Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 7/1/84; site rlgvax.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!mgnetp!ihnp4!zehntel!hplabs!hao!seismo!rlgvax!dave
From: dave@rlgvax.UUCP (Dave Maxey)
Newsgroups: net.sport.baseball
Subject: Re: Who is gonna take it all
Message-ID: <32@rlgvax.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 9-Aug-84 01:38:28 EDT
Article-I.D.: rlgvax.32
Posted: Thu Aug  9 01:38:28 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 5-Aug-84 05:10:04 EDT
References: <903@pyuxa.UUCP> <578@ihuxs.UUCP>, <726@drutx.UUCP>, <580@ihuxs.UUCP> <930@pyuxa.UUCP>
Organization: CCI Office Systems Group, Reston, VA
Lines: 91

There seem to be several opinions, but they're mostly emotional ones. We all
have our favourites, but it would be nice to be realistic. Here are some of
the replies I've seen under this heading. After those, I'll list my own
opinions. If everyone else can do it, so can I.

>Why not have the METS trade for Roger Craig, Tiggers pitching
>coach. Rog could teach Dwight the split fingered fastball
>that has put Detriot on top. I agree I like to see hitters
>challenged, but even more I enjoy seeing them walk back to the
>bench mumbling to themselves.
>
>			Pat McMonagle
>			advanced systems group
>			boulder


>>Realistically, I believe it will be a Padres-Phillies playoff with
>>the Padres winning and beating ___________(pick your team) in the
>>World Serious.
>>
>>See you next time,
>>Russ Pierce
>>Denver, CO
>>drutx!rkp


->If the Mets continue to hit as they have, I see no reason why they won't
->finish at least second.  However, if they hit AND the bullpen continues to
->come through, they ought to come out on top.  San Diego is a totally different
->story, though, and we will have to wait until the Mets play them (especially 
->at home, since they have had trouble at home) to see if the Mets can take
->the pennant.  Who can predict the World Series?
->
->Greg Skinner (gregbo)
->{allegra, cbosgd, ihnp4}!hou2e!gregbo


+>	... TIGERS!
+>
+>	- David Claus


Well, David, you didn't give as long a reply as the rest of the people
writing to this network, but you sure can pick a winner. And a winning team
they are. No one seems to know why. They are vastly underrated. No one
really expects them to "take it all." You list the Mets, the Cubs, the
Phils, the Orioles...  why not the Tigers? The only team everyone did not
list was the Reds. Indeed. They're hopeless. Why? They used to be the
devastation of the National League. I can recall some Dodger fan bemoaning
that the 70's could have been a great decade for L.A. if only it weren't
for the Reds. Well, Cincinnati has faded into the record books with the
other teams that flared for a moment and fizzled. What made them great?
What makes the Tigers great? What makes any team great?

Over and over I hear how such-and-such a team could be in the lead if only
they could get their act together. "They have great talent, but it just
doesn't seem to be working... yet." Yet... a word used by a baseball fan
who sees a multi-talented team getting flushed down the tubes, and can't
explain why. Here is a big why...

Leadership. ALL of the teams in the majors seems to chock full of talent.
To perform at their best, to reach their full potential, you need a manager
that can bring it out. You need someone who convinces them that they can
WIN! Someone who inspires his players.

Just like the Tigers are underrated, even more so is George (Sparky)
Anderson. Even he will tell you "...I was lucky to be working for a team that
had such talent as the Reds did. Rose, Bench, Mays, Perez, Morgan, Driesson,
Concepcion and all the rest." He's either too humble or too politic. The
Tiger players have been saying, repeatedly, that Sparky has inspired them
to win, to do their best. With all of the talent spread out among the teams
in the majors, this is the one thing that always makes the difference.
Leadership. If not from the manager, then from the captains. Somebody. There
has to be someone who says "You're just as good as any of the best in the
game today. You can win. Go out there and win!"

As a final statement: consistent winners win World Series. There are very
few "Cinderella" teams that win even their own pennants, much less the Series.
That's why they're called Cinderella teams. Look at the records. The team
that leads with the best record, usually goes on to win it all. This is not
always true in any sport, but it bears out quite well in baseball. Any thing
can happen, sure. But if you're out there making bets, the odds are going to
favor the Detroit Tigers.

P.S. I've never lived in Detroit, I don't even remember if I've ever been
there. I never was a Detroit fan (until now), and the only reason why I am
now is that they have the qualities it takes to win. I may be fickle but
I'm not crazy.

			- Dave Maxey (alias tbm)
			{seismo,mcnc,brl-bmd,allegra}!rlgvax!dave