Tigers Weekly 2006 Season

Week 2: 4/12/06 - 4/18/06

What is it that keeps you up at night?  For me it's a
nine-game west-coast road trip.  Thanks to the
schedulers I'll be burning the midnight oil this week
and next to get the Weekly out by Wednesday morning. 
The Tigers have not done their part this week to make
my job fun.  After hammering on the competition in the
first five games the team is struggling to score runs.
If not for great performances by Kenny Rogers and
Mike Maroth the club could have gone 0-7 this week! 
And the one game where the Cats were really hitting
the ball, the pitchers surrendered a baker's dozen! 
It was a frustrating week, but I think we need to
temper our feelings with the same attitude with which
we approached the hot start.  It's a long season and
there will be ups and downs.  A positive note is that
the next six games are scheduled to be televised on
FSN (Friday's game was originally dark, but they
announced on Sunday that the game would be carried).

New Subscribers...

Jeremiah "Bullfrog" Brasier
Tom "Saved By The" Bellsky
Matt "Stairs" Halcomb
Josh "Snacks" Avery
Derk "Zappa" Schmidt

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Week of 4/12 - 4/18

Record:  2-5  LLWLWLL

Undy-Five-Hundy:  So much for the hot start!  While we
are still on the acceptable side of the UFH the Tigers
are at .500 for the first time since Opening Day.  The
Tigers need to return to their winning road ways or
the Index will again become a part of our weekly
lives.

Up Next for the Tigers...

April 19-20  @ Oakland
April 21-23  @ Seattle 
April 24-26  @ Anaheim (yes they're still Anaheim)

AL Central Standings...

CLE  9  5  -
CWS  9  5  -
DET  7  7  2
MIN  6  7  2.5
KCR  2 11  6.5  <------ it could be worse ------

Tigers News and Notes:  The slumping Dmitri Young
strained a quadricep running the bases this week and
landed on the DL.  Alexis Gomez was brought up to fill
his spot.  Todd Jones is hoping to be back by Friday. 
One of the pitchers, the obvious guess would be Jordan
Tata, should be sent down when Jones gets back.
 
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Tiger of the Week...
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Chris Shelton and Carlos Guillen had nice weeks at the plate, but Mike Maroth gets the honor for shutting down a great-hitting Cleveland Indians team for seven innings on Easter Sunday in a 1-0 Tigers win. Maroth was supposed to pitch the final game of the White Sox series, but was experiencing arm pain and his start was pushed back a few days. His arm didn't seem to be bothering him on Sunday as Mike allowed only five base-runners and struck out five. He is one pitcher that has kept slugger Travis Hafner in check; Hafner is just 2 for 18 against Maroth with two walks and five Ks. Both of those hits are singles. In a rough week Maroth helped keep Detroit from dropping below even keel. The effort by Maroth was a game score of 74 when using ESPN's game score statistic. The calculation of the game score is explained at the bottom of the linked page.

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/bestgames

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Spring Baseball Game...
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Originally I had hoped to plan a Spring game for the
first weekend of May.  As I have had almost zero
response it looks like we may have to shoot for June. 
If you have interest in playing ball on the first
weekend in May or on some weekend in June please let
me know ASAP.  Pictures from last year's game are on
the website.  It was a fantastic time.

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Decisions Decisions...
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All fourteen games this season have finished with the
Tigers' starter getting either the win or the loss. 
The longest such stretch in 2005 when this happened
was eighteen games and that occurred just after the
All-Star break.  

What this means is that the bullpen is holding leads
and the hitters haven't mustered any comebacks.  The
late innings haven't provided much excitement.  This
is sure to change... I just thought it would be worth
noting.

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MLB Radio...
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Once again I have signed up for MLB Gameday Audio. 
It's a neat feature that allows you to listen to any
broadcast of any MLB game throughout the season. 
Tonight I caught the end of the Nationals/Phillies
game which was won by the Nats 10-3.  The Nationals
announcers sound like a good-spirited bunch.  They
spent some time poking fun at Flushing Meadows (Mets
territory), calling it the land of car dumps (among
other things).  After Ryan Church hit a grand slam in
the ninth the announcers commented that Phillies fans
were leaving the ballpark "like someone has a gun to
their heads."  Classic.  I recommend purchasing this
feature if you live out of the Tigers radio net, if
you spend a lot of time at the computer, or if you are
a big baseball nut.

