The Quarter Report: Pitchers

Life has caught up with me lately! Between spending three weeks in Texas and the excitement of having the.best.person.ever propose, I am now just beginning to get back on track with things.

What better way to get back on track, then giving a report card to acknowledge the progress of the team thus far? Without further ado:

The Pitchers:

Jeremy Bonderman, C+.
I didn't have high hopes for Bondo when the season began. I thought after 1.5 season away from the game would deter his success. However, he has pitched better than his record has suggested. He has been trying to reinvent himself into a thinking pitcher, so, invite Kenny Rogers out for a series, buy him some beers, and pick his brain. I think by the end of the season he'll be a respectable #3 starter; decent, but not overwhelming.

Eddie Bonine, A-.
Bonine has been pretty effective out of the pen... so much so, I was hoping to see him promoted to the rotation when then dismissed Mad Max to Toledo. In 16 appearances, he has a 3-0 record, and ERA standing at 1.59, and on average only allows 1 hit per appearance. Not bad. I'd give him a solid A if not for the 9 walks.

Phil Coke, B.

I dig Coke (of the baseball kind) for several reasons. First, I think my fiance looks like him. Second, at Spring Training, he stopped on his way of the park while driving THE MOST GIGANTIC TRUCK EVER, and signed autographs for everyone that asked. Third, he has been mostly effective out of the pen. A 3-0 record, an ERA under 3.50, and the league is hitting .239 off him. He needs better control though as evidenced by two HB, and 8 runs allowed in 19 innings. I suspect he is the kind who needs to pitch a clean inning ( a la Miner).

Alfredo Figaro, F.
Figaro=fail. Moving on.

Arrrrrrrmmmmmannnndo Galarraga, Incomplete.
I can't grade a pitcher off of one performance (even if it was a performance that had me doing the happy dance: 5 2/3 innings, 1 run, 3 hits). Take it one game at a time, he of the best name to yell, and you might stick around for the long haul.

Fu-Te Ni, B-/C+.
I love Fu-Te Ni. He reminds me of Ramon Santiago a tad: a little dude, quiet, goes about his business, and if you give him a chance, he'll deliver for you. However, I don't think Leyland is giving Ni the love for one reason: all those damn walks. If Ni can cut down on the free passes, he'd get a higher grade from me-and more calls from Leyland.


Ryan Perry, C+.
Oh, Ryan Perry, he of the great tattoos and the only man in the pen that can actually rock the mohawk. Are his stats good? Sure. Why am I giving him a fair grade? He needs to think more when he pitches! He is Zumaya circa '07 (when he'd actually pitch): He is just throwing, and hoping for swings and misses. Think young boy, think, and you'll be Valverde's successor, not Zoom.

Rick Porcello, B-.
Dreamboat Rick only rates this high because he has been improving since the start of the season--oh but the start of the season made me wonder of a sophomore slump. Does he feel like after getting the ball in game 163 he has nothing left to prove? I don't know, but your name is not Justin Verlander, I'm just saying...

Max Scherzer, D-.
Mad Max, I had high hopes for you. Ugh. I hope half a season in Toledo does you good son, because you are not allowed to come back until you learn not to give up five runs in the first inning.

Brad Thomas, C.
Eddie Bonine you are not. I was disappointed that DD offered you a MILLION DOLLARS in the off season, because you were an unspectacular risk. You have been solid, have a knack for pitching out of trouble (do you hang out with Dontrelle in the off time?), and sometimes give me heart palpitations. You'll do well enough this season to snag a multi-year deal from some crappy team like the Astros--and then probably turn into a kick ass reliever (see, Durbin, Chad of the Phillies and Byrdak, Tim of the Astros).

Jose Valverde, A.

I approved of this deal in the off season, when most others did not. He is a shut the door closer (something we haven't had since we played on the corner of Trumbull) and brings a swagger to the mound that the rest of the bullpen feeds off of. Who cares if Papa Grande does the Mashed Potato on the mound after each save, because he can do whatever he wants when he strikes out A-roid!

Justin Verlander, B+.

In the month of April, he didn't have that evil glint to his eye. I was afraid that he was suffering from new contract-itis (I'm looking at you Josh Beckett, for screwing up my fantasy team stats). By May, he looks like he eats kittens for breakfast. Welcome back, JV. This may be the year you win the Cy Young.

Dontrelle Willis, C.

The object of Tim's man crush is such an enigma. If Willis can get through the season with 8 wins, an ERA hovering around 5, and the Tigers above .500, the season will be a total win for both parties. The Tigers will not resign him, but be gracious about it, and we can usher in the era of Casey Crosby...

