[ The Daily Fungo: Detroit Tigers Baseball ] » Justin Verlander

Bondo on the Mend

Mike McClary — Fri, 12 Feb 2010 16:59:10 +0000

ESPN’s Buster Olney checked in with Jeremy Bonderman this week, and it seems that Justin Verlander’s assesment of Bondo is spot on. And, just in time, Bonderman pinpointed some mechanical issues not long before he arrived in Lakeland:

About a month ago, he and his father, Gene, reviewed some videotape from earlier in his career and compared that to video taken this winter in Washington, where Bonderman throws at the facility once owned by Mel Stottlemyre. Right away, father and son could see how different he looked, as compared to those days when he used his legs.

Since then, Bonderman has focused on dropping lower in his delivery, drawing his front arm higher — “instead of a lazy front side,” he said — and driving off the mound more. He has endeavored to get back to the way his delivery was before, and he can see a difference in his fastball. “Instantly,” he said.

Can you imagine how tough the Tigers’ rotation will be on the American League if Bonderman and Max Scherzer live up to their potential?

Three for Thursday: Verlander, Branyan and Birthdays

Mike McClary — Thu, 04 Feb 2010 18:59:11 +0000

Who needs a groundhog? Two weeks until pitchers and catchers arrive in Lakeland for Spring Training.

I never doubted for a minute that the Tigers would sign Justin Verlander to a long-term contact, did you? Given the questionable extensions of recent years — Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson to name two — the Tigers were due for a wise contractual decision.
Last year at the trading deadline I thought the Tigers might make a move for the Mariners’ Russell Branyan. Instead they went after Aubrey Huff. Bygones. Today, Branyan is still looking for work. Should the Tigers be interested? Not at the three years, $20 million he had in mind, according to ESPN’s Jerry Crasnick. ESPN Rumor Central spells out the risks of Branyan for any team:

Branyan hit 22 homers and posted a .956 OPS before the All-Star break last season, but his OPS dipped to .688 after the break and he was forced to shut it down in late August with a herniated disc in his back.

So, the question then is, “Is Branyan essentially Carlos Guillen?” Probably.
Happy Birthday today to: Stan Papi (59), Rusty Kuntz (55), Chris Bando (54) and the late Joe Sparma. If you want to hear an interview I did with Rusty Kuntz, you can find it here.

Game 162: Vintage Verlander

Mike McClary — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 03:52:05 +0000

ESPN highlights available here.

The Score: Tigers 5 – White Sox 3

The Gist: You couldn’t ask for more than Justin Verlander delivered on Sunday afternoon in the Tigers’ home finale of the as-yet-undecided 2009 season. Ryan Raburn went yard twice and the resurrected Magglio Ordonez went 4 for 4 to power most of the offense. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Tigers game without a wasted inning with a starter, this time John Danks, on the ropes. A win is a win, though this win would’ve been better on, say, Thursday.

The Quote: “I wasn’t sure right away I was going to get there.” – Curtis Granderson, referring to either his diving catch in the eighth which saved the game from looming disaster OR the Tuesday playoff game in Minnesota.

The Stat: 12 and 13 – The Tigers’ record this year on Tuesdays

Magic Digit: 1

Up Next: Tigers @ Twins – Tuesday, 5 p.m. ET on TBS

Rick Porcello (14-9. 4.04 ERA) vs. Scott Baker (15-9, 4.36)

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Game 161: Shame On Them

Mike McClary — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 03:51:25 +0000

ESPN highlights available here.

The Score: White Sox 5 – Tigers 1

The Gist: With only a chance to avoid humiliation and the record books, the 2003 Tigers played with fire and grit in the last series of the year and managed to not lose 120 games. With a chance to advance closer to a division title, the 2009 Tigers played a listless brand of baseball in the penultimate game of the season — and the results, again, showed it. Pathetic.

The Quote: “They got to play more relaxed.” â€“ Freddy Garcia, who ate the Tigers’ lunch on Saturday.

The Stat: 17 – The number of consecutive scoreless innings for the Tigers spanning from the ninth inning of Thursday’s loss through the seventh inning of Saturday night’s game.

