Big boy pants

Gem of the day (in response to BBoesch's monster, game winning, home run):
Mario: He hit that a mile.
Rod: And then some!
Mario: Big boy pants territory.

So, I need a visual for big boy pants (or BBP).  Here's my best guess.

A shirt cannot be contained in BBP

BBP come all the way up to the top of your son's head

BBP can be loosey goosey and flow from the knee down

Although BBP used to be as tight as jeggings

I think these are what BBP really look like

But here is the Tiger version of the BBP

So BBoesch, we'll see you on August 6th wearing your Tiger BBP.  They make them for Tigresses too, but we call them "Lovely Lady Pants" or LLP.

'O' say

Top ten reasons this series versus the Orioles was successful:

10. The Tigers finally got some run production from BBoesch, Avila, and Peralta.  If the Tigers want to have any hopes at a playoff run, these are three key guys that need to pick it up. 

9. The Tigers were hot before the All Star game and they continued to be on fire after, not letting a little break slip them up.  They are 7 for their last 8, and that, my Tigress friends, is so tasty.

8. Even though the Tigers lost Saturday's game in a grueling 13 inning game, the Tigers never stopped fighting and came from behind multiple times.  That's the mark of a good ball club.  I'm OK with the loss because the offense did what they needed to do.

7. Tigers got 2/3 from the Os, who are 2nd in the always good AL east and in the wild card hunt.  They played good ball versus a good team, which is a relief when the Tigers had played the weaker Twins and Royals before the All Star game with equal success.  It's easier to play good ball versus mediocre teams, but much more difficult to play hot against those hot teams.

6. QB had some rough at bats (going 0-5 today), but he had the catch of the series (possibly of the second half) on Friday night.  That's one we'll be seeing for the rest of the season.  Dougie Fresh's finger wave afterwards was also priceless.

5.  Speaking of Dougie Fresh, he had a quality outing on Friday and was really on point.  If you remember, Dougie Fresh was traded to the Tigers at the end of July, 2011, where he proceeded to tear the AL Central a new one.  Now that it's the second half of the season, maybe this is just Dougie's way of telling us he's a second half player.  I'd like that.

4. Verdiggity had an impressive outing today, going 8 innings with eight strikeouts.  After his horrific start at the All Star game, it's nice to see JV come out and pitch like...JV.  You know, the way he's perfected over the years, instead of just coming out and zinging the ball like a dumb teenager.  It had to be said.

3. AJacks continues to be on a tear and he has some ridiculous stat, like he's scored a run in the past 12 games.  His bat wasn't very hot this series, but when he comes up, I just smile and know it's going to be OK.  I even made a case the other day why Bboesch shouldn't have tried to come home on the short single because AJacks was up next and he could be counted on to score BBoesch from 3rd.  I never would have said that last year.

2. Cabby is just ridiculous and hasn't cooled off over the break either.  He's really settled in to his role and it looks like he's even taken some leadership responsibilities.  It's nice to see him get excited when he gets on base (somebody else has to be clapping out there besides Tigerberry).

1. This may be my favorite quote in a while from a baseball player: "If you're going to be a fan, you have to be a fan for 162 (games)."  Spoken by our own Verdiggity.  I've always been with him on this and try not to grumble when the going gets tough.  After this weekend series, I have very little to grumble about (I won't even mention Papa Potato, that's how generous I feel) and just take our series win with a smile.

Goofus and Gallant

So this is a little late, but the All Star game this year was terrible.  I think JV summed it up best when he said, "That's why I don't try and throw 100 MPH in the first inning."  Then why did you do it?!  ARGG.  And if this whole Kate Upton dating rumor is true, well then, you are going to be on my "List."  Trust me, you don't want to be on the Tigress's "List."

I went to an All Star game once.  It was glorious.  I actually remember more about the Home Run Derby (Bobby Abreu tore it up that year), but the memories that stick in my mind involve two beer vendors.  Now, here's a little factoid.  Food and beverage vendors are brought in from many other stadiums to deal with the massive amounts of people that attend the festivities.  I saw two beer vendors that stick out in my mind.  Let's call this, the tale of Gallant and Goofus (remember those?).

