Comments on: Opening Day 2008 Postmortem http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/ News, views, and analysis on the Detroit Tigers and baseball Sat, 20 Mar 2010 17:11:17 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Angus http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78161 Angus Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:37:44 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78161 Bilfer, Did not make Opening Day, but my first stop to get a feel for the day was at DTW. 2005 was the best year with Dimitri putting 3 out of the park. That was exciting. I agree that the crowds are getting worse. Keep up the good work. Bilfer, Did not make Opening Day, but my first stop to get a feel for the day was at DTW. 2005 was the best year with Dimitri putting 3 out of the park. That was exciting. I agree that the crowds are getting worse. Keep up the good work.

]]> By: Brian P http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78160 Brian P Wed, 02 Apr 2008 14:30:06 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78160 Woops. I was even imagining the right-center gap when I typed that, but apparently my brain switched left-handed batter pulling to right field. Woops. I was even imagining the right-center gap when I typed that, but apparently my brain switched left-handed batter pulling to right field.

]]> By: Kevin in Austin http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78137 Kevin in Austin Wed, 02 Apr 2008 02:52:29 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78137 Sam - great, great post. Thanks for taking the time. Sam – great, great post. Thanks for taking the time.

]]> By: Kathy http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78136 Kathy Wed, 02 Apr 2008 02:37:01 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78136 Please, no complaints about Sheff today. He just sent me a 8x10 personalized photo of himself. I'm thrilled to death! If anyone's curious, it's at garysheffield.com. And, yes, I sure miss Grandy at the top of the order. Please, no complaints about Sheff today. He just sent me a 8×10 personalized photo of himself. I’m thrilled to death! If anyone’s curious, it’s at garysheffield.com. And, yes, I sure miss Grandy at the top of the order.

]]> By: billfer http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78133 billfer Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:39:16 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78133 Matt - thanks for the confirmation and welcome to the comments section! David - if Sheffield is hurting I'd be concerned, but not frustrated with him for getting on base 4 times. I'll admit I was in no position to judge the pitches, but that first walk prevented Meche from having an easy 1-2-3 inning. Sam - Impressive record keeping, not so impressive lineup they put out there. Eck. Matt – thanks for the confirmation and welcome to the comments section!

David – if Sheffield is hurting I’d be concerned, but not frustrated with him for getting on base 4 times. I’ll admit I was in no position to judge the pitches, but that first walk prevented Meche from having an easy 1-2-3 inning.

Sam – Impressive record keeping, not so impressive lineup they put out there. Eck.

]]> By: Kyle J http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78131 Kyle J Wed, 02 Apr 2008 00:22:28 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78131 I think Sheffield drawing as many walks as possible is great for the offense. Best possible protection for Magglio and Cabrera is to have at least one runner on base when they get to the plate. In the land of the theoretical, I'd do this, to put the top two OBP guys at the top: Guillen Sheffield Cabrera Magglio etc. I think Sheffield drawing as many walks as possible is great for the offense. Best possible protection for Magglio and Cabrera is to have at least one runner on base when they get to the plate.

In the land of the theoretical, I’d do this, to put the top two OBP guys at the top:

Guillen
Sheffield
Cabrera
Magglio
etc.

]]> By: Eric Cioe http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78129 Eric Cioe Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:23:33 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78129 Brian, Jones is a lefty, so if he's trying to pull it, it would go to right field, not left. Brian,

Jones is a lefty, so if he’s trying to pull it, it would go to right field, not left.

]]> By: Brian P http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78127 Brian P Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:25:07 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78127 I remember Rod or Mario saying it looked like Jones was trying to pull everything. So if he's trying to find the left-center gap every at bat, then things will continue to be ugly. I remember Rod or Mario saying it looked like Jones was trying to pull everything. So if he’s trying to find the left-center gap every at bat, then things will continue to be ugly.

