2007 Season, Game Post

Game 131: Yankees at Tigers

137 Comments

PREGAME: As big as any of the Tigers recent games have been, this one is right on par if only from a fan confidence perspective. Lot’s going into this game:

  • a win means the first series win since the Metrodome sweep
  • a win means splitting the season series with the Yankees despite all 8 games coming when the team is slumping and injury riddled
  • a win probably means a decent outing by Justin Verlander. One of Bonderlander really needs to follow a big win with a strong outing and create some semblance of a winning streak

Mike Mussina has a little bit riding on this game because Moose’s rotation spot is at stake. The Tigers rocked him good in the Bronx last week. I’d be ok if he loses his job if it means a win for the Tigers.

Game Time 7:05pm

POSTGAME: Well that was fun. The Tigers won a series, and each of the 3 wins had that something extra in them. The first one actually had extra innings, and extra rain. The second had the bullpen hanging on to a 1 run lead, and the third had extra bases galore, even from Sean Casey.

It really says something though when the story of the night when you hang 16 runs on a team is the performance of your starter. Justin Verlander looked awesome. There was more velocity, more bit on his curve ball, and he was in or near the strike zone most of the night. If you’re looking for signs that the Tigers are breaking out of this, getting Verlander back on track is a big part of it.

The offense of course was awesome and fortunate, but you need some of both when you’re going to get 20 hits. Not all of them are going to be pretty, but there were plenty of legit ones as well. Including 3 doubles from Brandon Inge who for the last week or so has looked to have made some adjustments.

Tigers 16, Yankees 0 – certainly looks nice doesn’t it?

137 thoughts on “Game 131: Yankees at Tigers”

  1. I want to go with a pink sheet of paper and try to get Grilli’s autograph. Maybe have “Resignation” written on it or something.

  8. You see Cabrera put his head down and sprint to a spot? That was beautiful to watch.

  10. Yes, I have to admit that was a great catch by Cabrera.

    ESPN2 tonight, btw, in case you didn’t know already. I’m usually not aware of these things until well into the game!

  13. Does Verlander’s hook seem to move a lot tonight? I’m used to radio, but that thing is really bending.

  14. Nice inning by Verlander. He’s got some heat tonight and he snapped off a couple of nice breaking balls there too.

  18. Why today’s game is the game of the year (some subtler reasons):

    1) No Sheffield. To take a series from the best team in the Majors (since the All Star break) w/o our #2 hitter and the most feared bat in the lineup would be huge.

    2) 3/4 is remarkably different from 2/3. 2/3 is a team outplayed the other. 3/4 is a team is better than the other.

    3) Bullpen contribution. I don’t think any of us would have predicted it, they have allowed 3 ER in 17.2 IP, or 1.57 ERA. Amazing.

    (quick interjection – that called 3rd curve v. Posada was SICK)

    4) Assuming we win today, that means that Verlander came in and shut the door. With the starters reeling as of late, we desperately need Verlander to step up.

    5) Team repays the fans for the their dedication Fri night. I thought it was great that Granderson gave them a mention in his ESPN.com blog. The fans definitely gave themselves to the team this weekend, a series win today would be immeasurable in terms of momentum.

    Ironically, in the same way that the Bullpen let this team down in July/most of August, I think they can pick the team back up if we can get the win today. The uncertainty in the starting rotation over the next two weeks could actually turn into a positive with confident batters and a strong pen.

  19. I’m sure it’s not borne out by the numbers, but I swear to god, Leyland LOVES to hit and run with Casey at first. I don’t understand.

  20. Early observations:
    Verlander looks nasty. Looks like that adjustment from the coaching staff is working. But why wasn’t something done earlier? Isn’t this Chuck Hernandez’s whole purpose? To notice stuff?

    Gotta get more runs than this from an obvious washeup up starter.

