Jim Leyland and Tiger Woods

I have no idea whether former Detroit Tigers' manager Jim Leyland and renowned golfer Tiger Woods even know each other. But if not, a third party should introduce them because not only do they have things in common, they could make a spectacular dynamic duo.

Consider Leyland. He stepped down last year (or was quietly pushed out the door, who knows?) and most assumed he was retired from baseball. But no. He couldn't stay away. Leyland evidently assumed some mysterious position within the Tiger hierarchy, but nobody seems to know just exactly what his job is or what responsibilities, if any, it entails. It's a secret.

Nevertheless, Jimbo showed up in Lakeland, site of the Tigers' spring training, and recently offered up some words of wisdom regarding Danny Worth -- a long-time Tiger prospect that can never quite seem to get over the hump and stick in the big leagues. After yet another terrific showing in the grapefruit league -- once again Danny Boy is headed back to the minors.

Quoth the Marlboro Man -- I think Danny Worth deserved to make the club out of spring training. Or maybe not. He should have been on the team, but he shouldn't have. Very rarely do guys get screwed coming out of spring training, but..... they got screwed. That's just the way it works.

Well gee, thanks Skipper. It's all crystal clear now. Here's one for you. Confucius say -- man who manage Pirates, Marlins and Rockies for 14 years while compiling overall winning percentage of .486, then fall into sweet gig with Tigers for 8 more years, should bless fortune cookies.

Like Leyland and baseball, Tiger Woods can't seem to stay away either -- from the cameras and microphones. Eldrick has complained of "back spasms" of late, causing him to withdraw during the midst of certain tournaments, and skip others he would normally play altogether. Has he really been hurt, or is his game in such a shambles that he doesn't want to embarrass himself out on tour? Only Tiger knows for sure.

Yet it seems odd that Tiger could play the entire 72 holes, and win his last major -- the 2008 US Open -- while gutting it out in Rambo fashion on one leg -- but now "back spasms" have put him out of commission. It reminds yours truly of Serena Williams, another #1 ranked player in the world, though in a different sport.

Between Serena and Eldrick -- as long as they're cruising to wins -- everything is hunky dory. But if they get beat, an "injury" of some sort always seems to be involved. Make of that what you will, but neither has ever been willing to step up and say they just played bad. "The other guy/girl were just better that day and deserved to win" is a phrase that has yet to come out of either's mouth. There's nothing wrong with an athlete being confident, even having some swagger. Yet every once in a while, showing a little humility might just go a long ways with the viewing public as well.

Back to Leyland and Woods. Not sure if Jimbo golfs or Eldrick has a clue about baseball. But these are two alpha-males if we've ever seen them. While both attempt to guard their private lives like the Secret Service guards Obama at the White House -- neither can seem to stay away from the microphones for very long. One way or the other, they continue to want their voices to be heard -- dammit.

So here's an idea. Get Leyland and Woods together to sing a song. Let them belt out a rousing rendition of "Ebony and Ivory" ala Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder did back in 1982. If it was such a hit then, then why not a remake?

Jim sitting on my left and Eldrick to my right, while I sat on the middle of the piano bench providing the accompaniment. Add my yorkies on our laps rounding out the 5 part harmony with their back-up vocals. Now THAT would no doubt be a YouTube sensation. I'd even promise not to smoke a Marlboro or complain of a sore back during such a performance.