Leyland's Advice To Players: Don't Get Distracted
DETROIT (WWJ) - The Tigers are preparing for the start of baseball's 'second season' as they prepare to host the Oakland A's in a pair of home playoff games at Comerica Park this Saturday and Sunday.
Tigers' ace Justin Verlander will be on the mound and he tells WWJ's Sandra McNeill the trip to the playoffs is special.
"You go throughout 162 games with what's like your family, and I think that is what makes it so special to get in, in baseball, because of the number of games and what you go through in season.... What a lot of you don't see - behind the scenes - what a lot of guys go through that many games," said Verlander. "You make it and it's just a celebration."
"It's cool, I'm excited," said Prince Fielder.
For Tigers manager Jim Leyland it's a happening but he knows being there before doesn't guarantee a win but it does help.
Leyland said that for players new to the playoffs there can be a lot of distractions:
" ... tickets, travel, hotels, picking up people at the airport ... there is going to be an aunt and uncle that didn't get as good a seat as the other aunt and uncle and you're going to hear about it and if you let it get to you - you lose focus on what we are trying to do here.... I'm not being funny about this ... just don't lose focus on what we are trying to do," he said.
"You know, it's going to be neat - we know the atmosphere, the weather is going to be a little bit cool but seeing our fans all year - most of them will be pretty warm ... warmed up, I think," said Leyland. "They are going to have a hell of a time tomorrow."
The opening series is a best-of-five affair. You can hear all of the action on 97.1 The Ticket; first game is Saturday at 6:07 p.m. Full game schedule, here.
Catch up on all the latest from the Detroit Tigers, here.
