Mark "The Bird" Fidrych - RIP

I was in the kitchen last night making pizza, when my wife turned the TV channel to the news. The first thing I heard was Katie Couric talking about Mark Fidrych. Uh oh. Then, the kicker: The Bird was dead at the age of 54. My mind immediately flashed back to the summer of 1976, when I was just ten years old. The Detroit Tigers were not very good that year. As a team, they won just 74 games, but the Michigan summer was electrified by the emergence of a young 21-year-old phenom by the name of Mark Fidrych. He pitched a complete game in his first start (a 2-hitter over the Indians), and believe it or not it got better and better throughout the summer. Not only did Fidrych have a great season statistically, but his quirky game day antics became a national phenomenon. On the mound, he would seemingly talk to the ball. Between innings, he would get down on his hands and knees and manicure the mound by hand until he got it just right. He was a lovable country redneck from rural Massachusetts. He was a breath of fresh air.

I have been a Tiger fan since my early childhood - as far back as my memory can take me. I remember going to Tiger stadium when I was maybe 6 or 7 years old with my dad. I remember seeing lots of different Tiger players in my formative years: Gates Brown, Joe Coleman, Willie Horton, Mickey Lolich, John Hiller, Ron LeFlore, Dick McCauliffe, Aurelio Rodriguez, Bill Freehan, Al Kaline, Mickey Stanley. But no one really captured my childhood imagination until Mark Fidrych. He was one of a kind. He had the kind of season that young pitchers dream of when they get drafted out of high school. He won 19 games versus 9 losses that season. He had 24 complete games out of 29 starts (for context, the major league leader in complete games this past season was CC Sabathia - he had ten). He had four shutouts. He started the All-Star Game for the AL. Reportedly, teams begged the Tigers to change their rotation to allow him to pitch certain games in their stadiums. Attendance at Tiger Stadium soared when Fidrych was pitching.

Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury early in the 1977 season and was never the same again. He was on a similar pace with 7 complete games in 11 starts prior to his injury. After coming back from the knee problem, arm problems followed. He was out of the majors for good after the 1980 season.

After his baseball career was over, he owned a trucking company and just became a "regular guy." He seemingly never had any regrets about his shortened career, and he never expressed any bitterness. he was happy to have had the time he had. As Neil Young might say, "It's better to burn out than to fade away." Fidrych burned brighter than anyone in the summer of '76, and his flame was extinguished just as quickly.

"The Tale of Mark Fidrych" is probably one significant reason that teams are now so careful with pitchers. They monitor pitch counts. They monitor innings. They try to avoid extreme increases in innings pitched from year to year. If such care would have been taken with Fidrych, perhaps he would have had a more productive overall career. But it may have also robbed us of that one magical season, when a colorful character called "The Bird" let us fly with him.

"That ball has a hit in it, so I want to get back in the ball bag and goof around with the other balls in there. Maybe it'll learn some sense and come out as a pop-up next time." - Mark Fidrych (1976)

Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers are, to put it mildly, off to a bit of a rocky start this season. After every publication and blog on the planet picked the Tigers to make the playoffs, they have proceeded to start the year by throwing up all over their shiny new baseball cleats with six consecutive losses. Sure, it sucks, but is it a big deal? Last year, the World Champion Red Sox had a stretch where the lost 6 of 7, and another where they lost 5 of 6. The point is, teams have bad stretches. The Tigers' bad stretch just happens to be at the start of the season. The most notable things about their horrendous start so far:

• Other than Clete Thomas (who?), Carlos Guillen, and Brandon Inge, no one is hitting the ball. Through six games, the Tigers have scored 15 runs. I'm no math whiz, but I think that works out to 2.5 runs per game. That's Twins-level of hitting suckitude. People were talking about the Tigers being a lock to score a thousand runs this year. It wouldn't be so bad, but...


• The pitching has been horrible. The team ERA is 5.30. They've gotten one quality start. The pitchers have walked 27 batters and struck out 35. Not a good ratio. The only mitigating factor in all this is...


• Injuries. Curtis Granderson has yet to suit up, and CF has been manned by Thomas and Inge. They've both played well, but Granderson is an all-star caliber player, and he is undoubtedly missed. Sheffield's osteoporosis already forced him to miss a couple games. Cabrera has missed two starts. They were already missing Zumaya and Rodney from the pitching staff.