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www.tigersweekly.com
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There, again, is the address for the Weekly's website.
Remember that there is a weekly trivia question
posted on the website.  Since we've (we being me and
webmaster Nic Gilbert) had little response so far
we'll leave the current question up there.  

By the way, entering your e-mail address will not get
you signed up for spam or even to get the Weekly in
your e-mail.  It is for identification purposes only.
I only add people when they ask or when someone else
asks for them to be added.  

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Shelton's Nickname / Poll Question...
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Chris Shelton has been the hottest hitter in the
majors through the first two weeks.  He has nine home
runs and has a  batting average.  He's gone by names
like "Big Red" last year, and apparently some other
nicknames for him are "Red Pop" and "Red Bull."  I
refer to him as "Little Shel" but that's a vague
reference to a picture, taken last year, of Chris
where he looked as dejected as Little Mac from Mike
Tyson's punch out after having to retire.  

Which of the nicknames for Shelton do you like the
best?  Or do you have a name of your own for Shelton? 

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Game Linescores...
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April 12:  Chicago White Sox 4 - Detroit 3
Starters:  CWS: Contreras 8IP - DET: Robertson 7IP
CWS  000 103 000  4 6 0
DET  000 001 002  3 8 1
W: Contreras (1-0)
L: Robertson (1-1)
S: Jenks     (3)

April 13:  Chicago White Sox 13 - Detroit 9
Starters:  CWS: Garland 5IP - DET: Verlander 2.2IP
CWS  205 210 300  13 17 1
DET  100 241 010   9 21 0
W: Garland   (1-1)
L: Verlander (1-1)

April 14:  Cleveland 1 - Detroit 5
Starters:  CLE: Westbrook 6IP - DET: Rogers 8IP
CLE  000 001 000  1  8 1
DET  012 200 00X  5 11 1
W: Rogers    (2-1)
L: Westbrook (2-1)

April 15:  Cleveland 7 - Detroit 2
Starters:  CLE: Carmona 6IP - DET: Bonderman 3.2IP
CLE  200 500 000  7 10 0
DET  000 001 010  2  7 0
W: Carmona   (1-0)
L: Bonderman (1-2)

April 16:  Cleveland 0 - Detroit 1
Starters:  CLE: Lee 7.1IP - DET: Maroth 7IP
CLE  000 000 000  0 4 0
DET  000 100 00X  1 5 0
W: Maroth (2-0)
L: Lee    (1-1)
S: Rodney (3)

April 17:  Cleveland 10 - Detroit 2
Starters:  CLE: Byrd: 7IP - DET: Robertson 2.1IP
CLE  016 100 101  10 14 0
DET  010 100 000   2  4 1
W: Byrd      (2-1)
L: Robertson (1-2)

April 18:  Detroit 3 - Oakland 4
Starters:  DET: Verlander 7IP - OAK: Loaiza 6IP
DET  100 002 000  3 8 2
OAK  020 100 10X  4 5 1
W: Duchscherer (1-0)
L: Verlander   (1-2)
S: Street      (4)

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Readers Write In...
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Jeff "Pee-Wee" Herman

Toolie,
   Went to opening day and was happy as could be...my
first opening day.  We (my wife and I) sat third base
side, about even with Craig Monroe, 20 rows up.  Sat
next to Manny Legace (Red Wings Goalie for those of
you who don't know.)  Had a beer and a brat and
enjoyed sitting in the sun and watching our boys play.

   This is my fist time writing in and I am going to
attempt to answer part of your question for the week,
where the tigers need to improve.  I have heard a lot
of good things about our offence and it looks good on 
paper, but a couple of concerns I saw on monday.  The
first is Shelton leaving a runner on third with one
out and the second it Inge's botched bunt with no one 
out and a runner on first late in the game.  I was
thrilled to see Leyland call for the bunt in that
situation, but until the Tigs start playing for a 
run and their execution improves they will be streaky
at best.  When you live by the long ball you die by it
(or lack of it.)  Once they start moving runners 
consistently and manufacturing runs the Tigers will be
dangerous.  We will play .500 ball when we start doing
those little things right.  If we are too reliant on
the long ball I fear another 8-22 September.  That
being said, I think Leyland will not tolerate poor
baseball, and will replace anyone who is not playing
good, old fashion, hard nosed ball.

Go Tigers!

