Athletics 6, Tigers 0

Posted on May 30, 2010 by mlblogsskiponsecond

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(Photo by Associated Press)

Last night’s loss makes the fourth in a row for Detroit, and they have
dropped nine of their last fifteen games. It is the fourth time they
have been shut out this season.

Rick Porcello was tagged with the loss, and his record falls to 4-5.

DONTRELLE WILLIS

After the game, the Tigers announced that Dontrelle Willis had been
designated for assignment. Willis had tried to overcome a number of
personal issues, and this spring it seemed as though he had righted his
ship. He was given the opportunity to be a part of the rotation at the
start of the season. But uncertainty remained every time he was on the
mound.

The move will make room for the return of pitcher Max Scherzer (1-4,
7.29), who will start in tomorrow’s game.

Oakland will counter with Dallas Braden (4-4, 3.23). Braden pitched a
perfect game on Mother’s Day.

SKIP’S

NOTES

  • Trying

    to change his luck, Gerald Laird is now sporting the number 12 on his
    jersey. Previously, he wore the number 8 on his back. Unfortunately in
    his first at-bat, he was robbed of a home run by Athletics left fielder,
    Gabe Gross.

  • Rookie

    Brennan Boesch had the night off. He was replaced in the lineup by Ryan
    Raburn.

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Fans Pay Their Respects to a Legend

Posted on May 6, 2010 by mlblogsskiponsecond

While driving to Comerica Park this
evening I wondered how I would react as I walked past the coffin of
Ernie Harwell.

Several times along the route downtown I fought back tears.

I thought of the hundreds of times I heard his voice.

I thought about particular moments during my life when I could recall
that a Detroit Tiger’s broadcast was playing in the background.

I shared much of my life with him.

Oddly, I thought that my memories were unique – special.

They are special – to me, but they are not unique.

Thousands that walked past his body shared similar stories of growing
up in Michigan listening to baseball games that were broadcast by Ernie
Harwell.

Tonight I saw people from all walks of life stand in line waiting to
pay their final respects to a baseball broadcaster who became a member
of the family, a friend, and a hero.

I fought back the tears for as long as I could. I stood across from
him and I could no longer hold them back.

A piece of us is gone. The memory will live on in our hearts always.

THANK-YOU TIGERS

Ernie Harwell was a class-act.

The Detroit Tiger’s organization is also a class-act.

Tigers president, CEO, and general manager, Dave Dombrowski, along
with owner Mike Ilitch, stood to shake the hands of mourners as they
left Comerica Park today.

Outside, park employees handed cups of Gatorade to fans who were
standing in line. Medical personnel walked the length of the line should
someone fall ill during the 35-minute wait.

The Detroit Tigers honored Harwell’s loyal fans with their kindness.

A FORMAL TRIBUTE

On Monday night the Tiger’s will pay special tribute to Harwell at
Comerica Park prior to a game with the New York Yankees.

Jose Feliciano, who caused controversy in 1968 with his rendition of
the National Anthem prior to game 5 of the World Series, will again
perform the anthem. (Many may not know that he was hand picked by
Harwell to perform that year.)

Paul
Carey, Harwell’s longtime broadcasting partner, will toss the
ceremonial first pitch.

Also, a flag with Harwell’s initials upon it will be raised in
left-center field.

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Ernie Harwell Passes Away at 92

Posted on May 4, 2010 by mlblogsskiponsecond

His death was expected. Yet, it still came as a shock. Tonight the
baseball community is  mourning the passing of broadcasting legend Ernie
Harwell.

In honor of Ernie, here is a past post about connecting with the
voice of the Detroit Tigers.

THE ERNIE HARWELL CONNECTION

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Despite the efforts of many, including Ernie
Harwell, Tiger Stadium began to come down in 2008. Crowds
lined the streets of Michigan and Trumbull to watch, film, and to
reminisce about summer days of baseball games played at The Corner.

I was one of the them. Moving along the ballpark’s perimeter, I kept
trying to get a peek through the heavy tarp that draped the fence.
Occasionally, while walking down Trumbull to Michigan Avenue, and over
to Cochrane,
I would find a spot where someone had taken a knife and sliced a hole
big enough to see through.

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Although I had been ready for the stadium to come down (and had even
started to embrace the idea), it was difficult to watch its
destruction.