]]> By: T Smith http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78126 T Smith Tue, 01 Apr 2008 22:23:43 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78126 I have no problem whatsoever with Shef taking the questionable pitches -- some for strikes -- but as long as they are mostly for balls. Yes, I agree, some of the balls yesterday should have been strikes. I was shocked at the ball four call that rendered a RBI for Shef intstead of an X. In my estimation, the reason why it's a good thing is because pitchers will have to alter their approach, so long as Sheffield is drawing walks. If Sheffiled is going to develop a keen reputation for having a ciscerning eye -- which looks to be the case -- pitchers are going to have to go after him and throw strikes to get him out. And I think once opposing pitchers attack the strike zone and challenge him with strikes, you will see Shef hit exactly like "he's paid to hit." I have no problem whatsoever with Shef taking the questionable pitches — some for strikes — but as long as they are mostly for balls. Yes, I agree, some of the balls yesterday should have been strikes. I was shocked at the ball four call that rendered a RBI for Shef intstead of an X.

In my estimation, the reason why it’s a good thing is because pitchers will have to alter their approach, so long as Sheffield is drawing walks. If Sheffiled is going to develop a keen reputation for having a ciscerning eye — which looks to be the case — pitchers are going to have to go after him and throw strikes to get him out. And I think once opposing pitchers attack the strike zone and challenge him with strikes, you will see Shef hit exactly like “he’s paid to hit.”

]]> By: Chitown_T http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78125 Chitown_T Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:48:22 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78125 Did anyone else notice Jacque Jone's approach yesterday. Seems a lot like C-Mo's. This was one of the only real negatives I took from yesterday's game. I fully expect JJ to be below the Mendoza line this year. Did anyone else notice Jacque Jone’s approach yesterday. Seems a lot like C-Mo’s. This was one of the only real negatives I took from yesterday’s game. I fully expect JJ to be below the Mendoza line this year.

]]> By: Sam http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78124 Sam Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:35:24 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78124 I am pretty proud of the fact that I have been to every Comerica Park opening day. I put together a spreadsheet of the lineups and summaries. We are 3-6 in home openers at Comerica and haven't won since DY's 3 HR show in 2004. Here are the worst players to start at each position: C - Mitch Melusky (2002) - He even batted 5th! Mitch had all of 6 hits in his Tiger career! 1B - Chris Shelton (2006) - 1B and LF are the toughest positions to fill. Shelton has had the shortest career when compared to Tony Clark, DY, Carlos Pena, and Sean Casey. 2B - Ramon Santiago (2003) - Nothing against Ramon, and I could even see him starting at SS. But you know you may be headed to 100+ loses (actually 119) when he is your opening day 2B. SS - Shane Halter (2002) - Actually I disliked the 2002 team and kind of liked the 2003 team. The 2002 team lost 106 games with old players who had received stupid contracts (Like Halter) where 2003 was just a bunch of kids who had some talent but weren't ready. Halter was a HORRIBLE SS. 3B - C Paquette (2002) - See the Shane Halter comment. LF - D Young (2003) - D Young is only on this list because they actually started him in LF!!! Come on, he belongs at DH or at best manning 1B CF - Gene Kingsdale (2003) - Part of a trade from SD. Kingsdale never did anything with the Tigers batting .208 in 120 abs in his last major league experience. RF - Jacob Cruz (2002) - AAAA player defined as he played parts of 9 seasons having a grand total of 176 major league hits. DH - Billy McMillon (2001) - Did not have as good as career as Cruz as he only had 149 hits in parts of six seasons. SP - Nate Cornejo (2004) - Got his last career win on opening day 2004. He had 103 strikeouts in 313 career innings which is a pretty mind boggling stat. -Sam I am pretty proud of the fact that I have been to every Comerica Park opening day. I put together a spreadsheet of the lineups and summaries. We are 3-6 in home openers at Comerica and haven’t won since DY’s 3 HR show in 2004. Here are the worst players to start at each position:

C – Mitch Melusky (2002) – He even batted 5th! Mitch had all of 6 hits in his Tiger career!

1B – Chris Shelton (2006) – 1B and LF are the toughest positions to fill. Shelton has had the shortest career when compared to Tony Clark, DY, Carlos Pena, and Sean Casey.

2B – Ramon Santiago (2003) – Nothing against Ramon, and I could even see him starting at SS. But you know you may be headed to 100+ loses (actually 119) when he is your opening day 2B.

