The sports nuts on Detroit’s talk-radio stations have been calling for the firing of Detroit Tigers pitching coach Chuck Hernandez for most of the 2008 season. It wasn’t much of a surprise when Hernandez was fired before the last game of the season at Comerica Park yesterday.
Tigers management needed to send a strong message to its season ticket base that change is coming — and coming fast. No doubt, fans at yesterday’s game were pleased as word spread throughout the ballpark.
There is much more that needs to be done, however, if the Tigers are going to be a contender in 2009. Look for the Tigers to chase at least two free agent pitchers in the off season. Ideally, they’ll go after two starters and a closer. Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski needs to shift his focus to pitching and defense.
The 2008 season should prove to both the NY Yankees and the Tigers that a muscle-bound lineup and a fat payroll cannot overcome a weak pitching staff.
Whoever the next pitching coach is, he’s got to have more to work with than the guy heading out of town.
Detroit Tigers pitching coach Chuck Hernandez chats with Nate Robertson in Lakeland.