Dave Dombrowski: Pure Genius
| 20
|
by user AWeiner18
This article comes directly from my blog: http://adamweiner.blogspot.com
A new season has already begun and Detroit Tigers fans started the season asking themselves this question: when are we going to start the "Fire Dombrowski" chants?
Dombrowski was hired to build a winner. His first objective was simple: fix the terrible moves made by former general manager Randy Smith. Smith, who gave young promosing Tigers, such as outfielder Luis Gonzalez, closer Francisco Corder, and first baseman Phil Nevin the Donald Trump phrase "Your Fired!," lacked the common baseball knowledge to run a professional baseball organization.
Imagine if Smith did not trade Gonzalez, whose left-handed bat would have been a perfect fit at Comerica Park, and Cordero, who has become a consistent closer for the Texas Rangers, a position the Tigers have lacked for many years. Why did Smith give big contracts to mediocre players Bobby Higginson, Dean Palmer, and Damion Easley? Maybe he was trying to ruin this organization, especially when he offered outfielder Juan Gonzalez a one hundred million dollar contract.
Since Dave Dombrowski took over a roster full of Smith’s average players in 2002, I continuously attended games at a continuously empty Comerica Park, a 2003 record (43-119) that makes me embarrassed to be a Tigers fan, and four different managers run out of town faster than Carmen Electra leaving Dennis Rodman. To top it off, the most embarrassing moment I had, as a Tigers fan, is a simple fact: the Tigers have not posted a winning record since 1993.
All right I confess. I too have wanted Mike Illitch to fire Dombrowski. I am currently a proud member of the Detroit Lions nationwide chant of "Fire Millen." After seeing the Tigers sign pitcher Kenny Rogers to sixteen million dollars, I wanted to add to the chant "AND Dombrowski too."
After looking at the situation that Dombrowski has stepped in and researching the trades, signings, and drafts he has made for the 2006 Tigers, I concluded one thing:
Maybe we should praise Dave Dombrowski, not beg for his departure.
I am proud to say that Dombrowski’s rebuilding project is now in full effect. I have watched and studied every trade, signing, and draft pick Dombrowski has made since 2002. Now I know Dombrowski has made a handful of mistakes with money. You might question why Dombrowski threw money at Fernando Vina, Troy Percival, All-Star Magglio Ordonez, and All-Star catcher Ivan Rodriguez. Yes, he even made mistakes in the draft (drafting shortstop Scott Moore in the 2002 and injury prone pitcher Kyle Sleeth in 2003).
But look at the players he has brought in to take over a team that did not consist of talented ballplayers. The current roster consists of players Dombrowski has acquired without giving away much talent. Look at first baseman Chris Shelton. Dombrowski selected Shelton, also known as "Big Red and Red Pop, " because of his glamorous red hair, in the 2003 Rule 5 Draft. Big Red is starting to develop a reputation like Big Ben, also known as Ben Wallace. He is becoming an instant fan favorite and just like Wallace, he too was not given a chance to shine, until they came to Detroit.
Dombrowski took talented ballplayers that were not loved by their previous employer, and made Detroit they’re new home. One of the best Tigers hitters is second baseman Placido Polanco, who was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Ugueth Urbina (who was arrested on a charge of attempted murder and is currently in jail in his native Venezuela) and journeyman second baseman Ramon Martinez last year. Shortstop Carlos Guillen was acquired for backup shortstop Ramon Santiago (who is back with the Tigers). Even slugging left fielder Craig Monroe was selected off waivers in 2003.
Dombrowski has also acquired young, promising players that will impact the team for years to come. Take right hander Jeremy Bonderman, who was acquired in 2002 in a three-team trade.
Despite Dombrowski getting rid of promising pitcher Jeff Weaver (who has played on three teams since departing), Bonderman made his major league debut at age 20 and is on the top of the current pitching staff. He is considered one of our future aces for years to come.
Then there are the players Dombrowski drafted. Future closer Joel Zumaya (left, center) was chosen by the Tigers in 2002 in the 11th round and in 2003, Dombrowski drafted a future star in outfielder Curtis Granderson and shortstop Tony Giarratano, who were selected in the 3rd round, and reliever Jordan Tata in the 11th round. In 2004, he drafted right handed pitcher Justin Verlander (left, right). Verlander is the only player in the first round to reach the majors. And watch out for outfielder Cameron Maybin, who is projected to be in the majors in 2008.
The remarkable aspect about these pitchers is Dombrowski acquired all of them through trades and draft. Not a single penny was spent to woo them from other teams. Thanks to Dombrowski, our pitching staff will be compared to an Ocean’s Eleven movie due to the amount of talent they have.
And then there is the head of the team. Yes I know, Detroit has had a handful of managers since Sparky Anderson left. This season marks a new era for the Tigers’ fifth new manager since 1995, Jim Leyland.
Leyland, 61, is the proud owner of one shiny World Series ring, won when his Florida Marlins won the World Series in 1997. Before his two-year stint with the Marlins, Leyland (right) managed the Pittsburgh Pirates for ten years, including two Manager of the Year awards and he also led the Pirates to three straight National League Championship Series (1991-1993).
What do Leyland and former Indianapolis Colts coach Jim Mora have in common? They both use the media to express their anger with their teams. On April 17th, Leyland was extremely frustrated at the team and said these words of wisdom:
"We stunk, period. We stunk and it’s not good enough. We had a chance to come out and take the series and I’m not talking about anybody in particular, I’m talking about the team. Myself, the coaches and everybody else. It’s my responsibility to have the team ready to play today. They weren’t ready to play. They were ready to get on a plane and go to Oakland."
Is this even possible? When was the last time a Tigers manager criticized the Tigers for playing like the same old miserable Tigers? After watching Sportscenter, I agreed that Leyland was meant to yell and lead the Tigers. Just look at how well they are doing this season. The Tigers have needed a veteran coach longer than the Detroit Lions have needed an actual general manager.
All right for the time being, maybe we should continue to annoy Matt Millen and stick with the famous "Fire Millen" chant, not "Fire Dombrowski."
Date
Thu 07/06/06, 6:44 pm EST
