NewsTrammell visits Tigers, Leyland
Former player, manager returns as Cubs bench coach
By Jason Beck / MLB.com
06/23/09 8:57 PM ET
DETROIT -- Alan Trammell spent his midday with a visit to what's left of Tiger Stadium, looking at the infield that was once his office. He then arrived at Comerica Park and stopped by what was literally his office. |
Jim Leyland, who currently occupies the office, was there. Together, the Tigers' former manager and Detroit's current one had what they both called a good chat about baseball and their teams.
"Nothing's changed," Leyland said. "He's one of the great guys in the game, a wonderful human being."
That was the feeling that came across as Trammell made his rounds, first with the media, then with some of his former players. He's the same person, the same hard worker, that he was when he managed the Tigers from 2003-05, and when he played for them for two decades before that.
The only thing that had changed was the uniform he's wearing, which in itself is a big deal. As the Cubs bench coach, he's competing against the Tigers in a game for the first time in his career.
"It's good to be back," Trammell said. "I've had a busy day today. The Tiger Stadium [visit], I'm smiling because that'll never change the memories, great memories, for so many years."
Much of Tiger Stadium is now torn down, reduced to steel beams and rubble as the result of demolition over the last few weeks. It ended a debate over what to do with the old ballpark that began before Trammell took over as manager.
It was a day he had prepared himself for, though he was hoping to see more of the park still standing when he made his visit.
"It was inevitable. It was going to happen, I guess. It wasn't like you woke up the other day, or last week, and said, 'Oh my gosh, it's gone.' I think everybody knew it was going to happen. It's sad, but I stand by my comments that the memories will always be there."
His talk with Leyland had some memories attached as well, which were long before the managerial change. Leyland was a manager in the Tigers farm system when Detroit drafted Trammell in 1976, as well as a Spring Training instructor for several years after Trammell made it to the big leagues.
Even with what has happened in the last few years, there's a mutual respect and what seems like a genuine appreciation between the two.
"I just wanted to [say hi] to whoever was in [the clubhouse] at the time," Trammell said of his visit. "Obviously, I don't want to intrude. It was just one of those things. But again, Jim Leyland and I have known each other since 1976. There's an attachment there, whether or not we're on other sides. He's going to try to beat us, and we're going to try to beat them.
"But again, I enjoyed that. I feel comfortable enough to say hello. That's all it was intended to be. Guys like that will forever be very close. He's a great guy."
Together, they reminisced not only about their days together, but their memories about the late Mark Fidrych, who was a player under Leyland for a while and a teammate of Trammell.
Leyland appreciated that he stopped by.
"This is his home," Leyland said. "This is his house. In my opinion, it always will be."
Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
