Who's the leader of the club?

I was reading an article on Yahoo and another article caught my eye.

"One Detroit Tiger challenges Miguel Cabrera to be better; 'I don't see him as a leader'"

My first thought was, who was quoted?  Journalists certainly know how to take a quote from anyone and turn it into something shocking or controversial.  Athletes should know to be careful with whatever they say because it can be twisted to fit into anyone's perspective.  So who is the quote player?  I'll give you three guesses.

No, not Suckburn (or any other players that got released or traded.  That means Delmon and Valverde are out too)

No, not Verdiggity.  Miggy is going to punch his ticket to another playoff berth.

No, not Smokes, or any other coach.

Think about who already has a ring and has nothing to lose.  Yup, it's Dotel.  Now, to be honest, he has a right to say whatever he wants to.  If he thinks that Miggy's MVP status should equal a team leader, then that's his opinion.  I, however, have to disagree.  Leaders are not always the superstars of the team.  In fact, in many instances, leaders often emerge and shine because they aren't the top dog.  The pressure and spotlight is already enough without a leadership role.  Remember the emotional "leader" during the playoffs from the Giants?  It was Hunter Pence (crazy eyes).  Far from the best player on the team, but he was the one leading the group in a pep talk before most games.

So, just because Miggy is now the MVP (and really, JV was the MVP the year before) doesn't mean he (or either one of them) has to step up and be the team leader.  As MasterBrow says in the article, Martinez or Avila are more of the team leaders because of their personalities.  They are natural leaders.  It's not something that comes natural to most people and shouldn't be expected of someone based on athletic ability.  In fact, if Dotel has such strong opinions on the subject of leadership and when motivational speeches are needed during the playoffs, then he should be the one to take charge.  There's nothing I hate more at work then when coworkers volunteer me for a task.  Every time you point a finger at me, three more are pointing back at you (the wisdom of a ten year old).

I think Miggy is more appropriate for his silent leader role as opposed to motivational speaker.  If a true, vocal leader is needed, one will emerge.  They always do.

Man up, Smokes

I can tell by the shocked look on your face that you weren't expecting two updates from the Tigress in one week.  Like the mighty Grizzly Bear of Vancouver, the Tigress lays dormant in the winter and only awakens for important situations.  Now that the green of the grass is peeking through the slowly melting snow, the Tigress appears more often.  Kind of like the groundhog, poking her head up to check for signs for spring.

Ok, enough with the forest animal analogies.  On to reason for the post.  I saw an article titled: "Tigers' Jim Leyland 'brokenhearted' that Jose Valverde doesn't have a job."  My reaction to this was utter disgust.  Papa Potato was a bunion on the foot of the Tiger organization and drastic surgery was needed to cut off the growth before it spread.  I know that Smokes is pretty emotional, but he needs to Man Up.  The business we are in is baseball, Smokes.  We all know that there's no crying in baseball.  I've watched Tom Hanks yell that enough times that it's ingrained in my brain.  So, Smokes, unless you want to change your name to Evelyn, you should let Papa Potato go and concentrate on another championship season.  If I cried as much as Jim does, people would think I had a hormone imbalance.  I also believe that there is a reason that no one wants Papa on their team.  It's because he lost his stuff.  If he happens to find it, then he will get a try out with a different team (NOT the Tigers).  End of story.

Happy Spring Training

Spring training is upon us.  Pitchers and catchers have reported.  The players are lacing up their cleats and oiling their mitts.  I bet a few of the pitchers might even scuff up the ball a little, those dirty cheaters.  Oh to be in Tiger Town in February and March.  It's where dreams come true.  Like a five year old with ADHD in Disney World.  Except instead of taking Ritalin, the adults in Tiger Town indulge in a little beer.  Instead, I'm stuck in the snow and wind of Michigan.  That's ok, friends.  Spring is right around the corner and I can almost smell the promise of another championship season.

Some good news coming out of Tiger Town already:
Verdiggity won't pitch in the World Baseball Classic.  I'm all for Team USA, but to be honest, I'm relieved that JV will concentrate on being ready for Tiger opening day.

Both SchEYEzer and Verdiggity expressed interest in long term contacts.

VMart is back and healthy after his season off recovering from knee surgery.

The only bad news is that Kate Upton is the cover model for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition again.  That means we'll have to listen to stories of her and JV again all season.  We here at the Tigress were hoping her appeal had faded.  Unfortunately, wearing bikini bottoms and an open winter coat are now in style.

Happy birthday

Don't be mad at me Tigress faithful.  I'm had a little sabbatical, but with spring training approaching, you are sure to get your fill of Tigress action in the month to come.

Today is Dougie Fresh's birthday.  His 29th birthday in fact.  Such an excellent pitcher and not even 30 yet!  It just so happens that tomorrow is someone else's birthday.  I'll give you 3 hints.  1. She's very knowledgeable of the Tigers.  2.  She's hilarious.  3.  She's typing this sentence.

Give up?  It's the Tigress!  So, the only thing that separated my birthday with My Tiger is one year and one day!  Amazing!  It was meant to be.

Why, oh why?

