Throughout the week, there are so many smaller stories hitting the media. They may be bite-size, but often they are just as important as the headline-grabbing news. Sometimes, even more.
And that’s what brings me to today. A way to discuss some of these stories. A way to bring them out in the open for discussion.
And that’s the plan for Mondays. Keeping track of these mighty little bits that hit my radar throughout the week and sharing them with you today because I know one or more will also resonate with you.
So, let’s kick off this week’s musings…
Just how poor of a manager was Brad Ausmus?
We saw his work in Detroit. With the Angels, he lasted exactly 1 year. A job he got because former GM Billy Eppler said he “aced” the written exam. Who even knew that MLB offered written exams in the first place?
Owner Arte Moreno ended up firing them both.
Eppler is now the GM for the Mets and interviewing managerial candidates. One of the 5 former managers who have gone through the first interview is his former manager, Ausmus. The finalists will announced sometime this week.
But several former Tigers have weighed in on their choices for whom they would like to see. And neither Max Scherzer nor Cameron Maybin supports Brad. They want other candidates.
Considering Scherzer’s new record-breaking contract, the Mets will undoubtedly be interested in pairing him with a manager who will bring out the best in him instead of creating friction right off the bat.
Why should Tiger Fans be interested in knowing more about the recent hire of Chris McGowan to become CEO of Ilitch Sports and Entertainment?
He’s coming from the Portland Trailblazers and his job will be “to help improve fan, guest, and partnership experiences across all Ilitch Sports and Entertainment properties.” It is also expected that he will have a role in District Detroit.
But if his work patterns remain the same, it is expected that he will start raising prices for Tiger games as the team starts to improve. In other words, the better the Tigers get, the more ticket prices will go up.
But the real concern can be traced back in history. As the Trailblazers increased their revenue, the team did not increase their payroll. Increased profits don’t necessarily mean that ownership will spend more money on the team.
It’s really amazing (stupifying, actually) that the Tigers kept their old player development system for so long. All you need to do is look at their list of top 20 prospects through the last dozen years or so. Here are 2 examples. Beware, strong stomachs required.
https://www.minorleagueball.com/2010/12/22/1891762/detroit-tigers-top-20-prospects-for-2011
https://www.minorleagueball.com/2015/1/14/7547309/detroit-tigers-top-20-prospects-for-2015
Which one of these stories resonated the most with you?
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- Is it a good sign that the Tigers aren’t doing this to their roster any more?
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Let’s hope McGowan will be so involved with District Detroit, that it will be long past the lockout, roster filling and whatever before his hands are on our payroll. Al and AJ need to make a couple more signings and/or trades before he arrives. McGowan’s track record is a concern to now hopeful Bengal fans. Hopefully, he’ll be perceptive enough to realize that the rise of the Tigs is dependent on happy and hopeful fans that can afford to support their teams.
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The player prospect links brought back so many bad memories. Think of how much “ink” was spilled by beat writers extolling their future greatness too. Illitch must have changed his mind about selling the team for some reason. I can think of no other reason that he invested in Hinch and has radically renovated player development after being relieved of Zimmerman’s contract and achieving total tear down.
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Hi, Hughie – As to Ilitch and selling the team, I will say that exploring a sale and trying to sell are 2 different things. As for Ilitch’s reversal, I did write several years ago about the signs – Steven Greenberg’s meetings as well as several within Comerica who reported what was going on. However, the 2 biggest factors revolve around Dan Gilbert’s stroke and extended recovery. Also, Covid was the biggest factor of all. You’re never going to get the best price when there are doubts about the ability to maximize attendance. As to whether Ilitch will keep the team long-term remains to be seen. The building could be an attempt to maximize the value of the organization. Time will tell….. Thanks for continuing the dialog! – Holly
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Another Covid factor is that it has been emptying those parking lots that we know that the Illitch Holding Company so tends to lovingly. Maybe he saw outdoor sports as they fastest way back to filling them.
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It will always be about the money as McGowan hire is not surprising at all as you need someone known for their business acumen. It will never be about the fans and their ability to afford a good time at a tigers game or a wings game for that matter. Chris had to bring somebody on board because he now has to pony up the money for his acquisitions–and ultimately we the fans will pay for it.
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From a marketing point of view, there is a big flaw in raising the price according to team success or the current trend in charging more for prime opponents and dates. They used to promote Monday games calling them “family nights” and offer certain discount seats. It sounds better to discount dates that are less desirable. Personally, the whole floating price idea sounds like they are eliminating the middleman and becoming scalpers.
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Given his track record, the hiring of Chris McGowan as CEO of Ilitch Sports and Entertainment — Illitch Sports and Entertainment (including revenue from parking decks) — should concern Tiger and Red Wing fans. Chris Illitch is focused on money, not on athletes or fans or the way pride in sports teams can bring a community together.
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Even players who climb to the top within the Tiger organization seem to flourish elsewhere. Guys like Castellanos, Smyly, and McCann.
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“It’s really amazing (stupifying, actually) that the Tigers kept their old player development system for so long.” I know Holly meant “old system” not “old player”, but it could have been read both ways. For example, “old school” Sparky Anderson once touted Barbaro Garbey as the next Roberto Clemente. The Tigers were late to install an analytics department staffed by people who could interpret the numbers and apply the technology to player development.
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Don’t know how I missed it, H&R. “Old player development system” – there’s a double meaning in that. 😉
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Spencer Turnbull felt like he was on his own under the previous coaching staff. He credits AJ & his staff for his success this year before the injury.
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McGowan is a hired gun plain and simple. If he makes it harder for fans to afford the ballpark, then blame the owner who has too many parking spaces to begin with. This is what happens when governments give away the store to retain franchises. We are saps for letting that happen. .
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As consumers cut the cable and move to streaming services, watch the Tigers become a premium channel with a high price tag. As it stands now, Bally Sports advertises the Tigers as a free app, as if the app were compatible with every TV platform. Cutting your cable, here in Detroit, makes it almost impossible to find the Tigers on TV. Don’t like high prices at the ballpark? Get ready for price gouging in your living room.
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Since I got rid of cable several years ago, I have been unable to watch the tigers at all. Even if they are on mlb network, they are blocked out here in Toledo. Funny thing is, even the Indians ( or whatever they’ve called), and the reds are blocked out here. I’m going to have to find a way to watch this year.
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Brad Ausmus while being a good defensive catcher, a terrible hitter, a horrible manager (I still remember those after game interviews when he looked into the camera like a deer caught in the headlights) and mumbled “that’s baseball”. He was the worst Tiger’s manager of all time although my memories only go back to the mid 60’s). I can’t believe anyone would ever hire him to manage anything,
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Have you forgotten Luis Pujols? 2002, 55-100 record, and he just sat there looking like the old “bump on a log”. No, as bad as Ausmus proved to be (and I really wanted, when he came in, to give him the benefit of the doubt), Pujols was the worst I’ve seen.
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Higher prices are hitting everywhere, not just baseball. Giving the talented and veteran-laden Tigers to Brad Ausmus to manage has to be one of the worst decisions ever. What a waste of an expensive and talented team.
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Looking at the top 20 prospect lists, I can come up with only 6 players that currently have positions in MLB: Garcia, Castellanos, Smyly, McCann, Chad Green and Jose Jimenez and I might be stretching it a bit on JJ. Unless I have missed someone, that’s 6 out of 40 players that made it in the ML’s, a 15% rate of success, and most currently play for other teams (5/6). I can see why Holly advised readers to beware that “strong stomachs required” when reviewing those lists.
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