Nobody loses better than the Tigers

DETROIT

Maybe manager Alan Trammell and coaches Kirk Gibson and Lance Parrish should step out of the dugout and return to the Detroit Tigers' lineup.

They couldn't possibly be worse than the players who produced the first consecutive 0-9 starts in major league history.

Just a sampling of the stats in which Detroit ranks last in baseball:

batting average: .160;

home runs: three;

runs: 20;

Heading into today's game at reigning AL Central champion Minnesota, the Tigers are 1-10 and already 8 1/2 games out of first place in the division.

"It's mind-boggling," said Carlos Pena, hitting .115 with one RBI. "I would say, out of luck, somebody on the team would be contributing."

There is plenty of blame to go around, from the players who probably still should be in the minors to the well-paid veterans such as Bobby Higginson, Dean Palmer, Dmitri Young and Steve Sparks, who are making a combined $31.6 million -- out of a total payroll of $49.2 million.

"Everybody, young and old, feels responsible for this," said the 34-year-old Palmer, who also happens to be batting .115. "And whether you're a rookie or a guy that is toward the end of your career, this feels awful."

It's not all that shocking to see Detroit at the bottom of the standings, of course. The Tigers lost their first 11 games last year and tied Tampa Bay for the worst record in baseball, 55-106.

But the Tigers' consistency when it comes to incompetence is noteworthy. Look at the Devil Rays, for example. Their victory over the New York Yankees on Sunday gave them a 5-7 record -- nothing to brag about, perhaps, but hardly embarrassing.

"It's always disappointing when you start off not winning. But in our situation, we didn't expect to come out and win the pennant," Tigers president Dave Dombrowski said.

Detroit is baseball's losingest team the past decade and has not had a winning season since 1993.

Even though Detroit was not expected to win this season, some thought former star shortstop Trammell might make a difference in his first year as a manager.

"It's my job to work with the guys we have and get them better," Trammell said. "I have to take the brunt of it and say, 'You know what, I haven't done the job -- flat out.' But I am determined to somehow, some way, get this thing going in the right direction."

There are some signs of hope.

The Tigers are among the major league leaders in fielding percentage after being the AL's worst defensive team last season. And starting pitchers Mike Maroth and Gary Knotts have combined for three quality starts, even though they're a combined 0-4.

"There's no question this is frustrating," said closer Matt Anderson, who earned the save in Detroit's lone win, Saturday against the Chicago White Sox. "But there will be better days."

Dombrowski insists Trammell, Gibson and Parrish -- all part of the team's fourth and most recent World Series championship team, in 1984 -- were not hired merely to spur fan interest.

That trio, however, is featured in a TV ad aimed at selling tickets, and Trammell is on the cover of the media guide.

Fans aren't exactly responding.

The Tigers have sold an average of 16,519 tickets for their first eight home games -- down nearly 2,000 from the same time last season -- and have hosted the two smallest crowds since moving to Comerica Park from Tiger Stadium in 2000.

It's been so quiet at home games that a singing hot dog vendor can be heard during broadcasts, as can hecklers. Doughnut races on the scoreboard often draw louder cheers than on-field action.

When Detroit surpassed the 1962-63 New York Mets for the worst consecutive starts in baseball, Pena said the Tigers would keep their heads held high even if they went 0-162.

"We're not going to be ashamed," Pena said, "and we're going to continue to play hard."