October 6, 2009

Game 163: Microcosm, The Sequel Nutshell

ESPN highlights available here.

The Score: Twins 6 – Tigers 5, 12 innings

The Gist: The Tigers and Twins played a game for the ages and both teams followed the respective scripts of the past three weeks. For the Tigers, that meant squandering countless opportunities and watching a division lead evaporate. For the Twins: everything going their [...]

September 8, 2009

Tuesday Tananas: Feeling the Moment, Power Poll Respect and Steve Kemp’s Pain

Just saw the news that Fernando Rodney has been suspended for three games for his inexplicable heave-ho of the ball after Friday night’s win. Well, it was inexplicable to me; Rodney says he was only “feeling the moment.” Still, a three-game suspension? Please.
Anyway, enjoy him, folks. He’ll be frustrating another team’s fans next year.

July 6, 2009

Disco Demolition Night 30 Years Later

Yeah, so Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney ruined our night tonight. We’re used to that. Take heart. The Tigers still cling to first place.
Doesn’t do much for you? Me either.
So instead of cursing the Tigers bullpen, let’s travel back 30 years to July 12, 1979 and revisit Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park, courtesy of [...]

May 12, 2009

This ‘n’ Tat

A few random thoughts on the recent play of the Tigers…
The Cleveland Clinic: Justin Verlander is once again proving that when his stuff is on, there are few better in the AL… And Edwin Jackson has proved my (and others’) skepticism about this deal unfounded. He seems to be the pitcher everyone in LA and [...]

February 25, 2009

2009 Player Profile: Fernando Rodney

Fernando Rodney #56

Height: 5′ 11″ | Weight: 220
2008 Stats: 0-6, 4.91 ERA, 13 Saves

In a bottom-line business like major league baseball, fans tend to overlook stats such as 49 strikeouts in 40 innings or 13 saves from a late-inning reliever like Fernando Rodney. Six blown saves and an ERA a whisker under five are more [...]

January 14, 2009

Now I Feel Better

This is the bullpen help we’ve been waiting for?

December 27, 2008

The Top 10 Tigers Stories of 2008: #6 – Joel Zumaya Gets Hurt Again

The Tigers were likely ecstatic when Joel Zumaya managed a quicker-than-expected return from shoulder reconstruction. A healthy Zumaya (and Fernando Rodney) was to revitalize a rickety bullpen and fill in the sizable reliability gap late in games. Except they didn’t.
Zumaya was cleared to play in late June and appeared in 21 games (23.1 IP).
It all [...]

November 6, 2008

A Bummer of an Outlook for the 2009 Tigers

ESPN.com’s trip through each MLB team’s roster continued today with write Jonah Keri’s lens focused on the American League Central and the Tigers.
If you’re looking for a positive outlook to end your week, look elsewhere. Here’s a taste:
Aside from a younger, more athletic band of glove men, the Tigers need about a half-dozen new pitchers. [...]

September 29, 2008

Catching Up on a Week of News

Every time I sat down to write about a bit of Tigers news in the past five days, another shoe would drop and I’d think “I’ll write about both of those items.” Then another and another, etc.
So, as I wait out this Tigers/White Sox rain delay from bright, sunny Phoenix, it’s time to weigh in [...]

August 18, 2008

Game 125: Rogers Enjoys the Home Cooking

The Score: Tigers 8 – Rangers 7
The Gist: Gary Sheffield hit his 493rd career jack and went 3 for 5, and Curtis Granderson drove in four as the Tigers escaped with an 8-7 win in Arlington. Kenny Rogers eeked out a win thanks to two four-run outbursts by his teammates in the seventh and eighth. [...]