Kenny And The Kids
http://www.atomicsportsmedia.com/articles/784/1/Kenny-And-The-Kids/Kenny-And-The-Kids.html
Steven Michalovich
Steven Michalovich has been writing for Atomic Sports Media since February 2006 and is a senior at The Ohio state University.Michalovich will graduate in June 2007 with a degree in strategic communication and a minor in business. He is a huge Ohio State, Cleveland sports and Columbus Blue Jackets fan, and his ideal career would be to work in public relations and marketing for a major sports franchise.
By Steven Michalovich
Published on 03/23/2007
Elder statesman Kenny Rogers, reigning AL Rookie of the Year Justin Verlander, and the rest of the Tigers young pitching staff have a bad taste in their mouth after throwing away (literally) the 2006 World Series. October glory is always the goal, and Steve Michalovich says Detroit has more than a fighting chance in the AL Central as ASM's 30 in 30 continues.
Elder statesman Kenny Rogers, reigning AL Rookie of the Year Justin Verlander, and the rest of the Tigers young pitching staff have a bad taste in their mouth after throwing away (literally) the 2006 World Series. October glory is always the goal, and Steve Michalovich says Detroit has more than a fighting chance in the AL Central as ASM's 30 in 30 continues.
Kenny And The Kids
The Detroit Tigers were an afterthought in the American League for the better part of two decades.
Those times have quickly ended.
Probably the biggest surprise in baseball last year was Detroit’s success. Not only did they show they are a well-rounded club, they proved they can play with the big dogs and made it out of the competitive AL and into the World Series. The St. Louis Cardinals eventually bested them, but this team is hungry for more, and believe they are even better than the 2006 AL champion edition.
It had been 12 seasons since Detroit experienced a winning season, and their success can be attributed to management’s commitment to making the club better. Dave Dombrowski is the most underrated general manager in baseball and skipper Jim Leyland lit a fire under his players in the first month of 2006 after they had gotten off to a slow start. The players responded by finishing the year with a 95-67 record.
Much of that success was from the Tigers’ pitching staff. Detroit hurlers threw 16 shutouts in 2006, the most in the majors. The ace of this young rotation is 42-year-old Kenny Rogers. The club was 27-9 in his starts last year and, more importantly, Rogers was 3-0 in the postseason. He leads the best rotation in baseball. Justin Verlander won the Rookie of the Year award after going 17-9 and another youngster, Jeremy Bonderman, had 202 strikeouts on his way to winning 14 games. Fourth starter Nate Robertson is an innings-eater that had only a .500 record last season, but he posted a solid 3.84 ERA. Long-time Tiger Mike Maroth didn’t pitch after May due to an elbow injury, but he was 5-2 in 13 games before going down.
The bullpen is every bit as impressive as the rotation. Closer Todd Jones is a fan favorite, and is the franchise’s all time leader in saves with 179. Setting up Jones is a man that can consistently hit triple digits on the radar gun; Joel Zumaya has of the best fastballs in the game. In just 62 appearances he had 97 strikeouts, becoming one of the best setup men in baseball, and he’ll eventually take over the closer role. Jose Mesa was brought in to pitch in the middle innings, Fernando Rodney is in the mix after having a superb season, and Wilfredo Ledezma will serve as the left-handed specialist.
The pitching staff led this team to within inches of a title in ‘06, but they made one key move in the offseason that they feel will put them over the top. Gary Sheffield, unhappy in New York, was acquired through a trade and will primarily serve as the designated hitter. The sometimes difficult Sheffield has approved of not playing defense everyday and is set for an improved season after getting away from the Evil Empire. Not playing right field everyday will keep him healthy, and he’s a lock to produce in the middle of the order.
Around the horn, the Tigers have great character guys. First baseman Sean Casey was acquired after Chris Shelton’s great start went up in flames. The complaint about Casey has always been hi lack of power, but he has more heart than anyone and hit .529 in the World Series. Placido Polanco has found a home in Detroit; he plays great defense and is ideal for the two-hole in the order. Leyland has been quoted that he will make a great manager some day because of his extensive knowledge of the game.
