Hitting with a hernia: 2017 Tigers

Key offseason (re)acquisitions:

Mikie Mahtook
Alex Avila
Omar Infante

@cmccosky
Anthony Gose asked what he did in the offseason to get ready, baseball-wise. "I prayed a lot." He was joking. I think

After recently announcing his retirement, Kelly showed up to Detroit Tigers spring training on February 18, 2017, in uniform with his baseball glove leading some to wonder if he had been resigned. It was later announced that Kelly had been hired by the Tigers as a scout.[36]

Gose, the Tigers’ opening day starting center fielder the last two seasons, was re-assigned to minor league camp Sunday. He will still play outfield wherever he lands in the system this season, but he will also take initial steps to convert to pitcher.

O_O

Mike Pelfrey otm

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2017/03/30/tigers-release-pitcher-mike-pelfrey/99818610/

jaCoby

@philgrogers
Per @beckjason, that last #Tigers home run was by Nicholas Castellanos. He and teammate Matthew Boyd prefer to be known by full names.

JahCoby

http://bmwcards.usanethosting.com/img/full/1915_e145_2_cracker_jack_156_jean_dubuc_fr.jpg

@DetroitTigersPR
.@JustinVerlander's 10 K's are tied for the most by a DET pitcher on Opening Day since 1913 (Mickey Lolich, 1966 & 1970 & Jean Dubuc, 1914).

Ian Kinsler is pretty good.

If Kinsler has another strong season, you have to start thinking of him as an outside HOF candidate. His relative anonymity will really hurt him, but he's 18th on Jay Jaffe's JAWS list, closing in on Biggio and Alomar, and coming off two great seasons. On the other hand, Whitaker, Utley, and Grich are also ahead of him--he'd probably need to stay relatively strong till he's 40.

He's a Tiger, he has no chance.

he might pass jeff kent in WAR this year

but whatever you think of kent and his dubious 2000 MVP award, kinsler has never come particularly close to one

And that'll matter--that's just the way it goes. To have a chance, he'll have to do something splashy that gets some attention--an MVP (or close), a big post-season, a couple more 30 HR seasons, something. (Just noticed he's scored 100 runs six times.)

Kirk Gibson spotted in the front row of last night's local Zombies gig.

@beckjason
2nd HR of Rodriguez's career on an 0-2 pitch. The other was to Tony Batista on July 18, 2003.

re Kinsler, peak v career value

really guys (OK just one of you, mostly), if there is still humanity or baseball or a HOF in 20 years, nearly all the voters will have criteria other than black ink derived from Henry Chadwick's 19th-c accounting.
I expect Grich will be a sabermetric Hall victory at some point.

Dombrowski says on NESN that the Twins, who play in Detroit tomorrow, called ahead: Comerica Park visitors' clubhouse will also be fumigated"

"A professional baseball player (Ian Kinsler) battles to get his mind right in the locker room before a big game. He struggles to find focus as the crowd noise outside the locker signals the impending war. We see inside the inside the psyche of the hitter."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJQrmzVuQFY

Where to...wow.

The intrepid warrior (Ian Kinsler) engages in a ceremonial victory trot around the vanquished Chris Sale.

@beckjason
Anthony Gose scheduled to face hitters today in extended spring training, according to Brad Ausmus. He's throwing fastballs and curveballs.

@beckjason
Report on Gose's curveball is that it's very good, according to Ausmus.

XBH
Cabrera, M. 0
Martinez, V. 0
Romine, A. 4

Bat flips
Romine, A. 1

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C9ZGreMWsAEKrax.jpg:small

@ESPNStatsInfo
Francisco Rodríguez: 1st pitcher in nearly 10 years to enter a game in the 9th inning or later, allow a grand slam, and still get a save.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BRAD

@TonyPaul1984
Interesting nugget from Baseball America -- #Tigers have the oldest farm system in baseball. Their average Triple-A player is 30!

One of those youngsters called up today.

Cabrera, after an MRI on his strained right groin Saturday morning, was placed on the 10-day DL. John Hicks, a catcher and first baseman, was recalled from Toledo. The results of the MRI were still being evaluated by team doctors to determine the severity.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C-DoGmPXYAItpR5.jpg

Victor Martinez just scored from seconf

Obviously too excited to get it right the first time.

Victor Martinez just scored from second on a double.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C-G28lCXkAAizpe.jpg

This lineup -- 5/9ths backups and non-prospect AAA call-ups -- scored 13 runs in a game started by a pitcher who has previously shut down a 100%-healthy team.

Am I the only one humming the title of the thread to the tune of James Brown's "Living in America"?

