The JV effect

Today was my first Tiger game of the year.  I'm not going to recap the game, because I know you watched it.  I was obviously disappointed in the result but there are two things that I noticed at this game.

1. The JV effect- This is the phenomenon that happens when JV is rolling along in the 7th and 8th inning.  People get extremely angry at the prospect of JV being taken out of the game and often yell at Leyland.  Today, some bozos behind us yelled out "Stay in the dugout Smokes!  You heard me Jimmy Smokes!"  While these guys are idiots, I love the sentiments and the nickname.  I also agreed with the man at this point, but in reality, JV can't stay in for 9 innings every game.  He'd be doing himself a disservice because very few other pitchers will do the same.  Knowing me, I'll probably still cheer for him to stay in for a complete game the next time anyway.

The other thing I noticed at the game about JV is that even though he was completely losing it, no one turned against him.  Very few other players (especially on the Tigers) have that effect.  Schlereth comes in and people say "He better not blow this."  BBoesch comes up to bat and people say "He better just not strike out."  JV lets in two runs and...nothing.  People clap as he leaves.  I love it!

2. The new scoreboard- Obviously I saw pictures of the new scoreboard, but it can only really be appreciated in person.  The size is one thing, but I also love some of the features.

Love the instant replay action.  Love the opening sequence with highlights from last year (what song was it to BTW?  Was it "Good Feeling" by Flo Rida?).  Love that it shows where the player hit the ball previously (in the picture below, BBoesch had hit a ground ball to first).  Love the "coming up next" for the fielding team so you know what part of the lineup to expect.  Love the detailed pitch and strikeout count below.  One thing though...where did the big analog clock that used to sit on top go?  That's right kids, analog.  You have to use the little hands to figure out the time.  I miss it.

Also, I understand all the advertisements, but what about the ambulance chaser in the top left?  How did she get on the board?

When is the next game I get to go to?

Broom city

I think there are few things as satisfying as a sweep of the Red Sox in the first series of the season.  Unfortunately, I was only able to watch one game (when Cousin Tigress and I found it on TV, she shouted, "This calls for a beer!"), but I followed the others on my smart phone...thank goodness for technology.

April is always a tricky month because seemingly great teams can stumble and otherwise average teams can soar (Baltimore last year anyone?).  Regardless, I'll take a hot start any day and just hope the Tigs can keep it up.  Here are some things I'm excited about after watching the first 3 games of the season:

1. Austin Jackson- Earlier I commented that Jacksonville had changed his stance and was hoping for less strikeouts and a more productive swing.  I think in the first 3 games he's off to a good start (the skepticism remains in my eyes though).  He had 8 hits, 5 runs, and 2 walks!  In one series!  The best news, no home runs.  Bear with me.  Jacksonville is not a home run hitter.  It's not the best way to utilize his speed or approach at the plate.  So the fact that he isn't already trying to swing for the fences is a good sign.

2. Justin Verlander- 8 innings, 2 hits, 1 walk.  If Leyland had kept him in, he'd have a W too.

3. Duane Below- Lookout was not even suppose to be on the roster this weekend.  A series of other injuries put him in the bigs for his first opening series.  I doubt that he thought he'd be paying a major role against the Sox, but he definitely held his own.  2 2/3 innings over 2 games, 3 strikeouts, 0 walks, and only 1 hit.  Pretty good young fella.  Somebody must like his digs in D-Town better than in Toledo.

4. Alex Avila- Somebody is mad that he lost to Fister (in truth, the voting was so close between Fister and Avila that a coin flip determined My Tiger).  I will take him as my runner up though.  5 hits, 2 home runs, 2 walks, and 5 RBIs.  Good start to the spring.

5. The Bash Brothers (you know this is only a matter of time before people pick up on that one)- Everyone was waiting for this one.  Prince and Cabrera.  Tons of hype.  I feel like they lived up to it.  Good weekend boys!

