Comments on: 2008 Rays Are No ‘06 Tigers. They’re Better. A Lot Better. http://www.dailyfungo.com/2008/10/19/2008-rays-are-no-06-tigers-theyre-better-a-lot-better/ Tue, 02 Mar 2010 00:56:45 -0700 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Jim Craddock http://www.dailyfungo.com/2008/10/19/2008-rays-are-no-06-tigers-theyre-better-a-lot-better/comment-page-1/#comment-55030 Jim Craddock Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:41:12 +0000 http://www.dailyfungo.com/?p=1526#comment-55030 In my previous post, I meant to say that the '06 Tigers didn't have many HOMEGROWN position players break out. Maggs, Pudge, Polanco, etc. all came from elsewhere. In my previous post, I meant to say that the ‘06 Tigers didn’t have many HOMEGROWN position players break out. Maggs, Pudge, Polanco, etc. all came from elsewhere.

]]> By: Jim Craddock http://www.dailyfungo.com/2008/10/19/2008-rays-are-no-06-tigers-theyre-better-a-lot-better/comment-page-1/#comment-55029 Jim Craddock Thu, 23 Oct 2008 21:39:15 +0000 http://www.dailyfungo.com/?p=1526#comment-55029 The other reasons the Rays are better than the '06 Tigers (it really sucks to write that, BTW) is that their young pitching is deeper, and more of their everyday lineup is homegrown, younger, and all came up together. I think we all underestimate the fact that the Tigers, while building a stable of young arms, didn't have a lot of position player break out (other than Granderson, of course). Longoria, Upton, Crawford, and Navarro form a solid core of that lineup, and they all came up through the Rays system. Navarro came in a trade, but he was still a kid when that happened. And the pitching! Their rotation has four potential number 1s. Although I think Kazmir will end up as their Bonderman (potential ace stolen in a deal only to be hit with control problems and passed up by younger talent). The other reasons the Rays are better than the ‘06 Tigers (it really sucks to write that, BTW) is that their young pitching is deeper, and more of their everyday lineup is homegrown, younger, and all came up together.

I think we all underestimate the fact that the Tigers, while building a stable of young arms, didn’t have a lot of position player break out (other than Granderson, of course). Longoria, Upton, Crawford, and Navarro form a solid core of that lineup, and they all came up through the Rays system. Navarro came in a trade, but he was still a kid when that happened.

And the pitching! Their rotation has four potential number 1s. Although I think Kazmir will end up as their Bonderman (potential ace stolen in a deal only to be hit with control problems and passed up by younger talent).

]]> By: Ian C. http://www.dailyfungo.com/2008/10/19/2008-rays-are-no-06-tigers-theyre-better-a-lot-better/comment-page-1/#comment-54800 Ian C. Mon, 20 Oct 2008 10:53:15 +0000 http://www.dailyfungo.com/?p=1526#comment-54800 I also wonder if the Phillies might warrant some comparison to the 2006 Tigers, in terms of having a long break between the NLCS and the World Series. We'll never quite know, of course, but I think a big reason the Tigers were so lackluster in the '06 was that they got to sit around for a week, hear how great they were and how they were going to crush the Cardinals. No one is saying, of course, that the Rays are inferior to the Phillies. But they've had to play at a high level for the last two games, while Shane Victorino and Co. tried to keep loose taking batting practice. That could make a big difference. I also wonder if the Phillies might warrant some comparison to the 2006 Tigers, in terms of having a long break between the NLCS and the World Series.

We’ll never quite know, of course, but I think a big reason the Tigers were so lackluster in the ‘06 was that they got to sit around for a week, hear how great they were and how they were going to crush the Cardinals.

No one is saying, of course, that the Rays are inferior to the Phillies. But they’ve had to play at a high level for the last two games, while Shane Victorino and Co. tried to keep loose taking batting practice. That could make a big difference.

]]> By: Kurt http://www.dailyfungo.com/2008/10/19/2008-rays-are-no-06-tigers-theyre-better-a-lot-better/comment-page-1/#comment-54773 Kurt Mon, 20 Oct 2008 06:33:40 +0000 http://www.dailyfungo.com/?p=1526#comment-54773 I was thinking the same thing, Mike. I don't expect the 08 Rays are going to whimper off after this year like the 07-08 Tigers did, either. They are young and should remain tough. Scary thought. I was thinking the same thing, Mike. I don’t expect the 08 Rays are going to whimper off after this year like the 07-08 Tigers did, either. They are young and should remain tough. Scary thought.

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