The Detroit Tigers, a team that for years has sought to, "Restore the Roar. "  As, the 2006 season has been prowled by analysts, players, and the experts who wrote that the teams to look for in the Tigers division are, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland indians, and the Minnesota Twins.  At the beginning of the year I had the White Sox with probably the best pitching staff in baseball atop first place.  When it came to second place I put the Tigers ( see the dans blog-- for his preseason picks, comments section. This article is in his archives).  I agree with the Dan about his pick for first place, why? He skillfully pointed out the enitre pitching staff from number one starter to the closer in this White Sox franchise are "Kings of the Hill." First off, this is not in repsonse to or a written comabtive gesture of mine to take on the dan. I respect his opinion that is why I refer new bloggers and regulars to his archives.  The Tigers are consistently staying near the top and as of today, they are one game ahead of both dans and my pick for first place.  Why did I put the Tigers in second and feel comfortable doing it?   There are three points to consider; tried and true management at every level for the Tigers, solid defensively at every position, and the depth of every hitter in this nine man roster.  And then a question that could quite possibly be the hinge on which the Tigers winning season swings to a deep journeying into the playoffs, is this pitching staff better than the World Series winning 1984 rotation? We will see the answer in a moment.  And I will again refer the archived posts of the dan's blog to anyone who wishes to see past comments and the expert in the booth with the schwartz-- the baseball man, the dan.  The schwartz is the hockey man in the dynamic duo on the radio show they do. I have caught it as has the State of the (Leaf) Nation, and we are both impressed.

  - Wise management. The management starting with Dave Dombrowski to Andy VanSlyke, the first base and outfield coach are proven winners.  Jim Leyalnd was hired to assemble a coaching staff and get this franchise to swing like Ty Cobb; in a winning posture and to make the playoffs.  Except do not hate players while doing it. The Tigers are having fun and are poised and composed winners, who will do battle and win to keep the pace with the White Sox at this point in the season.  Thanks in large part to the hitting coach, Don Slaught and the observance of the vigilant Jim Leyland who immediately points to ways to correct mistakes to make the athletes better. And his method of constructive criticism is a civil attitude.

- Solid defense.  Starting with the corner; Brandon Inge a player staying put for the Tigers. Boston Red Sox and New York  Yankees have inquired about him for his abilty to stalk the ball down the line and his quick pounces to the shortstop side to track down would be extra base hits.  Dombrowski told the interested franchises respectfully, "Not for sale."  Carlos Guillen is a shortstop who was brought here by Alan Trammell. When that happend it started the gradual move up.  Placido Polanco, knows how to turn that double play; he does not let charging runners misguide the throw to first base.  Chris Shelton more mobile than Cecil Fielder and he has the leaps of Darrell Evans. Outfield-- is Curtis Granderson in center, Magglio Ordonez in right and Craig Monroe in left.  These guys have speed to run the long ball down and jump to bring the ball into play and rob home run hitters. The arms have led to tag outs and the end of rallies. Now Ivan Rodriguez.  Gold glove winner and one of the best at throwing runners out. And Kenny Rogers and Mike Maroth are solid defense pitchers. 

- Depth of the nine man roster.  After the spring camp of the Detroit Tigers in Lakeland, Florida, Jim Leyland was asked about his offensive line up. He said, " This nine man roster is so deep that other teams will covet it and each player is capable of doing damage at the plate."  And that has so far been true. The sixth, seventh, eighth and ninth spots for the Tigers roster has led to rallies that win games and many times Marcus Thames has been the guy to win one run games for the Tigers.  Either with a home run or single. Another young player who simply puts the ball in play is Alexis Gomez.  The pinch hitters and utility players on the depth chart for the Tigers are to be commended.  Why? They are getting it done in a, "pinch." In the eight and ninth innings when extending the lead is crucial.

- Is the pitching better than the winning rotation of the 1984 Tigers?  This is a tough comparison to make as Jack Morris is not only valuable to the 1984 Tigers but also to the World Series champion Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins. 

The Tigers of 1984 had pitchers that stymied Don Mattingly, Wade Boggs Carlton Fisk and then Tony Gwynn in the World Series of 1984.  As, this list shows of the above hitters the starting pitching that took the mound in 1984 in the regular season and the World Series were dialed in and in shut down mode.  Milt Wilcox, Dan Petry, Jack Morris, Juan Beringuer, Dave Rozema, and Guillermo Hernandez are legends in Detroit Sports. The answer to question is below.

. The 2006 starting rotation is helping the Tigers get to the best franchise win record  since 1984.  When the youngsters in the rotation take the pitchers mound they make George Steinbrenner and Theo Epstein watch in wonderment and these power brokers wonder how they can get one of these arms in pinstripes and the red-B hat of the Red Sox.  That signals one thing to me, this staff with Kenny Rogers, Jeremy Bonderman, Mike Maroth, Nate Robertson, and Justin Verlander as starters is powerful in commanding the tempo and flow of the game. In the bull pen are Joel Zuamaya, Jordan Tata, Fernando Rodney, Jamie Walker, Bobby Seay, and Todd Jones.  Todd Jones with last nights converted save passed Mike Henneman for most saves in this historic franchise. So what is the answer in context to the early part of this season, this writer is settling on the unmovable foundation that the pitching staff of 2006 is putting down; they are comparable to 1984 winning pitchers and the youth on this staff of 2006 is better and more promising than that of the World Series Champs from 1984.  The "Roar has been restored", by this team who keeps pace with the White Sox.