• Tigers were swept twice at home. Now they have to go to Boston to play at Fenway, in their home opener after what will probably be an inspiring tribute to last year's World Series championship team.

Now, the good news:

• The x-ray of Granderson's broken hand on Sunday was positive, and he was cleared to resume baseball activities. There is no timetable for his return, but he'll start throwing and hitting as soon as he can make throws and grip the bat without discomfort.


• The aforementioned game with the Red Sox will be started by Kenny Rogers, who might be perfect for this game, because the Sox hitters might be so jacked up after their pre-game festivities that they forget that The Gambler throws 55 mph curveballs. Their excess adrenaline might not serve them well here. Of course, I'm just grasping at straws here in trying to find a positive spin for their trip to Boston, so forgive my blind optimism for tomorrow night's game.

The way I see it, as long as their major players stay healthy most of the year, they'll break out of this funk: i.e., Polanco won't be hitting .087 for long (his career average is .304); Cabrera won't be stuck with 1 RBI for much longer. And it will probably happen sooner than later. You really need about a quarter of the season to have a good idea what kind of team you're going to be (remember 35-5 in 1984?). After 40 games, the Tigers should have at least 21 or 22 wins, and be within a game or two of first place. If not, it will most likely be because of lack of pitching, not lack of hitting. Leyland is not afraid to change things up if they're not working. If Inge keeps hitting, Leyland won't hesitate to use him at just about any position on the field. I think the Kitties are probably glad they decided not to trade him this offseason. If not for Inge's extreme manliness, they'd be even more winless than they are now.

Bless You Boys...

More on the Tigers (and horrible columnist Lynn Henning), from firejoemorgan.com.

2008 Detroit Tigers Preview - Wilco-Style

The Detroit Tigers will win the American League Central this year. Mark it down. After some brilliant off-season moves by GM Dave Dombrowski, the Tigers have the best lineup in baseball, and a great starting rotation as well. The band Wilco is in a similar situation. They just made a key acquisition for their latest album Sky Blue Sky - guitarist Nels Cline. I recently went to see Wilco in concert here in Houston and I can say with certainty that, thanks in part to the addition of Cline, they are at the top of their game. Here is a quick 2008 Detroit Tigers preview, with the projected starting line-up (in one possible batting order), and the Wilco song lyrics to help describe each player:

Your Team outlook - "Wishful Thinking"
Fill up your mind with all it can know

Don't forget that your body will let it all go

Fill up your mind with all it can know

'Cause what would we be without wishful thinking

This summarizes the feelings of just about every baseball fan in the spring. Except for the Pirates fans. And maybe the Devil Rays fans. And possibly the Orioles fans. All right, Royals fans too. But the last two seasons have produced some unlikely World Series teams: Colorado last year, and Detroit in 2006. I suspect that the fans of those two teams were less than optimistic about their teams' chances before the season.

Curtis Granderson (CF) - "Joe DiMaggio Done It Again"
Grandma's home by the radio

On the television watching Joe

She jerks the beard off of Grandpa's chin

Joe DiMaggio's done it again

It could be argued that Granderson had his breakout season in 2007. After all, he became only the third player in major league history (and the first since Willie Mays in 1957) to have 20 doubles, 20 triples, 20 home runs, and 20 stolen bases in a single season. However, he's still young (just turned 27 on Sunday) and has some things he can improve on. In the leadoff spot, it would help if he were more selective and took a few more walks (only 52 in 2007), and he strikes out too much (141 in 2007). He has improved his OBP each season, so I am expecting big things from Granderson in 2008. He may not be in the same class as Joe DiMaggio, but he has some serious skills, and just an incremental improvement over last year could lead to big things for the Tigers this year.

Fun Fact: Has a highly entertaining blog on espn.com.

Placido Polanco (2B) - "Outtasite (Outta Mind)"
You don't see me now

You don't want to anyhow

Polanco is a steady performer who rarely makes headlines, but gives 100 percent in every game. He quietly produced a .341 average last year, and has not made an error in the field since July 1, 2006. His play is so steady and predictably good that "out of sight, out of mind" is where he comfortably sits. And considering the ineptitude of Tiger second basemen since Sweet Lou hung up his spikes, I'm fine with that. His position in the batting order could be either 2nd or 9th. Depends on where Leyland wants to put Renteria.