Gallant: Selling beer while players are warming up on Monday (Home Run Derby day) in the right field bleachers.  He happens to be in the aisle when Johnny Damon (pre-Tiger days) hits a ball that lands at his feet.  He picks up the ball and has a souvenir of his time selling beer in Detroit.

Goofus: In the aisle next to me as I watched the game, tripped up the stairs and spilled at least 10 cans of beer.  Here's all I could think...that's going to come out of his tips!  Talk about a disappointment!  That's a lot of cash to lose.  Beers were 8.50, times ten, 85 dollars, plus tips he missed out on.

It was a lonely week without regular baseball, but now that we are back, I'm excited for the second half.  Dougie Fresh was quite good today and the Tiger bats were alive.  A good Dougie Fresh means a solid starting pitching line up, if only our relief pitchers would step it up.

Boiling water

You know what they say, a watched pot never boils (although I'm pretty sure you could wait this out.  Given the right temperature and time, water WILL boil).  I didn't get to watch the game yesterday because I was celebrating with friends and our Tigers finally got to .500.  This weekend is key to set the Tigs up before the All Star break.  The Tigers NEED to stay at .500 or better going into the break. 

A small friend of mine is at her first Tiger game today and she made the following sign:

You can see her contribution next to the word "my."  Good job Little Tigress!

Unwritten rules

I just read the book Calico Joe by John Grisham and part of the story is about "unwritten rules" in baseball.  For example, if a batter does something to show a pitcher up, he has the right to bean him.  Sounds like boys just wanting to belt each other with hard things to me. 

I've never played baseball, so I don't know all the unwritten rules.  I do know a slow pitch softball unwritten rule is that you don't hit the ball back at the pitcher.  It's bad form.  The thought behind this is that in slow pitch softball, the batter has more control over where the ball goes (if you have any sort of talent that is).  So here's my question, does the same rule apply for baseball?  Last night, Avila hit a ball right up the middle that managed to hit Duensing's left leg while in the air.  Then, as he put his left leg down to go get the ball, he fell over in pain.  It looked dreadful. 

This happens a lot though.  Ricky P is always sticking his hand out to try and stop balls as they whiz by his face (haha).  So, is it an unwritten rule, or is there not enough control when the ball travels over 90 MPH?

A gem of a gem

Gem of the day:

Rod- Avila will be putting down the finger for Mr. Fister.

"What?!  I didn't sign up for this!"
 
On a side note, every time they talk about Trevor Plouffe, I can't help but think that his name is like the sound of some kind of bodily function.  And Plouffe is funny sounding too.

The Shout out today goes to AJacks and Tigerberry who have been "setting the table so the big boys can eat" all season.  Keep it up boys.  Cabrera might be hitting amazingly, but without you two, he doesn't have as many RBIs.  The shout out would be even more amazing if a win was attached though.  Just saying.

Peralta in June

I'm not a stat person.  Math's not my thing.  However, even I can tell you that soft J had a much better June than he did for both April and May.  To cap off the month of June, Jhonny hit a two run single in the ninth with two outs.  That's clutch.  I love the two out hits, they are so tasty.

Yesterday I watched most of the game in a bar, which definitely has it's advantages and disadvantages.  Let's examine:

Disadvantage:

• Did not get to hear Verdiggity's interview with the Fox boys, which are usually pretty hilarious.
• Missed hearing about Rhymes' hilarious (although scary) incident where he was hit in the arm and proceeded to pass out after getting to first.
• Didn't get to hear Evan Longoria's interview (what can I say?  He's good).

Advantage:

• Didn't have to hear the Fox boys' terrible commentary.  Seriously, they talked about pine tar for 15+ minutes at the end of the game.
• Got to hang out with awesome friends.
• Got to have delicious beverage not found in the normal fridge.
• Watched Brother-in-Law Tiger win a ninja watermelon.  That's right, he's the JV of watermelons.

 Advantages takes the cake.