2005 MLB Thread

[Guest NYJetFan86]

Sucks balls the Yankees got in. I was hoping against hope they'd miss out, would have been a lot of fun to see the heads roll in the Bronx.

I'm pulling for Cleveland. I think if they can get in they'll be the most dangerous team in the AL. No one has the pitching to stack up and their offence is very, very good.

Regardless of who wins I still believe St. Louis will win the World Series.

[reyrey619]

I don't like the idea of the tiebreaker winning the division. I think there should be a one game to playoff to decide it. And if the tiebreaker should be in effect, then the Red Sox should have already won the Wild Card, since they won the season series 5-1...

[gunnar hendershow]

I don't like the idea of the tiebreaker winning the division. I think there should be a one game to playoff to decide it. And if the tiebreaker should be in effect, then the Red Sox should have already won the Wild Card, since they won the season series 5-1...

My thoughts exactly. If it's fair for the Yanks to get in on virtue of season series, it's fair for the Sox to get in.

[Green Demon]

Well the Indians lost another tough one and are on the outside now. I would still have to say it was a great season, not looking at the last 6-7 games they were playing amazing. The fact that they even had a chance at the wild card or even the division after how they played at the beginning of the season is crazy. If it had been any other season then 2002 or this year the Indians would have eaisly have the wild card. Even though this season just finished for them they got so many young guys so I am looking forward to next year when they can hopefully make the playoffs, next year they could be a dangerous team if they start out better.

Also this is just another reason that Cleveland is one of the most tourtured sports town if not the most tourtured, having 2 teams finishing just a game and 2 out of the playoffs is tough to see.

Edited October 2, 2005 by Green Demon

[naiwf]

Well the Indians lost another tough one and are on the outside now. I would still have to say it was a great season, not looking at the last 6-7 games they were playing amazing. The fact that they even had a chance at the wild card or even the division after how they played at the beginning of the season is crazy. If it had been any other season then 2002 or this year the Indians would have eaisly have the wild card. Even though this season just finished for them they got so many young guys so I am looking forward to next year when they can hopefully make the playoffs, next year they could be a dangerous team if they start out better.

Also this is just another reason that Cleveland is one of the most tourtured sports town if not the most tourtured, having 2 teams finishing just a game and 2 out of the playoffs is tough to see.

[gunnar hendershow]

The Astros were once 15 games under and are now in the playoffs and look poised to face the Cards in the NLCS. That's how I'm seeing it, at least. Rematches possibly of last year's LCS's and World Series perhaps?

[ChuBalso]

Well the Indians lost another tough one and are on the outside now. I would still have to say it was a great season, not looking at the last 6-7 games they were playing amazing. The fact that they even had a chance at the wild card or even the division after how they played at the beginning of the season is crazy. If it had been any other season then 2002 or this year the Indians would have eaisly have the wild card. Even though this season just finished for them they got so many young guys so I am looking forward to next year when they can hopefully make the playoffs, next year they could be a dangerous team if they start out better.

Also this is just another reason that Cleveland is one of the most tourtured sports town if not the most tourtured, having 2 teams finishing just a game and 2 out of the playoffs is tough to see.

[Magus978]

A little off topic here (playoffs-wise), but did anyone else watch the Mets finale today? I think it was very surreal, despite the loss, because it was most likely Mike Piazza's final game as a Met.

When I watched the Piazza tribute on MLB.com since I missed it on TV, I cried my lungs out.

Brings up an interesting question. Where do you think the greatest hitting catcher in baseball history will end up for next season? I personally hope he's back in a Mets uniform, but I cannot see that happening

[naiwf]

A little off topic here (playoffs-wise), but did anyone else watch the Mets finale today? I think it was very surreal, despite the loss, because it was most likely Mike Piazza's final game as a Met.

When I watched the Piazza tribute on MLB.com since I missed it on TV, I cried my lungs out.

Brings up an interesting question. Where do you think the greatest hitting catcher in baseball history will end up for next season? I personally hope he's back in a Mets uniform, but I cannot see that happening

[Magus978]

A little off topic here (playoffs-wise), but did anyone else watch the Mets finale today? I think it was very surreal, despite the loss, because it was most likely Mike Piazza's final game as a Met.

When I watched the Piazza tribute on MLB.com since I missed it on TV, I cried my lungs out.

Brings up an interesting question. Where do you think the greatest hitting catcher in baseball history will end up for next season? I personally hope he's back in a Mets uniform, but I cannot see that happening

I think McCarver said it was a good possibility that he could end up DHing for the Angels next year. It makes sense to me since he could give Vladdy some protection, would be on a contender, and would be back in the LA area to finish out his career. As a Mets fans since the mid 80's, I don't think there's been a Met who has meant as much to the team and yet got shitted on for his shortcomings. I think people will finally realize how valuable he was when he's not there next year. I liken it to the Knicks after Ewing left us.