Fun Fact: Seems to have a gigantic head.

Miguel Cabrera (3B) - "Monday"
Monday, I'm all right, get me out of FLA

Cabrera, along with Willis, was acquired in the offseason from the Marlins for prospects. According to reports from spring training, he has shed a lot of weight since last season, when he resembled the fat 1976 Elvis. He's reportedly down to a relatively svelte 240 pounds (he's 6'-4" - he's never gonna be below 220 or so). The Tigers are counting on Cabrera to provide some pop that was lacking from the third base position last year when Brandon Inge manned the hot corner. In four full seasons, Cabrera has averaged 31 home runs and 115 RBIs. If he meets those averages this year, the Tigers will be very happy. Even better, as of opening day, Cabrera is still only 24 years old. Long live The King (hopefully "skinny Elvis" for this year).

Trivia: Practices Santeria. Kinda like voodoo. Could be good for the team.

Magglio Ordonez (RF) - "Via Chicago"
I'm coming home

I'm coming home

Via Chicago

The former Chicago White Sox rightfielder "The Big Tilde" had one of the all-time greatest seasons in Tiger history in 2007. He won the AL batting title with a .363 average, hit 28 home runs, and drove in 138 runs. Oh yeah, and he had 54 doubles. And his OBP was .434. With all the additional help he has in the lineup this year, if he even approaches those numbers, the Tigers will be hoisting the World Series Trophy in October. Not only that, but he has some sweet hair - harkens back to big Bake McBride size fros protruding from under the batting helmets.

Fun Fact: Has a son named Magglio Jr. and a daughter named Maggliana. Wife's name is Dagly. Two Magglios, one Maggliana, and a Dagly. Wow.

Gary Sheffield (DH) - "Meanest Man"
If it weren't for your talking I hear on the street

I'd be the orneriest man that you ever did meet

My feelings about Sheffield have been stated previously in the blog. He's a dick. But he can really hit the baseball. If he stays relatively healthy (120 games or more), he should have a typically productive season - 25 HRs, 80 RBI, .300 avg. However, he's 39 years old, and he's had some nagging injuries the last couple years. This has the potential to be the weak link in the lineup if Sheff can't stay healthy.

Fun Fact: Likes media attention.

Carlos Guillen (1B) - "That's Not The Issue"

You've got a problem, I think you know

I'll tell you mine before you go

You've been thinking about somebody new

That's not the issue

Guillen is switching positions this year. He was a shortstop (worst fielding pct. of all major league SS) and thankfully he's moving across the diamond to first base. He has played the position quite a bit in the last couple years - due to some injuries, and the fact that Sean Casey, by all acounts a swell guy, did not have much power. First base is a position where a team typically expects a bit of power, which Guillen can definitely provide. he's a steady 20 HR, 90 RBI player, and that should do just fine. While he's no Sean Casey in the field yet, he has the potential to be very good defensively (1 error in 44 career games at first). Due to the new high quality defense on the left side of the infield, first base defense should not be a major issue.

Fun Fact: In 2006, Guillén became the first player in modern Major League history to raise his average for six consecutive seasons, batting .320.

Edgar Renteria (SS) - "A Shot In The Arm"
Maybe all I need is a shot in the arm

The acquisition of Renteria allowed the Tigers to move Carlos Guillen and his 24 errors and limited range over to first base. Renteria made just 11 errors last year and won the NL gold glove for shortstops. In addition, Renteria was no slouch at the plate, with a .332 average. He and Polanco are both very good options to hit second, so Leyland may have both of them there at various times this season. This acquisition should be a real shot in the arm for both the offense and defense.

Fun Fact: Renteria is one of only three players to be the last hitter of two World Series, having won the 1997 Series with a walk-off RBI single and ended the 2004 World Series with a groundout to the pitcher

Ivan Rodriquez (C) - "Pot Kettle Black"
I myself have found a real rival in myself

I am hoping for a re-arrival of my health

I think Pudge would agree if I said that last year was a bit of a down year for him. Hopefully it was just that, and not the start of a steady decline. He's getting old (he's 36), and he's caught a lot of games. But he's still very good defensively (4 straight gold gloves), and he's capable of getting hot at the plate for long stretches. His experience is valuable for the young pitching staff. He'll still be tough to steal on, especially since the starting staff has three lefties and Verlander, who has one of the best pickoff moves in baseball. At this point in his career, if he can play 125 games and hit .280/15/75, the team would be very satisfied.