Joel Zumaya, B+

Welcome back, Zoom. I had once labeled you the Mark Fidyrich of my generation, but your 2.08 ERA, and your OPP avg of .248 makes me wonder if you really, and truly, are back. You have been the perfect set up man for Papa Grande, so take notes, so you can inherit his job one day...

Overall, thank goodness the bullpen has been dominant, because the rotation has had some question marks in it. Starters, 6 and 2/3 innings is what I want from you guys, you hear me? Bullpen, keep doing that thing you do (even if it does mean giving each other mohawks).

Dear Ernie Harwell...

I would just like to thank you for not only touching my life, but the lives of millions of Detroit Tiger fans. You lived a life filled with graciousness and humility, and many wish that they could emulate your lifestyle. You are not only a legend due to your broadcasting skills, but for your character as well. May you live as an exciting adventure in your next life as you did in this one.

So, I've Been Busy Like Whoa...

So, now I am posting some Opening Day Goodness!



Before the Festivities...



Let the Games Begin!



Of Course It Was Only 38 Degrees Out! But Kim and I Don't Mind! We Cheered Every Time the Sun Came Out :)



Going For The Win!



Hopefully We See More of This!

Of Course the Weather Was Beautiful the Next Day....

A Spectacular Start

image taken from Mlive

One game down, 161 to go. I cannot remember an Opening Day as spectacular as this one.

So, anyone who is reading the DTL (all four you), what did we learn?

• As much as he may try, Greinke cannot carry the Royals all by himself.
• Verlander still needs to learn how to be more economical with his pitches (please, please, please, don't let him suffer from new contract syndrome).
• Damon was worth the drama this off season if he is going to produce like this most of the time. I think he and Austin Jackson will be a great 1-2 punch this season.
• I didn't realize how much Kansas City picks from our scrap heap (really, Farnsworth, you're still around?)
• That was one helluva 7th inning. You can hit the ball! You can score runs! You don't have to squander!

First place (even for a day) is a good feeling folks.

But what a day around baseball! It's no wonder I am a fan! The highlights:

• Jason Heyward hit a massive homer at his first at bat. I saw him in a Spring Training game against the Tigers, and I am not surprised. If he was a Tiger, I'd buy his jersey right now. That kid is special.
• Mr. Potato Head, aka Placido Polanco, hit a Slam on Opening Day. Really, Polly? Where was that power when you were a Tiger? Seriously, tho, bad ass.
• Perennial NL MVP Pujols homered twice. That man is a beast.
• Mark Buerhle may have won his second Gold Glove yesterday. Watch that play here. That takes the place of Neifi's flip play as the coolest flip I have ever seen.

I bartended 12 hours yesterday, and watched baseball for ten of those hours. Not a bad gig.

10 Lessons Learned from Lakeland '10

One of my favorite baseball writers, Jon Paul Morosi, recently wrote a piece called 10 for '10, with his 10 predictions for Major League Baseball. While a post detailing 10 for '10 for the Tigers' season is planned, why not take a look at 10 lessons learned from Lakeland:

10. Cabrera is "Back to MVP form"
Look. I am ssssooooooo sick of the alcoholic jokes about Miguel Cabrera, and with sports writers saying that he will have an MVP season this year now that he is "clean." Miguel had a great season last year (.324 AVG/34 HR/103 RBI). Normally, that would be considered an MVP campaign by anyone, if it weren't for an alcohol drenched weekend in September (and a super human robot named Joe Mauer). Cabrera didn't lose the pennant for us. We lost it ourselves by not capitalizing on runners in scoring position, letting Dontrelle Willis pitch for us in May, not upgrading the back of the rotation until August, and having a black hole of suckitude at the bottom of the batting order. I think Cabrera will put up identical numbers, and secure more MVP votes now that he is "clean." I'm not condoning boozing it up, I'm just saying, enough with the jokes already!

9. Johnny Damon Loves Detroit
Johnny Damon loves Detroit. Detroit was his first choice after New York. Damon had his teammates over for video games. Yada, yada, yada... I for one, cannot wait for the caveman to run the bases. Damon was exactly what this team needed after losing game 163: a shot in the arm of fun (and well, a true table setter). And the fact that he does naked pull ups in the clubhouse is pretty cool too.

8. Leyland Has a Sense of Humor
Supposedly, when Willis was getting roughed up in his last outing, Leyland told him he made the rotation while giving him the hook. That's kind of sadistic. And I like that.


7. Dombrowski Only Likes Left Handed Relievers
In the big trade, we got Coke and Schlereth. Nate Robertson and his 10 million was only worth a AA LOOGY. Add them to Brad Thomas, Fu Te Ni, and well, you've got a cluster$%^& in the pen. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD DOMBROWSKI, WE NEED A LEFTY BAT, NOT A LEFTY RELIEVER.

