigersfandm]

here is jason beck's tidbit on it.

Slaught resigns

Tigers hitting coach Don Slaught resigned as hitting coach today, citing business and family commitments. One would imagine Leon Durham getting promoted from Triple-A Toledo to take over, but no news on that yet.

Posted on November 03, 2006 at 01:14 PM

[Domino]

Found a link, Van Slyke has also been renewed another year
Detroit News
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061103/UPDATE/611030440
Tigers' hitting coach resigns

DETROIT -- Don Slaught has resigned from his position as the Tigers' hitting coach, and Andy Van Slyke has agreed to a contract for the next season to return as the club's first base, outfield and baserunning coach, the team announced.

"The drain of being away from my family and other business interests proved to be too much and I have decided to resign from my role as Tigers hitting coach," said Slaught, who has four school-aged children.

Slaught's role as the Tigers hitting coach was his first professional coaching assignment. He played 16 seasons in the majors. He is the president of RightView Pro, a baseball and softball training software company based in California.

Free Press
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20061103/NEWS99/61103020

Tigers hitting coach Don Slaught resigns; Van Slyke returns

November 3, 2006

Email this Print this ASSOCIATED PRESS
Detroit Tigers hitting coach Don Slaught has resigned for personal reasons, and Andy Van Slyke has agreed to a deal that will bring him back next season as the first base coach for the American League champions.

''The drain of being away from my family and other business interests proved to be too much,'' Slaught said in a statement Friday. ''I love coaching and I enjoyed my time with the players, a special group that got us all to the World Series.''

Slaught said he doesn't want to miss any more time with his wife and four children.

''I understand Don's situation because I was in a similar situation following the 1999 season when I left the Rockies to be with my family in Pittsburgh,'' Tigers manager Jim Leyland said. ''Don did a good job for us and we will miss him and wish him all the best.''

Slaught spent 16 years as a catcher in the majors. His one-year stint as the Tigers hitting coach was his first coaching assignment.

Van Slyke was a three-time All-Star during his 13 seasons with St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Philadelphia.

Van Slyke and Slaught played for Leyland in Pittsburgh.

[Domino]

Gosh... postseason has been so far so good !

Dombrowski extended
Van Slyke extedned
Slaught removed
Kenny and Pudge win gold gloves

To Do List:
Keep top 4 starting pitchers intact or replace with equal or better starting pitching talent
Get a top-notch hitting coach
Get a big power hitter
For the love of God offload Neifi Perez
Leyland gets manager of year
Verlander gets rookie up year

[ballmich]

are there any ex-Pirate managers or players that are kicking around who would be suited for the job?

[Tigercub33]

are there any ex-Pirate managers or players that are kicking around who would be suited for the job?

Barry Bonds :wink:

Jay Bell and Bobby Bonilla were on his successful squads.

[kitna2furrey]

On a serious note, why not give it to Tram?

[Sparks4Ever]

On a serious note, why not give it to Tram?

Because he already has a job.

[redshark63]

are there any ex-Pirate managers or players that are kicking around who would be suited for the job?

I nominate Sid Bream.

His history with Barry (see game 7, 1992 NLCS) will certainly help seal the deal in getting him here.

[tigersfan25]

I still don't understand the anti-Slaught fervor from Domino... but I don't really have an opinion on this.

[estrepe1]

OK, I'll express some ignorance here. Why has Durham earned the job? I seem to recall the Toledo hitters having the same problems at Detroit's (high Ks, little patience).

Just checked. .259 AVG. Highest Ks with 1194, 4th in BB with 465, .330 OBP and .425 SLG

4th in BB is far from little patience...

I think the general assertion is that Leon has been credited by several players to be a huge help for them. Including Inge, Thames, Granderson, Shelton, and others.

I don't know that he definitely should be hired but he certainly has the respect of the players.

[Tyrus]

I'd be willing to bet that the success Durham has had may have forced the issue. I wouldn't be surprised if he's already been offered the job.


Yeah, but before they can formally give Durham the job, they have to interview a few Hispanics first! :knocked:

[Sidney_N_OK]

On a serious note, why not give it to Tram?

He wouldn't accept. He has been offered jobs within the organization (I'm not saying this one in particular) and refused. Besides, the bench coach of the Cubs is a better job than hitting instructor for the Tigers.