Shortstop Carlos Guillen is no Omar Vizquel in the field, but his bat is critical to the Tigers’ success. Some feel he is a better fit as an everyday first baseman, but for now he’s at shortstop and set for a season similar to 2006 (.320, 19 HR, 85 RBI, 20 stolen bases). Brandon Inge has gotten better every season and is an above-average hitter from the ninth spot in the order; his defense is also above-average as well, despite not having all that much experience at the hot corner.
Those times have quickly ended.
Probably the biggest surprise in baseball last year was Detroit’s success. Not only did they show they are a well-rounded club, they proved they can play with the big dogs and made it out of the competitive AL and into the World Series. The St. Louis Cardinals eventually bested them, but this team is hungry for more, and believe they are even better than the 2006 AL champion edition.
It had been 12 seasons since Detroit experienced a winning season, and their success can be attributed to management’s commitment to making the club better. Dave Dombrowski is the most underrated general manager in baseball and skipper Jim Leyland lit a fire under his players in the first month of 2006 after they had gotten off to a slow start. The players responded by finishing the year with a 95-67 record.
Much of that success was from the Tigers’ pitching staff. Detroit hurlers threw 16 shutouts in 2006, the most in the majors. The ace of this young rotation is 42-year-old Kenny Rogers. The club was 27-9 in his starts last year and, more importantly, Rogers was 3-0 in the postseason. He leads the best rotation in baseball. Justin Verlander won the Rookie of the Year award after going 17-9 and another youngster, Jeremy Bonderman, had 202 strikeouts on his way to winning 14 games. Fourth starter Nate Robertson is an innings-eater that had only a .500 record last season, but he posted a solid 3.84 ERA. Long-time Tiger Mike Maroth didn’t pitch after May due to an elbow injury, but he was 5-2 in 13 games before going down.
The bullpen is every bit as impressive as the rotation. Closer Todd Jones is a fan favorite, and is the franchise’s all time leader in saves with 179. Setting up Jones is a man that can consistently hit triple digits on the radar gun; Joel Zumaya has of the best fastballs in the game. In just 62 appearances he had 97 strikeouts, becoming one of the best setup men in baseball, and he’ll eventually take over the closer role. Jose Mesa was brought in to pitch in the middle innings, Fernando Rodney is in the mix after having a superb season, and Wilfredo Ledezma will serve as the left-handed specialist.
The pitching staff led this team to within inches of a title in ‘06, but they made one key move in the offseason that they feel will put them over the top. Gary Sheffield, unhappy in New York, was acquired through a trade and will primarily serve as the designated hitter. The sometimes difficult Sheffield has approved of not playing defense everyday and is set for an improved season after getting away from the Evil Empire. Not playing right field everyday will keep him healthy, and he’s a lock to produce in the middle of the order.
Around the horn, the Tigers have great character guys. First baseman Sean Casey was acquired after Chris Shelton’s great start went up in flames. The complaint about Casey has always been hi lack of power, but he has more heart than anyone and hit .529 in the World Series. Placido Polanco has found a home in Detroit; he plays great defense and is ideal for the two-hole in the order. Leyland has been quoted that he will make a great manager some day because of his extensive knowledge of the game.
Shortstop Carlos Guillen is no Omar Vizquel in the field, but his bat is critical to the Tigers’ success. Some feel he is a better fit as an everyday first baseman, but for now he’s at shortstop and set for a season similar to 2006 (.320, 19 HR, 85 RBI, 20 stolen bases). Brandon Inge has gotten better every season and is an above-average hitter from the ninth spot in the order; his defense is also above-average as well, despite not having all that much experience at the hot corner.
Kenny And The Kids
The man behind the plate is Ivan Rodriguez. He’s a “Jim Leyland guy” after leading Leyland’s Florida Marlins to a championship in 2003. Pudge is getting older, but his resume is impeccable. At 35 years old, he still hit .300 and played spectacular defense as usual.
