Detroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland says the team is off to a good start

Detroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland speaks to the Detroit Economic Club on April 27, 2011 by Jason Rzucidlo

DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers Manager Jim Leyland and team president, CEO and general manager Dave Dombrowski addressed the Detroit Economic Club (DEC) at a special meeting inside the MotorCity Casino on Wednesday. Most of the coaches and the players were in attendance at the meeting. Leyland discussed the team after its first 25 games in the regular season. The Tigers Manager said he hopes video replays can be used in baseball to settle bad calls by umpires. In addition, Leyland said he will have the opportunity to keep his job next year.

"It's a very good, competitive team, but it's a matter of how long we play good," Leyland said. "It has a chance to be an excellent team. I think it's a matter of how long and how well we play good. If you don't pitch well, you don't have a chance. The league is very good. We swept the Chicago White Sox over the weekend. They got beat by the New York Yankees. We had a very good Spring. I think everybody got disappointed how we started. We're not going to win every night. I appreciate how you spend your hard-earned money. I believe we have a chance."

Leyland was very exuberant during the meeting. He often tells a lot of jokes and funny stories when he speaks. The Tigers manager is often called "The Skipper" because he resembles the character from the popular TV show, Gilligan's Island.

In regards to video replays, Leyland said: "I want it put in fair-or-foul. I'm on a committee. I don't want it to turn into a video game."

The Tigers are off to an OK start so far this season. The team has won 12 games and lost 13. Their home record is six wins and six losses and their road record is six wins and seven losses. Miguel Cabrera has 21 home runs, Brennan Boesch hit 16 home runs and Ryan Raburn hit 12 home runs so far.

"We have a good club, there are a lot of good players on this team," said Dave Dombrowski, President, CEO and GM of the Detroit Tigers. "This club has a legitimate chance to win our division. A nice blend of veterans and young players. Our organization continues to get stronger and stronger. Since 2006, our worst attendance wise was 2.5 million people. We look to have that kind of attendance plus more this year."

DEC President Beth Chappell announced that the luncheon has gotten so big that Tigers alumni will be invited to attend next year. Normally, one player or coach sits at each table. Leyland said he hopes he isn't part of the alumni at next year's luncheon.

"I am getting a little older, obviously," the Tigers manager explained. "One of my younger players said something to me the other day. He said, 'You're pretty old. This may sound pretty terrible, but how do you want to go?' I looked at him and I said, I want to go exactly as my father, quietly, peacefully, in his sleep, not screaming and yelling like his passengers."

Detroit Tigers Owner Chris Ilitch was the presiding officer. He spoke on behalf of the Ilitch family. Tigers broadcasters Dan Dickerson and Jim Price were the masters of ceremonies at the meeting.

"There's something special about the start of baseball season," Ilitch said. "It's a fresh start, it's a new beginning and endless possibilities. For our ball club, the big names are back, but we also have some key additions. It will make for a very competitive and fun baseball season. Also back for this year is the 'Who's Your Tiger?' tagline. We all connect in some way with each of our ballplayers. Countless times, they are gaining victories off the field. One great example of that is the Tigers Winter Caravan. It's become a great wintertime tradition where our managers, our coaches, our players and front office staff travel throughout the region by bus."

The Tigers will play the Cleveland Indians from April 29 through May 1 and then the New York Yankees will come to Comerica Park from May 2 through 5. Detroit will play the Toronto Blue Jays from May 6 to 9 and then two games with the Minnesota Twins on May 10 and 11.