Jerry Crasnick, ESPN.com

That there was baseball being played out Oakland is the Detroit Tigers -- tuneup -- lead over the Oakland -- their best of seven ails the guest joining us. On the line now from espn.com world body Jerry crass -- crash tests. Hey dale I do our great thanks very ill can also named the entire Shannon tweed tomography Shannon -- Omar. It's basically the stadium will be -- Oh by hotel room. You did -- part of it. Let's review how many stars a stunning.

I don't think it was a horrible was everybody admitted out beyond -- hardcore Reds -- like that Milosevic

I have to admit as a Red Sox fan I was a little well. As we know mean like -- the hardest thing they do in Hollywood Hollywood just can't get this hard to do with the Boston accent.

Yes that's true it's really top I go to -- had departed so it's pretty easily. Yeah I think I read somewhere that.

That they had they were working with the locals and and making sure they had their Boston accent together. You know -- everyone does the whole exaggerated pocket copy -- and that's place.

Now of course. Idea are the Oakland days in deep deep trouble in this series.

Well yeah I have to say they're in pretty big trouble I mean they're down to nothing -- back to Detroit where it's going to be about 45 degrees them. You know lab that there -- controls -- the case itself you know like Suharto guidebook for the series of baseball guy and help me. You know you've got guys run it up there in 959698 Aurora higher and everybody out a little bit slower this time a year in. You know I think BA's during that position where they feel like -- we don't have the lead after five or six innings we're going to be in trouble against the teams so you know it indicates on Friday where they're going to have to try to. Jump up faster it's it's definitely I'm numb you know psychological.

Craft the let's talk about the -- for a second when did you see this coming everyone now is talking about their pitching in and how great it is and they have to be the favorite but did you see this and June July or was it just the playoffs.

No it's actually funny -- last spring we have we came up with a sturdy we said let's stick to surprised -- two teams that could be like the White Sox have this year. And -- didn't have any problem an Ashley got picked the Milwaukee Brewers which as you know worked out tremendous.

Good job by you press Brooke -- Good job by --

Good job by may and the American league it was funny I talked to a bunch of people. If I finally came up with the Minnesota twin you know because they want to -- 80 dreary four games last year. You know people that with -- though in and gave -- you know they were keen that it could be get over the hump this year get to the playoffs so that they actually turned out to be a pretty good picked. But dumb somebody other people -- talked to wanted to murmured the words Terry Ryan in the towards general manager in Terry Ryan said. I think he should pick the Detroit Tigers and you know I asked -- and the other people I talked to said. Good young power arms Jim Leyland the guy who really is one of those spew. Difference maker type of managers. Into the wind up pretty do it it's just the question of a lot of these guys put their Ordonez and parts have have gotten hurt but they did have a sort of a solid veteran lineup so. They want the core of people in baseball even last spring who thought -- came to be a surprise team you know did people think that they can get to the World Series. That probably was a reach spread I think there were people out there without the game had potential.

You mentioned Jim -- be -- a difference makers and we were talking about this earlier before he came -- What makes the -- difference.

Well I mean -- type of people who played for him -- jury Berkshire armor crews was urgent Philly who played for Pittsburgh and they used to say that he was amazing just in terms of. Getting all 45 guys feel like they were part of attainment. You know -- say that typically people want wise it'd be that hard you know but legal under the guy who you know he he would reap immediate died before that he's driven. Read up on a -- no what does interest swore and maybe that guy he was from Minnesota like hockey you know we will go to find some sort of common bomb what -- guy. Maybe there wasn't baseball related and he would get through to that guy and you know record that you think well geez that's common sense everybody should be that way but a lot of managers -- And -- just as a way of I think tapping into each guy and getting the most out of.

We have no I have. I don't want to throw Michael under the -- I have kind of mocked Billy being for -- of the idea that you know my job is to get them their and then what happens there isn't my fault anymore you know and and I guess based on reports he was understated in the aftermath of their first series win against the Minnesota Twins and he'll be understated in the aftermath of this loss if that happens. Does the general manager bear any responsibility for what happens here. Oh.

Well yeah I mean I guessed that he you know by all. Typical standard it is a pretty successful these that I mean their their division where you know some teams with big payrolls them. Yeah I mean this is always going to be a burden I think that Billy -- is going to have to bare back you know we'd seen it with the Atlanta Braves -- I don't know that any management team is better than -- you know really it's hard to win at all in our beard. You can get to the post these and then get through the first round but the -- three series in October. There are things such -- blocked him -- injuries and whose -- it is not you know I don't know that Billy beane has that much to apologize for. You know what I will say -- the -- were starting a team I mean I certainly wouldn't have any reservations about. Billy -- running it he's going to give you 18 of of you know point where it can compete. Deep into the -- and then you know -- do some things may be to get them over the top by death but he does their payroll restrictions and you know I think the guy does is art.

