It's Called On The Job Training

Before the Tigers headed out for their latest road trip (and returned with a very nice 4-2 mark), Alan Trammell's managing was coming under heavy criticism around town. I, for one, have absolutely no qualms about Tram's managing. It's not great. However, I expect that. Why? Because the guy is learning on the job.

When Trammell was handed the reigns of the Tigers he had no previous managerial experience. Anywhere. I don't even think he managed Little League. While many assumed that meant Tram's hiring was strictly a public relations move, I viewed it more as an opportunity for the ex-Tiger great to easy into a role he truly desired. The pressure would be off as nearly all of us in Tigertown knew the ballclub wasn't good. We also knew that Dave Dombrowski was going to turn the team over to younger players the first chance he got.

That meant Tram could grow as his young team did and, as the theory went, he and the team would be ready to compete around the same time. A time that would still be years away. Well, something happened to blow that theory up-119 losses.

In the two years since falling to the depths of the sport, the Tigers have added veterans Rondell White, Jason Johnson, Ivan Rodriguez, Ugueth Urbina, Troy Percival, Magglio Ordonez, Vance Wilson and Kyle Farnsworth. Trammell no longer has the luxury of growing up with his young team because his team isn't all that young.

Sure, the Tigers still have youth in the form of Jeremy Bonderman, Nate Robertson, Nook Logan, Omar Infante and a few others, but the additions of highly paid veteran players have moved expectations levels up a notch or two. Or maybe three. Trammell's on-the-job training is now viewed, even by supporters, as a hindrance to the team's chances at competing for the American League Central crown.

That part about being legitimate contenders is debatable. What is not is that the Tigers short-term direction changed paths unexpectedly and it has increased the criticism of Tram's decisions. It also has many wondering if Trammell should remain as manager.

The questions are fair, although premature. It's a bit unrealistic to think Trammell is going to be a great manager this soon. Trammell is in only his third year and, unless he was some kind of managerial prodigy, he was bound to make the mistakes young managers make. It's just most of those managers make the majority of their errors in AA ball, not The Show.

Trammell may not be ready to guide the Tigers to the pennant, but it's not his fault. He's still learning his craft daily.