@AaronGleeman
Worst ERAs among pitchers with 100+ starts since 2013:
4.72 Kyle Gibson
4.59 Ricky Nolasco
4.48 CC Sabathia
4.46 Phil Hughes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8Ow1nlafOg

shoulda published that ERA factoid b4 HACKING MASS draft

xpost ahhh of course now I remember ...

A lineup very similar to the one on Sunday has scored 16 runs through five innings in a game started by Felix Hernandez.

Was thinking they would bring up James Loney but Hicks seems to be working out.

Yeah -- Cabrera's apparently due to return in a week or so, and Loney has played only five games with Toledo.

First AL team to 100 runs scored.

First AL team to 100 runs surrendered.

Whee.

Meat Hook > Mahtook

@beckjason
First time Victor Martinez has gone 1st-to-3rd on a single this year. He did it twice last year, once the year before, and twice in 2014.

@beckjason
First career bunt hit for Victor Martinez, according to STATS.

“People ask why are there so many home runs in the game today,” Martinez said. “What do you want me to say, the ball is juiced? It’s that a lot of guys’ philosophy of hitting has changed.”

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2017/05/16/tigers-jd-martinez-launch-angle-trend-setter/101765416/

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DANzw_KUIAARHF4.jpg

no doubt celebrating brandon inge's 40th birthday

After six games, JD Martinez has the team's third-most HRs (and nine walks, and a 2.118 OPS).

can I just say this is the best thread title

Anthony Gose making his debut pitching with our @LkdFlyingTigers. First pitch 99mph. @tigers @DetroitTigersPR @gose pic.twitter.com/wHkxJEZSPq

— Dan Lauer (@Dan_Lauer41) May 23, 2017

Anthony Gas

May 2 headlines: Calmer Tyler Collins collecting more hits for Detroit Tigers this year; Tigers' Collins enjoying new lease on life, career

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q4esZxILLbU

May 28 headline: Tigers can’t wait any longer, cut struggling Tyler Collins

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwEBELrG63s

Growing up in Goochland, Virginia, John Hicks hung around the baseball field, watching just about every game his brother Daniel and his best friend, a stud pitcher named Justin Verlander, played.

Hicks and his brother celebrated the night Verlander was drafted and they’ve remained close all through Verlander’s brilliant career.

Imagine the thrill Daniel Hicks must have felt when he got a text message from Verlander Monday night — something to effect of “Hey, your little brother is catching me tomorrow.”

“My brother is probably more excited about it than Justin or I am,” Hicks said.

It will certainly be a big night for the folks in Goochland — two of their native sons comprising the starting battery for the Tigers.

http://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2017/05/30/hicks-dream-comes-true-catching-verlander/102330670/

Good job Nicholas Castellanos#Tigers #Helmet #angels @Tigers @Angels pic.twitter.com/peJkuAMleD

— CorbinXplosion (@CorbinXplosion) June 8, 2017

“He’s obviously struggling,” Ausmus said of Rodriguez. “He’s not throwing the ball the way he wants to or like we want him to. There’s no way around it.”

Rodriguez, who publicly complained about pitching in mop-up roles on June 13, has since allowed seven runs in 4 2/3 innings, including two home runs while pitching in higher-leverage situations. He has allowed nine home runs in 25 1/3 innings this season.

Lakeland OF Ben Verlander has been released.

He can hang with K-Rod, who has also been released.

Verlander on scouting presence tonight: "Reminds me of college."

— Jason Beck (@beckjason) July 9, 2017

three errors, one out

Anybody watching the game right now? Who is the color guy? I don't think I've ever heard anyone so laconic and chill in an MLB booth.

Rod Allen?

Ah, Kirk Gibson I guess.

apparently last night Gibson said he'd take Reddick over Altuve any day

Missed that. Yeesh.

Gibson's demeanor might be affected by Parkinson's. He's easily the league's most laid back commentator and maybe the planet's least excitable uptalker.

Will definitely tune in to more DET games because of that. I didn't think he had any particularly great (or bad) insights, but listening to him was like a pleasant soak in a jacuzzi.

what a time for shane greene's third career save

FOUR NOW

I didn't think he had any particularly great (or bad) insights, but listening to him was like a pleasant soak in a jacuzzi.

Gibson and Rod Allen alternate and occasionally work simultaneously. Gibson's pretty hit and miss. Every now and then he says something hilarious with such subtlety that no one else in the booth picks up on it.

Tom Brookens and Don Kelly in the house today.

— Chris McCosky (@cmccosky) August 7, 2017

http://m.mlb.com/assets/images/5/3/2/246395532/cuts/640x360/cut.jpg

http://www.freep.com/story/entertainment/music/2017/08/10/detroit-tigers-jack-white-vinyl-record-tickets/552789001/

"BrushOFFs"?

