Peter Diana, Post-Gazette THIRTY YEARS OF PIRATES HISTORY: In a unique twist of fate and the major-league schedule, the five most recent Pirates managers were together at the same time when the Tigers visited PNC Park last weekend. Pictured are Jim Tracy, left, Lloyd McClendon, Chuck Tanner, Jim Leyland and Gene Lamont. McClendon and Lamont work for Leyland in Detroit. Tanner is an advance scout for the Cleveland Indians.

PHILADELPHIA -- Many people cite Jim Leyland's stormy postgame team meeting April 17 as the catalyst for his Detroit Tigers' incredible run to the halfway mark of the season.

The Tigers, 7-6 at the time, went 6-3 after Leyland's tirade on a trip to Oakland, Seattle and Anaheim en route to a 16-9 April.

But Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski believes another part of the schedule was the key.

In late May, the Tigers, 33-14 at the time, began a 16-game stretch against Cleveland, the New York Yankees, Boston, the Chicago White Sox and Toronto.

The Tigers went 7-9, including wins at Toronto in the final two games.

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"A lot of people point to that time early in the year when Jim lost his cool [after] we played Cleveland," Dombrowski said. "I think that was very important because in reality it set the tone that some things that happened here in the past weren't going to be tolerated.

"But that [16-game stretch] was more of a grind-it-out period. I think what was really important was winning the last two games against Toronto. I think the realization kind of hit our club that, 'You know what? We have a pretty good club.'

"We grind it out. We don't quit. We come back late in games. Those are signals of good ballclubs. Most nights we pitch well.

"And, like Jim's [previous] clubs, we play fundamentally well. We do the little things to win tight ballgames, which we hadn't done in the past. Good clubs do those types of things. I've seen his clubs do them in the past, and they're doing them here."

The Tigers entered the weekend 14-9 in one-run games.

Offer he couldn't refuse

Don Slaught ran into Leyland at the All-Star Game last year in Detroit. Leyland asked the former Pirates catcher if he ever felt he wanted to coach. Slaught said he did.

"He called me a few months later," Slaught said, recalling Leyland's offer to become a coach with Detroit. "I asked my wife, and she said OK. My oldest daughter said OK. My son started crying. My little one didn't know what was happening."

Given that the family vote seemed to be in favor of Slaught's returning to big-league baseball, Slaught told Leyland he'd join him.

"The biggest thing was getting back with Jim Leyland," Slaught said. "I hadn't anticipated coaching for a few more years -- until my kids got a little older -- but when Jim gave me the opportunity -- and it was Jim Leyland -- I said sure. I've got to do it.

"He was the best manager I ever played for. To get the opportunity with a guy you think is one of the best in the game was just a special opportunity for me."

Ray of hope

Tampa Bay left-hander Scott Kazmir, 22, continues to impress.

Last week, he beat Boston, 3-0, with the first complete game of his career, throwing a two-hitter and striking out 10 against the mighty Red Sox.

"That's what grunts live for -- to catch a game like that," Devil Rays backup catcher Josh Paul told the St. Petersburg Times.

Kazmir is 5-2 with a 2.60 ERA in 11 career starts against Boston.

"He gets more enthused against teams like the Red Sox and the Yankees," Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon said.

"You try to go out there the same way against everybody," Kazmir said, "but [pitching against the Red Sox and Yankees] is a lot more fun. It's much more intense."

Rookie stars

Boston closer Jonathan Papelbon and Florida second baseman Dan Uggla are the only two rookies on All-Star rosters.

"It's a real humbling experience to get voted to this and to be a part of history," Papelbon said. "It's very surreal and very humbling."

"I'm elated," Marlins manager Joe Girardi told the Miami Herald after informing Uggla of his selection. "If I could do cartwheels through the clubhouse, I would."

Pitching problems

Because the St. Louis Cardinals' rotation has struggled over the past month, manager Tony La Russa has been bombarded with questions about changing the team's rotation.

"Kiss my [butt]. That's what I'd tell those critics," La Russa told the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. "We're losing with bullpen and we're losing with managing. We're losing with [an] offense that's not scoring. Why pick on the rotation? I think we're all losing. I've said that before."

Nevertheless, the Cardinals traded for a starting pitcher last week, acquiring Jeff Weaver from the Angels for a minor-leaguer.

Never mind that Weaver, 29, was 3-10 with a 6.29 ERA before the Angels designated him for assignment June 30.

"That's how you get guys like that," La Russa said.

"With the ability he's shown, we think it's a pretty good risk," Cardinals general manager Walt Jocketty said. "Quality pitching may not be available at the end of the month. We've seen the guy pitch a few times a year and still feel he has the assets he's had in the past."

Stealing the spotlight

Tampa Bay speedster Carl Crawford stole home against Boston Wednesday night -- the first time in his life he attempted to steal home.

Why not before?

"Too afraid of getting hit by the bat," Crawford said.

Goofy golf?

In that same game, Crawford caught a fly ball hit by Kevin Youkilis that was redirected after hitting a catwalk that is in play at Tropicana Field.

Boston manager Terry Francona quickly remembered a similar play at the Metrodome a few weeks ago. David Ortiz lost a home run when his drive struck a speaker that is in play.

"This putt-putt golf [stuff] has got to go," Francona told the Boston Globe. "It's stupid. Hitting it around the windmill. This is a major-league game."

The right stuff

Detroit's Kenny Rogers, who picked up his 11th win Wednesday, is aware Chicago manager Ozzie Guillen might start him in the All-Star Game.

"I'd be thrilled," Rogers told the Detroit Free Press, "but if you're going by stuff, I don't consider myself a top-tier guy."

A little surprise

Detroit first base coach Andy Van Slyke on the surprising Tigers' start this season: "I think we're all a little bit pleasantly surprised. I would equate it to if I ever got a B on a test. I was pleasantly surprised that I didn't get a D. The potential was there, but it's always a nice surprise -- for the B."

Anger management

Leyland watched Class A Asheville manager Joe Mikulik's recent on-field, base-throwing, resin-bag-spilling tantrum.

"I laughed so hard," Leyland said. "The guy should be on the 'Ed Sullivan Show.' "

That's not possible, of course, but Mikulik continues to be, uh, recognized for his meltdown.

The Augusta GreenJackets, like Asheville members of the South Atlantic League, will stage "Anger Management Night" when they play host to Asheville Sept. 3.

Among the features?

A base-throwing contest and free stress balls for fans to squeeze.

The Colorado Rockies, Asheville's parent team, asked Mikulik not to comment on the promotion.