SS – Shane Halter (2002) – Actually I disliked the 2002 team and kind of liked the 2003 team. The 2002 team lost 106 games with old players who had received stupid contracts (Like Halter) where 2003 was just a bunch of kids who had some talent but weren’t ready. Halter was a HORRIBLE SS.

3B – C Paquette (2002) – See the Shane Halter comment.

LF – D Young (2003) – D Young is only on this list because they actually started him in LF!!! Come on, he belongs at DH or at best manning 1B

CF – Gene Kingsdale (2003) – Part of a trade from SD. Kingsdale never did anything with the Tigers batting .208 in 120 abs in his last major league experience.

RF – Jacob Cruz (2002) – AAAA player defined as he played parts of 9 seasons having a grand total of 176 major league hits.

DH – Billy McMillon (2001) – Did not have as good as career as Cruz as he only had 149 hits in parts of six seasons.

SP – Nate Cornejo (2004) – Got his last career win on opening day 2004. He had 103 strikeouts in 313 career innings which is a pretty mind boggling stat.

-Sam

]]> By: Kevin in Austin http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78121 Kevin in Austin Tue, 01 Apr 2008 21:05:53 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78121 David is really getting hammered here. David - I want to say that I see your point, though I don't agree with it. Yes, it would be nice to know that Sheff isn't injured, and we all want him to be aggressive. But I'm pretty sure that Ted Williams himself would be pleased with a 4 walk day. Having a day off after an opening day loss is absolute hell. David is really getting hammered here. David – I want to say that I see your point, though I don’t agree with it. Yes, it would be nice to know that Sheff isn’t injured, and we all want him to be aggressive. But I’m pretty sure that Ted Williams himself would be pleased with a 4 walk day.

Having a day off after an opening day loss is absolute hell.

]]> By: Bix http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78120 Bix Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:41:24 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78120 It's one game -- a frustrating one, for sure -- but it's one game. Sheff needs to be taking walks (if they're handing them to him), if for no other reason than it helps work the other teams pitchers. With so many early swingers in the lineup (historically, though they say they're working on that) it's a huge help to make the opposition throw 4-5 extra pitches per at bat. Look at the way the RedSox and Yankees work the other team's starter -- Abreu, Damon, Youk, Matsui all are in the top 20 for PPA, while only Inge(?) is up there for us. On the NL list, Renteria is solid too, so having two guys at the top of the order (for now) that churn pitchers is a real asset. Obviously, having him (or someone) on base when maggs/miggy/guillen hit their 80+ homers this season will result in 80+ more runs...and a half-run a game is no small potatoes. It’s one game — a frustrating one, for sure — but it’s one game. Sheff needs to be taking walks (if they’re handing them to him), if for no other reason than it helps work the other teams pitchers. With so many early swingers in the lineup (historically, though they say they’re working on that) it’s a huge help to make the opposition throw 4-5 extra pitches per at bat. Look at the way the RedSox and Yankees work the other team’s starter — Abreu, Damon, Youk, Matsui all are in the top 20 for PPA, while only Inge(?) is up there for us. On the NL list, Renteria is solid too, so having two guys at the top of the order (for now) that churn pitchers is a real asset.

Obviously, having him (or someone) on base when maggs/miggy/guillen hit their 80+ homers this season will result in 80+ more runs…and a half-run a game is no small potatoes.

]]> By: chris http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78119 chris Tue, 01 Apr 2008 18:27:41 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78119 personally i think we're going to really miss curtis in the #1 hole, he's an energetic player that really gets things going for us at the top of the lineup. personally i think we’re going to really miss curtis in the #1 hole, he’s an energetic player that really gets things going for us at the top of the lineup.

]]> By: Mark in Chicago http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78118 Mark in Chicago Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:58:03 +0000 http://www.detroittigersweblog.com/2008/03/opening-day-2008-postmortem/#comment-78118 Crappy loss, we let too many opportunities get away. I suppose it's a good sign we had so many guys on base, I would hope for better execution and results as we get 5-10 games in or so and players get their timing back. However, it's good to have a game thread and postgame wrap once again to chat in. Crappy loss, we let too many opportunities get away. I suppose it’s a good sign we had so many guys on base, I would hope for better execution and results as we get 5-10 games in or so and players get their timing back.

However, it’s good to have a game thread and postgame wrap once again to chat in.

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