Thursday, May 31, 2012

Thank You for Being Perfect Nick!

"The Perfect Human." The fact Nick Lidstrom's teammates referred to him as such says it all. In all reality, that could be all that needs to be said in this post. He was perfect. A shining star on and off the ice.  For 20 years he patrolled the blue line for the Detroit Red Wings. They made the playoffs each year and were among the NHL's best. Direct correlation.  He will be missed.  He can't be replaced.

It is next to impossible to recall all of his stellar moments such as his save in game 2 of the 1996 WCF vs. the hated Avalanche or his series-changing center ice goal in game 3 vs the Canucks in 2002.  Or what about the 4 Cups, countless All-Star appearances, 7 Norris Trophies, the goals, points, staggering plus/minus?  What about the 2002 Conn Smythe where playing amongst a team of hall of fame players he stood out as the best because he was just that good?  You certainly cannot forget how he gracefully filled the shoes of the best leader sports has ever seen in Steve Yzerman after his retirement as the next captain.  How do you fully recall perfection night after night for 20 years?  You can't.

Above all, he is a great person.  He never held out for more money.  He never blew up on the media.  He never whined on the ice or quit on his team.  He never threw cheap shots.  He was driven by team goals and not individual goals.  He never got in trouble off the ice.  He was a leader.  He was truly just as good of a human being as he was a player.  A true class act on all levels.  A rarity in modern professional sports.  His press conference was a sterling example as he thanked everyone from the Illitches to the water boy.  Other athletes could learn a great deal from this man.

Today is a sad day and an uneasy one for the Red Wings and us fans.  We know we can never replace perfect.  But today really should be a day to celebrate the fact that we as fans of the best franchise in sports had the privilege to watch the best defenseman ever to lace them up every single night for 20 years.  He is even perfect in retirement by leaving while he can still perform at a level higher than most and not a shell of a once-dominant player.  In a world of imperfections, we got to witness the exception.  He was ours.  And with him he brought the team, the fans, and the city of Detroit a lot of success.  For that, I speak for Red Wing fans everywhere when I say to our captain: thank you for being perfect Nick!

LIDSTROM'S CAREER BY THE NUMBERS

20 Seasons Played

4 Stanley Cups

2006 Olympic Gold Medal

2002 Conn Smythe (1st European-born player)

1st European-born Captain to Win Stanley Cup in 2008

7 Norris Trophies

12 All-Star Games

1,564 Regular Season Games Played (Second only to Gordie Howe in Red Wings History)

263 Playoff Games Played (Most in franchise history)

46 Total Games Missed

264 Career Goals

1,142 Career Points (Fourth in Red Wings history)

183 Playoff Points (2 points behind Steve Yzerman for most in franchise history)

Career Plus-450 (Eight best in NHL history)

**1 HELLUVA HOCKEY PLAYER AND HUMAN BEING**

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Sources: Lidstrom to Announce Retirement Tomorrow

The Red Wings and captain Nick Lidstrom have scheduled a press conference for tomorrow at 11AM EST.  Sources all over Twitter such as Aaron Ward, Ansar Khan, and TSN are saying he will hang them up.  We had to see this coming if true.  Like the rest of you, I am praying he is announcing he is back for one last year.  Wishful thinking.

If tomorrow is indeed the day the Lidstrom Era ends, it is imperative that the Wings go extremely hard after BOTH Suter and Parise.  There will be no excuses now with the cap space they will have.  Suter is your defenseman of the future to replace (not really) Lidstrom.  Parise is your scorer for the future.  It has to happen.  Losing Nick is a gigantic blow and pieces need to be brought in if they wish to maintain their success.  The money is there.  Make things happen.  Be aggressive.  Be overly agressive if needed.  Prove to the world you are still the best franchise in all of sports.

We will see tomorrow.  If the rumors are true, let's just all remember and appreciate the fact that Red Wing fans have had the luxury of watching arguably the best defenseman in the history of the NHL.  Period.  He is a class act, an outstanding player, and will be impossible to replace.  We have been privileged to have him in the red and white.

All good things come to and end.  Tomorrow may be the perfect example if the "Perfect Human" hangs up his skates.

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

I withheld any new posts in recent days in order to see how the Tigers responded to their short-lived 3-game winning streak last week.  I wanted to see if they would carry momentum to Boston or flounder.  Here fishy, fishy, fishy, as in FLOUNDER!  They have dropped the first 2 and the bats are dead and the fielding is atrocious again.  It has been one step forward but then two steps back.  Same ol' story.  Same crap, different toilet.  It is getting to the point when we may have to come to some realizations.

First, it is becoming painfully obvious the Tigers are not the offensive juggernaut we thought they were.  The runners stranded, the horrific batting averages, the consistent hockey scores, the strikeouts, etc., etc., etc., are daily proof.  There are 3 legit hitting threats on this team: Cabrera, Fielder, and Jackson.  That's it.  Last time I checked teams must bat 9 players every night.  Having only 33% of the lineup capable of providing offense is just not conducive to winning baseball. 

Weeks ago people thought when the weather warmed up the bats would too.  Lame excuse and apparently not a good one because it has been beyond warm.  The bats looked to be coming alive after the series sweep vs. the Twins.  Well there was no carry over and so far vs the Sox it's back to status quo.