Tragic Number: 2

Up Next: White Sox @ Tigers

Justin Verlander (18-9, 3.45 ERA) vs. John Danks (13-10, 3.69)

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Game 157: Exhaleâ€¦for Now

Mike McClary — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 04:59:30 +0000

ESPN highlights available here.

The Score: Tigers 6 – Twins 5

The Gist: Justin Verlander looked like a man on a mission but despite his terrific outing the Twins kept coming. And if it weren’t for Curtis Granderson’s homer in the eighth, the Tigers would’ve come to bat in the ninth inning of a tied game for the second time in 12 hours. Miguel Cabrera launched a bomb to open the scoring in the third and Magglio Ordonez had a key double to left — to left — later in the inning to give the Tigers a 3-0 lead.

The View: The Tigers are fortunate to go to bed with a two-game lead. If Joe Crede were healthy and playing for the Twins, I’m not sure that would be the case. Nevertheless, savor the split.

The Quote: “I don’t have anybody better than you.” — Jim Leyland to Verlander during an eighth-inning visit to the mound.

The Stat: 0 – The chances we’ll see Wilkin Ramirez on the field again this season.

Magic Number: 4

Up Next: Twins @ Tigers

Eddie Bonine (0-1, 4.60 ERA) vs. Carl Pavano (13-11, 4.86)

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Game 152: Verlander Visits 7-11

Mike McClary — Fri, 25 Sep 2009 06:03:33 +0000

ESPN highlights available here.

The Score: Tigers 6 – Indians 5

The Gist: Justin Verlander struck out 11 over seven innings to give the Tigers a 6-5 win and a three-game sweep of the Indians. And Fernando Rodney tried to give it away. Well, not quite, but if you missed the game trust me when I say, you’ve seen it all before. Carlos Guillen led the offense with a 3-for-3 night, and six players chipped in an RBI each.

The Quote: “Me and him tend to differ a lot on opinion.” â€“ Verlander giving a grammatically butchered response to Jim Leyland’s view that JV was often throwing and not pitching on Thursday night. Methinks Leyland wins this one.

The Stat: 6 (x 2) — With Thursday night’s win, the Tigers completed their second six-game winning streak of the Indians this season.

Magic Number: 8 with 10 games remaining.

Up Next: Tigers @ White Sox

Eddie Bonine (0-0, 5.96 ERA) vs. Jake Peavy (First start for the Sox; 7-6, 4.05 with the Padres)

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Game 151: Juggernaut!

Mike McClary — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 05:47:34 +0000

ESPN highlights available here.

The Score: Tigers 11 – Indians 3

The Gist: Hey-yo! The Tigers showed no mercy on Justin Masterson, the Indians, Eric Wedge or the drum-beat guy. Instead, they dropped 11 runs on Cleveland — thanks to a pair of Carlos Guillen homers and a 440-foot missile from Miguel Cabrera — and Rick Porcello (14-9) was sturdy in five innings of work. Guillen finished with three hits and four other Tigers had two hits.

The Quote: “It’s good to have him back.” — Jim Leyland on Guillen.

The Stat: 1.80 — Porcello’s ERA in four starts against Cleveland this season.

Magic Number: 9

Up Next: Tigers @ Indians

Justin Verlander (16-9, 3.44 ERA) vs. Carlos Carrasco (0-2, 9.64)

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Adding 327 Words to The Wordless Game Summary: Twins 6 – Tigers 2

Mike McClary — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 23:16:04 +0000

Remember in Spring Training last year when Jim Leyland was concerned about some Tigers “taking off” at bats knowing that someone else in the powerful lineup would likely back them up?

Maybe that’s what plagues the 2009 Tigers. Except for the powerful lineup thing.

Other thoughts on the game:

Don Kelly did not lose this game for the Tigers. The offense, yet again, is to blame. But you knew that.
My local Fox affiliate aired the Dodgers-Giants game today so I listened to the entire game on MLB.com. If you didn’t listen, you missed Dan Dickerson’s call of the ball Kelly lost. I think Dickerson is terrific and the entire game he was warning listeners that games in the Metrodome tend to result in odd endings and comebacks.