6.Maggs' Bat is REALLY LOUD
What the hell does this really mean? Hopefully it means lots of extra base hits and RBIs. If it means line drives caught by Granderson when the Yanks visit, then I am pissed.

5. When DD Makes a Trade, He Does So With Class
He traded Granderson to the Yankees, a perennial contender. Ejax will benefit from moving to the National League. Robertson will get to be a starter, instead of working in long relief. I bet these boys are glad that Dombrowski is not bff with the GM of the Nationals.

4. Austin Jackson is the Real Deal
A lead off hitter that doesn't swing at bad pitches, is patient, hits triples, and can hit left handed pitches. Holy moly, Tiger Fans, we have a real lead off hitter! Listen, I love Granderson as a person and as a role model, but he was better suited for hitting in the 5 hole, not lead off. If he produces half as well during the season as he did in Spring Training, he will have the fans of the D saying "Grandy who?"

3. The Managers Prefer Players Who Wear Their Sox High
Dontrelle made the rotation over Nate, and it wasn't because he's the better pitcher. High sox make you an "it" player. And at the end of the day, the managers were able to overlook Donnie Kelly dropping the ball in the lights at the House of Horrors to reward him with the 25th spot on the roster. Sorry Cletus. I swear it's because he wears his sox high-as all players should!

2. The Tigers Have Some Hot Minor League Players
Could the outfield of 2011 consist of Casper Wells, Wilkin Ramirez, Maggs, and Ajax? If so, don't slip in my pool of drool on the floor. The future is looking really, really hot in Detroit folks.

1. At the End of the Day, It's Just Spring Training
Monday morning, we'll all be in first place. Spring Training will just be a memory, a play ground where the Tigers just practice kicking ass and taking names. There are 162 games to have wins, losses, injuries, blow outs and shutouts. I just hope we are ready!

Love From Lakeland

My ever kind boyfriend, Tim, on the quest to learn the love the sport that I love, suggested we take a trip to Lakeland, Florida over his spring break. I, the hater of Michigan ickness, and lover of all things baseball, was quick to agree. My camera died on the first day we were there, but I made up for it the second day, taking some 250 pictures of, well, everything...

We were there for the Yankees visit, and Armando was scheduled to start. Guess who has to wait in line at the gift shop like everyone else?



I guess it is no surprise that Armando had a typical Gag outing...



That was the view from our seats on the lawn. Granderson had a great reception from the crowd, just warming up. The view wasn't as sad as I thought it would be, as AJax is the real deal folks.




Tim bet me a tasty beverage (they sell THREE types of Bells folks) if Gmoney hit a homer at any time in the game. And I'll be damned, he hit a freakin' grand slam! There is hope!



I caught Curtis for an autograph after the game. Still classy Curtis, as always.

When I link the rest of my photos onto some site, I'll share the views of the park, and of the alligator that almost bit Tim's toes off. My hockey loving boyfriend is already talking about going again next year, it is that good of a time. If you have a chance to go, go, because not only do you get to see the present Tigers, you get to see the future Tigers. And trust me, the future Tigers are looking g-o-o-d.

Welcome!

So... another blog. Another Detroit Tiger blog. Please don't yawn and dismiss me already. This blog is all about the love.

I've have been a baseball fan for most of my life, with my allegiances laying with the Detroit Tigers. My parents will tell you stories of taking me to games during the 1984 season, when I was all of three years old, waving my pictures of the players that came inside the cereal boxes. I am fan of the first day of the season, where everyone has a chance this season (I'm lookin' at you, Kansas City). I love how good a hot dog tastes (even though I can't eat one away from the park). I love when the players storm the field, filled with promise. I love talking trash about the other team, proving my knowledge amongst a group of men who don't know anything (but think they do), and I love the sound of the ball coming off the bat. I mean, what's not to love?

I'll tell you what's not to love. Media outlets that don't give the Tigers (or you) any love.

I have been on other Detroit Tiger websites. There are the websites that just provide the facts, but no sizzle. There are the sites that allow you to have your own opinion, but if the blogger does not agree with you, then tough. I haven't been able to find a site where the Tigers, the blogger, and the readers were able to share the love. So, I decided to create one.

As this site becomes more detailed, (and more slick looking, as I need some help with that--maybe I can bribe you, the reader, to help?) I want feedback. Do you want to learn about that "WAR thing" you have been hearing about? Done. Do you want to have a lively debate about who the hottest Tiger is? Done. Do you have a jonesin' for some Detroit Tiger history? Done. Do you just need a humorous recap or live feed of the night's game? Done, done, done and done.

This is going to be a friendly place to talk and learn about Detroit baseball. And other teams too, because, well, what the Twins do DOES affect the Tigers. It is going to be a place to love the Detroit Tigers, because as we all know, Lynn Henning sure as hell doesn't (but likes to think so).

Cheers to a great season!