I don't want to call it demise because the team is made the playoffs for 11 consecutive years but. What do you think about the playoff collapse will call it that of the Yankees and the subsequent talk there may be Joe -- his time was up in New York.

Well it was very meet Turkish and I mean it was amazing how. Going into the post these larger -- of well where is where this might be his best managing job and you know he's he's done such a terrific job done and you know it's -- Medicare and that sort of thing and then. You know these guys don't hit and the next thing you know -- it's not that they're going to talk about his status it's that -- been fired you know that loop De -- going to be yen it just goes to show you are difficult to -- New York is to work him. Yeah I mean Gee maybe Joe -- he'd have to light a fire become a little bit better -- but it -- you know I look at all the junk becomes our New York just every single day. And -- everything has the potential to become a huge bad I mean a huge back page -- controversy. And I defy you to find anybody other than Joe -- who's better than the fusing rap stuff from the guys just. He really is great in terms of his demeanor in the way he handled the media and George Steinbrenner and you know he's going to get this one more year and if if it doesn't work I mean he might be over shortly -- it's conceivable think that if they don't want it next year's that this might be his last year.

The Oakland days are one of -- idols former teams that he pitched for what was the atmosphere like in Oakland as word was coming out of what was going on -- New York

the same as everywhere else but I think it is the third shot there it was -- up I was that enough hotel. And I saw you know the plane toward the Booth of the fire in the hotel a few million in the apartment building. And you know just shocked about it thought it was terrorism vigorously and -- over the park and and I visit there there was checking and one of the writers you know mentioned there was court relied alone. It was just amazing to meet Arafat -- travel -- hey you know how. Something terms -- is terrific to begin with turns into something they're really that close to home. You know the guys like -- and Chavez who played -- you could tell they were they were pretty downbeat pretty upset that he was in Philadelphia this year's you know we're which is where I work than I did at -- part we have you know couple times him. You won't order those guys that the writers like you know he he enjoyed talking with the -- he was very outspoken he got himself in trouble sometimes but that. There was just erupt all over that ballpark if I'm sure there was in the -- and maybe the more responsive public supposed to mean.

Not I understand he was pretty passionate about flying and being a pilot I'm not seeing a lot of guys in baseball pilots that what's your sense of guys. In the game who have their own planes or use private planes.

Well let me baseball -- the you know like all sports grapples with this thing of injuries I mean it's not just plain there -- guys on motorcycles who got -- that we we've seen that I'm sure now would convenient mistaken and that sort of thing in guys having money Yemen that this thing I think cost them almost sort of thousand dollars well. If players can can do it they're going to do certain you know guys have a sense of adventure and invincibility being ballplayers -- it's really drums on route as dramatically as you could look you know ballplayers are immune from Renton. You know it -- the terrible failure you know like get -- they -- the report comes out what caused the steering him. You know I'd guess that would feel a little bit better -- entering it it's probably. From people who talked to him how devoted he was and how serious he was about flying I'm sure he was a reckless with the despairing it was probably just. You know maybe some sort of equipment malfunction or read that there was a possibility if you could be corrupted Irving will see that. You know regardless of how -- it's a horrible thing he left the white subsidiary armaments to it's really is tragic news.

With talked about the American league championship series your thoughts or or ideas on how the NL CS will play out.

Well I'm in the personality it's funny because there -- this perception that momentum is very important you know -- after the break a good September. And there are very few exceptions -- that so there we have the tigers who finished 19 and 30 warm and the cardinals almost blew it made their half game lead with a -- at Apple have -- I don't -- like the Mets in this series I know they're starting pitching as a Mass but that. They do have a really strong lineup you know to -- running -- Jeff Weaver you know we're at a post -- it is not a good sign I think saint Louis spent taking gamer too. Would Chris Carpenter an Albert Pujols but I don't have a hard time believing that they've Lewis. Has an FB ammunition that the winner of seven games series with a team that other than the starting pitching is it is well round group about --

is -- that's what about the American league for a second we -- the tigers 80s the Yankees in the twins in the playoffs how far away other Red Sox from the state.