Now, some disappointments this weekend too.  Good news, it's only April 9th, lots of time for change:

1. Doug Fister- His performance wasn't terrible (although I happened to catch this game on TV and his control looked a little shaky), but the injury is definitely disappointing.  Only time will tell how serious it is.  When he first left the game, my initial thought was an oblique injury and I know those can be pretty persistent without rest.  Right now, Fister is reporting "tightness and soreness"...not good signs.  I expected him to really settle in mid-May and hit his stride.  I think back to last year where he tore it up after the All Star game.  I'd take that again.  We have to get him healthy first though.

2. Brennan Boesch-  He only had two hits the whole series, but that's not why he's a disappointment.  I expect him to get back into things and get used to playing again soon enough.  It's disappointing that BBoesch is hitting in the number 2 spot.  I don't think it's the right place for him!  Personally, I think Santiago or Peralta would be much more appropriate.  2nd spot is supposed to move the runner or get on base somehow.  That's not BBoesch.

3.  Leyland's "strategy"- I guess I'm not a major league manager.  That's the only explanation as to why I do not understand why Leyland insists on putting in "defensive" replacements into a game in the 8th and 9th inning.  Leyland wants all the guys involved, wants them all in the games.  Fine.  So pick a game that Danny and Donny (you know, two of the guys from NKOTB) can play the whole game.  Putting them in for the 9th is benefiting no one.  In reality, I think Leyland is a National League manager who tries to play the game that way.  Well, this is the AL and no one else is playing that way.  Man up!

Next series should be good.  Rays just swept the Yankees, Tigs just swept the Sox.  Verlander pitches again on Wednesday!  Get geeked.

Is a win always a win?

I didn't watch the game yesterday.  I had my phone on me with the ESPN app open so I could continually check for score updates, but that's not the same.  Then, I was out of cell phone range from the sixth inning on.  So, when I got back into range and turned my phone on, I saw that the Tigers won, 3-2.  Woo!  I did a mini JV fist pump!  Then I checked to make sure JV got the win.  No!  It was Valverde!  I needed to pull up the box score to see what happened.

Runs for the Tigers in the 7th and 8th.  JV pitches 8 innings.  And then big bad Valverde, comes in during the 9th to close us out, and ties the game!  I know being a closer is an impossible job, but COME ON!  He's almost as bad as My all time Not Tiger, Todd Jones.  So here's my proposal Bud, it should be harder for a closer to come into a game and get a win.  In fact, a closer should only get a win if the inning was tied when he comes in and he keeps it tied.  Why?  Because being a closer is about HOLDING the opposing team.  I hope at least Valverde bought JV the next round of Taco Bell, because he cost him a W (which we know from last year, the difference between 24 wins, which no one remembers, and 25 is just one game).  If I had been at the game keeping score (which I do 90% of the time, thanks Aunt Tigress) I would have put the W next to Jackson's name with the assist to Danny Worth.

One more side note, looking through the box score from yesterday, Jim Leyland never ceases to amaze me.  He put in Donny, Danny, and Clete(y).  He just loves to get everyone in the mix!

Opening Day!

Happy Opening Day!

Word to the Paws

1 more day: MY TIGER!

There's magic in the air this day
Baseball in the air
Detroit is at her best, you know
When people cheer and Tigers sweep
The promise of excitement is one the night will keep
After all, there's only one more sleep til Opening Day!

If you don't know what what this song is from, I suggest you get a new tradition for your Christmas Eve. 
Opening Day Eve is much like Christmas Eve. 

Children nestle all snug in their beds (they still need long johns in April don't you know) while visions of Cracker Jacks dance in their heads. 
And I in my Tiger hat and the dog in his babushka, had just settled down for a chilly spring nap. 
When out on the lawn there arose such a fuss
I sprang to the window and saw the Tiger bus!
When, what to my Tigress eyes should appear,
but MY TIGER and Prince Fielder (he gives the other guys horsey rides sometimes).
With a trade from Seattle, he's the top of my list-er
I knew in a moment, My Tiger is Doug Fister!

