You are exactly right. That’s the point. The team has alot invested in Monroe, so they’re gonna use him.

The Tigers are not old. Their age is not why we have lost the last 2 games or any games this year.

I’ll grant you Leyland pinch hit for Monroe the night before; the difference being, in the former situation, there was only one out with a runner on third. All you need from a hitter in that case is to put the ball in play to get a return. Monroe had been choking all night (and most of the season, really) in similar situations… so you just have to pinch hit for Monroe in that situation.

In the latter situation, once Monroe gets up there, there are likely two outs runner on first base and you need a hail Mary to tie/win. (I will add Monroe got into the on-deck circle before Inge stole second — and depending on what Rabelo does, Leyland might even change the decision to bat Monroe if the likelihood to produce a run increases) In a situation where we need a Hail Mary (Leyland figures) Monroe has just as good a chance as anybody else to reach the seats, so why not give Monroe the shot?

Again, this is all hypothetical, in an attempt to address Keith G’s question — and really the only explanation that makes sense to me.

If you ask me, I never pinch hit Monroe until he’s well out of his funk. The Tiger’s gave Chris Shelton a much shorter leash last year — and he was no where NEAR as bad as Monroe this year.

http://www.fangraphs.com/wins......eason=2007

I understand where you’re coming from on your Leyland/Monroe theory, but I agree with you that this is not the time for votes of confidence. Leyland’s first and foremost job is to win the game being played THAT night, not try to massage a slumping player’s ego that may (but probably won’t) spark him to a big second half. When Thames is available, I hope he gets the majority of the starts in LF. Its too bad we didn’t ship out Monroe to some sucker-ass team last winter when his value was at its highest point. You’re not the only cranky one tonight. This loss is hitting all of Tiger nation hard.

1. The worst part about your first rant is this: the WhiteSox have vastly underacheived this year. They are actually a much better team than their record indicates. This type of heroic comeback is just the kind of fire they need to string together a nine or ten game win streak. Leave it to the Tigers (and their Little League bullpen) to potentially fuel that rally. I don’t see how you quell that kind of momentum going into tomorrow’s game. If I was playing on this Tiger’s team, I’d be downright demoralized right now. If I was playing on this Whitesox team, I’d be downright fired up and ready to go for the kill. That said, the Tigers usually DO bounce back after falling off the wagon like this; for some reason, bouncing back after this one just seems like an enormous feat. I may not watch tomorrow and hope for the best.

2. Yes, Leyland was going to pinch hit Monroe for Raburn. That’s his modus operandi, his managerial strategy. He’s trying to lift the confidence level of his slumping LFer — by casting his vote of confidence in Monroe, if you will. It’s as if he’s slapping Monroe on the back, saying, “…this is your big moment, kid, go get ‘em, sport!” And then closing his eyes and hoping beyond hope that Monroe will actually come through with a sort of magical spark that serves to regain his confidence and get him back to form. Forget about the game on the line, forget about managing to give the Tigers the BEST shot at winning; he’s not managing to win the game at that point. He’s managing Monroe. (And in Leyland’s defense, that’s part of his job. Monroe is atrocious. What do you do with him? A lazy manager lets him rot on the bench–or insists the organization release him or put him on waivers; a good manager tries to get the most out of the talent he has. And that’s exactly what Leyland’s doing here. He’s trying to turn Monroe around. So in effect, he’s managing Monroe, the player, as opposed to managing the situation of the game (the best move being to let Raburn bat)

And then (provided the strategy works) in some after-school special in the year 2039, an aged and weepy Monroe (being celebrated, of course, as one of the greats of the game) will explain how his days as a big leaguer were numbered before they really began, and how Jim Leyland saved his career, believed in him when nobody else did, and pinch hit him in that one crucial at-bat that changed his career.

If you ask me, its horse dung. We don’t need Leyland stroking Monroe right now. We need to WIN. Monroe will either come out of this or not. Problem is, Monroe’s emotions get into his head and hence the dismal preformance. I certainly don’t want to play the psychology card when the game is on the line.

Sorry about the excessive post. I’m extremely cranky tonight. This loss is hitting me hard.

Let’s look at the competition. BOS recently went through a miserable stretch, are you any less afraid of them? The Yankees have been smoking, but they are also healthy, which is a rarity for a team of geriatrics carrying around colostomy bags. I’d be absolutely shocked if they stayed healthy and made the playoffs, and would be the first in line to congratulate Cashman. But the Yankees are crapping themselves right now chasing us.

CLE has been playing great, and think they are our biggest threat, but if you look at them top to bottom – whose team would you rather have?

ANA – what have they hit, 1 HR since ’97? Again, whose team would you rather have?

Need I remind you that we have 4 legitimate pitchers under the age of 28 and the best lineup 1-9 in all of baseball.

All of MLB knows that we are one quick move or a healthy Zumaya/Rodney away from cruising into the Post Season. (But what fun is cruising in? We sure as hell wouldn’t have 100+ responses with a win tonight.)

I agree that the bullpen has been miserable, and I’m open to trading one of our young studs, but not for a two month player. I don’t see the risk being worth the reward.

We’ll be okay, these games make the season great. I can’t wait for tomorrow’s game.