Memories raced through my mind of games with my dad. I recalled
games that my step-son and I watched, and I tried to piece together
vague, flickering images of my grandfather, the proprietor of a
parking lot, guiding cars into their spaces for families going to see
the Tiger’s play ball.

I eased my way back down Trumbull to Cherry Street, then over toward
the freeway. There was a line of cars serving as foot stools for
photographers, and onlookers hoping to grab a glimpse over the fence. I
proceeded up the ramp, over the freeway, for a birds-eye view inside
the ballpark.

As I peered into the yard where boyhood heroes once played, through
my minds-eye, I saw a game played upon the torn field. One voice
pierced through the memories. As the stadium was coming down, I heard
the play-by-play of Ernie Harwell on a sunny, September day when Detroit faced Oakland.

“Well, this is the big day for the maestro, Denny McLain,
Saturday afternoon at Tiger Stadium, September the 14th, 1968, and Denny
will be going for win number 30.” said Harwell.

I chose to envision this game, because two years earlier I paid a
personal tribute to my grandfather on the 105th anniversary of his
birth. (You can read the original post here.)

This had become a field of
dreams, and I watched a Tiger’s team from the past play ball
through Ernie’s call of the game.

“Ernie Harwell and Ray Lane at Tiger Stadium, and we’ve
got a dandy here. The Tigers need one to tie and two to go ahead.”

My thoughts slowly shifted from the field. I turned my body, and my
gaze, toward Trumbull.

I closed my eyes.

There was Poppy, at the foot of the driveway, on the sidewalk,
seated in an old aluminum folding chair.

“Denny McLain has gone eight innings for the Tigers… and
now the Tigers send up their leading home run hitter, Willie Horton,
to see what he can do about starting something in the eighth inning.
It’ll be Horton, Cash and Freehan – the middle three batters in Mayo
Smith’s Tigers batting order.”

The Tiger’s tied the score at 4, and with one out in the ninth,
Willie Horton approached home plate.

Poppy inched toward the edge of his seat.

The last pitch was thrown to Horton, while Mickey Stanley on third
edged home. Harwell’s voice, thin through the small speaker, set the
stage,

“… now the count on Horton is 2 balls – 2 strikes.
Campaneris comes in from short to talk to his pitcher – Diego Segui.

A
moment passes, and Harwell continues,

Here’s
the set by Segui. The pitch — swung on! A drive to left… and
that’ll be the ballgame…

The
Tigers win it 5 to 4!

Denny
McLain is one of the first out of the dug-out, racing out… and
Horton is mobbed as the Tigers come from behind, and McLain has his
thirtieth victory of the 1968 season.”

My grandfather heard his voice, my dad heard his voice, and I heard
his voice. Each of us had watched (in the mind’s eye) baseball through
Ernie Harwell. For a few moments that afternoon, his voice connected
cherished members of my past – one more time.

These days, when I hear him speak, I see and hear more than a
ballgame – much more.

The nexus to a time gone by is Ernie Harwell. That is much more than
any mere baseball broadcaster could deliver.

Of course, Ernie
Harwell was more than a broadcaster. He brought ball games to
life, and made the players heroes. He was our trusted friend, the one
who always got the best seat in the stadium.

Simply put, he made baseball better. Thank-you, Ernie!


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Dontrell Willis Impressive in Win

Posted on April 29, 2010 by mlblogsskiponsecond

MINNESOTA 3, DETROIT 0

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Confidence in the Detroit Tiger’s pitching staff has taken a beating
lately. Not a heavy beating — but a beating nevertheless.

That is what makes today’s win from Dontrelle Willis that much more
impressive.

I don’t have to rehash the problems he has had the past two seasons.
They are well-known. When it came to his career, this season seemed to
have a do-or-die feel to it.

So far this year, Willis has pitched with confidence, and has had
none of the control problems he had shown in the past.

Today he pitched six innings, giving up four hits. He walked two
batters and struck out six.

With two outs in the first inning, Jim Thome, arguably the most
dangerous hitter Willis faced in today’s Minnesota lineup, was called
out on strikes. Thome looked at home plate umpire Mike Estabrook in
disbelief as Willis confidently strode off of the field and into the
dugout.

“I think it all comes full circle,” Willis said later. “I
think if I wasn’t the person I am and someone who really truly works
hard and really appreciates everything — and I think people from the
outside see that — I think you wouldn’t get that. I firmly believe it.
I was upset because I walked a guy, but I’m really thankful.”

