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The Detroit Tigers went about as far from Jim Leyland -- an aging, mustachioed, old-school manager famous for smoking -- as they could. They hired Brad Ausmus and, other than both playing for the Tigers, the only thing they have in common is that Ausmus is SMOKING. Or at least that's what everyone says.
What should we make of the hire?
Detroit News beat writer Tom Gage explains (stating his opinion through others as only newspaper guys can do) why everyone will love Ausmus:
if it's Ausmus for #Tigers, it'll be widely hailed because he's smart, communicative, and won't break completely with the past
— Tom Gage (@Tom_Gage) November 3, 2013
Jeff Passan skips the reaction and explains why the match will work. TLDR? It's already a great team:
First-time managers have far better chance at success with strong team, top-line management. Detroit has both, and Brad Ausmus a great hire.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 3, 2013
Great story from Eric Stephen of True Blue LA:
Brad Ausmus managed the Dodgers on the final day of 2009 (a Joe Torre tradition), and inserted himself as pinch runner for Jim Thome
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) November 3, 2013
Ausmus on that day: "I am the second least fast guy in the stadium besides Thome; maybe Loretta, but somebody had to pinch run..."
— Eric Stephen (@truebluela) November 3, 2013
And everybody thinks he's HOT. How hot?
Rough week for the Cardinals. First they lose the World Series, and now Mike Matheny is only the second most handsome manager.
— Mike Axisa (@mikeaxisa) November 3, 2013
MANAGERS ARE SUPPOSED TO WALK AROUND SHIRTLESS AND MAKE US GIGGLE, NOT HORNY
— Matt Sussman (@suss2hyphens) November 3, 2013
So what you guys are saying is that the Tigers found a way to hire a manager that is still SMOKING
— Justin Bopp (@justinbopp) November 3, 2013
It's probably not fair, but how does he compare to Jim Leyland? Our Tigers blog Bless You Boys is way out in front of everyone on the story and ran the comparison when the rumors first surfaced that he was a candidate. They measured the most important things: likelihood of bunting, bullpen management, willingness to berate umpires, emotion, and mustache quality. Of course. Give it a read: Brad Ausmus scores a 3.3 out of 10 Leylands.
What do you think of the hire? Let us know below.
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