  25. You know, the Yankees broadcasters on YES aren’t really too bad. Leiter does a nice job of color.

  27. Justin looks like he’s on a mission tonight. I haven’t seen that kind of cold edge coming off a Tigers starter in a long time.

  28. Where has this power suddenly come from for Carlos? Aren’t his knees bad and shouldn’t bad knees be sapping power? He’s is some kind of hitter.

  29. Mike, don’t jinx Carlos!! lol Actually it seems to me that in all of the discussions of his knee pain, it’s his lateral movement that’s the most affected, which would explain putting him at first where it’s less likely to be a factor.

  30. Arghghghhhhh! I f***ing hate Time Warner!

    I live in Dayton, Ohio… why on earth (for the second time in the last two weeks!!!) is a Tigers game on ESPN and yet my ESPN is showing ESPNEWS – even though the game is listed in the program guide and all you are clearly watching on ESPN right now?!?

    /ranting

  33. I’m pretty sure Guillen’s changed his stance, Mike. His bat is getting through the zone quicker than I remember.

  34. Good lord. I almost feel bad for Mussina.

    Nice to see Inge come out of his funk and drive the ball like that huh?

    Where’s Clue Haywood when you need him.

  35. Hey man, I’m in your boat too. Time Warner jobs me in Findlay, because, according to MLB, I should be in Fox Sports Detroit’s zone, but Time Warner chooses to carry the stinking Indians here (in NW Ohio!!!! CLOSER to Detroit!).

    So I can’t see the games on MLB extra innings or MLB.com either. Funny thing, I’m moving to Texas next year, where I’ll have no problem watching Tigers games, but here, two hours away from “The D,” I can’t see them on TV )-:

    Nice clutch hit from Pudge, btw.

  37. Are you f-ing serious? That’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard. If they consider Dayton the same thing, I’m going to have to shoot someone. Although, if I go to MLB.com (cause I have a MLB TV subscription – it just sucks too) they say I’m in the Reds blackout area… which I should be since I’m only an hour away.

    Btw, I take it your house isn’t floating down the river? ;-)

  38. Steve in OH – call MLB.tv, they can override your online blackout. It takes a while to get through, but if you’ve got the time…

    866-800-1275

  40. Kevin…

    Thanks for the number – I’m not blacked out online though, just on cable. The problem with MLB.tv is just that it’s so friggin choppy that it’s almost unwatchable half the time, and of course I paid extra for the premium service that refuses to work on my computer. (I’ve sat on hold and emailed and am yet to get through to them)

    I’m currently on hold with Time Warner… it’s a national game and they’re going to figure out why I can’t see it if we’re on the phone all night – ha.

  43. Polanco=Way more power than Casey. Wow.

    Steve: We were very blessed, thank God. Our house was unaffected, but many were destroyed/damaged.

  49. T – You did, the Yankee announcers just said they did not think Casey hit a lot of triples due to his speed. OH Really.

    ** First triple since 04. No kidding

    Great hit, good game. Love to see the Yanks get pounded

    Steve

  50. Mussina always beat up on the Tigers when they were bad. Good to beat up on him when he’s bad.

  51. well i’m playing phone tag with ESPN (I did actually just reach their main switchboard – ha!) but at least i’m getting a choppy video off MLB.tv

    and hell yes, Mr. Casey!

  58. What was Joe Torre doing in taking Moose out after 72 pitches. He should’ve been taking the lumps for the Yankees. Thanks, Joe. I’m sure boston is loving the bullpen getting burnt for no reason.

    I wasn’t complaining about Guillen’s power, I just thought that when your legs hurt, you power tends to get sapped because it’s all upper body swings.

    Anyone else ready to hop aboard this Hope Train? It’s up and running and about to take off.

