Pat Caputo has an interesting article about Brandon Inge today. According to the article, Brandon Inge once upon a time hit the ball hard. Then Phil Garner told him to change his swing.
“Inge had this inside-out swing at the time. Scouts likened it, ironically, to Ivan Rodriguez’s batting stroke.
That was only four years ago, but it might as well have been 40 after all Inge has been through.
It was before former Tigers manager Phil Garner took one look at Inge’s batting stroke and told him there was no way he could hit like that in the major leagues. “All they’ll do is pound him inside with fastballs,” Garner said.
TELL BRANDON TO CONTACT ME IF HE IS SO INCLINED.
Dear Mr. Inge,
My 73 year old father lives in Halifax, VA. He is a life long Tigers fan and has followed your career since VCU. On January 4th, 2006 he had an accident which has left him paralyzed from his chest down. The bright spot of his year was watching his beloved Tigers go to the World Series with two guys from Virginia. Could you please send him an autographed baseball or picture or a baseball card? I realize many fans contact you each day with this kind of request,however, please consider sending him something to get his mind off the anniversary of his accident. His name is Dabney Hudson and his address is 7026 L P Bailey Highway Halifax VA 24558. Thank you in advance. Chuck Hudson.
Brandon –
Hey it’s Ernie Combs from VCU. Are you going to be at spring training on Florida this year? I’m going down there with some friends and thought it would be awesome if you were going to be there. Please let me know. -Ernie
Brandon inge was in a 4-wheel accident. Word is he broke both arms and a leg, and checked into the hospital with a different name. You heard it here first.
that’s bull corn i talked with brandon after new years he’s fine! don’t know where your getting your info but it’s wrong!
Hey Brandon, my mom met your dad today at her real estate office lookin for a house in Monroe MI, said he is recently living in Grosse Ille a few min. next to my couzins acutually but he is given us 8 tickets, said he’d get me your autograph and seats right behind the dugout. Thanks Brandon your dad is a nice guy 🙂
Hopefully he’s tellin the truth and it is your dad though :S
Hey Brandon, I saw your Dad at the Monroe Baker’s Gas/Ace Hardware yesterday looking for directions and he’s a really cool guy, he looks like you! He was real pleasant person to talk to, with lots of energy. Hope to see you soon because he said he would try and get us tickets!
Thanks,
From Big Fans
Mary & Terran
GO TIGERS!!!
If you have seen Brandon’s dad in the Downriver area, you should know that it is not really him.
Hey man,
I know you are struggling right now, but we are behind you 100 percent. I argue with all the guys at work saying you are the best third baseman in baseball. Dude keep your head up and I know you will get your batting average to 300 I know you can do it. You are a 300 hitter with 25 hrs and at least 90 rbis a season guy. Goodluck man I know it is harder than it looks. Thanks for you time
later
Hey Brandon
I am sick of no one giving you the respect. I play 3rd and it is not an easy position. I hope you keep doing what your doing.
Hey brandon,
Your really awesome 1 of my friends is in love with you i really hope you do good im coming to your game on June 13,07 i hope i meet you.(tell pudge hi 4 me)
Mr. Inge-
Im 13 and Im a huge fan. We are excited to see you playing third base. I just got home from a Tigers game today and was sad to see that we got some pretty bad seats. My birthday is coming up and Im hopefully taking my friend who is another fan of yours. Im guessing that you get alot of these types of mails but I really want to have a good birthday and I was wondering if you could send me a autographed baseball or mit. I would really appreciate it. Thank you in addvance. Oh btw good job on your “special slide” in todays game. Good luck on the next one.
-Kirsten Easton, Patrick Henry Middle School
Brandon-
Just a quick note to let you know that I’m just one fan of many that are behind you, and the whole team. Good Luck out there.
Dannie Sue
hey Brandon!
