Continuing with some of the more interesting revelations from Lakeland thus far:
“You have to hit for average. That’s what people get caught up in. There’s only one Oakland A’s team out there that really cares about on-base percentage. It looks better if you’re hitting .300 and getting on base .320, than if you’re hitting .260 and getting on base .360.”
So Bobby is taking his best offensive skill and throwing it away because he’s concerned about people’s perception of his statistics. Higginson is one of the most patient hitters in the game. He only had 53 of his 531 plate appearances last one pitch last year. Despite his average speed, I’ve been endorsing him over Sanchez for leadoff hitter and centerfielder. This just doesn’t make sense to me.
“The days of the nice Tigers are gone,” Young said, five stitches to his left ear later. “Milk and cookie teams finish last.
“Sometimes you have to do drastic things like that to send the message that we’re not going to be the team that’s going to be run over. We’re going to do some running over.”
I don’t know if you can really send messages to the league the first week of spring training. I love the aggressiveness, but not the recklessness. Though in the end, it is just Dmitri being Dmitri.
“It that’s any indication,” he said, “maybe we don’t need to go out and find a No. 1 starter. I mean, if you just chopped his head off, you could have put Curt Schilling or Roger Clemens’ head there. Same kind of body structure, same demeanor on the mound.
“I feel sorry for our opponents.”
Now this is probably more of Dmitri being Dmitri, but Bonderman’s maturation into a top of the rotation starter is one of the things the Tigers need to contend this year. The biggest improvement for the Tigers over last year will have to come from the development of the pitching staff, and we all know that Bonderman has the highest ceiling of that group. Jason Johnson should pitch better than last year. Ledezma has potential, but at his experience level he will struggle with consistency. Mike Maroth will be consistent, but without the dominating performances. The lineup will be better, the bullpen will be better, but none of it will matter if the starters aren’t handing leads to the bullpen.
Re: your Higgy section… It’s strange to think that Bobby Higginson is, should certain players perform to standout levels in spring training, be in danger of losing a spot on the roster.
I love rooting for him, and I really hope he gets his act together this year at the plate. He’s got a great arm and a good attitude — the kind of guy that can make an entire life and cult-like following in a city like Detroit.
Ah well, we’ll see.
Higgy playing center is something I have a hard time seeing, but there’s is no doubt in my mind that he’d be a good leadoff hitter. I must admit that I’m kinda rooting for the guy as well. It would really be great if he could man center.
“He’s got a great arm and a good attitude”
Did I miss something here? Every single Tiger fan I have talked to in the last two years is so sick of Higginson’s lack of production and transparent lack of effort. But even more than that, we’ve all been disgusted by his horrible attitude. Every interview I have ever heard from him, he has portrayed himself as a loser.
Question: Can you name a Detroit athelete in the 4 majors that have been in town for 10 years like this clown and produced less? Higginson sucks, and I can’t wait to see him on the D-Rays bench next year.
I’m as anti-Higgy as it gets, his ridiculous tone in interviews has completely lost me the last 4 years. That said, he has lead-off hitter type skills at this stage of his career. Unfortunately he doesn’t have corner outfield offensive skills any longer. If he starts hacking away he loses any of his value left as a major leaguer.
KS