  60. Here’s another strange observation:

    What — are the Tigers and the Indians on some kind of wierd biorhythm together? Up, down, way down, way up? Seems like they’re riding the same streaks together. It would be nice to gain some ground when we throw a beatin’ on the Yankees like this, but the Tribe is doing the same thing to the Twinkies…

  61. come on pudge… i mean i know we’re up 10-0, but still there’s no need to strike out with the bases loaded

  63. Nice to see a 10 spot posted, and nice to see a bunch of posts from Joey C who is apparently home pounding Red Bulls watching the game šŸ˜‰

    Living in Yankee Country, did I mention its GREAT to see the Yankees getting creamed. This year will be the end of the Joe Torre Era. Godd mgr for a lot of years. These Yankees are ols and OUT OF GAS.

  64. There’s far worse musician’s that could be running through your head, T Smith, then Cat Stevens. That’s for sure.

  65. Whoops. I meant “Joey C” and not “T Smith”. I was reading T Smith’s post when writing mine.

    Something unnoticed thus far is Justin’s poor strike/ball ratio so far tonight. 45-32 through 77 pitches. Would like to see that be more like 50-27-ish.

  66. Hey man I like certain Cat Stevens songs a lot. Unfortunately Peace Train isn’t one of them.

    Okay, I’m hanging up the liquid crack and picking up the books.

    Tribe turned a triple play tonight.

  68. Wow. I know Moose was hittable tonight, but his ER total could have been easily cut in half if the Yankees were playing good defense. Just to name three plays with Mussina pitching… Robinson Cano had a ball go under and behind(???) his glove, Melky Cabrera couldn’t decide whether or not to dive or shoestring the ball on a catchable RBI double, and Derek Jeter kind of stood there and watched as a ball rolled up the middle on the left field side of 2b. I would be very surprised if Polanco Granderson & Guillen would not have turned those balls into outs. If you give major league teams extra outs and baserunners they will slaughter you. “But Colin! The Yankees didn’t commit any errors!” What a dumb stat…

  69. What ā€” are the Tigers and the Indians on some kind of weird biorhythm together?

    T. Smith has figured it out. This isn’t MLB; it’s Bases Loaded II.

    Anyone remember that game? I never really figured out what the whole biorythm aspect to that game, but I loved throwing slow pitches and having them move from the outside to the inside and back to the outside of the plate.

  71. And after I make mention of Verlander’s kind of bad strike:ball ratio, he’s now sitting a 61:35 through 96 pitches.

  73. Gotta love blowing up the Yankee pen before the Boston series. The sooner they are out of the Wild Card race, the better. I hope th Sawx pound them this week.

    Now we just need Seattle to lose. And Cleveland.

  74. This HAS to be Brandon Inge’s defining game.

    3 doubles? No strikeouts?

    Wow. (Ok, well the first double was just kind of a bloop, but still.)

    And Casey with a triple – Ron, I’ll time that a little later tonight, k? Promise.

  76. If he wasn’t a New York Yankee, I could almost feel sorry for Henn. Torre kind of left him out there to dry tonight.

  79. Great to see all the runs, but lets not forget Verlanders game. While the yankee pitchers are not good, that hitting line up is as good as it gets. Great job by him to shut down the Yankees

  80. Good lord…I leave for one afternoon and I come back and the Indians have pounded the Twins AND turned a triple play, and the Tigers have scored 16 runs!

  81. We’ve left 12 on base, too. Each inning’s ended with multiple men on it seems. So it could get to a Texas Rangers-like if we cashed those in.

    Granderson to LF and Maybin to CF.

  82. Anybody else find it more than just a little interesting Leyland went with Maybin in center and Granderson in left?

  83. I wouldn’t read too much into it. I could see Curtis going to Leyland and saying to move him (grandy) to LF and let Maybin play CF. He seems like that kind of selfless player that’s always looking out for the team.

  84. I guess Leyland just wants to see just how Cameron looks in his natural position…does anyone know if Granderson has played left field before?

  85. I think it’s just a chance to let Maybin get used to center, because there’s a good chance he’ll get a start or two vs. lefties.