Pardon my ignorance, why all the love for Jaramillo (sp?)? Texas has one of the best hitters parks in the league, is he that good or is it where they play most of their games? This really is a question as I don't know the answer.

[estrepe1]

He wouldn't accept. He has been offered jobs within the organization (I'm not saying this one in particular) and refused. Besides, the bench coach of the Cubs is a better job than hitting instructor for the Tigers.

Pardon my ignorance, why all the love for Jaramillo (sp?)? Texas has one of the best hitters parks in the league, is he that good or is it where they play most of their games? This really is a question as I don't know the answer.

Probably a bit of both. But he is credited by several players with really turning them into good hitters.

[Corky]

Might be the move that saves Shelton's career. Just don't let him teach fielding at first!:shocked:

[Tigertown Rats]

4th in BB is far from little patience...

I think the general assertion is that Leon has been credited by several players to be a huge help for them. Including Inge, Thames, Granderson, Shelton, and others.


That's 4 out of 5 of the Tigers' top strikeout guys! (Monroe is the other, of course.)

Not saying that makes him not worthy of the job, but I don't see how he could be considered a top-flight candidate for a contending team.

[estrepe1]

Strikeouts aren't a problem if you are also taking walks.... Either way I think that Durham is pretty highly regarded in the organization. There has to be a reason for it.

[Tigertown Rats]

Strikeouts aren't a problem if you are also taking walks.... Either way I think that Durham is pretty highly regarded in the organization. There has to be a reason for it.

But wouldn't strikeouts be considered an indication of not recognizing what a pitcher is trying to do, and making adjustments to compensate for it?

I agree with you that if he's that well thought of in the organization, then he must be doing something right. I just don't see where he is the slam-dunk hire that others seem to believe.

[Oblong]

Prediction: Whoever the replacement is, we'll hear a story in spring training from a player who says "things are much clearer now". I suspect it'll be Brandon Inge.

[Tyrus]

I don't think Domino is bashing Bull Durham. He's just wondering why everyone considers him a great hitting coach. I think that's a legitimate question.

I'm not saying Durham isn't a good coach. But off the top of my head, I can't really think of anything he's done that's so wonderful. A lot of people cite the work he did with Brandon Inge, but isn't that offset by his "failure" to turn Shelton around?

I'm not hating on the guy at all. I'm just asking why everyone thinks this is such a great thing. I think that's all Domino did, too.

[FloridaTigers]

As much as I want Leon Durham.

It won't be him. It would be too good to be true. Just like getting Mazazuka. It won't happen.

[Domino]

I still don't understand the anti-Slaught fervor from Domino... but I don't really have an opinion on this.

I don't hate the guy personally, I just don't think he's a good hitting coach by any means.

Bottom line is that we had the same hitting problems all season long, and nothing was done to correct this. Granderson couldn't lay off that curve ball in the dirt from spring training all the way to the 5th game of the world series. I believe that's the job of the hitting coach to recognize these types of problems, and feverishly work with the players on pitch selection, swing mechanics, and approaches. There were so many examples of this NOT happening throughout the year that I didn't think Don deserved his job back plain and simple. At the all star break articles were being published about how we are the most undisciplined free swinging club on in the MLB, and we won't win the world series because of that. It couldn't have rung more true (along with a few errors) and nothing was done to correct it.

And yes, I think these things can be corrected over the course of a 162+ game season.

EDIT: Yes I was talking about Slaught... don't know enough about Durham to comment.

[Tigercub33]

Tyrus, you are correct, Domino was bashing Slaught, not Durham. Tigertown Rats was the one questioning why there is so much love professed for Durham on this board.

[Tigercub33]

Bottom line is that we had the same hitting problems all season long, and nothing was done to correct this.

You really don't know this. All you know is that the results didn't change, not what was done to TRY and change the results.

Tproblem was not so much with the hitting coach as the type of players who the Tigers have on offense, as has been said NUMEROUS times here.

If Slaught is going to be blamed for the mistakes, then he needs to be praised for Inge having a career high in HR and for Granderson's first half success too (among other things). You can point to just as many successes as there were failures. This team DID make it to the World Series afterall...

[Domino]

You really don't know this. All you know is that the results didn't change, not what was done to TRY and change the results.

Tproblem was not so much with the hitting coach as the type of players who the Tigers have on offense, as has been said NUMEROUS times here.

