Detroit News poll: Tigers right, fair to bring back Ausmus
Detroit — Well, this is interesting.
After several years of negative chatter about Brad Ausmus, most notably on sports-talk radio, a majority of Tigers fans said Wednesday morning it was the right move or at least the fair move to bring him back for a fourth season as Tigers manager.
In a Twitter poll, The Detroit News asked fans if retaining Ausmus was A) the right move, B) the wrong move, or C) the fair move, even if the fans don't like it.
As of 11:40 Wednesday morning, 658 fans had responded, with more than 50 percent saying the decisions by general manager Al Avila — expected to be officially confirmed by the Tigers this afternoon — saying it was right or fair.
No surprise, a plurality, 47 percent, said keeping Ausmus, who has made the playoffs once in three years on the job, was the wrong move.
That was followed by 32 percent who called it a fair move. A distance third was right move, garnering 21 percent.
The latter two categories add up to a majority.
Among the comments from fans:
■ "I'd have given (Omar Vizquel) a shot." — Bruce Weinberger (@BruceWeinberger)
■ "I would give (Ron) Gardenhire a call ... great track record and knows the Central ... also likely knows many of the Tigers personnel." -- Kevin Harkness (@KevinHarkness48)
■ "Where's the not-a-better-option button?" -- Angry Paws (@angrypaws)
■ "Given the options they have, retaining Brad was the right call. This is coming from a guy who called for his head all year." -- Bradly G (@BradGuldemond)
■ "What's his pedigree? He's missed the playoffs twice and hasn't won a single playoff game." -- Jimmy P (@JimmyP313)
■ " ... Would love to see a real Sabermetrics guy like Manny Acta get the Tigers gig." -- Joe (@Jc_1978)
■ "(Manny) Acta or (Gabe) Kapler." -- Daniel Shay (@danielshay3)
In three seasons as Jim Leyland's successor, Ausmus has a 250-234 record, with an American League Central championship his first year, a last-place finish his second, and a runner-up finish in 2016.
His one playoff appearance, the Tigers were swept by the Orioles in the first round in 2014.
This season, the Tigers were eliminated from playoff contention on the final day of the regular season, capping off a roller-coaster season that featured wild winning and losing streaks, including a variety of pivotal injuries, some long-term.
You can still vote in the poll on Twitter @tonypaul1984
tpaul@detroitnews.com
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