Just when you thought the @wmwhitecaps park couldn't get any better... pic.twitter.com/5nIpt9ne9p

— Emily Waldon (@emilywaldon2080) August 10, 2017

Kirk Gibson looking properly haggard in that picture. He looks like he just walked off the set of Gran Torino.

@beckjason
Jordan Zimmermann is first Tiger to give up 7+ ER in 3 consecutive starts since Tommy Bridges in 1935, according to @baseball_ref.

@beckjason
Jordan Zimmermann: "I'm not that concerned. I think it's a pretty simple fix. It's just finding that problem."

Cool. Only the second-worst ERA (6.11) among qualified MLB starters. Plenty of season left.

guess jv lost his power struggle with vmart

Hitting with arrhythmia :(

Michael Fulmer to see Dr. Andrews about ulnar neuritis, but should be ready for next spring if he has surgery: https://t.co/0TWWgHGtdO

— Jason Beck (@beckjason) September 2, 2017

Presumably no off-season plumbing gigs.

Victor Martinez will undergo cardiac ablation surgery to address heartbeat issue. He's done for 2017 but should be ready for next season.

— Jason Beck (@beckjason) September 2, 2017

Five recent double-digit losses and Alex Presley bunt-sacrifices in the first inning. No runs score.

Matt Boyd (5.93 ERA) takes the mound a team that has won 19 straight.

Boyd threw 110+ pitches in 5

(yet gave up only one run)

James McCann gets tossed for arguing balls/strikes. A couple of pitches later, replacement catcher seems to get crossed up and the ball puts the umpire flat on his back (he stayed in the game). Cleveland booth says O RLY?

The color commentary that followed on the Indians broadcast drew Ausmus’ ire.

The suggestion was made that Farmer and Hicks intentionally hit Wolcott for Ausmus and McCann’s accusations that the strike zone was unfair early in the 5-3 loss to the Indians, who set the American League record with their 21st consecutive win.

“To imply that was intentional is, first of all, a lie,” Ausmus said. “If any player intentionally tried to hurt an umpire on this team, we’d deal with it severely.

“For anyone to imply it was intentional is completely wrong. They are out of line in saying that, quite frankly.”

Hicks did not turn to check on Wolcott, as is often custom with catchers and umps, and instead conferred with Farmer, as if to indicate they were confused about signs.

Farmer and Hicks offered similar denials.

“Obviously, it looked bad right after Brad and (McCann) got tossed,” Hicks said. “But it’s bases loaded and we’re trying to win a baseball game. Any thought of us trying to do that on purpose is just ridiculous.”

http://www.freep.com/story/sports/mlb/tigers/2017/09/13/detroit-tigers-buck-farmer-hits-umpire-quinn-wolcott-cleveland-indians/663994001/

Boyd currently no-hitting with a hernia

Castellanos probably couldn't've gotten to that, but I'm not sure why he was out there.

never throw tim anderson a strike

Thru 2 innings, Chad Bell has four K's, two 420+ ft home runs and two fly outs. He also nearly hit PAWS with a warmup pitch before 1st. 2-0.

— Jason Beck (@beckjason) September 19, 2017

Labourt mission

Tigers Will Not Retain Brad Ausmus

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DKXDCpbW0AAyCaw.jpg:small

Brad is one fine-looking 48-yo, he's welcome to a consoling massage from me.

Don Kelly for GM-manager-player-bullpen catcher-Dubble Bubble dugout stockist.

@beckjason
Alex Wilson took daughter to ER for fractured collarbone this morning, went straight to Comerica Park, suffered fractured fibula tonight.

Cabrera: two herniated disks

Tigers announce Don Kelly has been promoted to full-time Major League scout ...

— Lynn G. Henning (@Lynn_Henning) September 29, 2017

<3

Romine gets Sano to roll-over to third on a 3-1 pitch. Wow.

— Chris McCosky (@cmccosky) October 1, 2017

Romine has completed all nine positions. Fifth player in MLB history to do so. He is at first base now. Done.

— Chris McCosky (@cmccosky) October 1, 2017

went 13-41 over the final third to secure that #1 pick

Who will be the next Matt Anderson?

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DM6JJpJXUAETK6v.jpg:small

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SI-UNUNYHE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujoHTcnpTsc

0:18 is a favorite

Gose, the Tigers’ opening day starting center fielder the last two seasons, was re-assigned to minor league camp Sunday. He will still play outfield wherever he lands in the system this season, but he will also take initial steps to convert to pitcher.
― Andy K, Sunday, 26 March 2017 16:46 (four years ago) link

U.S. Olympic Baseball roster announced. Triston Casas, Todd Frazier, Anthony Gose (now a pitcher), Edwin Jackson, Scott Kazmir, David Robertson, Bubba Starling, and Simeon Woods-Richardson among the names on 24-man roster. @MLBNetwork @USABaseball @MLB

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 2, 2021