Second, they cannot play defense.  Period.  The errors, the failure to turn countless double plays, the inability to get to balls, etc., is getting worse every game it seems.  They are statistically the worst fielding team in the majors.  We all new they would not be stalwart defenders but we thought they would be serviceable.  Well, they have been serviceable...to other teams.  Right now they are not getting the job done to say the least. 

Third, they are mentally weak.  It is very similar to the 2008 season.  That season, they were awarded the AL Central before spring training and were World Series favorites.  They finished last and were a complete failure.  Fast forward to 2012, they have been favorites since the January signing of Prince Fielder and so far they look like they are a middle-of-the-pack team in the weak AL Central.  It appears they cannot handle expectations.

The recent whining to umpires and their NBA-like antics also show they are mental midgets.  Take Monday for example.  The umps missed the much-talked about strike 3 call.  It led to a 3-run rally.  Fine.  Calls get missed in all sports.  It's a reality.  Instead of moving on, Leyland and Lamont get tossed and the team is unable to fight back to make a game out of it.  Weak sauce Tigers...weak sauce.  Show some resiliency for God's sake.  Some intestinal fortitude.  Man up.  Whatever the cliche dejour may be.  Just do something besides wilting.

Fourth, the team sorely misses Victor Martinez.  NOT, because of his so-called leadership.  Just stop that right now (along with the talk of the leadership of Guillen, Ordonez, and Inge).  They miss his .400 average with RISP.  It's that simple.  I would tend to believe if he was batting in the 5-hole behind Prince instead of the countless experiments Leyland tries there, there would be more runners coming home.  But it is not his leadership.  That excuse is almost as bad as the warm weather excuse. 

In conclusion, with a pedestrian offense, a lineup of mostly fringe MLB players, a defense that resembles a beer league softball team, a team of mental midgets, and a lack of a clutch hitter, not to mention 2 regulars at the beginning of the season (Inge and Raburn) have been sent packing, the Tigers are simply not a championship calibre team.  I am not sure how much more proof we all need.  They are just not that good.  We have to deal with it. Anyone who can can convince me otherwise please enlighten me.  With solid reason not homerism please. 

Hey, maybe a trade for a bat could turn things around.  It would need to be sooner than later.  They can't wait until the deadline.  But until then, this is our team and it is not one that will win anything of significance.  That includes winning the AL Central or earning any of the Wild Card spots.  They are a team with a lot of sizzle and no steak.

The positive:  The Wings off season should be one of the most exciting since the 2001-2002 season and both college and pro football are not that far away.  So enjoy the summer with these things in mind.  Stop stressing about the Tigers because it will just be a waste of your time and your summer.

Friday, May 25, 2012

Another Hasek Comeback? To the Wings?

How about an interesting hockey rumor to get our minds off of the Motor City Kittens eh?  Very well then.

A Czech sports website is reporting that future Hall of Fame goaltender, Dominik Hasek, is contemplating another comeback to the NHL at the age of 47.  It also goes on to say that the 2 teams on his list would be 2 of his former teams, the Buffalo Sabers and, you guessed it, the Detroit Red Wings.  There is also speculation that Ken Holland would have interest in bringing back the aging net minder to back up Jimmy Howard.  Again, this is just speculation at this point.  However, I am really hoping against all hope Kenny is not seriously considering this.  I love The Dominator as much as the next guy.  He was brilliant during the Wings historic 2002 Stanley Cup journey.  He out dueled the hated Patrick Roy.  He wowed us with incredible saves.  He is probably the best goalie the Red Wings have ever had besides Terry Sawchuk and one of the best goalies of all time.  I still chuckle when I think about his hilarious interviews.  He was fantastic as a Red Wing...5-10 years ago.  At this point, I'd rather keep Joey Mac to back up Howard.

If Ken Holland is seriously considering this I would not be the least bit surprised.  This is a trademark Holland move.  Bringing back an aging (very aging in this case) veteran and/or forming Red Wing in an effort to "make changes" to the team.  This is exactly the type of move myself and many Wings fans hope he does not make.  I have stated a million times I do not want many of the same faces back such as Hudler and Holmstrom let alone Hasek.  The man has not played since the '07-'08 season which is the same season he was benched in the 1st round of the playoffs in favor of Chris Osgood.  He couldn't get the job done 4 YEARS AGO!!  Heck, let's just get Maltby, Draper, and McCarty to come out of retirement along with Chelios and Yzerman while we're at it!  Can Gordie Howe still skate?

I may be overreacting because of the fact he would be brought in as a backup.  But it is the principality of the issue.  The Wings need new faces.  Young bodies.  The future of the team needs to be brought in.  Not players who once were superstars but now have their AARP cards.  Good Lord.

This off season is one of the most important the Wings have seen in a long time.  It could very well determine their success for the next 4-5 years.  It is obvious big changes are needed.  A move like bringing back Dominik Hasek could be the beginning of Holland bringing back the same team and/or more aging vets to "bolster" the lineup.  This would serve as an indication that he either has forgotten how to build a championship team, is not serious about building a championship team, enjoys golf more than Stanley Cup runs, or is just getting old like the players he brings in and is no longer fit to run the team.

Stay tuned and GO WINGS!!!