You're welcome Dougie Fresh.  I'm hoping you can also teach me how to Dougie.

That's right sports fans, My Tiger this year is Doug Fister!  As mentioned before, he beat out Peralta, Santiago, and Avila for the coveted spot.  It's definitely a risk with him being a starting pitcher, but I'm just the sort of fan to take that challenge.  So far, none of the stores around here have had Fister shirts (a shame really, think of all the money they are missing out on) so I'll have to get one when I go to the game next week.

To all you fans going to the game, be safe, don't do anything I wouldn't do, and cheer those Tigs to victory!  Bring your rally caps and your Tiger blankets...it's Opening Day in Detroit!

1 more day...

2 days: My Not Tiger

With only two days left (jump lightly and clap hands), I need to pick My Not Tiger.  Remember, this is the Tiger that makes me groan, is the bane of my existence, and generally makes me angry.  This Tiger is also going to take the brunt of the blame when the Tigers lose (well, let me rephrase.  Gene Lamont is responsible for half of all Tiger losses.  My Not Tiger is responsible for the other half). 

Here are the clues:

He started with University of Florida and then transferred to South Florida Community College (that's right, he started at a major state university and then went to a community college!  This alone qualifies him for My Not Tiger).

He was only brought up in 2007 when Tiger utility infielder Neifi Pérez was suspended 25 games after testing positive for amphetamine usage (it was either bring My Not Tiger up, or be down a man...personally, I would have gone short handed for the 25 games).

Didn't make a major league team roster for Opening Day until 2010.

Learned the catcher position and first base position to make him more versatile (no thanks!).

Spends half his paycheck on Rogaine.

He SUCKS in all games prior to the All Star break (only .213 in 2011 from April-June.  My plan now is to keep him in Grand Rapids until July).

Can't guess yet?  Really?  Take a look at the WORST play in Tigers history below:

That's right folks, it's Suckburn!  Congrats kid...now stay out of the line up!

2 more days!

3 days: Look out Below, here comes Smyly

Ok, so my math was off.  I'm just like Derek Zoolander who thinks his "Center for Kids who Can't Read Good" needs to be three times the size of the model (What is this?  A center for ants?).  Tigress no do math so good.  It's now only three days away to opening day! 

That being said, I started cruising around the Tigers website to figure out who our 5th starter would be.  The past few years, our 5th starter has been very inconsistent and changes very quickly.  Philthy Phil was our fifth starter last year!  So here's the word, bird.  Here's the scoop, poop (hehe).

Below (whose nickname is LookOut) and Villarreal were sent down to Triple A and the two pitchers staying up (for at least a week) are Drew Smyly and Luis Marte.  Welcome boys!  To really welcome you to "the show" (remember all those tips Crash gave you about interviews...don't forget them), you will be receiving nicknames (all the big leaguers have them).  First up...Luis Marte:

Possible options:
K-Marte
Wal-Marte
Smarte-Marte
Farte-Marte

And the winner is... Wal-Marte.  10 years ago, K-Marte would have been a lock, but they've been facing some financial trouble as of late.  Better to go with the mega-store.

Next up, Drew Smyly:

This photo is courtesy of Cousin Tigress who went to a Spring Training game on St. Patrick's Day weekend.  The green is pretty sweet. 

I'm going to assume that his name is pronounced like Smiley (just like I assumed that Wal-Marte's name doesn't have a French type 'e' on the end).  So, here are the options:

Guy Smyly (you know, the famous game show host from sesame street?)

Smyly Cyrus
Wiley Smyly
Fly Smy

And the winner is...Guy Smyly!  But I feel like Wiley Smyly could work too, especially if he has a nasty slider or something (instead of sneaky, sneaky...he'd be wiley, wiley).

Stay tuned.  We still need to figure out My Tiger and My Not Tiger.  3 more days...