So when Kelly’s miscue was unfolding, Dickerson’s call embodied the “oh-dear-lord-he’s-lost-it-in-the-roof-and-the-Tigers-are-going-to-get-screwed-again” feeling of everyone listening back in Detroit. And he reported that the Twins lead was 3-2, and said it as if it was actually 30-2 — which it essentially was.
How about that Gerald Laird? I don’t care if he hits .200 forever, keep nailing those runners.
Edwin Jackson probably sat there watching Justin Verlander dominate with only a pair of runs and thought, “Welcome to my world.”
I know the announcers have ads and promos they’re required to read on air, but Jim Price’s friendly reminder of Comerica Park suite availability for the Division Series is just asking for it. Need proof? Not long after he read the ad, it came: “(Orlando) Cabrera lifts a high fly ball to left…” Karma.
I wonder if somewhere Gary Sheffield saw Kelly’s flub and said to anyone in earshot: “I’da caught that!” Here’s hoping.

Tomorrow’s game is the last one I ever have to watch the Tigers play in the Metrodome. Oh, sure, there might be a one-game playoff or something, but come on. Do you honestly think I’d subject myself to watching that game?

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

Mike McClary — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 18:29:58 +0000

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.

And now this:

How well are things going for the Tigers? They at last moved into the top eight of The Sporting News‘ power poll (last week they were #10). Breaking through that barrier means the Tigers, at least for this week, aren’t a division-leader sitting behind better-rated, non-playoff teams. And maybe — maybe — Detroit is starting to gain some respect out there. TSN’s take:

8. Tigers. The Tigers are finally starting to play like a team grabbing control of the division title instead of backing into the division title.

Other polls: ESPN #7, last week #11; Fox Sports #9 (#10); SI #10 (#10); CBS SportsLine #11 (#13).

On this morning’s ESPN Baseball Today podcast Peter Pascarelli gives the Tigers big props (he rates them #5 on his list) and he says he’d take Justin Verlander over Cliff Lee in a World Series matchup. On both points Eric Karabell disagrees — big time. Oh, and Karabell thinks the Rockies are a better club than Detroit. Pascarelli doesn’t buy that. Neither do I.
Here are some notable Tigers historical nuggets from Baseball-Reference.com:
- On this date in 1967, the Tigers moved into a first-place tie with the Twins. Eddie Mathews and Jim Northrup hit home runs and Mickey Lolich out dueled the White Sox’ Tommy John 4-1 at Chicago.
- On Sept. 8, 1983, Yankees (and former Tigers) outfielder Steve Kemp was struck in the face by an Omar Moreno line drive during batting practice in Milwaukee; Kemp misses the rest of the season with a fractured cheekbone. Kemp hit just .242 with 12 home run and 49 RBI in the first year of his five-year, $5.45 million contract.
- In 1995, the Tigers traded Juan Samuel to the Royals in exchange for a player to be named. A week later, the Royals sent Phil Hiatt to Detroit to complete the deal.
- And on this date a year ago, Gary Sheffield hit a grand slam for the official 250,000th homer in MLB history. The blast is Sheffield’s second of the day and his 13th career grand slam. Magglio Ordonez, Miguel Cabrera and Mike Hessman also homer as the Tigers outslug the A’s 14-8. I was there for that game and, man, was it wet, cold and blustery.

If you’re a Twitter person, be sure to follow us and you’ll get Tigers birthdays, trivia and historical notes — all in a crisp 140 characters. Find us at @DailyFungo.

Looking Back on Doyle Alexander’s 1987 Shutout at Fenway Park

Mike McClary — Sun, 16 Aug 2009 00:10:18 +0000

Dan Dickerson was quick to point out that Justin Verlanderâ€™s shutout on Thursday was the first by a Tigers pitcher at Fenway Park since Doyle Alexander blanked the Red Sox in 1987. (Thanks to a tip from Fungo contributor Doug Hill, we went scrambling for the details.)

