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Manager Jim Leyland On Tigers' Season: 'We're Not Performing Well'

Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland admitted tonight that he's willing to accept criticism for his team's sub-.500 start, as his Tigers are "not performing well" through the first six weeks of the season.

"I'm a grown man, and I'm a realist, and I think if you've seen me over the six years that I've been here, I get a little snippy once in a while when I think people are unfair," Leyland told the Associated Press. "They're not being unfair right now. I can take it. I'm a man. We have to take it. We're not performing well."

After winning the American League Central by 15 games and advancing to the AL Championship Series in 2011, the Tigers had even higher expectations this year, having added marquee free agent Prince Fielder among other key players. This year's team, however, is 19-20. The Cleveland Indians have a solid grip on the division lead in 2012.