Here is the exchange between Riger and Leyland courtesy of Chris Iott of Mlive.com…
Riger: Does it ever amaze you the amount of second-guessing you get?
Leyland: That’s you guys. You’re a radio guy, aren’t you? Well, that’s radio stuff.Riger: But fans as well?
Leyland: I think that’s the entertainment business. I think that’s what we’re in. And I don’t blame any fan, ever, who second-guesses taking out Rick Porcello. I don’t blame somebody like that. But I don’t listen to talk shows, guys who don’t know (expletive) about baseball. No. If you’re asking if I listen to those guys, no. If I listen to somebody that has a legitimate second-guess, like the one yesterday, I respect that opinion. It’s not going to change mine. I’ve said a million times, I manage for the fans, not with the fans. I don’t manage with every Tom, Dick and Harry who calls a talk show, I can promise you that. But that one yesterday was a legitimate second-guess. But, you know what, everybody forgets that the Tigers won the game. And if Jose Valverde is not better in the ninth inning than Rick Porcello after eight innings, and Jose Valverde’s a top closer, then we might as well not have a closer. That’s the way I look at it. I don’t get sentimental in all that (expletive) about, oh, he’s got a chance to have a one-hitter. I don’t get into all that (expletive). I’m here to win games and I felt that gave us the best chance to win the game. And we won the game. It could have backfired and I still would have stuck by my decision. So it doesn’t bother me. That’s you guys’ business. That’s what you do for a living. That’s good. There’s nothing wrong with that. There’s nothing wrong with that at all. There’s nothing wrong with talk shows and people’s opinions and having some fun and arguing. There’s nothing wrong with that. That’s what you do for a living. But I don’t listen to those people, period.Riger: I wasn’t talking about those people …
Leyland: No, period.Riger: I was talking about more the fans though.
Leyland: I don’t manage with the fans.Riger: No, I know …
Leyland: Let’s get one thing straight. I manage for the fans, not with the fans. Fans have guessed coaches for a thousand years. They’re going to guess them till the cows come home. And that’s fine. That’s fine. There’s a legitimate fan that calls that show that has real interest and has some knowledge and makes some sense. There’s a bunch of other people that call it that don’t know (expletive) about what they’re talking about. They just want to hear themselves on the radio and hear themselves talk. There is some definite legitimate second-guessing, which is fine. That’s the sport. That’s good. They’re interested in the Tigers. They want to know what’s going on. I have no problem with that stuff. But I don’t get into that. It has no bearing on what decision I make. Somebody was chewing my (expletive) out the other day, the fans were second-guessing me because I hadn’t gotten the relievers enough work. Well, if you want me to take (Justin) Verlander and (Max) Scherzer out in the fourth inning from now on and pitch (Brayan) Villarreal and (Enrique) Gonzalez, then I’ll do it for you. Is that what you want? That’s what I’ll do for you. Is that what you want? Because I don’t pay attention to you (expletive) stuff, because that’s what it is. I don’t pay attention to it.Riger: I just asked a question.
Leyland: Well, I just answered the question.Riger: Fair enough.
Leyland: Legitimate second-guessing, I have no problem with it. I’m telling you that it was a legitimate second-guess. I said it in the paper yesterday. It’s a legitimate second-guess. I have no problem with that. That’s fine. So why do you want me to comment on it today? Did you read the papers? Did you see what I said? The answer is there.Riger: The reason I asked the question was because today fans were second-guessing you even though you did win and I just wanted to know what you thought …
Leyland: What do you want me to do about it?Riger: I just wanted you to comment and you did, so I appreciate it.
Leyland: I commented on it. I don’t blame the fans for second-guessing it. What else do you want me to say? I don’t blame the fans for second-guessing that move. I said it yesterday in my press conference. I explained why I did it. I explained that I didn’t blame them for second-guessing, so what else do you want me to do? What do you want me to say? That I wish I had not done it? No, I’m glad I did it. And I’ll do it again tonight if we have the same (expletive) situation if I think it gives us the best (expletive) chance to win the (expletive) game. Are there any other questions?
Source: Mlive.com, 97.1 FM