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The man, the myth, the legend. Dan Skipper.

I went off the deep end with season tickets. I upgraded my two to two tickets in Club 200, and then added two in a corner, row 9. Just don’t ask about the cost.

In its simplest terms: I think Avila did a great job at getting the ball rolling towards modernizing the Tigers organization, including hiring such key people as Ryan Garko, AJ Hinch, etc., starting up a data analytics program, etc. The Org was starting to draft better players with skills that translated to a higher level than his early GM years, as a result. Including several later round pitchers and a couple later round position players. But he didn't come from an analytics background and was therefore mostly behind the 8-ball, with a general lack of understanding on how to apply the analytical data within the organization. This, and many other flaws, says that the bottom line with Avila was that he just wasn't good enough to get the Org all the way to where it needed to be. On Harris: he was able to see an Org that had laid the groundwork, and just needed the right person to get the Org to the finish line. The Tigers chose him, and he chose the Tigers. I think Harris is the right guy to get us over the finish line, and Avila was not that guy.

Leonard with a triple and a homer thus far today raising his spring ops to over 1.100. Of course the question on him will be his defense and where he plays but sooner or later I think you have to give him some run at the big leagues just to see whats there, same with Malloy. Can't keep them in the minors forever hoping their glove gets better.

I liked him. He seemed as if he was a friendly person and was very open (maybe too much). I also think he collected a number of good prospects and refused to trade any of them away and that is helping them now. Overall, he wasn't a very good GM though. I think Harris is going to be a lot better, but it's too early to know how good. His team having some real success at the MLB level would be a good start.

But.....did he declare as eligible? 🤣

The metaphor might be that MAGA is a balloon that is more likely to be gradually deflated than be popped. And of course a good question is what happens when Trump eventually assumes room temperature. (a nod there to a another MAGA who has done the same and not really been replaced.). Is the discontent broad and deep enough that the movement will simply force another leader to the fore, or does Trump have rarer gifts that glue the movement together?

Don’t sweat it. I wish that I had spent more on stuff like this that I enjoyed before I got married and started a family. Now I spend very little of my discretionary income on things for myself. I also assume that for at least the next few seasons, the seats in the corner will end up paying for themselves if you sell most of the games.

Just a reminder from the Birthday Boy

Thanks for reminding me. I have been meaning to get it for a while. I just ordered it.

make a tournament with what? half the team will leave. he has limited talent left on the team. what recruit will come here knowing he's a band aid coach? what player can they get in the portal when they refuse almost everyone who isnt a freshman or a grad transfer? you wouldnt be building a program, you'd be pining for nostalgia with a 70 year old man who hasnt coached in years. find the next john beilein, not the retired john beilein.

Don't disagree. I didn't mean to say it was expected, I was commenting on who I think Pence's constituency is, where I think he would have the most leverage should he ever use it. I've said before I'm a firm believer that the American Republican has so much of their identity construct tied up in the affiliation with that label that "refuse to endorse" is as far as they can ever get. Politically that means at best a non-voter, most likely only a non-presidential voter who still pulls the red level down the rest of the ticket. That would be enough to stop Trump, but means it's still a big lift for the Dems to get both houses and put an end to the current Congressional nihilism.

I would expect our GM and coaches to recognize that he was playing artificially well and make some kind of move to improve the position. Guess not.

I get what you are saying, but we aren't living in a Sorkin-esque political landscape. I'm kind of over expecting a Joe Biden endorsement from people like Mike Pence - there's real convictions, particularly with someone like Pence given his social conservatism, that prevent him from doing it. And whatever impact him coming out like this and saying he won't endorse has in the parts of the GOP where he has any credibility at this point (I would imagine it's not a big group), I think that impact would be blunted if he outright endorsed Biden.... in fact, I think it'd increase the likelihood that the people who could be influenced by his position would just tune him out if he did. The better way to look at this with Pence and other former members of Trump's administration (which, btw, includes Nikki Haley, at least at this moment) is less about whether they out and out endorse Biden and more about whether their withholding of an endorsement can successfully create a permission structure for GOP voters who don't like Trump and don't want to vote for him to consider an alternative option, whether it be leaving the President box blank, voting third party or actually voting for Biden. I don't know that it will work, but putting myself in their shoes, assuming they truly do not want Trump to win, that's how I would be approaching it.

Actually the people Pence could reach are not the ones who care about democracy. Pence's cred is greatest with the religious right. If he repudiated Trump on religious grounds using an evangelical theological approach, attacked the 'Trump as Cyrus' trope as wrong/heretical, etc., tells his listeners that Jesus has told him the movement has made a bad turn, then some heads *might* be more likely to explode. Maybe.

Twice now Ivey has picked up his guy about 40 feet from the basket. One was Mills and one was Rozier. Neither one has Steph Curry range, so he is guarding them 40 feet from the hoop is a mystery to me. Anyway, both guys blew past him like he wasn't even there. Losing is fine, I don't expect to beat Miami. But players doing dumb **** and coaches allowing it really gets me going.

Jesus christ. That defensive video guy is going to have a field day with Durens defense on Robinson.

I think the former VP not endorsing the President should be a really big deal. Unfortunately, Pence is too boring for the media to make it one.

lol

Just to be clear, I like Harris more than Avila and the next Tigers playoff team will be more Harris than Avila. I just think they glorification of Harris and dismissing of Avila by some fans is a little much.

Pearl clutching? We are talking about prosecuting a former president and current front runner to slide into that seat again. Maybe he just wanted to get it right? This gets all layed at the feet of Willis. It was her and her poor decision alone to hire her boy toy. The case is allowed to move forward with zero distractions now.

Not sure the value of all of the Baez bashing, unless it’s therapeutic for everyone. He is what he is—I think he’s trying, just has lost his ability to hit. Can’t blame him for accepting a guaranteed paycheck. And it’s not as if this front office signed him, so can’t rag on them. I cope/rationalize that this is a sunk cost. I doubt he makes it to the end of his contract, and maybe doesn’t even get through this year. I’m OK with that outcome. I think Harris/Hinch will cut bait, If necessary. Of course, with no clear heir apparent, it is everyone’s best interest that he can become serviceable.

I don't understand the conflict. They're already on the same side. Are they more on the same side if they are dating?

Yeah I'd probably walk away if I was the first to lose to the Lions in the playoffs in 32 years.

Last game was a playoff loss to the Detroit Lions

I don’t think I’ve seen a collapse this epic. I’m not sure if this team could beat the Griffins right now. Blowouts night after night.

Just saw a thing that pointed out that Cameron Maybin hit HR's in 3 different decades for the Tigers, 2000's, 2010's, and 2020's, despite only playing in around 130 games for the team.