The Tigers were a half-game out of first place on Sept. 23, 1987, for the finale of a three-game series against Boston. Alexander, who blanked the Red Sox a week earlier, 3-0 at Tiger Stadium, faced off with lefty Bruce Hurst and was untouchable. He allowed singles to the first two batters he faced â€“ Ellis Burks and Marty Barrett â€“ and a two-out walk to Spike Owen in the second and that was it.

Alexander got two runs in the second and one each in the fifth and sixth. Tom Brookens drove in a pair and Alan Trammell knocked home one in the win. (The fourth run was scored on an error.) The Tigers moved on to Toronto for a grueling four-game series for ages against the Blue Jays.

You’ve got to love Baseball-Reference.com; I know I sure do.

This ‘n’ Tat

Jim Craddock — Wed, 13 May 2009 03:08:34 +0000

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 Tampa’s front offices thought he would be.Â Score another coup for Dave Dombrowski…Can Curtis Granderson have a better weekend than he did in Cleveland? This one will be tough to top, but it’ll be a blast watching him try.

Rodney Being Rodney: Watching Fernando Rodney is infinitely more nerve-wracking than Todd Jones EVER was! Watching the Tigers game Sunday, I was just about to tell my dad that seeing Rodney come in from the ‘pen didn’t make my stomach hurt as much as it used to.Â The he started to do Fernando Rodney things. My favorite is when he walks guys after getting them down 0-2.Â He’s a free agent after this year. For the sake of my stomach, and my heart, I hope he tests the market.

He’s My Tiger: Can we please get some love for Ramon Santiago? I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Every time he plays, he does something to help the Tigers win a ballgame. Nothing against Adam Everett, but Santiago is more than the fill-in that Jim Leyland and the brain trust see him as. He deserves to be playing most of the time at short.

Tattoo You: Or me. On Saturday, I put my Tiger fandom where my…er…arm…is…

It’s real, folks.Â What should my next one be?

The Monday Report: Week 2

Mike McClary — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 17:13:15 +0000

The Skinny:

7-5, Tied for 1st Place in A.L. Central with Chicago and Kansas City
Streak: W2
Home Record: 4-1
Road Record: 3-4

Streaks:

Last 10 Games: 7-3
Last 5 Games: 3-2

Who’s Hot from the Past Week:

Josh Anderson: .545 avg., .615 OBP, .818 SLG, 4 RBI, 2 SB
Miguel Cabrera: .455 avg., .478 OBP, .591 SLG, 10 H, 1 HR, 2 RBI
Gerald Laird: .400 avg., .500 OBP, .400 SLG
Magglio Ordonez: .353 avg., .522 OBP, .353 SLG

Who’s Not:

Carlos Guillen: .190 avg., .261 OBP, .190 SLG
Placido Polanco: .182 avg., .250 OBP, .364 SLG
Curtis Granderson: .174 avg., .240 OBP, .174 SLG

Up Next: Angels

Today: Off Day
Tuesday: Armando Galarraga (2-0, 0.68) vs. RHP Jered Weaver (1-1, 3.09)
Wednesday: Justin Verlander (0-2, 7.88) vs. LHP Joe Saunders (2-1, 2.18)
Thursday: Edwin Jackson (1-0, 2.14) vs RHP Dustin Moseley (1-0, 4.30)

Tigers vs. Angels

All-Time Record: 297-275
All-Time at Los Angeles: 137-150
All-Time at Detroit: 160-125
All-time at Comerica Park: 14-23

Saturday Smorgasbord

Mike McClary — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 18:24:57 +0000

Some Saturday items, powered by the Tigers’ Game Notes:

Today marks Justin Verlanderâ€™s 99th career start at the major
league level with the Tigers. With one more starts,
he will become the 54th pitcher in Tigers history to
start 100 games.
Verlander entered his start this afternoon against the Rangers tied
for third among American League pitchers with 46 wins since the start of the 2006 season, while he is sixth with 96 starts, seventh with 592.1 innings pitched and 12th with 474 strikeouts.
Since the start of the 2007 season, the Tigers are tops among all American League clubs with a .474 slugging percentage against lefthanded pitchers, while they are second with a .287 batting average. During that stretch, the Tigers have compiled a 54-39 record in games started by lefthanded pitchers.

