DETROIT (AP) -Jim Leyland stepped away from the dugout because he didn’t have the energy to stomp on little problems during the 1999 season with the Colorado Rockies.
In his third season with the Detroit Tigers, the 63-year-old manager is showing no signs of letting off-the-field issues linger. Leyland was fired up Tuesday before Detroit opened a homestand against the Seattle Mariners, lashing out at one of his former players and perhaps some still on the roster.
Pitcher Jason Grilli, who was traded this season to the Rockies, said the Tigers hurt their chemistry by getting rid of players such as Sean Casey. Grilli said that led to a stale and stagnant atmosphere in the clubhouse.
“You have to be kidding me. I mean, please,” Leyland said. “Jason Grilli ought to just worry about Colorado.
“Jason Grilli’s not here any longer because Jason Grilli didn’t pitch good under pressure situations and didn’t pitch very well in Detroit. You want to tell it like it is? When players want to start talking, I’ll start talking.”
Grilli was 0-1 with a 3.29 ERA in nine games this season in Detroit.
A text message and e-mail seeking comment was sent to Grilli on Tuesday night.
The Tigers started the season as a popular pick to win the World Series after a busy offseason bumped their payroll up to nearly $139 million, trailing only the New York Yankees in spending.
But they started the week as perhaps baseball’s biggest disappointment, slumping to last place in the AL Central.
“You’re saying it wasn’t fair to have expectations? What are you talking about?” Leyland asked rhetorically. “I’m a grown man. I can take my heat, and I deserve some for the performance of this club. But you better be careful when you’re a player. If you’re hitting .200 and .220 and striking out, you shouldn’t be popping off.”
Leyland did not specify any players by name.
“They want to play games, I’ll play games. I’ll quit protecting some of these guys night after night after night after night. And I’ll put some names to it.”
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