I just found out from my grandmother that we are somehow related. She says that your one of my cousions but distant. But i still think that it is pretty cool. But for my Public Speaking class at school we have to do a speech on the Tigers. I have a HUGE favor to ask of you!.. If you will please contact me back at Xklusiiv3shawdii@aol.com
much love
Diana
Brandon,
I swear , we are the biggest fans you’ll ever meet!Katelyn, and I, Lissa love how you play baseball! You are so INGECREDIBLE!!!!! I think you are cute…. I like your fuzz on your chiny chin chin!
We love how you are so brave, and are willing to dive into the stands to win the game…we remember you had the ball in your glove, and a fan took it out… or should i say an X fan! You are way bettter than A-rod. You have bad and good days… but Arod just has bad days. I think you are so amazing at third base, and you are like so athletic and cool! We know a lot of people(Josh RAthbun, and you are free to beat him up anytime you want) who think Tigers are whiney, but we know you are real, and down to earth! Keep it real man! I love you. I think you are a manly man!!!Keep it up in the corner!
THe biggest fans youll ever meet!
Lissa and Katelyn
Brandon,
You are so amazing, and you should be playing third base over Cabrera!!! He stinks! I love you!
Lissa
I think you should be playing third base! You are really cool! I like you alot!!!!!!!!
I know your better than cabrera!
Jenny
Hi Brandon,
I’m not really sure if you actually read these posts, but I am a fan of yours. I think your attitude and commitment to the team – as well as to the community of Detroit and Ann Arbor is exactly what SE Michigan needs.
By the sounds of things, you are being forced into departing us. And by looking at the big picture, I think the Tigers will miss out. Though your offense could use some guidance, your defense is second to none. There aren’t many players that take the necessary risks that you have, while holding any level of sucess like yours at 3rd base.
Please don’t hold the decisions made by those with power against us as the community and the fans.
Respectfully,
TGelletly
Brandon,
Our family loves the Tigers & our Grandson Braeden(he’s 5) just loves you. You’re his “TIGER”.In fact,we just got him tickets to see you in Grand Rapids,MI at Eastbrook Mall this coming weekend.I hope that you are still planning on honoring all your appearances during this time of uncertainty.All Braeden has talked @ the past week is that he is going to meet you.He knows all you’re names & numbers & watches nearly every game,but he thinks you are the best.
I hope that everything works out best for you.But,maybe selfishly,I hope you are still a Tiger this year & for many seasons to come.
Mark
Brandon,
Please stay on as a Tiger! Play catcher. You’re great at it and we need you in Detroit! Please play catcher my man!
Dennis
Brandon –
I’ve always liked watching you play. I could tell you just loved the game of baseball, it wasn’t just a job for you. I’ll be very dissapointed if I don’t see you at 3rd base this year.
Detroit Loves you man, keep the faith.
Brandon:
It is clear in an age of self-involved professional athletes with egos even bigger than their contracts that you are one of the good guys. I’m aware of your activities locally around the Ann Arbor area, and with the U/M hospital system in particular. All done with class and very little publicity.
Like anyone who is good at what they do, you take pride in your work and don’t want to get paid for sitting around. I don’t think anybody should fault you for that attitude. I hope for your sake that you can find a situation you are comfortable with, and if that is someplace other than the Tigers, we wish you well. However, I hope for the sake of the team and your off-field presence in our area that you are able to stay around and feel good about it.
Bill
Brandon:
Your value will be most appreciated in Detroit. Here are seven very significant reasons why:
1. The other teams looking to upgrade at thirdbase are looking for someone younger than you. They are looking for someone to have a big impact in the future. Because your hitting wasn’t so hot last year, in fact, it never was really great for a thirdbaseman, you are not what they are looking for. Sorry. Your fielding is great, but a great bat can have more impact.
2. Detroit is a contender and a championship is in their reach. It will be much more fun playing for them.
3. The fans here adore you. Don’t toss away that love.
4. The Tigers need you to fill in for Cabrera in late innings.
5. They need you to play third when M-Cab or Sheffield (with Cabrera DHing) need a rest. Sheffield is old and needs lots of rest. If Cabrera can play first, then you can spell Guillen and Renteria, too.