If Slaught is going to be blamed for the mistakes, then he needs to be praised for Inge having a career high in HR and for Granderson's first half success too (among other things). You can point to just as many successes as there were failures. This team DID make it to the World Series afterall...

Good point, I do not know if Slaught tried something... but whatever he was trying... didn't work so he should have tried something else - and if that didn't work, try something else... but the fact that we didn't hear much of anything in the news all season tells me not much was being done. It wasn't just Granderson. What about Pudge -- how many times did we see him K on horrible pitches? Shelton got so bad that his career might be over. Monroe, while being clutch many times, also swing at horrible pitches most of the season. It was out of hand with so many players and nothing was done to correct it (although there may have been failed attemps). Hitters can be taught, and molded, and improved upon, and I didn't see much of that.

And we made it to the World Series because of dominant pitching.

[tiger337]

are there any ex-Pirate managers or players that are kicking around who would be suited for the job?

Barry Bonds - player/coach.

[Tyrus]

Tyrus, you are correct, Domino was bashing Slaught, not Durham. Tigertown Rats was the one questioning why there is so much love professed for Durham on this board.


Oops. Gotta start paying more for the good weed! :knocked:

[Tigercub33]

Good point, I do not know if Slaught tried something... but whatever he was trying... didn't work so he should have tried something else. Hitters can be taught, and molded, and improved upon, and I didn't see much of that.

They can be taught...to an extent. However the skill set of each player has an important bearing upon how much can be taught and how willing they are to absorb that knowledge that is being passed along. Slaught may have been partially responsible, but in the end, the majority of the blame lays at the feet of those who swing the sticks.


And we made it to the World Series because of dominant pitching.

Its hard to advance without scoring runs and it is hard to score runs when players don't hit. Don't fool yourself, they won because of pitching, defense AND timely hitting.

[Tigercub33]

Oops. Gotta start paying more for the good weed! :knocked:

Or laying off it altogether. Try prescription pain killers instead, they work wonders...

[tiger337]

I have no idea whether Slaught or Durham are good hitting coaches. That's something that's really hard to know as a fan. I've heard good things about Durham so I imagine he might be the one to take over.

[tiger337]

Its hard to advance without scoring runs and it is hard to score runs when players don't hit. Don't fool yourself, they won because of pitching, defense AND timely hitting.

Did they have timely hitting?

[Tigercub33]

Did they have timely hitting?

In rounds 1 and 2, yes. Certainly not in the World Series.

[estrepe1]

As much as I want Leon Durham.

It won't be him. It would be too good to be true. Just like getting Mazazuka. It won't happen.


So there is as much chance of buying a player from Japan as there is of a coach being promoted from the system....

[Statik]

Sometimes people can get coaching greatness blurred by the results of the players they coach.

Is Torre the greatest regular season manager of all-time? Or is it just the people available to him when he puts out his lineup card?

Jim Leyland based only on his team's success is a sub-par coach. However if you take expectations for the team he coaches at the start his seasons and then compare them to where the team actually finished, you can see his value more clearly.

You have to look at Leon through the 'Lemon-Aid from Lemons' eyeglasses. You have to look as much at the players skills/natural ability that they bring to a team and then at what that coach can do with them.

Grandy, Inge, Shelton...Thames. For the most part they were all flaming bags of poo when they got up to/demoted to AAA in 2003/04/05 (Grandy not so much a flaming bag of poo...more of a decent prospect, but I'm leaving my analogy alone). Something turned them around...

[estrepe1]

Granderson was excellent in AA, A, and short season ball... He was only a decent prospect in the eyes of people that didn't think he had tools to do anything. Which was clearly incorrect.

If people have problems with his strikeouts you will notice that strikeouts were not a problem until AAA. He 80 walks and 95 strikeouts in AA, 49 walks and 91 strikeouts in A+. (476 ab and 462 ab respectively).... in AAA he had 48 walks and 129 strikeouts in 445 at bats.

Thats not to say I am against Durham, but it is an interesting note on Granderson's career.

BTW his best year was with AA Erie when he hit .303/.407/.515 with 19 doubles 8 triples and 21 homeruns in 123 games.