Fun Fact: Made his major league debut for the Texas Rangers on the same day he was married (June 20, 1991).

Jacque Jones (LF) - "Misunderstood"
But you're so misunderstood

You're so misunderstood

Jacque Jones is a mystery to me. The Tigers acquired Jones this offseason to play leftfield. He appears to have some power - 13 or more homeruns in 7 of his 8 full ML seasons. However, in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field last year, he managed just five. He doesn't have much speed - 13 SB is his best season. His career average is .280. Meh. He doesn't walk much, so his OBP is not real good (.329 career OBP). He strikes out a lot. He doesn't appear to be all that good defensively and doesn't have a great arm. Am I missing something? He'll start as the regular leftfielder, but if he doesn't produce, Marcus Thames, Ryan Raburn, or even Brandon Inge could get some playing time in left.

Fun Fact: The only man named Jacque to ever play for the Tigers (this may or may not be true, but I feel safe in asserting this - any evidence to the contrary is welcome)

Justin Verlander (RHP) - "Summerteeth"
Like a cloud his fingers explode

Verlander is a stud. He pitched his first major league no-hitter last year. In two full seasons, he's won 35 games. His K/BB ratio is almost 3, and improved from his rookie year. He's a bonafide ace. I think 20 wins is not out of the question for Verlander. With the potent offense, he should have no trouble going deep into games with good sized leads. He's only 25 years old, so he should be winning games for the Tigers for many years to come.

Fun Fact: In Verlander's no-hitter last year, only three of 30 hitters managed to hit a ball to the outfield. He also struck out 12.

Jeremy Bonderman (RHP) - "Should Have Been In Love"
Your life's been stinking, your heart's been sinking,

And you're too busy thinking to stop

You blink and you're blue

Despite the fact that this will be his sixth major league season, Bonderman is only 25. Bonderman did not have a good year in 2007. He still managed to win 11 games, but his ERA was over 5. Even with a high-octane lineup, that's not good enough from your number 2 starter. If he can get his ERA down, he has the potential to win 20 games. He's a workhorse, but had lots of first inning trouble in 2007. He has already proven himself to be a money pitcher in the postseason.

Fun Fact: Was the only high school underclassman to be drafted by a MLB team (he was a junior), the A's in 2001.

Dontrelle Willis (LHP) - "Monday"
Monday, I'm all right, get me out of FLA

Willis was acquired in the same trade that brought Cabrera to the Tigers. He has been in a bit of a decline the last couple years, but the Tigers are hoping that a change of scenery will do him some good. The AL might take some time to get used to his high leg kick, but that should only take him thru the first couple months. He has been a 20-game winner before (2005), and he has pitched over 200 innings in each of the last three years. However, his trends over the last three years are not good: strikeouts, down; walks, up; HR allowed, up; ERA, up. Hopefully the Tigers' staff can get him back on the right track.

Fun Fact: In 2005, became the third player in modern baseball history to win 20 games and collect 20 hits in the same season.

Nate Robertson (LHP) - "Unwelcome Guest"
I treat horses good

And I'm friendly to strangers

I ride and your running

Makes my guns talk the best

Nate is the quiet guy on the staff. Verlander throws a no hitter. Bonderman throws 95 mph heat. Willis has won 20 and has the unorthodox delivery. Rogers shoves cameramen. Nate just goes out and pitches. He's made at least thirty starts in each of the last four years. He's probably good for nearly 200 innings and double digit wins. He lets his results do the talking for him. What do those results say? Steady, decent lefty who tends to give up a lot of HRs and doesn't strike out a lot of guys.

Fun Fact: In a rare coincidence, Robertson logged the exact same number of innings pitched in back-to-back seasons, with 196.2 in both 2004 and 2005.