Here's the headline I saw on Facebook today:

Don Kelly invited to Tigers spring training

If there was a TV camera in my house, you would have seen the Tigress yelling at the sky in dismay in uber dramatic fashion.  Let a sleeping dog lie, Master Brow.  Donny Kelly has given the Tigers some great memories, but the journey has reached its end.  Best to peel back like a band aid and just do it quickly.  Inviting him may just give him, and the poor fans, the impression that he might suit up as a Tiger again this year.  I'm not sure I can take any more of his nice guy, mediocre player antics.

Sorry Donny, even average things have to come to an end

Packages

This is the year that I transfer from Miss Detroit Tigress to Mrs. Detroit Tigress.  Planning weddings is not even close to being as fun as attending a Tiger game, but the end result will be fabulous.  Now that the day is approaching, I come home to packages quite often.  When I was registering for gifts, I picked out a few key Tiger items that are missing from my current collection (in fact, there is no registering at the Tiger Store.  I looked into it).  

Today I received my first new item of Tiger swag.  Watch out cookies, you just got more delicious.

The top left is the "D" as shown on the uniforms with a baseball and glove below.  

On a different note, MLB announced today that they will be testing for the human growth hormone in players starting this season.  All I have to say is, thank goodness.  After the disappointing announcement earlier this week that no one got the 75% majority (really, 75% is ridiculous) for the Baseball Hall of Fame, I'm happy that something will finally be done against HGH use.  Sosa, Bonds, and Clemens all got the snub from voters.  Now, I'm not saying I would have voted for any of these three, but if MLB wasn't testing for HGH at the time they played, then maybe they were just playing the game with every loop hole possible.  Time will tell what happens but I can't imagine the single season home run leader not being included in the Hall.  I don't think the Hall of Fame weekend will attract as many visitors either if no players are inducted.  It's too bad for the city and for the players up for nomination (no love for Trammell or Morris?  COME ON!)

A present

Happy new year!  As we embark on a new year (I'm oh so keen on 2013), I thought I would start the year off right.  I'm offering a present to you, but first, a tale.

Mother Tigress is the queen of decluttering.  It seems that every time I go for a visit, I am sent home with a box of my old things.  Usually, the boxes are filled with the usual relics of childhood: beanie babies, books, photo albums.  But this particular box that I was shown on Thanksgiving held something much more valuable.  It contained a purple notebook with Scooby Doo stickers on the front.  It was not the notebook itself that was so valuable but what was tucked between the pages. Hidden between the notebook's pages was the original "Hottest Men of Baseball" dated July 23, 2000.  The treasure I thought was lost to the dump was before my very eyes.  I can see the excitement in your eyes.

So, to start your new year off right, here is the original "Hottest Men of Baseball."

Let's just take a minute to bask in all its glory.  High school Tigress was so wise.

Let's break this baby down.

Catcher- First of all, note that there is no distinction between leagues.  I was an equal opportunity baseball admirer back then.  At catcher, Brad Ausmus.  As with my previous look at the hottest men, the catchers always tend to be a little on the homely side.  Thus the mask.  Brad Ausmus was playing for the Tigers in 2000 and was one of the few bright spots in the lineup.  Easy pick.  Here's Brad now:

1st base- Mike Sweeney is the All American boy.  It's apparent why he would appeal to fifteen year old Tigress.  True, he played for a rival team, but this transcends allegiance.

2nd base- Biggio was older than the other men on the list (34), but sometimes a silver fox can really mix things up.  He's the quintessential 2nd baseman.  Small, agile, quick bat.  He's also a franchise player, spending twenty years with the Astros.  You know I like that.

Shortstop- Meet the pretty boys of baseball, Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez.  These guys were just emerging as leaders on their teams, starting to get bigger salaries and more attention.  There was no way to pick just one, thus the tie.  I prefer them back in 2000, if only because they weren't so full of themselves.  This is before they dated models and actresses and just played the game.  Ah, the good old days.  Who would have thought they'd end up on the same team.

3rd base- The Chip.  I'll miss Chipper this 2013 season.  He's always been a consistent player and a likable guy.  It's surprising how many of these good looking guys played for so long.  Baseball doesn't weather these guys like other sports.  The hottest guys of hockey list doesn't contain so many long-time players.  Call me old fashion, but teeth are pretty attractive on a man.

Pitcher- There's a reason I have never included pitchers on the hottest lists.  There are so many of them and it would be tiresome research.  Matt Anderson does have the qualities of many pitchers who would end up on today's list.  Tall, muscular, hard throwing, good looking (just like Dougie Fresh).  True, Matt Anderson did not stand the test of time (injury prone and a failed comeback a few years ago), but his hotness will live on in the mind of a fifteen year old Tigress.

Left field- Hey kids, remember that old outfielder in Money Ball?  That was David Justice!  Another guy who was nearing the end of his career, his good looks haven't faded with time.  He ages very well actually.  Maybe too well.  Someone should test his DNA.

Center field- Brady Anderson: No relation to Matt.  I have one word for you, sideburns.  He had the sideburns of someone a generation older.  I think they highlighted his cheekbones.  His power hitting style also added to his allure.

Right field- Arguably, there are more attractive outfielders than Shawn Green.  However, his general demeanor and athletic ability put him a step above the rest.

So that's it.  We are all better people having seen the original list (a picture representation, nonetheless).  Have a fruitful 2013, hopefully filled with Tiger victories and more good looking players than I could ever hope for!