[Edman85]

This being the first year I've been able to watch a majority of the Tigers' games, I can say that I noticed a general aversion amongst the players towards shortening up on two-strike counts. Inge, Monroe, Ordonez, and the struggling Shelton off the top of my head are guys who still swung for the fences down 0-2, 1-2. This certainly played a large role in the strikeout problems, and is an approach that one would think could be learned.

I remember an interview with Leyland praising his coaching staff before the World Series, where he mentioned the contributions of Lamont, Van Slyke, Belliard, and McClendon. I noticed the lack of mention of Don Slaught to be pretty damning, especially considering the backwards turn our offense took over the course of the season.

[Tyrus]

I have no idea whether Slaught or Durham are good hitting coaches. That's something that's really hard to know as a fan.


I agree. Who really knows what constitutes a good coach?

[Oblong]

I agree. Who really knows what constitutes a good coach?

having good players who listen.

[Domino]

This being the first year I've been able to watch a majority of the Tigers' games, I can say that I noticed a general aversion amongst the players towards shortening up on two-strike counts. Inge, Monroe, Ordonez, and the struggling Shelton off the top of my head are guys who still swung for the fences down 0-2, 1-2. This certainly played a large role in the strikeout problems, and is an approach that one would think could be learned.

I remember an interview with Leyland praising his coaching staff before the World Series, where he mentioned the contributions of Lamont, Van Slyke, Belliard, and McClendon. I noticed the lack of mention of Don Slaught to be pretty damning, especially considering the backwards turn our offense took over the course of the season.

Agree completely.

[tigermojo]

Leyland doesn't seem like the type to allow anybody to get by without their best effort. I'm sure Slaught put alot of effort into his job. We don't have any star players on the team but still managed to finish in the middle of the AL in runs.

I tend to believe that Slaught did quit on his own. Having a successful business at home helps I'm sure. He's been through the grind of a 162 game season before. For alot of guys it's much easier to do that as a player then as a coach.

The good things I've heard about Durham is mainly about the mental side of the game where Slaught seemed to focus on video and mechanics. Durham has been known to put players in the "right frame of mind" to hit. And I remember players saying he helps give them alot of confidence.

[apabruce]

I wonder, with the success of the team this year, whether Lamont and McClendon will be considered for any manager jobs? I haven't heard their names mentioned for any of the existing openings.

[Shinzaki]

The problem with stressing "patience" lies in how it gets implemented. Just drilling the notion that you need to be a patient hitter will get you alot of 1-2 or 0-2 counts. Agressive hitters are going to be aggressive, the trick is finding someone who can fine tune that approach to the point that they aren't swinging at first pitches that aren't strikes or better yet, aren't in portion of the zone they want. In other words, if you're a low ball hitter, why in the hell are you swinging at a high fastball with less than two strikes on you?

I don't mind high K's on a slow team (fewer double plays) if it means more walks or fewer guys making outs because they're jumping on pitches that are where the pitcher wants them rather than the batter. I'll take a strike out on a 3-2 or 2-2 count over a weak grounder on a first pitch or 0-1 count any day of the week.

[Edman85]

Those of you wanting Leon Durham promoted, would you be advocating the hiring of a steroid user in 20 years?

[estrepe1]

Those of you wanting Leon Durham promoted, would you be advocating the hiring of a steroid user in 20 years?

I don't know... is this steroid user a good coach?

[Brent]

I don't think he was fired at all - I figured this would happen though, I just got the feeling that Slaught wasn't long for the coaching business(and mentioned as much a few times during the season). He had a flourishing business away from the game and always got the feeling Leyland had to talk him into the gig in the first place. Besides he can now add former MLB hitting coach to his resume to help sell his product.

I believe this to be an accurate assessment. I believe Slaught had stated that if anyone else asked him to be a coach he would have turned them down. He only took the job because Leyland asked him.

[tiger337]

In rounds 1 and 2, yes. Certainly not in the World Series.

It seemed to me they had all kinds of hitting - timely and otherwise - in the first two rounds. In the World Series, they had no kind of hitting.

[eastside billee]

For God's sake - Trammell already HAS A FREAKIN JOB!!! He's with the Cubs now -- get over it.

[Edman85]

I don't know... is this steroid user a good coach?

Touche...

My point was in reference to baseball's cocaine scandal in the 80's and how forgotten it has been. Guys like Tim Raines and Bull Durham are coaches now, Fergie Jenkins is in the Hall of Fame, Keith Hernandez was on Seinfeld and does Just for Men commercials.