  86. Heh and what do you know, Granderson ends up making all three putouts in the inning anyway.

  87. Wow! Nice game by Verlander. Also, am I correct in thinking that all of Maybin’s hits have been for extra bases?

  91. Thanks Steve. I am continually amazed at the recall of the people who post on this blog. Where else could you find a reference to Jim Walewander?

  92. Granderson, Punisher, had played something like 20 games in LF. And he came up as a corner outfielder if I’m not mistaken, through our system as they said he “couldn’t play CF”.

  94. PHT, Not sure what you mean.

    Great game 16 – 0 and Minor with two innings of shut out ball

    Nice

  95. Great night everyone! Whatever happens after this, remember this night and this feeling of pounding the Yanks on offense and defense.

  96. …I think that was to me Steve – haha.

    And PHT, you’re welcome but not going to lie – I just dug it up on Yahoo. šŸ˜‰

  97. Most runs the Tigers have scored against the Yankees since 1929.

    Worst road loss in Yankees history.

    Mike Mussina’s ERA jumped from ~4.5 to ~5.5.

  98. Best Tigers win of the year.

    3 out of 4 against the Yankees, the Tigers really needed this.

  100. 8 XBH in this one – what’s the record?

    6 doubles, 3 by Inge. 9 two-out RBI, 4 by Inge.

    Granderson, Polanco, and Inge were responsible for one shy of half the hits – each with three. Other multiple-hit games from Guillen, Pudge, Casey, and Raburn.

    What is there to say? Just a great win. I’m kind of miffed about the two couldabeen Grand Slams (Guillen’s and Inge’s) but I’ll take 16 runs any day. And to think, Guillen’s first sac fly was all we needed.

  101. beautiful! Normally blowouts bore me, but this one was pure fun.

    And for the record:

    A SEAN CASEY TRIPLE!!!!! That’s when you know it’s a special night.

    I liked the interview with Inge on FSN after the game. He seemed pretty sorry/embarrassed about the Babe Ruth name-drop, and he said just playing in Detroit gets him amped for games. Aw, Brando- we still love ya.

  102. Another reason this was a big win: We’ve played ourselves back within one game of the Yankees. Still 3 1/2 back from Seattle in the wild card race, but winning the wild card if Cleveland plays well down the stretch doesn’t look as unlikely as it did a week ago.

  103. Great win tonight as it seems that the various parts are starting to come together. The Tigers are starting to hit really well and the bullpen is finally coming back into form. The only missing piece, besides the lingering injuries of course, is the starting pitching. Verlander made a great effort to attempt to put that back in order tonight.
    I cannot help but thinking that we need to go into Kansas City and absolutely destroy the Royals (as well as destroy their confidence and while were at it, hurt their feelings as well) for putting us into the recent funk in the first place. It would be a great end to an otherwise torrid August and place us in a wonderful position for an exciting September.
    These are the good times Tigers fans.

  105. Sean Henn is going to have nightmares about the Tigers. In two outings this series, he allowed 17 base runners and gave up 12 runs in 3.1 innings (including the walk-off HR Saturday morning).

  106. As soon as I got home I took my Neifi shirt and hung it up. It is officialy my good luck charm as every game I’ve been to with it on we have won.

    I was amazed I was able to get SRO tix right before game time today…awesome game. Inge, Casey, Verlander, really everyone.

    Interesting tid bit. Since I had SRO I moved around the park finding empty seats. I ended the game in the Skyline section:

    Watched someone from the stands throw a pizza box with a few slices in it right into the Yankees bullpen. (!)

  107. My god I just saw the high lights. Verlander snapped off some NASTY curveballs. That one to Posada was just not fair!

  108. August 27th, 2007 at 9:11 pm
    Did someone put a stopwatch on Casey?

    I wonder if Granderson’s trip around the bases yesterday was faster?

    Good win and hopefully the springboard to a hot couple of weeks. We have to build on it by playing well against the Royals – they’ve seemed to have our number since their sweep to finish off last season.