Good job, Dontrelle!

THE MAGIC NUMBER

As a 23-year-old player with the Chicago White Sox, Magglio Ordonez
got his first big league hit.

Today, he hit number 2000.

Ordonez is the sixth Venezuelan to carry out the feat. He joins Omar
Vizquel, Luis Aparicio, Andres Galarraga, Dave Concepcion, and Bobby
Abreu.

“It’s huge, because there are only 260 players who have done
it in more than 100 years of baseball,” Ordonez said. “I’m happy for
me, my family, my country and my team. This means a lot to me after
everything I went through last year.”

This weekend the Detroit Tigers will face the Los Angeles Angels at
Comerica Park. Look for Rick Porcello, Jeremy Bonderman, and Justin
Verlander to pitch for Detroit.

(Photo Credit: AP)

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Glad to Leave Seattle

Posted on April 19, 2010 by mlblogsskiponsecond

I once read in a book about baseball, that sometimes pitchers who get
frazzled with a bad pitch, or throw, have to be careful not to let the
bad throw “leak” into the next series of pitches.

It is too bad Jeremy Bonderman didn’t see that book, or read that
chapter.

He looked like he had everything going his way Friday night – at
least once through the Seattle lineup. After a pick off attempt went
wild in the second inning, things began to unravel for him.

During the third inning Ichiro singled. Bonderman, who was facing
Chone Figgins, threw wildly to first allowing Ichiro to advance to
second. He walked Figgins, Ichiro stole third, and Franklin Gutierrez
tripled.

One bad throw seemed to “leak” into the next. Then before you know it
Bonderman is in deep.

Saturday night, Justin Verlander began with his share of difficulties
before finding his groove. He lasted through seven innings, giving up
three earned runs. The Tigers lost that game, 4-2.

On Sunday, Max Scherzer went six innings and allowed two runs on six
hits. The Tigers salvaged one game of the series, 4-2.

As the weekend drew to a close the Tigers found themselves with a
record of 7-5. They are a game and a half behind the Minnesota Twins.

The Tigers begin a four game series tonight with the Los Angeles
Angels. The Tigers will play American League western division teams for
11 of the next 14 games.

Dontrelle Willis is the scheduled starter.

Dontrelle needs to pitch exceptionally well tonight. He was fortunate
in his last start that his team was able to build a significant rally
to win. He isn’t always going to be so lucky.

WHO’S HOT?

Magglio Ordonez is hot at Angel Stadium. In 49 career games there he
is batting .360 with 10 doubles, a triple, 11 home runs, and 33 RBI’s.

Austin Jackson has hit safely in 10 of  his first 11 major league
games. He is the fourth Tiger’s player since 1920 to collect at least
one hit in 10 of his first 11 major league games. The last Tiger to do
that was Omar Infante in 2002.

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Tigers 2, Royals 3 (11 Innings)

Posted on April 8, 2010 by mlblogsskiponsecond

Good pitching shuts down good hitting. It always has. Always will.

That is how most of game two between the Tigers and Royals went.
Pitching was dominate through the first 7 innings.

But I have to admit it was beginning to look like “deja vu all over
again.” I was getting 2009 flashbacks. This particular movie rerun
featured Max Scherzer playing the role of Edwin Jackson.

Scherzer was spectacular. He allowed only one hit in 6 innings. His
most difficult time was in the 5th inning. After loading the bases,
Scherzer struck out DeJesus, effectively ending the scoring threat.

Unfortunately, the Tigers were unable to get anything going against
Luke Hochevar. Thus the comparison to Edwin Jackson, who had no run
support in many of his stellar pitching performances.

The Royals carried a 1-0 lead into the ninth.

Facing Joakim Soria, Miguel Cabrera – in a 10 pitch at-bat – homered
to tie the game, 1-1.

It was in extra-innings when things began to come unraveled for
Detroit.

Pitching  in the 11th inning; Jose Valverde gave up a home run to
Alberto Callaspo that allowed the Royals to tie the game, 2-2.

Then, Billy Butler reached on a single. Willie Bloomquist was brought
in as pinch runner.

The next batter, Rick Ankiel doubled Bloomquist over to third, and a
catching error from Scott Sizemore allowed him to score the game winning
run.