Kenny Rogers (LHP) - "One By One"
One by one my hair is turning gray

One by one my dreams are fading fast away

Good old Kenny Rogers is still at it. He's the only guy on the team that's older than me. He's 43 (born in 1964). He's the quintessential "crafty lefthander" much like Frank Tanana was in his days as a Tiger. Rogers was limited to only 11 starts due to an injury last year, but he reached at least 13 wins in the previous five seasons. He doesn't really strike anyone out anymore, so he has to rely a good defense to help him out. Kenny is this year's wild card in the rotation. He could make 34 starts, or he could break a hip and miss the majority of the season.

Fun Fact: Knows when to hold them, and also knows when to fold them. He is well aware that you never ever count your money when you are sitting at the table. There will in fact be time for counting when the dealing is done.

Todd Jones (CL) - "I Am Trying to Break Your Heart"
I am trying to break your heart

I am trying to break your heart

But still I'd be lying if I said it wasn't easy

I am trying to break your heart

What can you say about Jones? Due to another freak injury to Joel Zumaya (2006, guitar hero; 2007, moving boxes for wildfire), the Tigers enter the season with Todd Jones as their closer again. Jones is quite unusual for a closer - he doesn't strike anybody out (33 K in 61 IP). Most closers are fireballers. For example, the Angels Francisco Rodriguez had 90 K in 67 innings. Some closers make you want to watch the ninth inning to see how silly they can make the hitters look flailing at their unhittable 99 MPH fastballs. When Todd Jones enters the game, I tend to cover my eyes or change the channel. He does still have a nice badass porn-stache/biker-stache.

Fun Fact: On September 27, 1999, Jones threw the last official pitch at Tiger Stadium, striking out Carlos Beltran as the Tigers defeated the Kansas City Royals 8-2.

Bullpen - "Why Would You Wanna Live"
It's all happened here before.

I know you've seen it too

This is the biggest question mark on the team. The bullpen, including closer Jones, could potentially be a disaster. If Leyland can coax good seasons out of the likes of Jason Grilli, Yorman Bazardo, Zach Minor, and Bobby Seay, his credentials as a hall-of-fame manager are further burnished.

Jim Leyland - "Box Full of Letters"
Wish I had a lotta answers,

'Cause that's the way it should be

For all these questions,

Being directed at me

Jim Leyland has enjoyed quite a career renassiance after coming out of retirement to manage the Tigers. He is very good at what he does, and Dombrowski has assembled a great team for him to manage this year. The only way the Tigers don't win the AL Central this year is if they have a rash of injuries. They have enough guns to survive an off-year from a couple players, but if they lose multiple players for significant time, they're in trouble - just like almost every major league team.

Fun Fact: Once, when he was being interviewed by ESPN, he was asked about his well-publicized tendency to smoke cigarettes in the dugout. Leyland paused for a moment, put his head down and delivered the obligatory platitudes about how bad smoking is for you, how children should avoid smoking, how he knows it's unhealthy. Then he looked directly into the camera, his eyes very wide, and said, "Still. Smokers out there, you know what I'm talking about. That moment, after you've had a huge meal, say at Thanksgiving, when you step outside in the cold, light up a cigarette and take a deep inhale ... that's about the best moment in the world, you know? All the smokers out there, you know that feeling. Sometimes, smoking is fantastic." I love it.

Bless You Boys!

Gary Sheffield - Attention Whore

Urbandictionary.com defines "attention whore" as follows:

Label given to any person who craves attention to such an extent that they will do anything to receive it. The type of attention (negative or positive) does not matter.

Detroit Tigers outfielder/DH/attention-whore/trouble-maker Gary Sheffield seems to be constantly in the middle of a controversy, complaining about something, or manufacturing some sort of drama out of thin air. Here is a brief description of his tumultuous career and the various dramas he has started or been a part of:

• When he was a 19-year-old minor leaguer, Sheff and his uncle Dwight Gooden were involved in an incident where Sheff was charged with resisting arrest and battery. Later that same year, while on probation for the first incident, he was charged with DUI, eluding arrest, and speeding.
• When he was with the Milwaukee Brewers, he started at shortstop for a while. After his play started to decline, and a "better" SS came along (Bill Spiers was better? Really?), he was moved to third base. Rather than just be a team player and accept the move, he claimed the team was racist. The team eventually got tired of his whining and shipped him to San Diego.
• A few days after the 1995 season, he was grazed by a bullet while his car idled at a stoplight in Tampa.
• When he was with the LA Dodgers, he was involved in a scuffle in the stands at Wrigley Field. He claimed he was acting as a peacemaker.
• During one off season when he was with the Dodgers, he decided to use the press to lobby for a trade. He insulted his teammates, derided club management, called chairman Bob Daly a liar, screamed racism when the club refused to double the value of his contract, and made vague accusations about misdeeds he had uncovered within the organization.
• Um, steroids.
• After a fan took a swipe at him in the right field corner in Fenway Park in Boston, he shoved the fan. Charges were filed against him, but were later dropped.
• Sheff pulled out his "race card" again, accusing Joe Torre of treating white players differently, and saying the Jeter wasn't "all the way black."
• In the June, 2007 issue of GQ Magazine, Sheffield was quoted saying that there are more Latin baseball players than black players because Latinos are easier to control.
• His wife was "featured" in a sex tape with "singer" R. Kelly.

Sheff's in the news again. He's currently involved in a lawsuit with his former agent Scott Boras over fees that Boras wants Sheff to pay him for a contract he signed with the Yankees a few years ago. Sheff claims he fired him before his contract negotiations started, so he owes him nothing. It's only a matter of time before Sheff accuses Boras of being racist. He's like the Uncle Leo of baseball players ("I'll bet you the cook is an anti-Semite. They don't just overcook a hamburger, Jerry.").

Maybe it's just a coincidence that all of this keeps happening to Gary Sheffield. Maybe he's a wonderful guy, and he's just unlucky. Or maybe he's just a real prick. I know which way I'm leaning.

Tigers - Restore The Roar

I know it's the offseason, but I like hearing heartwarming stuff around Christmas time. Dontrelle Willis, who has been a Tiger for less than a month, is already a favorite among fans because of this. Players don't have to do this, and Willis has no previous ties to the area, which makes this an extra special effort on his part. The Tigers have already signed him to a three-year extension, and are working on an extension for Miguel Cabrera as well.

Is sure is nice to see the Tigers being relevent again. I got so tired of "The Bobby Higginson Years," during which the Tigers never had any chance of competing with the top dogs in the AL. Randy Smith proved time after time that he was a horrible GM and had no idea what he was doing. Since he came aboard, Dave Dombrowski has consistently proven that he is one of the most savvy GMs in the game. He has made some great trades, and his drafts have produced Verlander (no-hitter in his second year), Miller and Maybin (used to acquire Willis & Cabrera), Granderson (20+ HR/3B/2B/SB last year), and Zumaya (injury prone, but powerful future closer). The best player produced from Randy Smith's last two drafts is utilityman Ryan Raburn.

It's still 2007, but I am as anxious for 2008 spring training as I can remember being in a long time. Ted, this post was for you.

Bless You Boys...

Tigers Go Fishing - Land Two Prize Marlins

Well, the Detroit Tigers served notice yesterday that they are a force to be reckoned with in the American League. They acquired Marlins stars Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis. All they had to give up were a number five starter with questionable control (Andrew Miller), a talented but unproven young outfielder (Cameron Maybin), a backup catcher (Mike Rabelo), and some prospects. The Tigers now have arguably the best lineup in the majors:

1. Granderson .302
2. Polanco .338
3. Cabrera .320
4. Ordonez .363
5. Sheffield .265
6. Guillen .296
7. Jones .285
8. Rodriguez .281
9. Renterria .332

They acquired a front line lefty starter and perhaps the best young hitter in the majors this side of Pujols without giving up anything significant. For opposing pitchers, this batting order has got to be a scary sight. The most notable thing about this lineup, other than the high level of skill and talent, is the lack of white guys. That's right, the Tigers everyday nine will include six latin players and three black players. Without doing any research, I feel comfortable in asserting that the Tigers are probably the only team in the majors that has this kind of lineup. And I'm not even talking so much about the latin players. Are there any other teams that start three black dudes and zero white dudes (no, Derek Jeter does not count as one of each)? By contrast, my current hometown team, the Astros, had an entire roster last year that included zero black players. Hooray for diversity!

Anyway, the bowl games haven't even started and I'm already officially excited about baseball season.