It will be interesting to see if the Steroid Era is as forgotten in 20 years.

Interestingly enough, it was the Cocaine problem of the 1985 Pirates that led to the job opening for Jim Leyland.

[Charles Liston]

Mike Easler is an ex-Pirate and once had the sort of reputation Durham has now. Easler is still out there in the minor leagues somewhere.

[estrepe1]

Touche...

My point was in reference to baseball's cocaine scandal in the 80's and how forgotten it has been. Guys like Tim Raines and Bull Durham are coaches now, Fergie Jenkins is in the Hall of Fame, Keith Hernandez was on Seinfeld and does Just for Men commercials.

It will be interesting to see if the Steroid Era is as forgotten in 20 years.

Interestingly enough, it was the Cocaine problem of the 1985 Pirates that led to the job opening for Jim Leyland.

I think that specific players that are under the radar will be forgotten. You still think of Doc Gooden or Darryl Strawberry with cocaine but they were out front.

Which makes me think that someone like Matt Lawton will be forgotten as a 'roid user. But people will always remember people like Mark MacGwire and Barry Bonds.

[estrepe1]

An interesting option that I read in an article on the subject is Lloyd McClendon. Apparently he spent 4 years as the hitting coach in Pittsburgh. I wouldn't be shocked if they slid him over and hired a new bullpen coach.

[zimm]

An interesting option that I read in an article on the subject is Lloyd McClendon. Apparently he spent 4 years as the hitting coach in Pittsburgh. I wouldn't be shocked if they slid him over and hired a new bullpen coach.


god, i hope not. in Pittsburgh, he was widely considered a disaster as the hitting coach and was blamed by several young players for failed big league careers after making swing changes suggested by MClendon. i'm going to have to do some digging, but i think Adam Hyzdu was one.

[estrepe1]

god, i hope not. in Pittsburgh, he was widely considered a disaster as the hitting coach and was blamed by several young players for failed big league careers after making swing changes suggested by MClendon. i'm going to have to do some digging, but i think Adam Hyzdu was one.

I had no clue. I didn't pay much attention to other teams back then. I hope they stay away from him then.

[zimm]

I had no clue. I didn't pay much attention to other teams back then. I hope they stay away from him then.

i just remembered-it was Chad Hermanson.

he very publically blamed McClemndon for messing up his swing.

[pyrotigers]

Prediction: Whoever the replacement is, we'll hear a story in spring training from a player who says "things are much clearer now". I suspect it'll be Brandon Inge.

Rod Allen: I was talking to Craig Monroe at batting practice today, and he told me [new hitting coach] has really helped him focus and improve his swing.

[Domino]

Rod Allen: I was talking to Craig Monroe at batting practice today, and he told me [new hitting coach] has really helped him focus and improve his swing.

What's so wrong about this? I have no doubt that whomever they hire is going to be an improvement.

[cruzer1]

Looking into Lloyd's realm with Pittsburgh, he had very little talent, and his teams showed that, until 1999 and 2000, when that team exploded with a great deal of improvement...

http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/stats/historical/player_stats.jsp?c_id=pit&baseballScope=PT1&subScope=pos&teamPosCode=all&statType=Overview&sitSplit=&venueID=&timeFrame=1&timeSubFrame=1999&Submit=Submit

http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/stats/historical/player_stats.jsp?c_id=pit&baseballScope=PT1&subScope=pos&teamPosCode=all&statType=Overview&sitSplit=&venueID=&timeFrame=1&timeSubFrame=2000&Submit=Submit

[DrWho17]

I wasn't pro- or anti-Slaught. But now that he's chosen to leave, the organization should promote Leon Durham, who has done too much good work with too many current Tigers to be passed over.
That would be the proper thing to do, I doubt it will happen though, he's not a Leyland crony.

[DrWho17]

Prediction: Whoever the replacement is, we'll hear a story in spring training from a player who says "things are much clearer now". I suspect it'll be Brandon Inge.
Haha, nice post, you've got Brandon Inge down 100%.

[DrWho17]

Granderson was excellent in AA, A, and short season ball... He was only a decent prospect in the eyes of people that didn't think he had tools to do anything. Which was clearly incorrect.

