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.