6. They need you to play for Pudge when he needs a rest – at least, until Wilson is 100% which may not be for awhile. They are both old and they will likely need you to catch often.
7. You could be the regular catcher very soon. Rodriguez has already caught more games than any catcher before him.
speak for yourself regarding #3… i wish mr. inge and his .241 career AVG goodbye ASAP.
If you only look at a player’s Batting Average, then you are missing quite a bit.
Brandon,
Thank you for your time here and showing the children of this city what being a MAN is really about. Although we travel our life’s path with a plan, setting goals and then achieving them you have shown us all exactly what the proper response is to pitfalls we encounter in that path. Your attitude and positive public persona concerning the awkward position your currently have been placed in is truly inspiring. It would have been very easy to take a different position concerning all this but you have not. I know that i don’t speak for the masses here but for me I will remain a Brandon Inge fan where every your path leads you. Hopefully it will remain with us but i guess that remains to be seen
Brandon!
I have enjoyed watching you play in Detroit for several years now…(back to the days when there were no bodies in the stands) You always seemed to put your heart into each game no matter if it was game 10 or game 87 and the outcome mattered little to the overall standings for the Tigers. You are a great utility player and I have been to enough games to see you in almost every position on the field. I sincerily hope the Tigers administration takes the proper steps to ensure that you remain a Tiger for a long long time. The trip out to Comerica Park just would not be the same without you. You are a class act, and play your heart out every time I see you in the lineup. I hope you stay in Detroit…but if you must go…You will always have respect from the fans who remember you as “Our Tiger”! All the Best to you, good luck!
Kate
Inge Fan from Belle River Ontario
Go Tigers!
I am a senior citizen (61) who has been a Brandon Inge fan since the first time I saw him play third base. John Carter is right–Detroit loves him. I’d like to see some stats on how many games we win when he’s in–at ANY position–as opposed to losses when he’s out. I’m betting there’s a correlation. He’s amazing in defense no matter where they stick him–he puts his heart into the game–and frankly, his fans’ hearts would break if he opted to go elsewhere. Oh, and what’s the big deal about Cabrera??? He’s a lazy third baseman, and a mediocre first baseman, at best. Bring Casey back and send Cabrera packing until he grows up and learns how to be part of a team!
Brandon,
I just wanted to pass along some information regarding a possible cause for your “freak” oblique injury. We believe we have solved the biomechanical issues that are causing this and it may be related to your opposite hip. It potentially can reoccur, and with greater frequency if the biomechanical puzzle isn’t solved.
So, I have an article I wrote about it and just need to get it to you. Contact me if you are interested. Thanks for the inspiration.
Sherry McLaughlin
President/Founder
Michigan Institute for Human Performance
http://www.mihp.net
smclaughlin@mihp.net
(586) 268-6942
Brandon…I’m an old guy..used to play third as a kid and young man..never close to your level, though. I’ve been absolutely puzzled about your hitting issue..and wondered if you’ve ever considered trying to switch hit. You’ve got the natural talent..and I wouldn’t doubt it would benefit you in a very short time. It would turn the right hander breaking low and away curve from an agony to an asset. It would be right in your power zone. I had the same problem..once again, not the player you were…but I started switch hitting about 20 years old..and it changed the game for me… Just a thought..
Brandon,
I was at he game on Labor Day, It was great to see you hit the long ball. I love to watch you play, whatever position you are in. I want to thank you for just being you. My daughter was in the childrens hospital and you came in to visit the kids and she was one you stopped to see. She couldnt see you at the time, she lost her eyesight before her brain surgery, but she new you were there. I am very thankful to you for taking the time that you do to be more that just a “player of the game”. You truly love what you do. My son wants to be like you…..at 10 he played in the winter nationals in Florida…so I guess he is on his way.
Again, thank you for all you do ! My family wil be watching you for many many years to come.
Kathie
Hey Brandon:
Play third base again and hit better.
Thanks.