Now, I won’t jump on the “verbally beat up on Sizemore because he
isn’t Polanco” bandwagon. But I do think that he made a mental error
throwing to plate. He seemed to forget that this game was on the line,
and a runner was about to score. He should have been able to make it a
close play at the plate, instead it appeared he made a nonchalant throw
to home.

That is inexcusable. Enough said.

This afternoon, the Tigers face the Royals once more to close out
this series.

Dontrelle Willis will make his first start of 2010. Trust me, every
eye will be trained on the mound to see if Willis can continue his
spring training successes into the regular season.

Today’s game will be broadcast on FSD at 2:00pm.

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Tigers 8, Royals 4

Posted on April 5, 2010 by mlblogsskiponsecond

The 2010 season for the Detroit Tigers
has started with a notch in the win column. The Tigers beat the Royals,
8-4.

What began as an epic match-up between last years Cy Young Award
winner Zach Greinke and Cy Young nominee Justin Verlander ended with a
no decision for both.

Verlander gave up six hits resulting in 4 runs over five innings.
Joel Zumaya came on in the sixth to face a total of four batters (one in
the seventh) to pick up the win.

Robinson Tejada took the loss
for Kansas City.

The Tigers had a tough time against Greinke, managing only 2 runs –
one earned against him. The Kansas City bullpen took over in the seventh
inning. That was Detroit’s fortune. The Tigers went to work on Roman
Colon, Tejada, and Juan Cruz. The three relievers were knocked around
for 6 runs.

Nearly every Tiger’s player pitched in during this game, but
certainly most eyes were on the rookies, Austin Jackson and Scott
Sizemore.

Austin Jackson doubled and struck out twice. Sizemore walked, struck
out and scored one run.

Jackson wasn’t the only one to hit a double today. Magglio Ordonez,
Johnny Damon, and Brandon Inge each chimed in with two-baggers.

Detroit will have an off day tomorrow. On Wednesday we will get our
first look at Max Scherzer in the regular season. He will face Luke
Hochevar.

By the way, Jeremy Bonderman began serving a three game suspension.
The suspension was handed down last season after Bonderman hit Delmon
Young with a pitch during a game on October 1, 2009. He will make his
2010 debut Saturday against Cleveland.

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

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The Tigers Open the Season in KC

Posted on April 5, 2010 by mlblogsskiponsecond

Over the weekend I began working on
a post that would outline my predictions for the 2010 Detroit Tigers.
While writing, I kept fighting with myself internally over many aspects
of this team.

There are too many variables that could change the complexion of the
season.

In the starting lineup there are two rookies – Austin Jackson and
Scott Sizemore. 

Jackson, touted as one of the brightest and
best, still hasn’t played in a major league baseball game.

Today will be his first.

The same is true for Sizemore, along with the additional wrinkle of
recent ankle surgery. Although he’s healthy and fully ready to begin
defending second base, he is still an unknown in a big league uniform.

I know what both players are capable of and I am excited to watch
them develop over the course of the year. But both make it difficult to
predict a season’s fortunes – or misfortunes.

I know what to expect from Johnny Damon, Miguel Cabrera, and Magglio
Ordonez. Each batter will produce a large number of runs. No doubt.

Carlos Guillen, as long as he is healthy, will give a good deal of
punch to the lineup. To remphasize – as long as he is healthy!

Brandon Inge, Adam Everett, and Gerald Laird will be terrific
defensively, as they always are, but won’t offer much offensively for
the Tigers, unless one decides to become a home run hitter, a la Inge
last year before the All-Star break.

The pitching staff is solid between Justin Verlander and Rick
Porcello. Max Scherzer most likely will be solid, too.

I just
can’t nail down the back end of the rotation. As much as I hope that
Willis will comeback and be the pitcher the Tigers picked up, he might
not be. The same goes for Bonderman.

See what I mean? Too many variables to definitively say how it is
going to be in 2010.

But here goes –

I like this team a lot. It will be competitive the entire season.
Expect that there will be adjustments along the way, but look for the
Tigers and White Sox to see-saw between the top spot in the Central. In
the end it will come down to pitching and whether the players stay
healthy.

I don’t foresee Cleveland placing higher than 4th. Even though Kansas
City is a better team this year, they will be only a thorn in Detroit’s
side, just as they always have.