And some non-Game Notes nuggets:

The 2011 All Star Game will be in Phoenix at Chase Field. Now the locals can stop griping about it.
Kurt weighs in on some interesting stuff (as always), particularly the third item in his Bunt Singles roundup — April in the D Fatigue is now a widespread affliction.

Finally, Happy 58th Birthday to Sid Monge. (It’s also the birthday of Barney McCosky, the man the Tigers traded to the Philadelphia Athletics for George Kell.) Other birthdays include Sean Bergman (39) and John Martin (53)

Tigers Tighten “Letting Another Player Wear Alan Trammell’s #3″ Policy

Mike McClary — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 05:03:15 +0000

Last July 9 I attend a Tigers/Indians game at Comerica Park — the one when the Tigers came back from six runs down to win it in the ninth on a Miguel Cabrera line-drive homer — and found myself utterly transfixed on the father and son duo sitting in front of me.

The dad, possibly sauced, assuredly angry, took every opportunity to rip the Tigers’ DH that night, Gary Sheffield. His major beef was the wasted talent sitting on the bench in the person of Marcus Thames. His poor teenage son looked weary and sat mute as dad ripped Sheff — who, by the by, went 2 for 4 that night. In other words, at least four times he tore into Sheffield and twice he had to pull back a bit.

Until the bottom of the ninth.

That’s when Thames appeared from the dugout as a pinch hitter for Clete Thomas — and promptly shot a single to left. Even before Thames got to the plate the duo jumped — jumped! — into the cool evening air, missing each other with high-fives and spilling dad’s fifth beer. They became even more giddy with Thames’s single and, man, did pops lob a rapid-fire series of I-told-you-so’s toward Jim Leyland. Two hitters later, Cabrera went yard and the father and son went home vindicated.

With the news of Sheffield being jettisoned this morning, Marcus Thames is now the Tigers’ more-or-less regular DH and we’ll see if he really can hit 30-plus homers if given the chance. (Actually, I thought we learned last year that the Thames-as-Hank-Greenberg theory carried no weight, but I guess we’ll see…again.)

If you stayed with me through that circuitous tale, I owe you one.

Now, what to make of this roster move. I’ll admit it falls into that category of surprised but not surprised for me. I wanted Sheff to succeed in Detroit and thought he would. Even in 2009. The basis of my reasoning, at least in the past six weeks, were reports from Lakeland that he was scalding the ball again.

Or, as we learned today, not.

Either way, I tend to agree with Lynn Henning that getting Sheff was a wise move at the time. The Tigers had just lost the World Series and wanted to add another weapon to a lineup that slept through that painful week against St. Louis.

I don’t know that I agree with Henning that the Tigers will regret it later this season. The move was made for versatility reasons and, if that’s the story, then not having Sheffield clogging the DH spot and freeing-up more at bats for Jeff Larish and others is a good thing. Probably a great thing.

Yet, it’ll be interesting to see where Sheff lands. (My hope is that it’s not with the Blue Jays where he could hit #500 off Justin Verlander on Opening Day. Oy.) And can you imagine if he goes to the Phillies and underachieves? Think the Philly fans would be forgiving? Woo-doggie. And if the White Sox sign him, look out.

As the Tigers’ DH, Marcus Thames will make about $12 million less than Sheffield this year. But ultimately, the move was about giving the job to a younger guy who can produce at a higher level. The Tigers believe it’s Thames.

And I know of at least two fans who agree.

2009 Player Profile: Justin Verlander

Mike McClary — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:46:51 +0000

This is the first in a series of player profiles of the 2009 Tigers. I’ve developed them for each of the position players and the starting rotation — at least some of the pitchers in contention for a rotation spot — and will roll them out over the next week.

We kick things off with birthday boy Justin Verlander who turns 26 today.

Justin Verlander #35

Height: 6′ 5″ | Weight: 200
2008 Stats: 11-17, 4.84 ERA

When a number-one starter opens the season 2-9, chances are his team faces a severe uphill climb. That certainly was Justin Verlanderâ€™s reality in 2008. When the calendar turned from April to May, the Tigersâ€™ ace had a 1-4 record with a 6.60 ERA, and by Memorial Day he was 2-9. But as the Tigers offense started to click in June, so did Verlander.