If people have problems with his strikeouts you will notice that strikeouts were not a problem until AAA. He 80 walks and 95 strikeouts in AA, 49 walks and 91 strikeouts in A+. (476 ab and 462 ab respectively).... in AAA he had 48 walks and 129 strikeouts in 445 at bats.

Thats not to say I am against Durham, but it is an interesting note on Granderson's career.

BTW his best year was with AA Erie when he hit .303/.407/.515 with 19 doubles 8 triples and 21 homeruns in 123 games.
Or Granderson finally saw pitchers at a level that he couldn't handle.

[One Man's Fool]

Leyland says the new member of the coaching staff will come from within the organization. He doesn't say for sure it will be Durham.

If he opts not to slide McClendon over, he could go with Pete Incaviglia or Larry Herndon.

[keystone]

If he opts to slide McClendon over - I'll bet Troy Percival becomes Bullpen Coach.

[chasfh]

Or Granderson finally saw pitchers at a level that he couldn't handle.

I was going to say something similar -- that pitchers at higher levels are filthier, so no wonder he's striking out more.

I don't think it's that he can't handle MLB pitching altogether, but his softest results did come at the major league level (which you can hardly fault him for). Granderson will be 26 next year, so he is in his peak right now. I'm optimistic about seeing substantial improvement from him in 2007.

For now, though, I hope he's enjoying his time in Vegas or the Caymans or wherever he is.

[jake]

We made it to the World Series and our hitting coach (who has 4 school aged kids) decided to not come back. What's the conspiracy theory stuff for? He wasn't fired.

[Oblong]

We made it to the World Series and our hitting coach (who has 4 school aged kids) decided to not come back. What's the conspiracy theory stuff for? He wasn't fired.

That's what I was thinking. I remember when he was hired he said something like "We'll see how it goes". Maybe the pay isn't worth being on the road from February to mid October.

[jake]

That's what I was thinking. I remember when he was hired he said something like "We'll see how it goes". Maybe the pay isn't worth being on the road from February to mid October.

Some people actually put family before themselves.

[estrepe1]

Or Granderson finally saw pitchers at a level that he couldn't handle.

He still had good overall numbers last year in AAA. And his numbers were okay in the MLB. I was just noting the strikeouts. I think that he saw pitchers with stuff good enough to get him out, but I don't know that you can make a statement that he can't handle this level.

However it was in response to Statik saying that he was just a decent prospect before AAA so my point of the numbers stands.

I don't think it's that he can't handle MLB pitching altogether, but his softest results did come at the major league level (which you can hardly fault him for). Granderson will be 26 next year, so he is in his peak right now. I'm optimistic about seeing substantial improvement from him in 2007.


I agree with this.

[IdahoBert]

Might have been a convenient mutual decision. Hard to tell. Being home is a good thing, though. I bet it was hard to be back on the road after being off it for so long.

[Espen1978]

Barry Bonds :wink:

Jay Bell and Bobby Bonilla were on his successful squads.

I think Bell would be a good fit if they dont bring up The Bull.

[Domino]

I don't care if he was let go or decided to leave, either way it's a plus for the team in my opinion.

[tiger337]

We made it to the World Series and our hitting coach (who has 4 school aged kids) decided to not come back. What's the conspiracy theory stuff for? He wasn't fired.

That was my impression too.

[djhutch]

I don't think Slaught was fired. I'd be surprised if Durham doesn't get the job, but I'm surprised nobody mentioned Tony Gwynn. I'd love to get that guys work ethic in Motown.

[zCor]

Leyland says the new member of the coaching staff will come from within the organization. He doesn't say for sure it will be Durham.

If he opts not to slide McClendon over, he could go with Pete Incaviglia or Larry Herndon.

Just a note. I'm pretty sure the entire Erie staff was let go after the season. Pete Incaviglia is no longer with the Tigers.

Larry Herndon probably is in contention for the batting coach job. I was wondering if Larry Parrish would be a candidate as well, but I'm behind Durham for the job.

[elvisontour]

I don't think Slaught was fired. I'd be surprised if Durham doesn't get the job, but I'm surprised nobody mentioned Tony Gwynn. I'd love to get that guys work ethic in Motown.


I love Tony was thinking him to, he is currently the San Diego State head baseball coach.

[vannzee]

Its simple...McCleandon will become hitting coach while Jeff Jones will be promoted from Toledo to man the bullpen.