Dontrelle Willis: Opposing Players Don't Fear Comerica Park Anymore
By Dan Jenkins
@DanTJenkins
For years, the Detroit Tigers had one of the best home field advantages in baseball.
Over the course of five straight seasons -- from 2009 through 2013 -- the Tigers won at least 50 home games every year. That number dropped to 45 wins in 2014 and 38 in 2015.
Former pitcher Dontrelle Willis -- who made a brief stop in Detroit when he was traded to the Tigers with Miguel Cabrera -- remarked on Monday that Comerica Park has seemingly lost its fear factor.
"Now they [other teams] are stealing wins in Detroit, which Comerica at one point was a daunting place to get victories at and now I don't think guys are afraid to come in there and steal wins,"Willis said.
Willis spoke on FOX Sports 1 with Frank Thomas and Kevin Burkhardt about why the Tigers have struggled since the first month of the 2015 season, citing a lack of leadership as one of the issues -- something he says Detroit lost when Torii Hunter left town.
"I think the loss of Torii Hunter, ever since they lost him a couple years ago, I've seen the team's energy go down," Willis said.
Mimicking some fans in Detroit, Thomas questioned whether or not the Tigers are motivated enough under the leadership of manager Brad Ausmus.
"They need leadership. This is a veteran ball club with one of the most talented hitting lineups in baseball," Thomas said. "I'm just concerned -- has Brad Ausmus got a little stale in the clubhouse? I'm worried about that leadership issue because when you go from a Hall of Fame manager like Jim Leyland to a voice like Brad Ausmus, who -- I know Brad Ausmus is a very bright baseball man -- but he's not that fiery leader like Jim Leyland was."
Since taking over the helm of the Tigers in 2014, Ausmus has managed Detroit to a 172-168 record and one division pennant.
"I'm hoping that the players are not turning off an ear, because I've seen them do that many, many times in all of the clubhouses that I've been in," Thomas said. "I hope he's the right voice, but at this point, something's got to give with this Tigers team, they're just too talented."