Thursday, May 24, 2012

Tigers Need to Shut Up & Play

If you haven't heard, the Tigers were swept in the 3-game series vs. the Indians and scored a whopping 6 runs.  Yep, 6 total runs.  Some quality baseball being played by the team with the 6th highest payroll in MLB.  In this series there was lack of hustle in the field and on the bases, bases loaded opportunities squandered, countless errors in the field and so on and so forth.  Barf.  That was not me typing it, that was me literally barfing as I thought about the way this team is performing.  They whined to the umps after called strikes/balls (very NBA-like) like premadonas.  They had been shown on TV yucking it up in the dugout while they are being embarrassed by a borderline AAA team (again NBA-like).  When interviewed, the players and Leyland are asked to address the same problems and are giving the same answers.  These sound familiar"

"We just have to put it behind us and get ready for the next one."

"We're gonna hit."

"We're a better team than we're showing."

Sounds a lot like the Red Wings when asked about their inconsistent play this previous season and their inability to win on the road.

The whining, the cookie cutter responses to the media, and the garbage level of play on display, etc. is beyond the point of cute.  My advice to the Tigers and Leyland:  SHUT UP AND PLAY!  Not only play, but PLAY LIKE YOU GIVE A DAMN!!  Run the bases hard.  Don't swing at strike 3 when the pitch is out of the zip code.  Play like you belong in the MLB.  The fans are paying good money on tickets, apparel, foam fingers, refreshments at the park, parking, etc.  They are not paying to watch this grab ass baseball.

Forget the stats.  The only one that matters is wins and losses and the win column is way too low.  The eyeball test tells you they are just waiting for things to magically change instead of busting their overpaid butts to make things happen...apathetic...all is well in Tigerland.

So the bottom line: Shut your mouths.  Do not whine to the umps.  Do not shake your heads after a call.  Do not take the laid back approach with the media and give cliche responses.  In fact, just don't say anything.  Let your play do the talking with the messege ;being that you are giving it 100%.  You may not be completely invested in the season but your fans are and your antics are a collective slap in the face!  Shut up and play and stop the whining.  You have nobody to blame but yourselves!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Tigers Simply Tough to Watch

Multiple words can describe how I thought I would feel watching the Motor City Kittens before the Season: Excited.  Happy.  Joy.  Pride.  Pumped.  Anticipation.  Thrilled.  Multiple words now describe the reality of my Tigers viewing experience:  Anger.  Frustration.  Disappointment.  Let down.  Furious.  Agonizing.  Not fun.  I am serious.  I am getting to the point where watching the Detroit Tigers is a completely negative experience.  No, I am not being a fair weather fan.  I am just calling like it is.  they are flat out tough to watch and approaching unwatchable.  It is 3 hours of disappointment, underachievement, blown opportunities and/or leads, and bad decision-making.  Anyone saying anything different is either the ultimate optimist, delusional, or a complete homer.  The Tigers have become an afternoon/evening destroyer.

Last night is a perfect example of  the garbage we keep watching and why it is negative experience.  The starting pitching, in this case Porcello, was bad...AGAIN.  The bats, outside of 1 3-run inning, were dead...AGAIN.  They left men in scoring position...AGAIN.  And we weren't seeing Cliff Lee last night ladies and gentlemen. It was Jimenez who has had control issues all year and has been terrible.  We managed 3 runs, in 1 inning.  Wow that's fun.  Then of course Leyland kept Porcello in probably 1-2 batters too long and when the pen did come in, they were gas cans of Sonoco proportions.  Not to mention the poor fielding which seems to be getting worse by the game.  At least if you can't play defense, make up for it with bashing the ball.  This has been the season so far.  This is how this team was built.  And they appear broken.  

For those of you who think they are going to magically turn this around, when does doubt creep in for you?  As I had stated before, the likes of Valverde, Peralta, Avila, Boesch, Young, etc., had career years last year.  Maybe what we are seeing now is what they truly are.  If that is the case, we have a very expensive, very average (maybe poor), very overrated baseball team.  And if that is the case, the turnaround ain't happening.  Not unless reinforcements are brought in in the form of trades.  And that means trading the deemed "untouchables" of Castellanos and Turner.  It's obvious whoever we have in Toledo cannot help this club.

I am guilty.  I was intoxicated by last season's success and the signing of Fielder.  I am starting to feel I was sold a bill of goods and was duped into thinking we have a championship team.  I am starting to think we were all duped.  Hell they haven't won 2 games in a row in almost 2 months!!  The Motor City Kittens are getting more difficult to watch by the game.  On most nights (or at least every other night seeing they are around .500) they are a waste of invested emotions, a waste of energy, and a waste of time.  They are simply agonizing to watch.  How long will it be before they are completely unwatchable?

Monday, May 21, 2012

New Arena Now Inevitable for Wings. Happy? Sad?

Reports have surfaced today that the Illitches have hired a team of architects to design the new home for one of the greatest franchises in all of sports, the Detroit Red Wings.  It is the same team of architects that designed the impressive American Airlines Arena which is the home of the Dallas Stars.  For years there have been countless rumors and innuendos as to if/when Mike Illitch will build a more modern and aesthetically pleasing arena for a team that more than deserves the best one money can buy.  Well it seems now that the plan is officially in motion.  It also appears that those who were afraid the new arena would move to the suburbs of Oakland County (i.e. The Palace of Auburn Hills) need not to fret as the reports also state the new barn will be in downtown Detroit. 