Well I don't think they're that far away they they have to make them better moods what put it that way. You know when you look at the fact -- a lot of the teams this year you know derived fuel from player that they got from -- talks it just goes to show what you have some guys in the farm system -- produced you can make great strides so. You know they have to Gordon and approved the starting pitching -- if they have to figure out Nixon situations they have to you know you've been with Loretta important -- you know who play expected bait but I -- they have questions and the and the Mini situation obviously something that's really going to -- every -- is going to be something that's going to have to be resolved well. I don't think they're that far away having made they do have. Chilling impact it may have about papelbon moving into the rotation and that's a pretty good scores so but we you know he'll have to have a better winter this year that we have -- in the team have last -- and and make 45 good -- directly if they do you know motivation here at the little picture.

Now -- reading Peter gammons said that Manny. He quoted -- what's planned the national league now what have you heard about the Manny Ramirez trade talks are or are there any me any rumors trade talks.

Well -- loading -- things I've heard it you know over the Indians supposedly have some interest words you know probably doesn't -- would have just given the where they usually -- 13 I mean as I mentioned before I do work in Philadelphia and they have 80 you know disgruntled -- left fielder that they'd like to get rid of and pat burl. Yeah it's that this but it idea that I just don't -- the regular sort of have any it is spending. Maybe -- with his baggage of its problems pretty -- pretty dark productive player you know I don't I think the -- he you know to me at least affect the you have two guys. Who have big contract who who want to -- that sort of thing it's one that might come up but it bid by your note sent combat I'd I think I'd probably tell Howard -- people about to rebook it -- pat -- back.

Crass on a scale of one to ten where one is ain't gonna happen and ten is pitching uniform changed. What are the chances that Manny and Alex Rodriguez will change teams this summer.

I think it's probably have at least a fiber that you know they're going to be obstacles that these stains but I. You know -- filling in New York is what looked at me Joe -- Firing Joe -- and bringing him loop you know -- but it major's statement you're the Yankees and you -- 2000 you really do have to be something very significant that are going to be Joe Tory -- the Caribbean. You know wrote to me they're going to make a lot of public comments they may erupt on the public -- but I want to stay but the -- quiet diplomacy -- you you quietly -- Scott -- contract -- you know whatever you -- that you -- things have to happen but Dom I think the start point toward its if they can get the -- guilt for ever really making a dramatic statement and moving their and what the Red -- I think it's if it's the federal will you know to me -- Fairly remarkable I mean he he still can head his contract is not an honor those reports were. But he again you have to get something pretty good in the really good in return for every recruit in earlier the world premiere regulated hitters of the week been in the league in a baseball -- I think it's at least 5050 or both of these dark.

Well -- people who know A-Rod say this guy loves a challenge that he's not going to back down from the New York situation even if the New York media is that his head are all these doctor in his -- about failing that he wants to come back and has no trade clause and is that your sense that despite the commentary in the criticism that he's going to be in New York and he wants to be in New York.

Well I mean you know already I have to say that -- could be every sector of the split is getting in my head -- problems. He can be rated for eternity be you know bluster only my colleague get video SP that I -- has put it very well several part of that you know no matter what -- does next season. Between now -- next October -- almost irrelevant you know and that I think it's going to Hang over him. And he can say we want but I was that their last series and by his body language he looked like the guy who just wanted to get every battle over what -- quickly as possible -- throughout the third at least he wasn't striking out. And Edward I to starting a guy who struggled one year they were talking. Feel Europe agree and stage three years of -- You know it'd have to be portrayed as the Yankees doing it it being the best thing for everybody involved him not -- out of New York or for giving up on New York and I think in no way you can get it but publicly it does have to be. The -- perception that have to exist that he wants to stay there and I think he can exceed you know so and so there's a lot of images to be protected also if they try to put this thing together.

A craft that's -- story we can't get into it now but you said body language we're not a lot of talk about body language on this station because -- happily Tom Brady few weeks ago. So we'll let you pass this time for the next time we talk nobody.

Nobody like -- office. Is I guess they have develop some better his demeanor on the field demeanor.

That might work for which by the way means the exact same thing but don't break the new system might not like -- body language.

Are there out there -- that I didn't know that was.

I had that's not so well April Michael. And use a lot of court before 2007 you'll admit to be the top Brady body language is a non story.

final question from me before we go if we assume that Detroit goes on to win this series and I think they well. Are they the prohibitive favorite to then beat whoever comes out of a nationally.

Yeah I have to -- dog and I distort the theory that the American league is about ten times better than the national league and you know what you lose if you consider that probably eight of the top diner ten teams in baseball -- from the American league. Justice the project on Latin -- just the pitching may have you know starting a -- with depth you know how would match up against either one of those other clubs I think you have to take the tigers the prohibitive favorite.

as well -- appreciate time enjoy the rest the series and I have a feeling we'll talk again I think our currency is they'll carry