In nine starts from June 6 through July 20, he went 7-2 including a six-game winning streak. His ERA in June alone was 2.73 as hitters produced a mere .197 average against him. Ultimately the problem for Verlander in 2008 â€“ and the Tigersâ€™ entire staff â€“ was walks. In 33 starts he issued 20 more free passes and fanned 20 fewer men than he did in â€™07, fueling a 11-17 record and a 4.84 ERA.

Looking ahead to 2009, the Tigers and new pitching coach Rick Knapp will expect Verlander to have greater command of his explosive stuff and regain the dominant form of 2006 and â€™07. Watch for Verlander to reclaim the inner part of the plate in â€™09, and use a near-triple-digit fastball and devastating breaking pitches to remind A.L. hitters that heâ€™s one baseballâ€™s elite starting pitchers.

The Top 10 Tigers Stories of 2008: #2 – The Pitching. Oh, the Pitching.

Mike McClary — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 21:03:23 +0000

If we had to narrow the Tigers’ dismal 2008 to one culprit it would be the pitching. While Detroit’s offense had many fits and starts throughout the season, the pitching was pretty much the same from March 31 to Sept. 28: awful.

Whether it was Dontrelle Willis‘ sudden inability to throw strikes or Justin Verlander’s season of wild inconsistency or merely the bullpen’s tendency to do just about everything wrong, the pitching was Public Enemy No. 1 at Comerica Park and 13 other American League parks (not to mention parks across the N.L. West).

One final look at the Tigers pitching woes:

Team ERA: 4.91 — 12th in A.L.; 27th in MLB
Strikeouts: 991 — 11th / 25th
Walks: 644 — 13th / 27th
Blown Saves: 26

Oh, what the hay, let’s take a quick look at how the rotation fared:

Verlander: 11-17, 4.84 ERA, one (and the Tigers’ only) complete game
Armando Galarraga: 13-7, 3.73
Kenny Rogers: 9-13, 5.70
Nate Robertson: 7-11, 6.35
Jeremy Bonderman: 3-4, 4.29
Willis: 0-2, 9.38

Yep. Ugly.

But thankfully the 2008 season — and soon this list — is over and done with.

A Bummer of an Outlook for the 2009 Tigers

Mike McClary — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 05:26:43 +0000

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. Verlander and Galarraga figure to anchor a rotation that’s woefully shorthanded, with lefties Dontrelle Willis, Kenny Rogers and Nate Robertson turning into pumpkins and Jeremy Bonderman now more of a perennial injury risk than a future frontline starter. The bullpen is no better, with Todd Jones retired, Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney fighting to regain their lost command, and journeyman Aquilino Lopez the best of the 2008 bunch.

Now that hurts.

Leyland to Verlander: Grow Up

Mike McClary — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 18:37:37 +0000

After every game, Jim Leyland sits in his office answering questions about why the Tigers lost another game. Though the reasons are stale — and, sadly, accurate — the manager is there to absorb much of the blame for what happened. And in those 66 times he’s been able to talk about a win, he’s pointed to someone in the clubhouse as the reason: “It ain’t me; it’s them,” he’ll spin.

But as he took the arrows for the defeats, he was probably thinking, “I sure hope someone in the locker room is taking some of the heat for this [blowout, heartbreaker, bullpen implosion, offensive short-circuit, defensive collapse].”

Apparently he’d had enough of it and called out — sorta — Justin Verlander for not taking his lashings after another inexplicable performance on Monday:

“You need to have the ability every once in a while to say, ‘I stunk’ — not that the strike zone was tight,” Leyland said. “You have to say, ‘You know what? I was horse (manure).’ It’s OK, because we’re all horse (manure) from time to time. It’s good to admit that you’re horse (manure) sometimes.”

He’s right. Even if the ump is squeezing the strike zone on you, shut your mouth and take the heat. When Verlander threw his no-hitter last year, I don’t recall the Brewers moaning about balls-and-strikes. They got torched by Verlander and said as much.