So are you happy? Sad to see the Joe go.  Excited?  All of the above?

Let's face it, the Joe has been outdated since it opened its doors on December 12, 1979.  It looks like a warehouse, it smells, it is extremely tight to maneuver though the concourse, the bathrooms are, um, disgusting (I mean that in a loving way), and if you attempt to use one of those "washrooms" you are sure to miss a goal, fight, or both since you will be waiting for what seems to be an hour.  With all the love in the world I admit it is a dump.  But myself, and many, many, if not all, Wings fans will miss it.

The JLA has history.  The Winged Wheelers have piled up wins, division crowns, conference titles, 4 Stanley Cups, set and broke records, won historic brawls by the likes of Probert, Kocur, and McCarty who has the most memorable brawl of all versus the hated Claude Lemuiex.  The JLA has been the home of players named Yzerman, Shanahan, Fedorov, Lidstrom, Hull, Robitaille, Hasek, Chelios, Konstantinov, Joseph, Osgood, Vernon, Larionov, Datsyuk, and Zetterberg who were coached by the best in business, Scotty Bowman.  The Joe has been a house of champions.  It has been the house of the best brand of hockey on the planet.  I for one will be sad not only because of all the success, but because it has been the only arena I have ever known.  My father took me here for my first ever hockey game. It is something I will never forget.

On the flip side, the model franchise in the NHL deserves a model arena.  The Wings are big time.  It's time for them to play in a place that draws envy around the league not only with the hockey played in it, but by its appearance as well.  Rest assured Mr. Illitch will have us all in awe.  He never does anything half-assed.  He always goes big.  This will be no exception.  And therefore, I am also very excited.

The boys in red and white will be in a brand new, glitzy, glamoury, big, flashy, and shiny home in a matter of a few years.  I am not being cowardly nor playing both sides of the fence when I say I will both be very sad and very excited.  Let's all just sit back and wait to see what Mr. Illitch will do.

Friday, May 18, 2012

JV Still Gives Tigers Needed Boost

My Lord that was way, way too close!

Okay so maybe he should have thrown the heater and not the breaking ball. Whatever. What Justin Verlander did tonight was exactly what the Tigers needed. They needed a veteran of this team to step up and rise above the criticism. Rise above the bad performances. Show that this team is capable of big things. They needed...a leader.

Verlander pitched 9 innings in which he still hit 100 mph on the gun. He struck out 13 batters. He did not give up a run. He allowed 3 base runners. He got nasty. And he set an example. Exactly what this team needed.

I am disappointed he didn't finish the job so to speak. But a message was sent that the Tigers can grit their teeth and kick some...um...behind. And it got through to the likes of Delmon Young who homered and had an RBI double to compliment Cabrera and Fielder's solid performances. And Verlander's tenacity was the catalyst. That, my friends, is how you win games, divisions, and championships. So let's hope the Tigers continue to follow Justin Verlander's lead. Plain and simple...build...

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Is it Time to Fire Jim Leyland?

It has been beaten to a pulp in the media, in the offices, at watering holes, on blogs (this one included) that the Tigers are underachieving based on their lofty expectations and perceived talent-laden lineup.  They have been inconsistent, sloppy, offensively-challenged, and the pitching, especially the bullpen, has been non reliable.  These warts became even more obvious after one of the worst teams statistically (offensively and defensively), the Minnesota Twins, came in a swept the Tigers easily.  That is just not acceptable for a team that is supposed to win the AL Central handily.  So is it now time to fire Jim Leyland? 

Leyland is not a bad manager.  Let's get that straight.  He has won a World Series, took the Tigers to a World Series and an ALCS, and the players love him.  However, he is a career .500 manager, has underachieved in Detroit at times (2008 season is the biggest example), and so far this year his decisions have led to blown games on a few occasions.  It may not be as simple as it seems.  Last year everyone was calling for his head when they started poorly.  The Tigers ended up 2 games from the World Series and may have gotten there had they not have been banged up.  Do you take the gamble?

If you fire him, who do you replace him with?  Realistically there are 2 choices.  And no, none of them consist of Joe Torre or Tony LaRussa so don't even think about it.  Not happening.

The first would be promote Lloyd McLendon as interim manager.  My opinion is if you are going to change the management, you don't do it within on an underachieving team.  That's just my opinion.  He is one of the guys in the clubhouse advising Leyland on decisions and the hitters he is responsible for coaching have struggled.  Just an FYI.

The second choice would be to reach out to ESPN and see if you can entice Terry Francona to come to Detroit.  He had a ton of success in Boston regardless of last season.  That would be the only viable option and there is no guarantee it works out.  He has the championship pedigree and is a fresh voice in the clubhouse.  Would he be enough to right the ship or is the team just flat out broken?

Sometimes, a manager's message to the team just stops getting through.  This team is definitely underachieving.  Many young players are not getting better, in fact, many are regressing (Boesch, Raburn, Porcello, Scherzer).  Is the message old and tired (I am not talking about Leyland physically) and not resonating?  If that is indeed the case then maybe a new voice is what the team needs.  We have seen it time and time again in all professional sports where a team fires the head coach/manager when they underachieve early, bring in someone new, only to take off.  The St. Louis Blues this year are a perfect example.  Different sport, I know, but the same premise.  I am not saying this is definitely the case.  I am simply saying it is something to think about.  Is Jim Leyland the biggest reason behind the Tigers' struggles or is the team really this bad?  Should he be fired?  Do the Tigers ride it out knowing the tides will change?  I am glad I am not the one making that decision.

