Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski spoke on Miguel Cabrera's arrest yesterday (albeit not very much), but there was only a string of "no comments" from Tigers skipper Jim Leyland.
Well, today he opened up to some media members and, as you'd expect of Leyland mid-chew, he wants everyone to stop being so dramatic and chill the .... out [via Detroit News]:
"Everybody getting all upset and real dramatic — do you think Magglio Ordonez is going to go about his business any different? Nobody is going to do anything any different," Leyland said.
Leyland's next comments include a spring training cliche, but also embody the utmost support a player can receive from his manager after an incident such as what happened Wednesday night [via Free Press]:
"I know for a fact, without getting into this situation, I know for a fact Miguel Cabrera is in the best shape of his life. He’s stronger than he’s ever been and he’s quicker than he’s ever been. . . . I think Miguel Cabrera is probably going to have the biggest year of his life."
Miguel Cabrera's track record in the MLB can give that sort of confidence to a manager, but you have to wonder if Leyland's being a little too bold. After all, Cabrera has never had to deal with a pending legal matter hanging over his head all season and "the biggest year of his life" is pretty damn big. Personally, I can't imagine what it'd be like witnessing any player do more than what Cabrera has done year in, year out with the Tigers; I won't fight it, though, if it happens. I just think Leyland would've been fine leaving it at, "Miguel Cabrera will be Miguel Cabrera," because as a fan we can't expect more.