Jeff (Don't know my nickname) Herman

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Josh "Snacks" Avery

I'd love to get this newsletter every week if at all
possible. Here are my season predictions.
 
AL division winners: New York, Cleveland Oakland
Wild Card: Toronto
 
NL division winners: (yes I'm serious) Mets, Brewers,
Padres
Wild Card: Cardinals
 
Series: (again I'm serious) Cleveland over Milwaukee
in 6
 
MVP: AL- Travis Hafner NL- Albert Pujols(I'm told he
can hit )
 
Cy Young: AL- Curt Schilling NL- Ben Sheets
 
ROY: AL- Curtis Granderson NL- Jeremy Hermida
 
Hope to hear from you again.
 
Josh Avery

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"Dig" Dug Senters...

The Tigers are surprising me lately.  I still don't
love them, but I don't mind seeing them win now and
then (if they're playing any non-Cleveland ALC 
team).  I had initially predicted Pena to be the
breakout Tiger of 06, but that is clearly not going to
come to pass.  I'm looking at Guillen to be their team
MVP.  Let's face it, though, Detroit fans....They'll
still lose about 90 games.

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Steve "Stone" Sprague

I think Chris Shelton will have a good year.  After
the KC series I was wondering if he was hitting well
only because it was against weak competition.  Now, he
has done it against the White Sox as well and 
they were a fairly strong pitching team last year, and
the key players are back.  I don't think he'll hit 60
homers this year, but 40 is probably a good 
bet, and hopefully he can manage to hit .300 and drive
in 100.

Also, thank you for being cautiously optimistic about
the Tigers.  Drew and Mike from 101 the WRIF were
basically claiming people should start looking
for World Series tickets after the Tigers started out
hot against the Royals and Rangers.  There was plenty
of untempered optimism throughout the area after that
first week.  Trust me.  I've spent the last 15 years
or so getting way too excited about the Lions and
University of Michigan football early on only to be
let down in the end.  It's nice to have some one 
out there serve as a voice of reason.

Although, after Friday night's win over the tribe the
Tigers sit at 6-4 and are only a game out of first. 
With a strong two weeks they could end up in first
place on May 1.  That would be quite an accomplishment
after all of the years of bad baseball.  I think you
wrote last year that this was 
the year Dombrowski had pegged as the year he hoped
for the Tigers to be competitive.  I think they will
be competitive but unfortunately they are in
a very tough division.  Third place in the AL Central
would represent a very good season because that will
probably require 81 wins at least.  This is my fourth
year reading Tigers Weekly and I would love to see it
finish with the UFH at 0 or a negative number.

Steve Sprague

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Anthony "Ferny" Morano

I just finished watching the tigers 1-0 victory over
the hated tribe in a classic pitching dual.  The
tigers still worry me with not being able to execute
fundamentals of small ball.
1) Inge & Infante not being able to get bunts down to
move runners over, in tough losses ths week.
2) No plate discipline, too much 1st pitch swinging,
and once again NO WALKS.

I remember a poll ? from last yr (who's better
annoucing tandem) Rod & Mario or Jim & Dan.  Being a
transplant out here in california I watch most games
via satalite. Detroit fans are lucky. The rangers
announcers hardly talked about the game, instead
breaking down their favorite 5 movies (Not even sports
movies). then the indian tandem were worse. no energy,
no enthusiasm nothing) Other cities announcers are 10
times worse!

My favorite Rod Allen saying of the  early season "If
shelton keeps playing like this they'll have to find a
new league for him"  Maybe future poll ? who's your
favorite Radio/TV announcer all time?

Good season:
1. Chris Shelton-Enough said.
2. Fernando Rodney- Hasn't allowed run yet
3. Curtis Granderson. Good power,speed, Defense
   Not pulling weight:
1. Infante- No plate discipline, Can't bunt.
2. N. Robertson-.500 at best
3. Brandon inge: If he doesn't hit the ball
   opposite field he'll hit .250 20 hrs 80 rbi

I'll be at the Tigers vs Angels series next week
representing the -D-

Finally,  Matt rumor has it Scotty "Stymie on line 1
get em a beer Ferrell" is finishing up his FCC
suspension. He threatened a florida program director
who tried ruining his career. He is currently doing
a  fox radio  syndicated show on saturday/sunday
mornings.  He also filled in a few times here in L.A.
a few months back.    

