Feb. 24, 2011
LAKELAND, Fla. -- Manager Jim Leyland is happy to be moving onto the next phase of spring training -- the games.
"This is a great day because pitchers' batting practice is over with," Leyland said. "I'm thrilled. Nobody got hurt, pitchers or hitters. Pitchers got some real good work in, hitters got to at least track the ball. I have to give the hitters credit, most of them were very aggressive."
But now it's finally time to play some ball.
On Friday the Tigers take on the Florida Southern Moccasins.
"I have a lot of respect for this game," Leyland said. "First of all, it's a nice relationship with Florida Southern and I think it speaks well for the relationship between them and us. It's a respect thing. I think we do it because we have respect for their program. I think it's a nice touch for their kids. Actually, it's nice for me because it starts our routine, starting to play games."
Leyland announced the following lineup for the game: Austin Jackson (CF), Will Rhymes (2B), Magglio Ordonez (RF), Victor Martinez (DH), Jhonny Peralta (SS), Brennan Boesch (LF), Brandon Inge (3B), Ryan Strieby (1B), Alex Avila (C), Andy Oliver (SP).
"The big boys, just out of respect I'd like the kids over there to see them one at-bat," Leyland said. "They'll go out in the field once. Avila will have to wait a couple innings, unless we get a rally going right away. He'll catch three innings or so."
After that, Leyland said Clete Thomas, Scott Sizemore, Andy Dirks, Ryan Raburn, Cale Iorg, Casper Wells, Audy Ciriaco, Scott Thorman, John Murrian, Avisail Garcia and Ben Guez would get in the game.
Leyland has mentioned Dirks' name more than once this spring, notable for a non-roster invitee. Dirks earned 2010 Tigers Minor League Player of the Year honors after batting a combined .296 between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo.
"He's definitely in the mix," Leyland said. "Let's put it this way, he won't be going down the first cut."
Pitching decisions to be made
The early schedule has the Tigers thinking of ways to plan their pitching rotation. After playing March 31, they have a day off. They then play April 2-4 before taking April 5 off.
Justin Verlander is pitching the opener at New York and Max Scherzer is set to go April 2.
"We're in a little dilemma the first week here, first 10 days of the season," Leyland said. "There's a couple off days right away, which we gotta figure out how to do it. I don't want to split a game. I had talked about that earlier, possibly splitting a game and I don't want to do that."
Leyland said they would definitely not leave a pitcher behind in Florida to pitch in case there was a rainout and doubleheader.
Sorry for LaRussa
Leyland and Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa are good friends who speak often. When Leyland heard about Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright having to miss the season because he needs Tommy John surgery, he called LaRussa.
"Obviously they thought everything was fine," Leyland said. "They told me his first side was great, he was absolutely tremendous. You watch everything but you never know, you just never know. That's just a sad story. That just breaks your heart. But you gotta go above all those things."
LaRussa also talked to Leyland about a former Tiger who's now with the Cardinals.
"Gerald Laird's doing very well over there," Leyland said. "Good guy, good teammate. I miss seeing him around."
Pool sharks?
The Tigers attended the Diamond Gala black-tie event Wednesday night, part of the 75th anniversary celebration of the Tigers holding spring training in Lakeland.
The Tigers were special guests but the biggest attraction was Jeanette Lee, also known as "The Black Widow."
Lee is a professional pool player.
Leyland got to play against her and was thoroughly impressed with her skills.
"She's really good," he said. "She was tremendous, unbelievable."
Leyland got to show off a few skills of his own during his time on the table.
"I'd say the three ball, I had a bad angle," Leyland said. "I cut it. It was sitting right there, cue ball was here, I couldn't put it in that pocket so I had to cut it here, bank it and bring it back to this corner. Pressure performance, everybody watching, packed house. They got it on tape."
Leyland wasn't the only Tiger who got to show off a bit. Although Justin Verlander touts himself as being the best at "everything," he said it was Ramon Santiago who was the best at pool.
"I like playing pool," Santiago said. "It's one of the things I do in the offseason with my friends. We get together and we go play pool."
Santiago said he was no match for Lee, whom he had seen play before. But Lee had some kind words for Santiago.
"She's so good," he said. "I made a couple of shots but she doesn't give me any chance. She said, 'You're dangerous. If I give you a chance, you'll beat me." Good compliment."