    And NEVER feel sorry for the Yankees!

  111. Other curious observations:

    1. As Granderson goes, so goes the Tigers. It would be interesting if somebody actually graphed this; e.g. wins, streaks, and trends against Grandy’s hits, multiple hit games, and trends/streaks… I suspect you’d be looking at a very similar graph.

    2. Tigers are a better team when aggressive on the bases. I’d like to see Grandy attempt a steal every time he gets on (unless we’re up by 16 runs or other circumstances dictate not to). Why we didn’t play that kind of baseball the first half escapes me.

    3. Inge can really pour it on when there is absolutely no pressure whatsoever to produce. Hmmm. My particular stance on Inge is that he has plenty of ability and talent; that’s not where he’s lacking. He’s lacking on the mental aspect of the game — as tonight’s performance perfectly illustrates. I knew when he stepped up each time tonight he’d mash. I’d like to see him hit it in the gap or off the wall (or over the wall) when we’re down by two runs in late innings with the tying runs on first and second base. When I see that, instead of a whiff, we can start to talk about Inge coming around and we can start cutting him a little slack on the noose around his neck. Until then, he’s still a liablity.

    4. The Tigers are a very polarizing team in terms of offense, depending on who they face. There seems to be little middle ground. They can pound mediocre pitching, or thump a struggling pitcher 1-9 in the order, to the tune of twenty hits a game. Yet, put a gamer in there, or a team’s ace, or just an average pitcher at the top of his game, and suddenly we have about seven huge holes in the lineup. Anyone not named Ordonez or Polanco (Gullien being an honerable mention) can’t get the ball out of the infield. I’d like to see the Tigers get to a few of the Harens and Carmonas and Pettittes of the world, when the Harens and Carmonas and Pettittes of the world are on the top of their game, if only for a respectable 4 – 5 runs. Earlier in the year they beat up Smoltz when Smoltz was hurling his best stuff. I haven’t seen it since.

    4. The Tigers are a team that likes to ride swings. This is the most momentum I’ve seen since the Minny series. If we can carry this over to KC, and not only “hurt their feelings” as Shane in Athens calls for, but down right humiliate them, I think were right back in the race, even if were still 2 1/2 out. I’m not committing to the playoffs yet, but let’s talk after the KC series. We really need a sweep (doable, since we won’t be facing Meche, but I’ll take a series win).

  112. Just re-watching inning 5, where Casey tripled, Raburn singled, Inge doubled, and Granderson comes up. The crowd inexplicably begins chanting “Go Grandy Go Grandy GO GRANDY GO GRANDY.” Adorable.

    And whaddaya know? Grandy gets an RBI.

  113. Another strange happenstance (is the moon full tonight or what?):

    How do the Tigers manage to score 16 runs without Ordonez batting in a single run? (I’m hearing the Twilight Zone music in my head right now).

    On Maggs for MVP:

    I also have been saying this for a long time now. A lot of the media reports that A-Rod is the shoe-in for MVP. I wouldn’t go so far as to make that call. If it were called after today, say after a 131 game season, yes. MVP goes to A-Rod, narrowly. But I think the deciding factor will come down to who has the most RBIs. Right now Maggs is only six shy of A-Rod. I think he can surpass him. If he does, and if he wins the batting title, mark my words: Maggs wins MVP.

  114. It looks like the Yanks might replace Mussina in the starting line-up. I guess they have some good young pitchers they would like to take his spot. Yankees have a big youth movement on the horizon with their pitching staff.

    This gets me to wonder as to what are the Yankees going to do with Moose? Is there any chance they will try to trade him? I know he has been struggling in his last 3 starts, and is in the worst season of his career, but for the most part I think he still is a pretty good pitcher with probably a few good seasons left.

    What does anybody think of the idea of the Tigers making a trade for Mussina? Kenny does not look like he can come back this year and begin pitching to midseason form. Is there any way a trade like that could happen in September?

