Drew Sharp

Detroit Free Press Columnist

Nobody pats the airline on the back, complimenting it for that on-time departure or for offering a bag of stale peanuts that doesn’t require Superman strength to open.

There’s a minimal expectation of job performance that comes without recognition or appreciation. It doesn’t matter that most things follow the script without a hiccup. That’s how it’s supposed to go.

It’s the mistakes that send everyone screaming to customer service.

The baseball manager is a fitting comparison.

The Tigers revived a season rapidly spinning into oblivion at the All-Star break.

There’s no shortage of credit for their climb up the American League Central standings. Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez found renewed power in their bats. Justin Verlander’s pitching like a serious Cy Young candidate. Ian Kinsler merits genuine consideration for American League Most Valuable Player. Michael Fulmer’s the early favorite for AL Rookie of the Year.

But why isn’t anyone even whispering about Brad Ausmus’ legitimate candidacy for American League Manager of the Year should the Tigers keep pushing Cleveland well into September?

Jamie: Whichever Detroit Tigers play have to pull their weight

Defending Ausmus isn’t a popular stance in this town. He’s understandably ripped for decisions that ultimately blew up in his face, making him no different than any other major league manager making tons of decisions each game — some barely noticeable except to the trained eye.

The many moves that work are dismissed as the manager simply doing what he’s paid for.

But the man deserves some credit for keeping this team afloat considering a constant rash of injuries.

The Tigers have underachieved in relation to their overtly bloated $200 million payroll. There were stretches of horrendous baseball. But they didn’t quit. The team clubhouse didn’t take a cue from a blood-thirsty fan base and turn on their manager when the opportunities presented themselves.

The Tigers had won 10 of their last 13 games entering Tuesday night’s contest in Seattle. If the manager merits calls for his head on a platter when a team loses 10 of 13, then it only figures that he must have done more than a few things right when they win 10 of 13.

Ausmus is gradually making a convincing argument that he should remain the Tigers’ manager in 2017 — even if the Tigers just fall shy of the playoffs next month.

Nobody saw that coming nearly three months ago when Ausmus was quite possibly a blown checked-swing call on J.D. Martinez in the top of the eighth inning in Baltimore from getting fired. Instead of an inning-ending strikeout, Martinez and Cabrera slammed back-to-back home runs and the Tigers stole a victory. And Ausmus earned a little breathing room.

But despite the Tigers’ recent surge, they simply cannot stay healthy.

Nick Castellanos is gone until the middle of September at the earliest with a busted hand. Jordan Zimmermann is on the disabled list for the third time this season with a recurrence of neck issues. The Tigers signed him last winter to a five-year $110 million contract as an innings-eating iron man. And Cameron Maybin was headed to the disabled list after Tuesday’s game with a Grade 2 sprain of his left thumb.

The odds still don’t favor the Tigers moving forward. There remain too many concerns with the starting rotation and they haven’t had their fully intact primary everyday lineup available since the middle of June. Though physically held together with chicken wire and chewing gum, the Tigers are keeping the heat on the division-leading Indians.

At some point, even the strongest critics must give an appreciative nod to Ausmus.

Contact Drew Sharp: dsharp@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @drewsharp. To read his recent columns, go to freep.com/sports/drew-sharp/. Download our Tigers Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!