Comments on: Men in uniforms

By: Always look on the bright side of life « Spartans Weblog

Always look on the bright side of life « Spartans Weblog — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 00:06:24 +0000

[...] 10. Spring training has started. [...]

By: Ronnie DeLaura

Ronnie DeLaura — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 23:59:17 +0000

That long in the lead and all those horrible batting seasons and now he thinks he solved everything. I’ll give him a .253 avg for the whole year and I think thats being generous. If he gets traded and start for a team then I would have to say he will bat .238

By: Ken from Cincinnati

Ken from Cincinnati — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 21:16:15 +0000

Inge clearly considers himself an everyday starter in this league despite his AA batting skills. It really annoys me actually. If he was even one step worse on defense he would probably never see the big leagues again. Inge should really be ecstatic right now. He never has to worry about money again because we exorbitantly overpaid him and he gets to sit the bench on a world series contender, as opposed to sitting the bench on a mediocre team or playing everyday for one of the worst clubs in the league. On another note, I am so unbelievably siked to see pitchers try and get through this lineup. Grandson-triple, Polanco-single, Sheffield-double, Maggs-double, Cabrera-home run. 5-0 still no outs. That’s how every game is going to start. I’m not sure if you guys knew that.

By: rings

rings — Sat, 16 Feb 2008 14:32:42 +0000

Here’s a quote from Knobler on the subject:

** FOR HIS PART, Inge said he has changed his approach at the plate, after hitting .223 with just three home runs over the second half last year (and thus making himself difficult to trade). “Cutting down on strikeouts is crucial,” he said. “My stance is a little different, but mostly it’s the approach. I don’t have to try to hit the ball 561 feet.” **

It’s good that he’s finally “getting it” and that he’s willing to take a fresh approach. It’s negative that its taken the loss of his job for him to understand that a few homers from the #9 spot is fine, but its more important to move runners, get on base and do something positive with your offensive opportunities and avoid 150K’s.

I know it “kills him not to play,” but that statement is true of EVERY player from Little League on up. (I’m still not happy about not being on the team!!) But most of us realize right away that our own performance ultimately determines our playing time and status on the team and, hopefully, this is a sign that he’s taking some personal responsibility and stops blaming “circumstances” for taking his job away.

I hope he has a great year as a utility guy for the World Champion Tigers and actually EARNS a starting job for ‘09.

On a slightly related topic, with Pudge’s new youthful “look” again this year, it begs two comments:
1. We may be enjoying a “contract year” season from him in ‘08
2. What is he on?