Category Archives: 2006 Season

2006 Season, Playoffs

Tigers Business is Booming

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The Tigers success has been bringing people downtown all summer. The Tigers are only 55,285 fans away from setting a new record in Comerica Park attendance. It will pass the 2,533,752 fans who came to Comerica Park in 2000. It will also become the 2nd largest crowd in Detroit history.

Now a study shows that the possible impact of a long playoff run could bring as much as $71.7 million into the city (reg required). That number assumes that Detroit would host the maximum number of home games which would be 11. The estimates include tickets, parking, food, drink, entertainment and souveneirs.

The estimates are for $3.9 million per ALDS game, $5.5 million for each ALCS game, and $9.5 million per World Series game.

I’m typically skeptical about these types of estimates, but this set actually seem reasonable. If you assume 43,000 fans per game the estimates are $90.69 per fan for the ALDS, $127.90 for the ALCS, and $220 for the World Series. I think it is a safe assumption that thousands of fans without tickets would be coming down to enjoy the games in local establishments, so those per fan averages are probably even lower.

Now given the current standings, it is unlikely that Detroit would have a shot at having 4 home games in the ALCS. Regardless of the number of playoff games, the study says taht the increased attendance has already resulted in an additional $36.2 million coming into the city during the regular season.

2006 Season, Game Post

Game 159: Blue Jays at Tigers

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PREGAME: A Tigers loss, a Twins loss, and a Yankees win, mean that the Tigers are still in good shape for the Central Division, but don’t really have a shot at homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. The magic number for the division is 3 and the magic number for homefield is still 6.

Today it will be Kenny rogers against AJ Burnett in an afternoon tilt. Rogers was the last starter to make it into the 7th inning. Here’s hoping he can stick around long enough to keep the long guys out of the game so they can be available this weekend.

Game Time 1:05pm

POSTGAME: I think the lineup issues from today have been pretty well hashed out in the comments. My 2 cents are that I’ll assume that Polanco and Ordonez were sore. With a short turnaround it seems possible and plausible that Leyland would take the safe route with those 2. As for Neifi Perez over Infante, I think that can be attributed to Leyland’s love of platooning.

A ton can be made about the substitution decisons (which I was surprised came so early) but the fact of the matter is the offense produced 6 runs. You can certainly question the decision making, but the results were favorable. The problem was run prevention which can partially be attributed to defense and largely attributed to Rogers.

Right now the bigger concern is that the long relievers have been used heavily this week due to Robertson’s and Rogers’ early exits. At this point Jordan Tata will probably be starting on Saturday, and it may force Bonderman to start on Sunday.

2006 Season, Playoffs

ALCS Tickets and more ALDS Tickets

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The Tigers announced their plans for selling ALCS tickets and additional tickets being released for the ALDS.

Individual game tickets to potential 2006 American League Championship Series games that could be played at Comerica Park will go on sale Monday, October 2, 2006 at 10 a.m.

In addition, a limited number of newly-released individual tickets for the American League Division Series games to be played at Comerica Park will go on sale this Friday, September 29 at 10 a.m.

Tickets will only be available online at tigers.com and by phone at 248-25-TIGER. Tickets will not be sold at ticket outlets or at the Comerica Park Box Office.

Individual ticket prices for potential League Championship Series games at Comerica Park start at $75 – while ticket prices for the Division Series games start at $35. Fans will be allowed to purchase up to six (6) tickets per game, per customer, subject to availability.

The American League Championship Series is scheduled to begin Tuesday, October 10, 2006

2006 Season, Playoffs

Maroth not on playoff roster

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Jim Leyland made the announcement today that Mike Maroth won’t be a member of the playoff roster.

This is the right choice and hardly a surprise. Maroth has barely pitched since coming back from injury, and he hasn’t been effective with his limited opportunities.

As a fan though, I feel horrible for MIke. He endured 2003 and he did it with class. He was given the opportunity to be taken out of the rotation to avoid 20 losses, yet he took his turn each time.

This season saw him start off great only to be sidelined with bone chips. He wasn’t able to continue what looked to be a promising personal season, and his elbow limited him to gum-chewing duty as the team enjoyed more success than this city has seen in years. He stayed with the team and was always seen in the dugout.

And on top of all that, he has a reputation as being one of the all around good guys in all of baseball.

Now Maroth isn’t getting “the shaft” by any means. It is simply a matter of unfortunate circumstances. I’d love for him to be a contributing member of the roster, but it won’t change the fact that he’s still a part of the team.

2006 Season, Game Post

Game 158: Blue Jays at Tigers

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PREGAME: The Tigers will look to extend their 4 game winning streak and continue to move closer to the AL Central title. The magic number is currently at 4 for the Central, and 6 for the homefield advantage.

Tonight it will be a southpaw battle with Nate Robertson toeing the rubber for Detroit. Nate was far from sharp in his last start in Baltimore as he walked 5 and hit a batter.

He’ll be opposed by Ted Lilly. In his last outing against Detroit Lilly allowed only 5 baserunners (3 hits and 2 walks). Unfortunately for Lilly, all 5 scored.

