I don’t think the Tigers have any “bad ballplyers” in the sense intended by that comment. Not even the ridiculously overpaid Ordonez, not by any stretch of the imagination. But they have the record they do because of phenomenal pitching which keeps us in every game. All it takes is a hit or two at the right time and we can put another one in the books. That is not simply good luck but it is hard to count on perfect pitching every night. It is very Michigan, very Detroit that we have no stars (except for Rodriguez but he is the polar opposite of that other Rodriguez, he is a fiery, streetwise kind of star. Alex Rodriguez is also Puerto Rican — sorry Van Slyke)
I find it hard to believe that Dembroski won’t get us a real bat to go with the talented Thames and Monroe.

I kept saying, and quite stupidly I admit, that Soriano could play second in Detroit but that was the soriano fever talking not me. The prospect of my favorite player on my favorite team was simply too much for my brain. I am a Michigander in exile and have been living in New York for the last eight years and had the pleasure of watching Soriano come up. His swing is like nobodys (he used the heaviest bat on the team — just look at his forearms) and I will always remember those first nights in the Bronx watching this rookie hit lasers around the stadium but I would certainly like to forget his awkward footwork on double plays and his non-existent range to his left. Even with Polanco gone, Soriano, should a miracle occur and the great Dominican blow into Motown, needs to stay in left-field and the underated Infante gets his chance at second. Infield defense is just too important (while Guillen is great at turning two we are already holding our breath on ground balls to short) and I really believe Infante can get it done and give us some Dave Bergman style key hits done the stretch and solid D (what a gorgeous play wen night).

Monroe goes to right and Ordonez goes to DH or the DL whichever comes first. Am I the really the only one who noticed that his defense gave the Red Sox 3 runs on wen? I really appreciate the patiance and civility of Michigan media after enduring the truly poisonous atmousphere in New York but it is time to admit that the emperor has no clothes or at least no knees to speak of. No Homers for over a month? Who is really scary in the Tigers lineup? Right or left handed it doesn’t matter but the Tigers desperately need a big bat. Dembroski is a genius I agree and their are checks in Ordonezs contract against continuing knee problems but there are no checks against mediocre performance at plate and disastrous play in the field. Thames, in no at-bats, as well as Monroe and Inge all have more homers than Ordonez and Guillens’ numbers are comparable to Magglios except that his batting average his higher. Is 18 HR really that much better than 14? Johnny Damon has as many homers as ordonez. Johnny Damon. Even Inge (who I love and so want to do well — please get red-hot down the strech Brandon) would have 100 RBIS if he batted 4th in this lineup.

So Monroe would have to get used to right field. Does anyone really believe he would get to less balls than Magglio? It would mean that Magglio would have to compete for at-bats with Thames at DH. OK — incidentally the secret is clearly out on Thames across the league, somebody tell him that up there beyond the second baseman is something called right field. If it lands out there it is still a hit.

Sorry for the long post, maybe the rum and cigar has gone to my head or it could just be the rush of childhood memories that have come back to me with this wonderfully improbable summer. How can you not root for Brandon Inge, hes a walking metaphor for the tigers rebirth. Catch fire kid, stop swinging at that nonsense in the dirt and taking fastballs down the middle — you can do it. Believe that you are that good and you will be. Were going to need 12 more Hr and another 40-45 RBI from you. Thers no reason he couldn’t hit 280.

Last thought — my other favorite player is Dontrele Willis and I think hes a free agent next year. Is that true? How good would he look with an English D going sideways on his head?

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/.....ge=webgems

Soriano just cleared waivers.

Do you have a source, Michael?

1) The 2005 Sox were 10-13 against the other 3 AL playoff teams (Bos, NY, LA). Tigers are currently 12-20 vs. the 4 most likely playoff teams (Chi, Box, NY, Oak).

2) A year ago today the White Sox were in the middle of a 7-game losing streak against Boston, Minnesota, and NY.

Certainly doesn’t prove anything in terms of odds of advancing in the playoffs, but does add some context.

Kyle, each year I seem to forget all the ins and outs of claiming players of waivers, so the Freep article straightened that out for me. Damn it.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.....048/SPORTS

Anyone watch the postgame show last night? I turned the TV off when the game ended, but one of the promos said Henning was going to discuss a major move the Tigers could still make. Not sure what that would be besides Soriano.

Even better is that Chris Shelton and Leon Durhan seem to be figuring it out in Toledo.

I don’t necessarily believe it. It’s only been two weeks. Plus the article talks a lot about “rebuilding his confidence”. It wouldn’t surprise me to find out that Durham gave this interview solely to build Chris’ confidence.