Why Detroit Owes a Big Thank You To Pittsburgh
| 9
|
by user Timothy Moreland(Bball3345)
On July 1st, I attended a Pittsburgh Pirates game at PNC Park. The Buccos played host to the American League's best club, the Detroit Tigers. As I sat in my seats, gazing around the field before the game, former Pirates were scattered across the field. Oddly, these Pirates were all in Detroit Tigers jerseys.
Last year's skipper, Lloyd McClendon found a home in Detroit as the bullpen coach. This makes me wonder what the qualifications are for a "bullpen coach." McClendon has been a hitting instructor in the past and was primarily an outfielder in his limited playing career. Does a bullpen coach not have to know anything about pitching? Does he just answer the bullpen phone and tell guys when to warm-up? Guess who McClendon spent the majority of his playing days with? Yep, it was the Pirates.
When the game started, former Pirates player, Andy Van Slyke, trotted out to first base. In my mind, he will be remembered as the guy the Pirates chose over Barry Bonds. That turned out well. Let's move on.
Staring at Van Slyke from across the diamond, Gene Lamont stood in the coach's box at third base. This was the man McClendon replaced in 2000 as the Pirates manager. He was also the skipper in 1997, the last time Pirates fans had a taste of a playoff hunt in their mouths. Although the Pirates finished below .500, at 79-83, they finished only 5 games behind the Houston Astros. This effort was good enough for a second place finish. 1997 was the highest finish for a Pirates team from 1993-2005, a range that continually stretches.
According to The Hardball Times, Detroit has the best groundball defense in the American League. Infield coach, Rafael Belliard, must take some credit for their success. He also played infield for the Pirates from 1982-1990. Unfortunately, he was never as smooth with the glove as the Detroit infield.
So, what are the odds a Pirate can take some credit for the Tiger's improved offense? Well, from the coaching perspective, their is hitting coach Don Slaught. One might remember him as the Pirates' catcher from 1990-1995. His career Eqa of .272 overshadows the Tigers' .257 Eqa this season. If Slaught is not part of the reason, surely former Pirates prospect, Chris Shelton, has done his fair share.
This trip around the Tigers' coaching staff will end with the man in charge, Jim Leyland. As you can probably guess, he was the Pirates manager from 1986 to 1996. During Leyland's stretch, the Pirates were not the laughing stock they are today. They won their division from 1990-1992, winning 95, 98, and 96 games in those three years.
As the game progressed, the genius of new Pirates' manager Jim Tracy and his coaching staff outwitted the former Pirates' staff. Detroit's infield played more like Rafael Belliard than usual, making four errors as the Pirates cruised to a 9-2 victory. Who needed those guys anyways?
Date
Mon 07/03/06, 5:40 am EST