Game Time 7:05pm

POSTGAME Bulletized thoughts on tonights game:

  • In Nate Robertson’s last 2 starts he’s had exactly one 1-2-3 inning.
  • Anyone else notice that on the 3 run homer allowed to Molina, Robertson shook off Pudge? I’m sure that not everytime Robertson shakes off a pitch it results in a homer, but it seems that often times when it is a homer, it came off a shake-off.
  • By having to use Zach Miner a couple innings tonight, will he be able to pitch Saturday? I have to imagine that factored into Robertson staying in as long as he did.
  • I’ve been wanting Thames, Shelton, and Infante to get more playing time. They haven’t made me look good.
2006 Season, Playoffs

It’s a Pep Rally

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The Tigers will host “Rally Monday” from 11am to 1pm on October 2nd. The free event at Comerica Park will feature:

  • Jeff Daniels performing Life Long Tiger Fan Blues Revisted
  • Autographs from former Tigers Al Kaline, Willie Horton, Gates Brown, and Dan Petry
  • Mario & Rod emcee’ing
  • An appearance by Ernie Harwell
  • Free rally towels to the first 2500 fans
  • Opportunity to win ALDS tickets
2006 Season, Pitching, Playoffs

Setting up the playoff rotation

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Jim Leyland announced today that Justin Verlander wouldn’t be making his start on Saturday. This is probably good on a couple fronts.

First, Verlander’s velocity was down in his last start. He’s well eclilpsed his previous innings threshold and fatigue is certainly a reality. I can’t speak to how much a couple extra days will aid in recovery, but it certainly shouldn’t hurt.

Second, it sets up what will likely be the Tigers playoff rotation. I’m guessing it will be Rogers-Verlander-Robertson-Bonderman, unless Bonderman gets for his next start on Sunday. Each of the 4 would be pitching on normal or extended rest. The Twins losing at some point would certainly facilitate that.

2006 Season, Game Post

Game 157: Blue Jays at Tigers

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PREGAME: The playoff bound Tigers return home to try and secure the AL Central and possibly the best record in baseball. The magic number for the Central is 5. They are currently tied with the Yankees for best record, but the Yankees hold the head-to-head tiebreaker advantage so the Tigers actually need to beat out the Yankees.

The Tigers will send Jeremy Bonderman against Dustin McGowan. McGowan is making just his 2nd start this year, and his first since July 29th. He’s filling in for Roy Halladay who was shut down for the year.

Game Time 7:05pm

POSTGAME: Magglio Ordonez left the game with back spasms, which is certainly a concern. In the postgame interview, Leyland didn’t think it was serious. Also, Marcus Thames wasn’t with the team tonight as it sounds like he is ill.

As for Bonderman, the final results look okay, but it was a bumpy ride. He was missing with considerable regularity with his fastball and his slider didn’t seem to be as sharp, and he didn’t seem to throw it as often. Frankly it is the most concerned I’ve been with him in the 2nd half. He admitted that he had been pitching through a sprained ankle, and I only hope that he didn’t adversely change his mechanics to compensate.

The relief pitching was solid, and Joel Zumaya deserved better. He was squeezed on what would have been a called third strike that would have retired the side. Instead 2 runs came around to score on a tweener and a passed ball.

The bats managed to do just enough with Placido Polanco finding a hole with the bases loaded, and later laying down a squeeze bunt. Monroe was on 3rd base at the time because of a double steal that preceeded an RBI single by Brandon Inge. For those small ball afficionados, this was a game you had to love.

2006 Season, Managing & Strategy

The big inning – that almost wasn’t

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Yesterday the Tigers put the game out of reach early with a monstrous 9 run 2nd inning. But that inning almost didn’t happen. In fact, Jim Leyland tried to keep that inning from happening. Here is what transpired:

1. Craig Monroe led off the inning with a double down the line.

2. Brandon Inge was called on to sacrifice bunt. Essentially giving away an out to advance Monroe to 3rd, or playing for 1 run rather than for runs. Fortunately for the Tigers Brandon took the first pitch, and was drilled by the 2nd. Now there are runners on 1st and 2nd.

3. Omar Infante is now called on to sacrifice bunt, giving up an out to move runners into scoring position in the 2nd inning. Infante got the bunt down, but the Royals couldn’t field it cleanly and everyone was safe.

Now with the bases loaded the bunt was taken out of the equation. For the rest of the inning the Royals would be forced to earn their outs. In doing so the Tigers managed to push 9 runs across.
Continue reading The big inning – that almost wasn’t →

2006 Season, Playoffs

The Clinch: Playoffs

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The Tigers have secured their first playoff birth since 1987. I was 13 when the Tigers last sniffed the post season so this is a first in my adult life – and yet I feel like a kid!

Congratulations everyone! Players, Scouts, Coaches, Front Office Folks, Fans, Bloggers, Everyone!

Special congratulations go out to the following players:
Brandon Inge
Ramon Santiago
Craig Monroe
omar Infante
Jeremy Bonderman
Mike Maroth
Jamie Walker
Fernando Rodney
Wilfredo Ledezma
Nate Robertson

That was the worst of times, and here’s hoping for the best of times.

The story isn’t complete, but the first chapter is. Now let’s nail down the division.

2006 Season, Game Post

Game 156: Tigers at Royals

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PREGAME: So maybe it’s just as well the Tigers didn’t clinch a playoff spot last night. They’d have wanted to party, and there would have been this pesky day game to play today. Hopefully they can take care of business today, have a boisterous flight home, and relax with an off day tomorrow.

It will be Justin Verlander against Runelvys Hernandez.

In terms of implications, the Tigers are 1 1/2 games up on the Twins and the Twins have a game in hand. If the Twins win out, the best they could do is 99 wins. The Tigers are at 93 wins so their magic number is 7. However, the Tigers hold the tiebreaker advantage over the Twins, so the real magic number is 6. As for the playoffs, a Tiger win or White Sox loss locks up a playoff spot. When it comes to home field, the Tigers are now only a half game behind the Yankees, so that is still very much a possibility.

Game Time 2:10pm

POSTGAME: Not a lot for me to say about this one. Let’s just be happy.

Oh yeah – and the Tigers once again have gained the best record in all of baseball.