  116. Well actually not only is the moon full, T Smith, there’s also going to be a total lunar eclipse.

  117. Punisher,

    is there an equivalent Indians blog out there? I’ve looked for one, but the only one I found was awkward and not too easy to access.

  118. Adam; Casey picks em’ up and puts ’em down at 14.840mph; about 2.33 mph slower than Curtis, who would have to give Casey a 14yd. head start in a 100yd. sprint to make the race interesting. I still think Curtis is faster than Maybin. Curtis runs like a gazelle and Maybin is slightly awkward.

  119. T Smith,

    The best Indians blog is Lets go Tribe. It is really great and the commentors have very good input. I read it about daily.

  120. Other curious observations:

    1. As Granderson goes, so goes the Tigers. It would be interesting if somebody actually graphed this; e.g. wins, streaks, and trends against Grandyā€™s hits, multiple hit games, and trends/streaksā€¦ I suspect youā€™d be looking at a very similar graph.

    2. Tigers are a better team when aggressive on the bases. Iā€™d like to see Grandy attempt a steal every time he gets on (unless weā€™re up by 16 runs or other circumstances dictate not to). Why we didnā€™t play that kind of baseball the first half escapes me.

    3. Inge can really pour it on when there is absolutely no pressure whatsoever to produce. Hmmm. My particular stance on Inge is that he has plenty of ability and talent; thatā€™s not where heā€™s lacking. Heā€™s lacking on the mental aspect of the game ā€” as tonightā€™s performance perfectly illustrates. I knew when he stepped up each time tonight heā€™d mash. Iā€™d like to see him hit it in the gap or off the wall (or over the wall) when weā€™re down by two runs in late innings with the tying runs on first and second base. When I see that, instead of a whiff, we can start to talk about Inge coming around and we can start cutting him a little slack on the noose around his neck. Until then, heā€™s still a liablity.

    4. The Tigers are a very polarizing team in terms of offense, depending on who they face. There seems to be little middle ground. They can pound mediocre pitching, or thump a struggling pitcher 1-9 in the order, to the tune of twenty hits a game. Yet, put a gamer in there, or a teamā€™s ace, or just an average pitcher at the top of his game, and suddenly we have about seven huge holes in the lineup. Anyone not named Ordonez or Polanco (Gullien being an honerable mention) canā€™t get the ball out of the infield. Iā€™d like to see the Tigers get to a few of the Harens and Carmonas and Pettittes of the world, when the Harens and Carmonas and Pettittes of the world are on the top of their game, if only for a respectable 4 – 5 runs. Earlier in the year they beat up Smoltz when Smoltz was hurling his best stuff. I havenā€™t seen it since.

    4. The Tigers are a team that likes to ride swings. This is the most momentum Iā€™ve seen since the Minny series. If we can carry this over to KC, and not only ā€œhurt their feelingsā€ as Shane in Athens calls for, but down right humiliate them, I think were right back in the race, even if were still 2 1/2 out. Iā€™m not committing to the playoffs yet, but letā€™s talk after the KC series. We really need a sweep (doable, since we wonā€™t be facing Meche, but Iā€™ll take a series win).

    I don’t think the we go as grandy goes thing is that much of a revelation. Every team will be better when their leadoff hitter is getting on base at a good clip.

    Granderson just now got the reigns pulled off a bit. When he was 13/13 stealing, he should’ve been getting a green light. However, in the first half there wasn’t a need for stealing when you’re entire lineup is hitting for extra bases every time there’s contact.

    Well, good pitching normally beats good hitting. Those pitchers you listed are good pitchers. Just ask the Yankees how easy it is to hit the better pitchers in the game (see: ALDS).

    And I told everyone, hop on, the Hope Train is up and running!