The outfield remains as it was despite the addition of Sheffield. Leftfielder Craig Monroe is the best power hitter no one knows about. He hit 28 home runs and drove in 92 hitting behind Pudge, Guillen and Magglio Ordonez. Mags bounced back from injury and justified his huge contract by hitting .298, with 24 home runs and 104 RBI last year; he’ll play right field and bat clean up. In center is leadoff hitter Curtis Granderson. He led the AL in strikeouts last year – not something you want from the top spot in the order. He is the weakest link in the lineup and may be moved to ninth if he continues to swing and miss consistently.
If Granderson or someone else doesn’t play up to par, this club is deep enough to make a switch. Marcus Thames moves to the bench with the acquisition of Sheffield. He has tremendous raw power, proven by his 26 home runs in 110 games last year. The Tigers will also carry utility infielders Neifi Perez and Omar Infante. Both have been starters before which is a plus. Perez isn’t far removed from an All-Star caliber season with the Chicago Cubs, while Infante has been with the club for several years and is solid off the bench. Vance Wilson has made a career as a back-up catcher and his presence is truly invaluable because the Tigers need to keep Rodriguez’s legs fresh for October. Shelton is still around, but probably not for long after dropping out of favor fast.
Put it all together, this team has hardly any weaknesses. They really opened some eyes in 2006, and if it wasn’t for shaky defense and inexperience, they may have been crowned champs. Getting Gary Sheffield was a huge move and truly may put them over the top. If he’s happy, and more importantly healthy, he has one of the quickest swings in the game, resulting in a lot of base hits.
Last year, I previewed this team, and said the Tigers didn’t have a chance. I picked the Chicago White Sox to win, and they didn’t even make the postseason. This year, the Detroit Tigers have a legitimate shot at winning it all, and they are the clear favorite in the American League.
2007 prediction: Tigers and Yankees meet in the ALCS. Detroit wins Game 7 on a Sheffield single with Polanco scoring from second. Sweet irony.
As for the World Series, it’s hard to make that kind of prediction at this point, but it is very likely the Tigers could be bringing a title come October.
2006: 95-67 (lost to St. Louis in World Series)
The outfield remains as it was despite the addition of Sheffield. Leftfielder Craig Monroe is the best power hitter no one knows about. He hit 28 home runs and drove in 92 hitting behind Pudge, Guillen and Magglio Ordonez. Mags bounced back from injury and justified his huge contract by hitting .298, with 24 home runs and 104 RBI last year; he’ll play right field and bat clean up. In center is leadoff hitter Curtis Granderson. He led the AL in strikeouts last year – not something you want from the top spot in the order. He is the weakest link in the lineup and may be moved to ninth if he continues to swing and miss consistently.
If Granderson or someone else doesn’t play up to par, this club is deep enough to make a switch. Marcus Thames moves to the bench with the acquisition of Sheffield. He has tremendous raw power, proven by his 26 home runs in 110 games last year. The Tigers will also carry utility infielders Neifi Perez and Omar Infante. Both have been starters before which is a plus. Perez isn’t far removed from an All-Star caliber season with the Chicago Cubs, while Infante has been with the club for several years and is solid off the bench. Vance Wilson has made a career as a back-up catcher and his presence is truly invaluable because the Tigers need to keep Rodriguez’s legs fresh for October. Shelton is still around, but probably not for long after dropping out of favor fast.
Put it all together, this team has hardly any weaknesses. They really opened some eyes in 2006, and if it wasn’t for shaky defense and inexperience, they may have been crowned champs. Getting Gary Sheffield was a huge move and truly may put them over the top. If he’s happy, and more importantly healthy, he has one of the quickest swings in the game, resulting in a lot of base hits.
Last year, I previewed this team, and said the Tigers didn’t have a chance. I picked the Chicago White Sox to win, and they didn’t even make the postseason. This year, the Detroit Tigers have a legitimate shot at winning it all, and they are the clear favorite in the American League.
2007 prediction: Tigers and Yankees meet in the ALCS. Detroit wins Game 7 on a Sheffield single with Polanco scoring from second. Sweet irony.
As for the World Series, it’s hard to make that kind of prediction at this point, but it is very likely the Tigers could be bringing a title come October.
2006: 95-67 (lost to St. Louis in World Series)