Go Tigers, Wings, Pistons
Anthony "Ferny" Morano

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Jennifer "She's So" Fine

Hello.  I was just looking at your website and I
noticed that you have some wrong information
concerning Andy Van Slyke.  You state that he is the
guy who failed to throw out Sid Bream in Game 7 of the
1992 NLCS; however, if you go back and watch, you will
notice that the ball was hit to left field, not center
and it was in fact Barry Bonds who’s throw was not in
time.  Believe me, if it had been Andy, Sid would have
been out by a mile.  Andy didn’t win five straight
gold gloves by accident.  And, FYI, legend has it that
Van Slyke told Bonds to move over right before that
fateful play because he was out of position and Barry
ignored him in typical Bonds-egomaniacal fashion. 
Thanks for your time.

Cheers,

J. Fine

Tigers/Pirates Fan

Editor's Note:  No Jennifer, thank you for YOUR time. 
If I ever make an error please let me know.  I think I
associated the throw with Van Slyke because I have an
image burned into my brain of him on his knees with a
look of disbelief on his face after Bream crossed home
plate safely.  I will try to be more accurate in the
future.  Thanks again.

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Toolie's Trashtalk...

Tough times for the Tigers this week.  A few of those
games weren't even close.  One of the worst feelings
is getting excited to watch/listen to a game and then
have it turn into a butt-kicking in the third inning. 
Verlander, Bonderman, and Robertson served up one each
this week and left it to Rogers and Maroth to stop the
bleeding.  Pitching was great the first week and not
so great this week.  We can expect a mixed bag for the
rest of the year.  The pitching won't be stellar but
the rotation will have some moments.  

It seems like everyone is noticing that the Tigers are
having problems executing at the plate.  I have
lamented, in the past, that there weren't enough guys
that could lay a bunt down.  Fellas like Pena,
Magglio, and Dmitri were incapable of laying one down.
Others like Monroe and Pudge may have been able to
lay one down but they were almost never called to do
it.  I hope that Leyland uses the bunt when he needs
it and makes sure ALL of his players are able to
successfully sacrifice.  Maybe Polanco should give
lessons.

In reference to Ferny's Rod Allen story, my favorite
quote this season came this Sunday.  Fernando Rodney
came in to close out the win over Cleveland and he had
a huge gold chain around his neck.  Rod: "He's got his
Mr. T starter kit going."  That drew chuckles from all
that were watching.  Over time I've warmed to Allen. 
Mario is a good play-by-play guy, not spectacular, but
he gets the job done.  They're a pretty good duo.  

While it's fresh in my brain I'll rant a little about
tonight's game.  The Tigers lost to Oakland 4-3 and
some rotten play by the Tigers locked up the loss. 
Oakland got three runs courtesy of Nick Swisher homers
and their fourth run thanks to sloppy Tiger defense. 
Frank Thomas reached on an infield single and moved to
second on a bad throw by Carlos Guillen.  With runners
on 1st and 2nd and one out the Tigers tried to turn an
inning-ending double play...  but after Shelton threw
down to second for the force, Guillen again threw
wildly which allowed Thomas to score.  The run ended
up being the difference.  Also, with two out in the
seventh and Craig Monroe on first, Brandon Inge hit a
high pop fly that ended up falling in for a hit. 
Craig Monroe somehow got thrown out (by a mile) at
third base.  Though I couldn't see it, the only
explanation would be that Monroe was dogging it and
then made the last out of the inning at third base, a
base-running no-no.  The Tigers played a sloppy game
tonight and it cost them.  

Also I was a bit steamed when Nick Swisher hit his
second homer of the night.  It happened in the bottom
of the seventh, right after Monroe's mistake.  I was
surprised that Leyland left the rookie in for the
seventh (though Verlander's line was good) and when I
heard Swisher was leading off I thought "I hope he
doesn't go deep again..." and then he did.  It was a
quick thought, but I felt the need to complain at
Leyland for leaving Verlander in to face the only guy
who had really hurt him.  

Oh well.  It's a long season.  Tomorrow will bring a
new game and more situations to squabble over.  I
shouldn't waste all my energy now.  

Attached is a little bit of humor passed on to me by Nick Ciofani via Storm Mazzolini. Enjoy!

And with that I'll call it a week. Tigers are back to .500 and have to deal with the AL West. One thing that I like about this April schedule is that we don't see any team for more than one series. It makes for a nice variety.

Thanks to all who wrote in.  Keep it up!

I'm out...
 





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Play Ball!

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