In the latest episode of The Detroit Tigers Podcast, Lynn Henning suggests that Verlander will spend the offseason doing some deep reflection on what went wrong this year. If he does, not owning up to his shortcomings should be near the top of the list.

Friday Fungoes

Mike McClary — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 21:15:03 +0000

Welcome to August! In the Phoenix area we ring in the month with 113 degrees…but a mere 20 percent humidity. The poor Tigers head to Tampa where the temperature and humidity are 86. God bless Willis Carrier.

So how did July end up for the Tigers? Even. As in 13-13. Here are some other tidbits that helped shape a so-so month in this so-so season:
- Losses to the Twins on July 1 and the Indians on July 31 bookend the month.
- Top hitter: Magglio Ordonez: .386; however he played in only 15 games. We’ll expand this to the two players that played in the most games last month: Curtis Granderson (26 games) .324, and Miguel Cabrera (25 games) .330.
- Most hits: Granderson, 36; Cabrera, 25
- Most homers: Cabrera, 8.
- Top pitcher, wins: Justin Verlander, 4
- ERA, starter: Zach Miner, 1.29
- ERA, reliever: Bobby Seay, 0.79
- Saves: Todd Jones, 3.
The good news heading into a new month is that the Tigers are just 5.5 games out of first place with two months to play. The bad news? The Tigers are just 5.5 games out of fourth place. Savor that for a moment, won’t you?
According to the results of The Daily Fungo Pulse Check unscientific poll, 57 percent of Fungo readers said they expected the Tigers to be buyers at the trade deadline, 43 percent thought the Tigers would sell. Interestingly, I noticed a mini-surge in “sellers” votes after the Pudge deal was announced. Be sure to cast your vote in this week’s new poll.
The big media outlets released power rankings for this week. The Tigers certainly have the look of a middling team according to:
- ESPN.com: 11
- Fox Sports.com: 18
- CBS SportsLine.com: 14
- BaseballProspectus.com Hit List: 13
- SportsIllustrated.com: 14
- MLB.com’s Fab 15: 14
Does anyone else feel like it’s Sept. 20 and not Aug. 1? This season is exhausting.

Finally, on Aug. 1, 1974, at Milwaukee’s County Stadium, Ron LeFlore made his major-league debut for the Tigers. Ralph Houk put him in the leadoff spot against the Brewers’ Jim Slaton and LeFlore struck out thrice. It wasn’t until his fourth at bat that he put a ball in play: a grounder to third baseman Don Money for the first out of the eighth.

The Tigers won the game 2-0 behind a masterful performance by Woodie Fryman: a complete-game one-hitter. Woodrow struck out 10 and walked three. Norm Cash drove in both runs with a solo homer and an RBI single.

Wondering who caught Fryman’s gem? Gene Lamont.

Have a great weekend.

Game 106: Tired Tigers Wake Up

Mike McClary — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 05:05:10 +0000

The Score: Tigers 8 – Indians 5

The Gist: Armando Galarraga is to the Indians as Paul Byrd is to the Tigers. Well, not quite, but Galarraga beat the Tribe for the third time this year, Tigers hitters were spared batting practice and turned it on, you know, during a game. But back to Galarraga: three runs over 5.1 innings to earn his ninth win of the year — more than Justin Verlander, folks. (For now.) Brandon Inge stroked three hits including a two-run homer and a double. Miguel Cabrera also went yard as he, Placido Polanco, Carlos Guillen and Matt Joyce collected two hits apiece.

The Quote: “We keep winning, we can come in at 6:15 every night for all I care. The guys liked it, so we’ll have a little fun with it and keep them fresh at the same time.” — Jim Leyland on the Tigers skipping BP on Tuesday night.

The Stat: 20. The combined number of balls thrown by Freddy Dolsi and Fernando Rodney — out of a total of 36. Both threw 18 pitches, eight of them strikes. Sigh.

Up Next: Tigers @ Indians

Nate Robertson (6-8, 5.63) vs. Cliff Lee (14-2, 2.29)