[gunnar hendershow]

Piazza will play DH for a contender in the AL. Where he goes, I don't know, but I'm thinking L.A. or Baltimore are possibilities. If he comes to Baltimore he can maybe play catcher 20-25 games and give Javy Lopez a break while DHing for the rest.

[sahyder1]

Piazza will play DH for a contender in the AL. Where he goes, I don't know, but I'm thinking L.A. or Baltimore are possibilities. If he comes to Baltimore he can maybe play catcher 20-25 games and give Javy Lopez a break while DHing for the rest.

[gunnar hendershow]

Piazza will play DH for a contender in the AL. Where he goes, I don't know, but I'm thinking L.A. or Baltimore are possibilities. If he comes to Baltimore he can maybe play catcher 20-25 games and give Javy Lopez a break while DHing for the rest.

Isn't Piazza from California. For some reason I remember hearing that. I will gladly take him as a DH/backup catcher on my Angels. He definitely can still hit. This conversation might end up being meaningless though because I have a feeling he'll return to the Mets at a discount rate.

He's from Philadelphia actually. Remember the 96, was it, All-Star game at the Vet?

[naiwf]

Piazza will play DH for a contender in the AL. Where he goes, I don't know, but I'm thinking L.A. or Baltimore are possibilities. If he comes to Baltimore he can maybe play catcher 20-25 games and give Javy Lopez a break while DHing for the rest.

Isn't Piazza from California. For some reason I remember hearing that. I will gladly take him as a DH/backup catcher on my Angels. He definitely can still hit. This conversation might end up being meaningless though because I have a feeling he'll return to the Mets at a discount rate.

[sahyder1]

Piazza will play DH for a contender in the AL. Where he goes, I don't know, but I'm thinking L.A. or Baltimore are possibilities. If he comes to Baltimore he can maybe play catcher 20-25 games and give Javy Lopez a break while DHing for the rest.

Isn't Piazza from California. For some reason I remember hearing that. I will gladly take him as a DH/backup catcher on my Angels. He definitely can still hit. This conversation might end up being meaningless though because I have a feeling he'll return to the Mets at a discount rate.

[naiwf]

Looper got too much of the blame in my opinion. Why the hell did Ishii get as many starts as he did?

[sahyder1]

Tigers fire Trammell and might hire Leyland

By LARRY LAGE, AP Sports Writer

October 3, 2005

Detroit Tigers president Dave Dombrowski meets with the media at Comerica Park in Detroit, Monday, Oct. 3, 2005. Dombrowski fired manager Alan Trammell Monday after three seasons in which he failed to turn around a franchise without a winning record since 1993. In the background are former Tigers players Al Kaline, left, with Bill Tuttle.

AP - Oct 3, 2:52 pm EDT

More Photos

DETROIT (AP) -- Soon after Alan Trammell was fired Monday morning as manager of the Detroit Tigers, Jim Leyland was en route to the Motor City as the leading candidate to replace him.

Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski planned to have interviewed Juan Samuel and Bruce Fields -- both from Trammell's staff -- before discussing the opening with Leyland about 24 hours after the regular season ended.

``I am driven to move quickly because I think there could be a lot of interest in Jim Leyland,'' said Dombrowski, adding his search could end as soon as Tuesday.

Trammell was fired after three seasons in which he failed to turn around a franchise without a winning record since 1993. The Tigers were expected to be close to .500, if not better, but fell short with a collapse toward the end of the season and finished 71-91.

``I thought we responded to everything well except for this last month,'' Trammell said last week. ``I think, looking back, it is fair to say that we hit a wall.''

The Tigers were 186-300 in three seasons under Trammell. The MVP the 1984 World Series, who had one year left on his contract, did not return a message seeking comment Monday.

Detroit lost an AL-record 119 games in Trammell's first season as manager, then improved to 72-90 last year, the biggest turnaround in the AL since Baltimore's 33-game improvement from 1988 to 1989.

``I'm sad to see him go,'' pitcher Mike Maroth said. ``I would've liked to see him get another year, but these things happen in sports.''

With a lineup and bullpen that seemed upgraded, the Tigers thought they had a chance for a winning season. The Tigers were 42-44 at the All-Star break and 61-62 in late August before losing 29 of their last 39 games.

``We thought we had a chance to be a better ballclub,'' Dombrowski said.

Dombrowski wouldn't give details when pressed by reporters for reasons he made the decision to fire Trammell.

``I did to him, I don't think I owe it to you,'' he said.

Leyland, a former Florida, Pittsburgh and Colorado manager, told The Associated Press that the Tigers called him Monday morning to set up an interview with him that evening.

``It's well known that I interviewed with Philadelphia last winter, and I'd like to manage again,'' the 60-year-old Leyland said last month.