The Twins have lost Joe Nathan and the Metrodome. That will make a
difference for them.

The Tigers have a good starting pitching staff, along with their
relievers. Jose Valverde is one of the best in a closer role. The bottom
third of the lineup doesn’t need to worry about “reaching the seats” in
every at bat. They need to get the timely hits to advance runners and
put them in scoring position. Jim Leyland has preached small ball to
them this spring. Let’s hope no one slept through the service.

TIGERS VS KANSAS CITY

The Detroit Tigers open the season today at Kauffman Stadium, in
Kansas City.

Justin Verlander (0-0) will face Zach Greinke (0-0).

(Photo Credit: Getty Images)

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President Obama to Throw First Pitch

Posted on April 4, 2010 by mlblogsskiponsecond

Last week, it was announced that
President Obama will throw out the ceremonial first pitch on April 5, at
the Washington National’s season opener.

“I am proud that President Obama will continue the long
presidential tradition of throwing out the first pitch of opening day
in Washington, D.C.,” baseball commissioner Bud Selig said. (from ESPN)

This will be the first time the president will be attending a game at
Nationals Park. However, it is not the first time he has tossed the
first pitch at a ballgame.

Last year, the president, a Chicago White Sox fan, raised eyebrows
when he showed up at the All-Star game sporting a White Sox jacket.

PRESIDENTIAL FIRST PITCH FIRSTS

President Obama’s appearance marks the 48th time that a president has
thrown out the first pitch in Washington.

The first president to do so was William Howard Taft, in 1910.

President Woodrow Wilson had the honor in 1913, 1915, and in 1916. In
1914, the president declined because of a diplomatic situation that was
developing between the United States and Mexico (Veracruz
Incident). The speaker of the house took his place that year,
instead.

The first to throw the first pitch outside of Washington, D.C., was
President Richard Nixon on Friday, April 6, 1973, in Anaheim. The
California Angels beat the Kansas City Royals, 3-2.

The first south-paw to make the toss was President Harry Truman in
1946.

President Ronald Reagan threw two
pitches at Wrigley Field prior to the Cubs game. He then joined the
radio broadcast for an inning and a half.  Reagan, a  former
play-by-play announcer for the Chicago Cubs in Des Moines, Iowa with WHO
Radio, would recreate games for his audience based on teletype reports.

In 1993, Bill Clinton became the first president to successfully
pitch from the mound. Baltimore lost their opener to Texas, 7-4.

President George W. Bush was the first to throw the first pitch in
Nationals Park on March 30, 2008.

In addition to presidents, there have been twelve people who have
first-pitch entries on their resumes: Five vice-presidents; one speaker
of the house; one commissioner of the District of Columbia; one MLB
commissioner; one army general; one former prisoner of war; and one
presidential grandson.

In addition to presidents, local dignitaries and sports figures,
among other notable persons are usually asked to throw out the first
pitch for regular season games.

When I’m keeping score at Detroit Tigers game, I always note
somewhere on the scorecard who threw out the first pitch. If you are
keeping an accurate record of a game, it is as important as noting the
first hit or run scored.

The ceremonial first pitch is rich in tradition, as is the game
itself.

(Photo Credit: Wikipedia;
Resource: Wikipedia)

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“It’s a Talented Group”

Posted on April 1, 2010 by mlblogsskiponsecond

The Detroit Tigers made their final
move before April 5.  Clete Thomas has been sent to Toledo and Don
Kelly will travel with the team for the season opener against Kansas
City.

Don Kelly can play the outfield, as well as the infield. That had
much to do with his name being added to the 25-man roster.

But don’t be surprised to see Thomas in a Tiger’s uniform at times
during the season. He will be called up to help the team, especially if
someone ends up on the disabled list.

In the meantime, he can let his shoulder heal (hit by pitch), and he
will continue to use his time with the Mud Hens to improve as a player.
Jim Leyland recommended also,

The one thing he has to learn to do is to get regimented to
where every day is the same for him. He has to get in a concentration
routine every single day — and I think he will be an everyday
major-league player for a long time. (Detroit
News)

Jim Leyland expressed that he believes the 2010 Detroit Tigers are a
“talented group,” adding that he likes this team “a lot.”

I must admit – I do, too. GO TIGERS!

(Photo Credit: Al Messerschmidt/Getty Images)

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