Danny Knobler points out that the last two teams to start as bad as the Tigers did this year, were playoff contenders the following year.
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Damion Easely on the DL
If you were watching the game last night and saw Damion go down, this shouldn’t come as a surprise. The aggravated muscle pull is expected to sideline Easley for two to three weeks. Taking his spot on the roster is outfielder Craig Monroe. On Monday against the Norfolk Tide Monroe hit his third and fourth homers of the season.
In other roster news, Matt Miller was moved from the 15 day disabled list to the 60 day DL and it is expected his season is over. Also, Terry Pearson was sent to Toledo to make room for left hand reliever Jamie Walker.
First 13 games unlucky for 1920 Tigers
The 1920 Tigers began the season with two Hall of Fame players — Ty Cobb and Harry Heilmann — and a pitcher who had won 21 games the previous season. Their manager, Hughie Jennings, once had taken them to three straight World Series appearances.
So how did they lose their first 13 games?
So how did they lose their first 13 games?
Rany Jazayerli on Adam Pettyjohn’s bout with colitis
Pettyjohn’s recovery is far from complete. He still wears a colostomy bag while the inflammation subsides in what remains of his bowels. In a few months he is scheduled to undergo a pair of surgeries designed to reattach his small intestine to his rectum. Months of arduous and tedious rehabilitation await him before he again steps on a mound, but I think he’s going to be just fine. In fact, I think he already is.
SportingNews.com – Baseball : Detroit Tigers
So far, new hitting coach Merv Rettenmund and a new manager have done little to improve two major weaknesses: at-bats with runners in scoring position, and disciplined hitting in general. The team was 3-for-18 with runners in scoring position in back-to-back losses in Minnesota, and scored only three runs on 14 hits Saturday. Hitters too often ignore scouting reports and tendencies from other pitchers.
The Tigers are a legitimate 0-11. Yesterday’s loss, while unfortunate, was not typical of their start: they’re falling behind early in most games, and don’t have the horses to make up any deficit. Prior to Sunday, the Tigers’ starting pitchers had taken their last eight losses, and been given a grand total of 19 runs in those games.
More Chris Kahrl on Felip Alou:
I’m an optimist at heart, so I want to believe that Alou will make a fine mentor for Luis Pujols. Long-suffering Tigers fans deserve a little hope. My concern is just whether or not Alou, a National Leaguer, will understand the different balance of tactical and strategic options a manager has in-game and in-season in the American League. But this is the Tigers, and almost anything different has to be an improvement.
Chris Kahrl – Transaction Analysis
With the logjam of DH/1B/LF/3B types on top of the uniquely Tigeresque problem of having three catchers who can hit on on the roster, and with scheduling permitting no actual need for a fifth starter until April 20, the Tigers did a good thing in making the exchange of Nate Cornejo for Oscar Salazar. Salazar is an appropriate understudy for Jose Macias in a supersub role, while Cornejo will get to make his next start for the Mudhens and still be available for that start on the 20th.
I finished reading Hank Greenberg: The Story of My Life and I would highly recommend it to every Tiger fan. In addition to providing a look at the life of Hank Greenberg, along the way it chronicles the great Tiger teams of the thirties and forties. Hank discusses the challenges of being the first Jewish superstar, his decision to give four and a half years of his career to the military, and his post playing career endeavors. Hank dictated the bulk of this book while sitting by his pool in his final years. Ira Berkow took the tapes, wove in some interviews with friends/family/teammates, and added some old newspaper accounts to create this wonderful book. Hank’s story has also been made into an award winning documentary.