Wednesday, May 16, 2012

Delany & Big 10 = Dinosaurs

Changes are coming to college football.  Supposedly, we will be seeing a 4-team playoff as soon as 2014. It's not perfect but it's better than the current BCS (emphasize the B and the S). The top 4 teams would play a semifinal and the winners square off for the national title. Many would like to see the semifinal games being played as home games at the deserving teams' stadiums. Guess who does not like the idea. Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delany. Shocker. Just another example of how he continues to keep the B1G in the dark ages.

Delany is all about the Rose Bowl and would prefer the semifinal for the B1G be played there or at another bowl essentially giving away a home game. So what he is saying he would rather have one if his teams either go west to play a PAC-12 team or go south to play a SEC team...basically play a road game...every time...even if that B1G team is the #1 ranked team in the land! Ludicrous! The SEC is already dominating the sport, why not attempt to even the field a little?  And why not pour the millions of dollars into the Midwest for a change? 

I personally would love to see a Florida, Alabama, LSU, USC, Oklahoma, or Texas come to let's say the Big House, or Camp Randall, or The Shoe, or Spartan Stadium in December and see how they do on our turf. See how tough they are. Jim Delaney and the B1G's reluctance just shows that they are not serious about contending nationally with the big boys. They are content with the ultimate consolation prize: getting to the Rose Bowl. And it's sad because if you are a Wolverine fan or a Spartan fan, your commissioner is putting your team at a disadvantage and screwing you. The Rose Bowl and all of the bowls for that matter mean zilch. All that matters is who finishes #1. Obviously the fossils who run the B1G don't share that sentiment.

I am a UM fan and I am annoyed with Dave Brandon's comments regarding the bowls. He says they have the interests of the kids in mind and these trips to Florida, California, etc are what they want. Spare me. I highly doubt they would choose the gift bags and trips to Disney World over a championship. And I am talking about a real championship. Not a consolation prize like a Rose Bowl or Sugar bowl "championship.". A national championship. Sorry Wolverine and Spartan fans, Jim Delany and his group of dinosaurs in the B1G front office are going to make it tough. Instead we'll keep going down south or out west for these bowls if we are fortunate enough to be in the top 4 and continue to get stroked by the SEC or PAC-12 on their home turf on the biggest stage. As long as Delany calls the shots, the B1G will continue to be passed over by the other conferences in the public and on the field.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Was the Tigers' Win Today a Turning Point?

You always hear about a turning point in a season that turned a team around.  The Wings had their March 26, 1997 McCarty, Lemuiex, Roy, Vernon brawl, the Tigers had their 2006 Jim Leyland rant, etc.  Did the 2012 Tigers have their turning point today with their dramatic come-from-behind win vs. the Chisox?  Could this be the game that wakes the team up and gets them rolling?

In case you missed it while in your cubicle (I had been listening with headphones at mine), the Tigers started off the game looking dead, listless, lifeless, flat, whatever you want to call it, and found themselves in a 6-0 hole after 5.  They were, per usual, leaving men stranded on base (6 at this point), failing to get hits with 2 outs, Peavy was mowing them down, players looked disinterested (Miggy getting gunned at home while not hustling around the bags was a glaring example), and Scherzer was rocked since giving up 2 runs in the 1st inning.  It was a disaster and looked as if they had hit rock bottom.  Social media sites were burning with fire and brimstone and the "Fire Leyland" movement was in full charge. 

Then came the 6th inning and...BOOM!  Literally...BOOM!  The Tigers bats all of the sudden woke up as if there had been an alarm clock set.  A 2-run HR by Cabrera...6-2.  A 3-run shot by Raburn (not a typo)...6-5.  And then a 3-run bomb by Jackson and all of the sudden the Tigers had taken an 8-6 lead IN 1 INNING!  This is how we expected the bats to be.  An explosive force that can seize a game at moment's notice.

The boys were not done.  The Tigers added 2 more runs in the 7th with RBI singles off the bats of Raburn (again, not a typo) and Peralta.  They now had a 10-6 lead and Coke had come in to calm the Sox bats.  Benoit completed a 9-pitch 8th inning to preserve the lead going to the 9th.  Bullpen lookin' solid now too!  High fives!

ENTER VALVERDE

Papa Grande got the 1st 2 batters fairly easily only to give up a single and a double to put 2 in scoring position before he left with a sudden injury.  Word is it is only a stiff back so no big deal. 

ENTER DOTEL

A walk to Rios loaded the bases.  A Ramirez double and now we have a 10-8 game with 2 men still on with Viciedo due up.  Dotel delivered the pitch and Viciedo launched one to right field...could it be a walk-off 3-run HR to knock the wind out of the Tigers and their fans?  It can't be!  It...wasn't...Boesch caught the wall at the warning track.  Close but no cigar.  Crisis adverted.

