Tigers#1
01-17-2003, 01:42 PM
Tigers showing a new attitude
By Jason Beck / MLB.com
DETROIT -- The Tigers weren't wearing name tags around the clubhouse for the first day of minicamp Wednesday, but there were plenty of them trying to match faces with the nameplates above the lockers. And that doesn't include the new face in the manager's office.
The Tigers returned to Comerica Park a different group than the one that left at the end of September. Guys who spent last season as the youngsters around a more veteran cast now form the heart of the roster. And if all the new players didn't indicate that last season was over, the message from the new coaching staff did.
"This year, it's more like, 'You'd better come in shape," catcher Brandon Inge said of minicamp. "Whereas other years it was like you go down, play some golf, do some drills. This year, [bench coach Kirk Gibson] warned me, we're going to work. If you're not in shape now, this should warn you that you'd better be in shape by Spring Training."
The message coming from the staff is resonating with young players and veterans alike. The clubhouse was casual and cordial for the team's first gathering, but the atmosphere definitely carried a sense of business at hand. The big-screen TV, which was almost always on last season, was quickly turned off. The music wasn't blaring. Players sat around talking to each other, but they didn't lounge. The talk was somewhat quiet, like players awaiting a swift change of course.
"It's not going to be the same atmosphere now," third baseman Dean Palmer said. "You're going to have to be accountable. I like it. I like the idea of having tough managers. They keep you on your toes. You want your players to have a little fear in them.
"I'm not looking for my manager to be my best buddy. I'd rather have a general."
If Palmer's statements sound familiar, it's somewhat similar to the attitude change the Tigers were commenting on last year. Last year, it came after Roger Cedeno and Juan Encarnacion left. Both had issues with then-manager Phil Garner in 2001.
After that, the Tigers were touting themselves as a team that could get along. Now, they think they could use a little more conflict to spur them on.
"We didn't have one fight last year," Inge said. "Usually in a season you're going to have a couple fights. That's [the way] with every single team in baseball. It's natural. It's like siblings fighting. But we didn't have one fight. It was as if guys couldn't care less if we lost a game. It was like no more than 15 minutes after a game, guys were yelling and having a good time again. That really bugs people that want to win like myself. I don't like that, and I think that's what they went out and changed this year."
The new faces come from other teams as well as the minor leagues. Mike Maroth, now the second-most experienced starter on the staff, talked with Rule 5 selection Travis Chapman and outfield prospect Cody Ross. Australian native Adrian Burnside, part of the Randall Simon trade, looked right at home.
Some of the old faces have different looks. Center fielder Andres Torres colored his hair from brown to red. Eric Munson had a third baseman's glove rather than one for first base. Palmer walked around easily and was the picture of health, something he hasn't been able to claim in nearly two years.
Wednesday's activities were limited to preseason physicals and some inside hitting and throwing. On Thursday, they'll head across the street to Ford Field for some open-space drills. The minicamp wraps up on Friday.
From there, the organization heads into TigerFest on Saturday at Joe Louis Arena before the winter caravan next Monday and Tuesday. That's a week with the players together in chilly Detroit, a week many say will be to their benefit once Spring Training starts.
"It's good to have things like this so we can get to know each other," said right-hander Nate Cornejo, who enters the season as the Tigers' third-most experienced starter with 19 career starts. "I've pitched with a lot of these guys in the minor leagues."
Not only will first-year manager Alan Trammell learn many of his players in these coming days, he'll learn what kind of team he's been dealt.
"I really think it's more for the coaching to learn our players," Trammell said. "It's a chance to introduce myself and judge the players, see how far along we are."
By Jason Beck / MLB.com
DETROIT -- The Tigers weren't wearing name tags around the clubhouse for the first day of minicamp Wednesday, but there were plenty of them trying to match faces with the nameplates above the lockers. And that doesn't include the new face in the manager's office.
The Tigers returned to Comerica Park a different group than the one that left at the end of September. Guys who spent last season as the youngsters around a more veteran cast now form the heart of the roster. And if all the new players didn't indicate that last season was over, the message from the new coaching staff did.
"This year, it's more like, 'You'd better come in shape," catcher Brandon Inge said of minicamp. "Whereas other years it was like you go down, play some golf, do some drills. This year, [bench coach Kirk Gibson] warned me, we're going to work. If you're not in shape now, this should warn you that you'd better be in shape by Spring Training."
The message coming from the staff is resonating with young players and veterans alike. The clubhouse was casual and cordial for the team's first gathering, but the atmosphere definitely carried a sense of business at hand. The big-screen TV, which was almost always on last season, was quickly turned off. The music wasn't blaring. Players sat around talking to each other, but they didn't lounge. The talk was somewhat quiet, like players awaiting a swift change of course.
"It's not going to be the same atmosphere now," third baseman Dean Palmer said. "You're going to have to be accountable. I like it. I like the idea of having tough managers. They keep you on your toes. You want your players to have a little fear in them.
"I'm not looking for my manager to be my best buddy. I'd rather have a general."
If Palmer's statements sound familiar, it's somewhat similar to the attitude change the Tigers were commenting on last year. Last year, it came after Roger Cedeno and Juan Encarnacion left. Both had issues with then-manager Phil Garner in 2001.
After that, the Tigers were touting themselves as a team that could get along. Now, they think they could use a little more conflict to spur them on.
"We didn't have one fight last year," Inge said. "Usually in a season you're going to have a couple fights. That's [the way] with every single team in baseball. It's natural. It's like siblings fighting. But we didn't have one fight. It was as if guys couldn't care less if we lost a game. It was like no more than 15 minutes after a game, guys were yelling and having a good time again. That really bugs people that want to win like myself. I don't like that, and I think that's what they went out and changed this year."
The new faces come from other teams as well as the minor leagues. Mike Maroth, now the second-most experienced starter on the staff, talked with Rule 5 selection Travis Chapman and outfield prospect Cody Ross. Australian native Adrian Burnside, part of the Randall Simon trade, looked right at home.
Some of the old faces have different looks. Center fielder Andres Torres colored his hair from brown to red. Eric Munson had a third baseman's glove rather than one for first base. Palmer walked around easily and was the picture of health, something he hasn't been able to claim in nearly two years.
Wednesday's activities were limited to preseason physicals and some inside hitting and throwing. On Thursday, they'll head across the street to Ford Field for some open-space drills. The minicamp wraps up on Friday.
From there, the organization heads into TigerFest on Saturday at Joe Louis Arena before the winter caravan next Monday and Tuesday. That's a week with the players together in chilly Detroit, a week many say will be to their benefit once Spring Training starts.
"It's good to have things like this so we can get to know each other," said right-hander Nate Cornejo, who enters the season as the Tigers' third-most experienced starter with 19 career starts. "I've pitched with a lot of these guys in the minor leagues."
Not only will first-year manager Alan Trammell learn many of his players in these coming days, he'll learn what kind of team he's been dealt.
"I really think it's more for the coaching to learn our players," Trammell said. "It's a chance to introduce myself and judge the players, see how far along we are."