Jim Brockman notices how much the Tigers management pulled from the Pirates:
Jim Leyland wore his for 11 years as manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates (1986-96). Gene Lamont skippered the Pirates the following four years – after two stints over seven seasons as Leyland’s third base coach.
Then came Lloyd McClendon. Before managing the Pirates the past five seasons, he played for four years in Pittsburgh and was Lamont’s hitting instructor.
When the Pirates paid a recent spring training visit to Joker Marchant Stadium, the past 20 years of Pittsburgh’s managerial history were on the other team with Leyland as the new manager of the Detroit Tigers and Lamont (third base coach) and McClendon (bullpen coach) rejoining him.
But we’re only getting warmed up with ex-Pirates in Detroit’s new regime.
There’s former Pirates star center fielder Andy Van Slyke (1987-94), the new first base coach for the Tigers. Ex-Pirates catcher Don Slaught (1990-95) is Detroit’s new hitting instructor, and former shortstop Rafael Belliard (1984-90) is the infield coach.
Ladies and gentlemen, the brand new Detroit Tigers are the old Pittsburgh Pirates.
Given the Pirates lack of sucess over the last decade, I’m not sure that’s a good thing.
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That’s interesting. First off, Van Slyke was my favorite player growing up. I seriously thought I’d seen the last of him in baseball news . . . brings back good memories.
Most of these players and coaches were around when the Pirates were actually GOOD, making the playoffs for three straight years. So maybe this is a good thing for Detriot. Lets just hope that Bonds doesn’t want in on the action (one of the Pirates from that era as well, though no where near where he is today. Seriously, another strike against Bonds – when your old teammates are now COACHES, its a sign that something is up with your body).
Leyland, Van Slyke, Bonds (though even then I noticed Pittsburgh fans didn’t like him), Bonilla, they all were a part of the team that got me into baseball. Even today, when I am a football junkie and Steelers fan, baseball holds a special place in my heart. I love going to a ballpark and taking in a game. Even one as bad as RFK.
(Though the managers after Leyland, I think, are a bit . . . interesting, and I’m not sure why he added them to his staff.)
First the Super Bowl and Jerome Bettis, now this. Welcome to Pittsburgh West: Detroit.