It wasn't pretty but it was a win.  A much-needed win.  And more so, it was how they won; with the electric bats we expected.  With the determination of a champion to not quit when it looked dire.  With the bullpen stopping the bleeding (for the most part sans the 9th).  This could be the confidence booster this team needs.  Could this be that turning point that propels them to start winning consistently and win this weak division?  If not, will their be another moment?  More of a drastic moment such as replacing Jim Leyland?  Underachieving teams need a spark and coaching changes are not uncommon sources in professional sports (i.e. Blues, Capitals, Orioles).  Will it have to get to that or was today it?  Time will tell.  They will need to build off of this.  Let's hope they do and never look back.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Game vs. Chisox Microcosm of the Season Thus Far

Another winnable game for the Motor City Kittens...another hair pulling, baffling, frustrating loss.  Once again, the Tigers find themselves below .500, and once again, the flaws they have displayed so far this season reared their ugly heads and proved fatal.  Over 10 runners stranded on the base paths...check.  Lack of clutch hitting...check.  Leyland over thinking...check.  Blown lead...check.  All in one game.  Is this Groundhog Day?  Does it not feel like we are watching the same shortcomings game, after game, after game, after game?  Let's look at the latest episode of "As the Tigers Stumble."

First, let's take a look at what appears to be the team's biggest problem to date: leaving runners stranded & lack of clutch hitting.  In tonight's game the Tigers, while scoring 5 early runs, left 13 men picking their noses on the bags.  To make matters worse, 8 of those runners were in scoring position.  The team finished 3-17 with RISP.  None as bad as the 7th inning while trailing by 2 runs, 2 men on with 0 outs.  The runners did not move.  I don't mean to be mean but that is simply pathetic.  There just isn't any other way to describe this.  Sorry.

Which brings us to the latest hot-button  issue: Leyland over thinking.  This was on display when Leyland yanked Smyly after the 5th after only 69 pitches while holding on to a 1 run lead for Putkonen.  Yes, Putkonen.  What happened?  He forfeited 3 runs, and the lead, for good.  The team never recovered.  I know Smyly is young but he really was pitching fairly well.  Forget protecting his arm, his ego, etc.  In the words of Herm Edwards:  YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME!!  Later in the game the skipper also pulls Dirks late who has an OBP vs LHP of 1.012 and has been on fire for Santiago who's OBP vs LHP is .268!  Maybe for speed but Jesus is he not watching the games?!  Is he trying to get fired?!  His post game interviews when asked about these blunders he will certainly display typical Leyland stubbornness and reluctance to give a coherent explanation to the media.  Is somebody lacing his Marlboros with LSD before games?  His decisions this year whether it be lineups, pitching changes, etc. beg the question. 

As stated above, the hitting was the antithesis of clutch and the Tigers should have scored at least 2-3 more runs at minimum.  However, this game was still very winnable.  I think the brunt of the blame for this latest disaster has to fall on Leyland's shoulders for his poor in-game management decisions.  They are the biggest reason the team now sits below .500, trailing the Tribe by 2 games, and only ahead of the lowly Royals by 2.5.  Everything that went wrong tonight is a microcosm of what has plagued them for the first 35 games.  The last time the Tigers had World Series expectations was the nightmarish 2008 season.  So far, the 2012 season is looking to be heading down a similar path.

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Are We Seeing the Real Tigers?

It is May and the Tigers are 32 games into the 2012 season with a far from acceptable 16-17 record.  The bats have been anemic, the bullpen has been shaky, and, of course, we had to deal with the Delmon Young controversy.  So even though it is early, we have to start wondering, are we seeing the real Tigers?  Is this truly the team that the fans in Detroit will watch all season?  Are they a team that will hover around .500, struggle to win close games, and hit more like the Motor City Kittens?  Too early to tell...hopefully.

The most obvious problem thus far is the offense, or, lack thereof.  Let's face it, it has been horrible.  I do not buy the cold weather leading to cold bats excuse.  They are professional ball players.  They should be able to hit in a blizzard.  To be nice, let's just call them inconsistent.  When I look at the box scores, 3-2, 2-1, 4-2, I have to remind myself that the Red Wings are out of the playoffs and I am not reading playoff hockey scores.  Nobody on the roster is producing nightly.  Even Cabrera.  Fielder is hitting for average but the power numbers are down.  Don't get me wrong, I have complete faith both Cabrera and Fielder will be fine.  Jackson has been pretty good but still not the ideal man at the lead off position.  The gaping hole at the number 2 spot is crippling the offense as of now.  Dirks has been good when called upon.  The issue is why does Leyland refuse to call upon him there EVERY NIGHT?  His constant shuffling of the lineup to get match ups is not helping.  I am of the opinion that a consistent lineup will lead to more consistent production.  We're not playing well enough right  now to worry about righty/lefty match ups.  Back to the basics Jimmy.  Fielder as the cleanup hitter needs actual runners to clean up.  He's not getting those. 

Another big reason the offense has been anything but vaunted is the 5-9 hitters are providing next to nothing.  Raburn has been a disaster (Leyland insists he will break out), Boesch almost equally as bad, and the rest (Peralta, Young, etc.) have been horrendous.  Basically, if Jackson, Miggy, or Prince do not hit HRs the Tigers do not score.  That can't continue to be the case if they want to be playing October baseball. 