  121. I don’t know what Granderson’s time is (whoever timed his inside the parker the other day should time him home to 1st), but Maybin runs a 3.9 home to 1st time which is excellent and judging from the play where Inge was picked off on the throw back to Clemens, Maybin was flying 1st to 2nd. There’s really no way to tell, but I’m going with Maybin as being faster.

    I still don’t think Granderson’s as fast, or fluid, as Alex Sanchez was. It was a sight to see him run he bases.

  122. On a night when just about everything right happened, and there were some unusual feats, has anyone brought up how Grandy got a hit off a lefty? I thought that was when I entered the twighlight zone.

  123. We’ll wait for Maybin to hit a triple or even better an itpHR and time him. It’s great to have guys who can steal bases. Will be a big advantage in the playoffs; if only to throw off a pitcher’s rythym. Yeh, that 3.9 is incredible by Maybin. He’ll stay out of a lot of double plays with that speed. As soon as he learns the pitchers moves, I can see him stealing 60 bases a year. Go Tigers.

  124. Notes — couple anyway while wife is trying to get orgainized ( tee hee )

    1 we have talked a lot about coaching and coaching means detecting and fixing glitches. Impression: It’s working. ain’t just the players supposed to earn them paychecks, that goes for them coaches too and it looks to me like they doin’ it

    2 I enjoyed especially Rudy Guillani visit in the press box. very articulate gentleman! in particular his commentary helped remind me baseball is mainly a sport and Rudy brought this out saying he love to have the Tigers come and play in New York more often . I liked that. It’s a great rivalry and a good game is a lot of fun

    3 on to KC and the villianous Royals. yeah. we all know the Yankees are tough, year in year out one of the best teams in baseball. and we love that cuz if ya can beat the best ya get to crow ( well for a little while anyway ( wait’ll I get after Chris this morning ( tee hee ) ) ).

    But back to Kansas City. They are tough. And we will have to play 100% to beat them cuz guess what: beating KC ain’t no easier than beating NY. Not as I see it. Yeah they ain’t got the record but they got a good team and they gonna be ready for us when we get to KC cuz guess what: it’s fun to be the best guys out there and they are gonna be wain’t on our Tigers to show up in their town tonite!

    Let’s give ’em a good old Growl!

  125. As soon as I got home I took my Neifi shirt and hung it up. It is officialy my good luck charm as every game Iā€™ve been to with it on we have won.

    The question is, why would you even have such a shirt? Seriously.

  128. Granderson is a very good runner and can reach the 420 mark in center field in a hurry. That said, I’ve seen that Maybin has another gear that he shifts into when he rounds first base, and I have to call him fastest.

  129. Grandy has that spark-plug energy that ignites the team. He don’t put out 110% he puts out 190%!

    and it makes a difference

  130. I turned off the game when it was 5-0 to watch a movie with wifey. Wow, did I miss some fun. At least it turned into a little hanky-panky.

    Gotta set your priorities you know šŸ˜‰

  131. Eeeeew. Anyone named “Coach” should not drop hints about a sex life. So many gross middle school imagination flashbacks…

  132. Granderson’s Times, running Home to First in this game:

    First AB, Single = 4.487 seconds.
    Third AB, Groundout = 4.357 seconds.
    Fourth AB, Groundout = 4.356 seconds.

    I’d say his top speed is probably a 4.3 home to first, seeing as I didn’t see full out sprinting on any of these – when a player hits a sure single, he doesn’t tend to run as hard as when he has to beat out a throw…but both of the groundouts Curtis seems to run hard and then let up once he knows he’s out so I don’t have any sure way to know. But 4.35 seems to be about right.

  134. I think Granderson’s abilities on the base paths are equal parts speed and hustle. A lot of his triples are simply a matter of him running hard out of the box every time, rather than starting off in a trot and then turning it on only if it becomes clear he can take the extra base, as a lot of veterans tend to do.

  137. Because people need to get their Ne!f! shirts as soon as possible as they will be sold out after he wins comeback player of the year in 2008.

Comments are closed.