Tigers say see-ya to C-Mo; Maybin era begins
By The Heckler
Baseball Big Mouth
baseball news
Ya had to see it coming. It was the slump that turned into a season and, as a result, Craig Monroe is no longer a Detroit Tiger. Well, perhaps technically he still is — but not for long. Designated for assignment, the team now has 10 days to trade or release him. Sure, he’ll catch on somewhere else. He’ll probably even do well, eventually — he’ll just no longer do it for the Detroit Tigers, that’s all. Who would have thought in the euphoria of last season’s playoff run that, less 
than one year later, Monroe would now be on the outside looking in? If any player hit more big homeruns last year than Monroe, The Heckler can’t think of him. In fact, the BaseballBigMouth.com crew were there in person for his grand slam against the White Sox last July 19th at Comerica Park. And who could forget his blast against the Yankees later in the year? It just seemed that, when dialed in, no other Tiger was more money in 2006 than C-Money. But 2007? Not only wasn’t he dialed in, more times than not, there was no dial tone whatsoever . . .
Beautiful when it worked, Monroe’s swing was rarely weak
How does this happen to a player at that level? Sure, pitchers adjust. That long, majestic looping swing was sure to leave many pitcher’s salivating at the prospect of facing Monroe, especially this year when things were going so horribly wrong. But then again, he always had that swing. Was it some whispered off-the-field habits Monroe had picked up? Pure speculation. More than likely, as is the case in most of these sudden fall-from-grace plummets, the descent lies right between the ears of that particular player — namely, as Pudge Rodriquez so eloquently put it one time, “In the head? Is dee brain.” — and for Monroe? Clearly, the more he pressed, the worse things got. And the worst things got, the more and more likely the end result would be this . . . and so it goes. Thanks for the big knocks, Craig. Good-luck wherever it is you land next . . .
As one door closes, another one opens, and so begins the Cameron Maybin era in Detroit. How good he will be, especially at the tender age of 20, who knows. Let’s not forget how young that really is, gang. Think back to when you were 20. Talent or not, that’s still a baby in the land of very-adult baseball. I mean, the kid’s still got braces on his teeth fer cryin’ out loud. Then again, talent is talent, and The Heckler — like all Detroit Tigers’ fans — are surely looking forward to seeing Maybin’s career unfold. Sure, last night didn’t exactly start off well: four AB’s, two K’s, a week grounder that ended up hitting him in fair territory and a weak fly to right — not to mention muffing a ball in unfamiliar left field that led to two more Yankees runs — but one game does not a career make, obviously.
GM Dave Dombrowski has called him THE best position player he has ever drafted, including guys like Larry Walker, Vlad Guerrero and many others. Heady praise indeed, but with it come the expectations. Heavy is the head that wears the crown. Can Maybin become the ruler of Detroit? It’s possible, eventually, one day. But what about this year? Is the contribution he will bring at this level sure to usurp that which Monroe could have brought? Tough to say. It wouldn’t be a shock to see him struggle. It takes real guts to pull a move like this on a team with eyes on winning the World Series. That’s why guys like Dombrowski get paid the big money that they do. The Heckler isn’t too sure he would have done the same. But, let the games begin, and more aptly, the Maybin era. Should be a fun ride in the end, let’s just hope the beginning isn’t too bumpy.
- The Heckler
CLICK HERE to read Punch’s take on Bonds’ bashing
CLICK HERE as Punch puts things Bonds in historical perspective
CLICK HERE to read The Hecklers’ take on MLB waffling on recognizing feat
Photo copyright BaseballBigMouth.com and the Heckler
- All rights reserved -