The bullpen has been a shaky (again, being nice) as well.  The team has already lost 6 games in which they have led after the 7th inning.  They lost zero last year.  Benoit and Valverde in particular have been unreliable at best.  Both have struggled mightily to find the strike zone.  Papa Grande is automatic to have at least 2 base runners every time he takes the hill.  I am getting to the point where I am longing for the days of Todd Jones.  Okay, maybe not, but it's bad and tough to stomach.  In their defense, it is unfair to constantly only provide 1 run cushions (sometimes only 1 run total).  It still must get better.

The scary reality is Peralta, Avila, and Valverde all had career years last year and Young got hot in the post season.  What if their production this season is what they really are?  If that is the case, what are we left with?  A lineup that consists of 2, maybe 3 hitters that can produce (Jackson, Cabrera, and Fielder) and the rest simply lineup fillers.  Scary indeed.

The silver lining: the starting pitching as of late has been outstanding.  We knew J.V. and Fister would be great but all of the sudden Scherzer looks capable, as does Porcello, and Smyly is looking like the real deal.  If I were them I would be a tad peeved with the boys swinging the bats that are completely wasting their efforts.  If the bats do indeed get hot, or at least look like they belong at the MLB level, the Tigers will start going on much-needed winning streaks.

In conclusion, we hope that what has transpired so far is not the real Detroit Tigers.  We hope the bats start resembling what we expected when Mr. Illitch signed the massive check for Prince and that the bullpen becomes serviceable.  The AL Central is the worst division in baseball.  The fact they are only 2 games back with a 16-17 record is proof of that.  If they can right the ship, the title is theirs for the taking.  If not, we will be forced to watch a .500 club when we had dreams of a World Series.  Is it time to panic in Tiger Town?  Not yet.  Is it time to be concerned, uneasy, frustrated, nervous, apprehensive, annoyed, and little angry?  You bet.

Friday, May 11, 2012

Brandon Inge: Did Tigers Make a Mistake? Nope.

In case you missed it, Brandon Inge hit a grand slam in the 8th inning last night against his former team.  The Motor City Kitties still won 10-6 (more on this later).  In case you did not know, this is his 2nd grand slam in 3 days (his previous was a walk-off).  So it naturally raises the question: Did the Tigers make a mistake by releasing him?  The answer is simple: NO!

As we know, Inge is maybe the most polarizing athlete in recent Detroit history.  Maybe even ever.  Today is Friday and therefore Casual Friday at many offices.  I am sure there are many females in the Detroit area wearing their Inge shirts/jerseys saying "I told you so!"  I also am sure there are many other fans waking up to the box score saying something along the lines of "are you #@!*% kidding me!?"  It doesn't help that in the post game, Mr. Inge delivered another one of his infamous sound nuggets which would serve as an entirely separate rant.  I digress.

So back to the point of this piece.  Did the Tigers make a mistake?  Let's look at this logically. 

Since he has joined the A's he is still only batting close to .200 and has had the tendency to strike out.  Shocker.  Yes, he has 2 grand slams and yes, one gave the A's a win.  Play in the league long enough and things happen.  But let's take a look at last night's Brando Bomb.  He did what he did for the majority of his Tigers' career:  Went 1-4 and hit a HR when the game was out of reach one way or the other.  They were down 10-2 in the 8th.  There was zero pressure on him.  All the HR did was make the final score not look like such a beat down.  This was not a clutch hit.  In fact, the words Brandon Inge and clutch hitting never have been, nor should they be, synonymous.  More times than not when faced with a situation that a clutch hit was needed, he delivered the expected check swing strikeout or a weak pop up.  In the grand scheme of things, he is still a sub .200 hitter who loves to spew delusional soundbites to the media.  That's what he has been, and that is what the Tigers let go and the A's picked up.  Even with his recent "spike" in production, it is not at all unusual that a player goes to another team mid season and starts hot for many reasons (chip on the shoulder, new scenery, etc.)  He may even go on to hit .270 with 20 HRs and 75 RBIs.  However, that was not going to happen in Detroit.  It was an entirely different situation as in there was way more pressure to produce.  He had the big and scrutinized contract, scrutiny of fans, and the pressure of the team's high expectations to deal with.  Again, when it really matters, he failed to produce.  In Oakland, he was brought in cheap so there is little risk, the fans don't have the strong opinions of him (yet), and the team has low, if any, expectations.  It is the perfect spot for him.  And he may have a resurgence there...because there is no pressure or expectations and therefore, no dire need for him to perform.  That resurgence was not going to happen in Detroit.  Plain and simple.

So to sum it up, did the Tigers make a mistake by letting Brandon Inge go?  Nope.

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Belated 2012 Season Review, Future...RANT

This will be my first blog so if it sucks be easy.  With that said, let's talk 2012 Red Wings shall we?

One only has to look back to the previous summer to see why the "Winged Wheelers" were sent packing after the 1st round for the first time since 2001.  The team lost Brian Rafalski to an unexpected retirement.  It was sad to see because he was a very gifted Dman, the perfect partner for Nick (right-handed shot), and a native Detroiter.  He just could not stay healthy and his body told him it was time.  Sad...yes.  However, he had a big contract and opened up a chunk of cap space.  Logic would say Holland would spend to bring in talent....he did not.  He brought in Mike Commodore for cheap (ultimately traded for a tube of Ben-Gay) and Ian White.  White actually was pretty good but hardly a replacement for Raffy.  Basically, the same team that was eliminated in round 2 by the Sharks in the previous 2 years was brought back, minus Rafalski.  However, we had a ton of cap space that was said to be used at the deadline to bolster the lineup.  Okay cool.  We will revisit this later.

