Tigers suffering through minor problems
By Punch N. Judy
BaseballBigMouth.com baseball news
It’s funny how the fans sense of impending doom is reflected at the turnstiles. After becoming accustomed to the sight of a sold out Comerica Park for most of the summer, last night’s game attendance (32,980) shed some light on the general malaise being felt by the Tiger faithful – Punch included. Losing 27 of 40 games will do that to you.
Unlike most late season flops however, the Tigers doldrums have little to do with overpaid talent not living up to its potential. The guys in the opposite dugout last night would fall into that category. Rather it’s the unplanned influx of minor leaguers Detroit has been compelled to use since the All-Star break that has been the real problem. Or in last night’s case, the solution.
When Brandon Inge ripped the two-out double that preceded Timo Perez’s game winning wall banger, it couldn’t help but make me think: Where would this club sit if Inge had come through even a couple more times in this now, although-I-hate to-say-it dead- season?
Other than Inge however, it’s hard to cast the blame in the direction of those Tigers who play in the everyday lineup. Sure Sean Casey could put up a little better power numbers and Pudge should at least nail down a plus .300 on base percentage, but when you consider the career years being had by Placido Polanco, Carlos Guillen, and of course Magglio Ordonez, you’re kind of splitting hairs.
One of last night’s hero’s Mike Hessman, despite the much-needed opposite field homer, represents one of the problems the Tigers have when forced to call up players from the minors: They’re usually decent power hitters who like too many current Tigers’ strikeout way too much.
The return of Kenny Rogers at least provided one good reason to tune in last night. Looking almost as sharp as he ever has, Rogers’s effort may well spark a return to winning baseball. If you, unlike Jim Leyland believe in momentum.
Clown of the Week – Todd Jones. When he wrote his Sunday column critiquing the Detroit media, the first thing that crossed my mind is what a slap in the face it was to two sports departments (the News and the Freep) that have been charitable to say the least over the last 12-15 seasons. That Jones’ himself hasn’t been run out of town for a few of his meltdowns is a tribute to the absolute fairness in coverage the club has received during an era when fan apathy cost the team a virtual generation of fans. To top it off Jones’ reference to media members being “guys who wore blue socks in gym class” was comical at best coming from a guy who looks about as athletic as George Wendt.
Quote of the Week – “They look like Hawaiian softball uniforms,” - Charlie Hough, on the new duds sported by the Houston Astros.
Editor’s note - Baseball and Eggs will appear every Thursday, and serves as a form of self–therapy for this clinically insane baseball fan. The baseball part is self–explanatory. The eggs however, could pertain to just about anything on Punch’s mind from Thursday to Thursday.
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