Leyland helped the Marlins win the 1997 World Series -- with Dombrowski as general manager -- and was a two-time NL Manager of the Year while leading the Pirates. He was 72-90 with the Rockies in 1999, his last season as manager.

``He's an outstanding manager, one of the best in baseball,'' Dombrowski said.

The Tigers were set back by injuries, but Trammell refused to point to them as an excuse. Outfielder Magglio Ordonez missed about half of the season with a hernia, and closer Troy Percival appeared in just 26 games before an elbow injury ended his season in July. Both were hailed as prized free-agent signings before the season.

Standout shortstop Carlos Guillen also struggled to stay healthy after having knee surgery last year.

``Really, I'm OK,'' the 47-year-old Trammell said last week as speculation grew that he would be fired. ``I'm a big boy. I've been through enough that I understand how things are.''

Things were much different when Trammell was a player and helped the Tigers post 11 consecutive winning seasons from 1978-88.

As a 20-year standout in the field and at the plate, he led Detroit to a World Series championship in 1984 and the AL East title in 1987, when he narrowly was beaten out by Toronto's George Bell for AL MVP.

Trammell was a six-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove and three-time Silver Slugger shortstop.

After he retired in 1996, he was a baseball operations assistant in Detroit for two seasons and was the Tigers' hitting coach in 1999. Then, he moved near his hometown and coached with the San Diego Padres for three seasons.

The Tigers knew Trammell was the popular choice to be their 35th manager on Oct. 9, 2002, and they insisted he was also the right choice. Trammell, Al Kaline and Ty Cobb are the only players to be with the team for at least 20 seasons.

``I'm saddened because you're dealing with somebody who has put their heart and soul into something,'' Dombrowski said. ``For the organization, he's one of the greatest players of all time. If you've met Alan Trammell and you don't like him, you should probably look at yourself.''

AP Sports Writer Alan Robinson in Pittsburgh contributed to this report.

[gunnar hendershow]

Trammel probably should've been retained but Leyland could be one hell of a signing for them.

How can you blame Trammell for a season with the crappiest roster in recent memory, a season where that crappy roster dramatically improved thanks to the addition of a star Catcher, and a season where a bunch of big free agent signings all turned out to be hurt by injury?

Whatever. Leyland would be an amazing signing for the Tigers though, who play in a division where anyone can compete.

So the question now is, does Trammell end up anywhere else?

[gunnar hendershow]

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2180682

Report: Leyland to manage Tigers next season

ESPN.com news services

PITTSBURGH -- Jim Leyland has agreed to manage the Detroit Tigers, a person close to the negotiations told The Associated Press.

The Tigers scheduled a "major" announcement for the late afternoon, but declined to say what it was about.

Soon after Alan Trammell was told he was not welcomed back as manager Monday morning, Leyland was en route to the Motor City.

And after interviewing with Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski on Monday night, Leyland told The Detroit News he'd accept the Tigers job if it's the right fit.

"If there's a fit for both parties and I'm offered the position, I'll accept it," he told the newspaper.

Dombrowski also interviewed Juan Samuel and Bruce Fields -- both from Trammell's staff -- the Detroit News reported, before discussing the opening with Leyland.

"I am driven to move quickly because I think there could be a lot of interest in Jim Leyland," said Dombrowski, adding his search could end as soon as Tuesday.

Leyland, a former Florida, Pittsburgh and Colorado manager, told The Associated Press that the Tigers called him Monday morning to set up an interview with him that night.

"It's well known that I interviewed with Philadelphia last winter, and I'd like to manage again," Leyland said last month.

Leyland helped the Marlins win the 1997 World Series -- with Dombrowski as general manager -- and was a two-time NL Manager of the Year while leading the Pirates. He was 72-90 with the Rockies in 1999, his last season as manager.

"I'm talking with Dave, we'll go through the process and see where it takes us," Leyland told The Detroit News after arriving in Detroit. "We'll talk about my situation and see how that plays out. I want to know a little bit about the club, the direction, the ownership."

Dombrowski said he is one of the best managers in baseball, adding that the 60-year-old Leyland is motivated to return to the dugout.

"The time away from the game has helped him a great deal," Dombrowski said. "He has the passion burning."

Trammell was fired after three seasons in which he failed to turn around a franchise without a winning record since 1993. The Tigers were expected to be close to .500, if not better, but fell short with a collapse toward the end of the season and finished 71-91.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

That was fast.

[jonnycomelately]

I need something else to talk about rather than the playoffs so I thought awards predictions may be in order...

AL MVP- Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees

NL MVP- Andruw Jones, Atlanta Braves

AL Cy Young- Bartolo Colon, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

NL Cy Young- Chris Carpenter, St. Louis Cardinals

AL Rookie of the Year- Robinson Cano, New York Yankees

NL Rookie of the Year- Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies

AL Manager of the Year- Ozzie Guillen, Chicago White Sox

NL Manager of the Year- Bobby Cox, Atlanta Braves