The Pre-All Star Wings looked great (in the standings).  They looked energized, dedicated to team defense, and Howard was statistically one of the best in the biz.  As a team they touted the league's best record and looked to be among the favorites once again to raise Lord Stanley's Cup.  Oh yeah, how could we forget that the team also set the record for longest home winning streak at 23 games?  That indeed was magical and incredibly fun to witness.  Ho-hum Red Wings regular season, right?  Well, yes except there were nagging issues that were overlooked due to the early success.  There were 3, in my opinion, that were the most troublesome (and would prove to be their demise).

  • 1.) The powerplay/inconsistent scoring.  Typically, when you think of a Red Wings hockey team you think of high-powered scoring with a lethal powerplay.  Not so much in 2012.  The Wings hovered around the middle of the pack to the low end in terms of powerplay efficiency.  By the end of the season they were around 20th in the league.  This team has lacked a true scorer (minus Franzen) since the likes of Shanny, Hull, Fedorov, and Hossa have departed.  While Datsyuk, Zetterberg, and Fil are very very good players, they are pass first playmakers...not scorers.  This made for a very frustrating powerplay of useless passing of the puck and one and done shots.  During the 1st half, the defense and their 3rd and 4th lines were scoring at will.  Most knew deep down this would dry up eventually.  This could be fixed at the deadline, right?

  • 2.) The habit of not showing up until the 3rd period.  I am a geek but I unfortunately do not have the figures as to how many times they played terrible to start the game and fell behind 1-2 goals early.  Now many times they would look like world beaters in the 3rd and tie/win the game, force OT and maybe win in a shootout.  Not recipe for long-lasting success, especially in the playoffs.  They said all the right things over and over and over again to the media but it never really changed.

  • 3.) Inability to win on the road.  I had said all year that the Wings were a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde hockey team.  For most of the year they held the league's best home record and, for 23 straight games, simply did not lose at the Joe.  Then they would go on the road and look like a completely different team and get shelled by just about anyone.  The thrashing the lowly Islanders handed the boys was a perfect example.  They were below .500 at times away from home.  How is that possible?  I really am asking because I still just don't get it.  Frustrating team to watch at times.
After the All-Star break and after the home record was set, the inevitable injury bug bit and bit hard.  Datsyuk, Ericsson, Lidstrom, Helm, Howard, Franzen among others were sidelined for extended periods.  Most would think this is a valid excuse for the slide they suffered in the 2nd half.  To a degree it is; However, I feel it just highlighted their warts more.

Most were hoping with all the cap money we would solve our biggest issue (scoring) come deadline.  Well we made moves but not the type that raises your denim.  We traded Commodore for a late pick and forfeited our 1st round pick for Kyle Quincey.  Yes the same Kyle Quincey we waived a few years back.  No scoring help.  No aggressiveness by Holland...AGAIN.  This team that was banged up and had struggled to score consistently all year and had a mediocre powerplay would be the one we would see come playoffs.  Meanwhile, many teams in the West, especially Nashville made bold moves to stock up for a run.

The injuries continued and the losses mounted and suddenly the Wings were scratching and clawing to secure a 5 seed.  Wait!  The Red Wings a 5 seed?  Yep, you read right.  And they would face the new-look and improved Preds and open on the road nonetheless.  I predicted Preds in 6.  I was being optimistic I guess.  Nashville took advantage of the Wings' lack of scoring depth, loss of Helm for the playoffs with a lacerated wrist, and sloppy play in their own end.  It was over quickly in 5.

Here we sit once again in May watching younger, hungrier, faster teams prepare for the conference finals.  And once again, Holland sat on a ton of cap space, kept the same team, expected different results.  Well he got them...a 1st round K.O.  For the 1st time Holland and Company will have a boat load of cash available.  Below are the necessary changes:

  • Lidstrom returns but for way less than his $6M per year for one last shot.
  • Stuart will be a UFA and wants to go to Cali to be with his family...buh-bye
  • Hudler will be a UFA...small, slow, stats inflated by playing with Zetterberg and Flip...waste of cap space/ice time/top 6 spot...see ya...let the Leafs overpay
  • Holmstrom it's been real and we appreciate all you have done but it is time...just not getting it done anymore...time to retire
These are some of the deductions that should be made at the very least.  Take all the departures, Nick's reduced salary, and the space we already had and you can make serious runs at...

  • Zach Parise...true goal scorer, young, passionate, fast, PP, PK, 5-on-5 beast...exactly what the team needs...pay the man get him in red and white!
  • Ryan Suter...the next defensive NHL stud Dman...we saw it 1st hand...young, great defensively, smart, logs ton of minutes...eventual Nick replacement...make him an offer he can't refuse.
Bottom line Ken Holland has basically kept the same team together since 2009 and the playoffs have gotten shorter each year.  It is without question time for changes and probably long overdue.  If he simply brings the band back together or addresses the scoring issue by bringing in an aging vet who used to be able to score/skate/play a la Modano, expect the same results come spring.

GO WINGS!!!

P.S.  Future posts will not be quite as long...season summaries tend to be lengthy...DEAL WITH IT!