A strange question, you may say. I think not. The Tigers have assembled some impressive pieces of talent, throwing them together on the field and told to win games for us. Sounds like any business without a good plan, or with constant turnover. Like a grocery store needing 125 employees to fill the various positions.
Warm, talented bodies are one thing. Getting the right ones that mesh and work well together, that is another. I think the reason that the 2006 version of this team was so successful, yet surprising, was because it rose from the ashes together. These guys found a way to grind it out, survive, and eventually play together and win. They were a real team. It took a couple of seasons for the young guys to get in sync. That is missing with this "company" of Detroit Tigers. Individual talent, that has not melded together as a unit yet. It can happen. These struggles will prove what this group of guys really is. Hopefully it will yield a cohesive group that will learn how to be successful together and make up for each other's weaknesses and bad days.
I would have to give the employee of the month to Brandon Inge. Yes, his batting average is low, but he has stepped up and played every position he has been asked to play without complaining. As far as team chemistry, your right on the money, Main Max. It takes a while to gell and so far it's been a struggle,but we'll come through it and be allright.
I would vote for Armando Galarraga. He came in and gave the team a lift with some excellent pitching when no one else among the starters were doing much. No one was really expecting that much from him and he was shutting other teams down.
I would give Armando the E.O.M Parking Space.
I think I would have to give my vote to Todd Jones. He has appeared in 14 games with a win and 5 saves and more importantly no blown saves. While he is a prototypical closer, he has gotten the job done when he has needed to. Sure he looked bad in his last outing, but other than that I think he has been really underrated.
My other choice would be Brandon Inge. He has done everything that has been asked of him this season even though he is not playing the position he really loves. And more importantly he has been very effective defensively at every position he has played. Too bad he is such a lousy hitter.
I cannot argue against either Todd Jone or Brandon Inge. Good night. Who would have thought a mere 4-6 weeks ago that these often maligned players would be so vitally important to the Tigers right now? The pillars of the team? The go-to guys? As for Galarraga, yeah, him too. A virtual unknown in these parts 2 months ago. So much for the high profile, big dollar signings. It is time for them to start earning their pay.
Well, the employee of the month, as far as Tiger players are concerned, is the guy that writes out those big fat checks.
Here is something for Mr. Illitch and Mr. Dombrowski to bonder. In less than 4 weeks, the hockey and basketball seasons will be over......then all those fans (and media types) of WINNING franchises will descend on the Tigers. What will they see when they do?
I think you are probably right about the team not gelling yet. What I am afraid of is that subconciously, the hitters are going into the "What the Hell?" stage. I'm sure it has to be disappointing when you go out there and do your job and then watch the ineffectual Tigers pitchers give up more runs than you have scored. I mean, give me a break, we score 8 runs and have to come from behind in the bottom of the ninth to score two more to win it? I'm not seeing much improvement in the pitching by this staff and if it doesn't turn around real soon, it's going to be a long seasn fans.
Suffering through another Tiger game and I'm wondering how many times we're going to have to watch this the rest of the season. Bases loaded and we can't put the ball in play. Runners in scoring position and we can't move them. Don't get me wrong. I am a loyal Tiger fan. Have been for 55 years. The Tigers are still my team no matter how bad they suck at times. It just gets really frustrating after all the hype year after year and it comes to the same thing. We can't get the job done. After all the hype this year, (we should score 1000 runs, we are a virtual shoe-in for the world series) we still can't get the job done on either side of the ball. Starting pitching has been horrendous, and all the money Illitch has put into power hitters has come to naught. Again. When will we put it together?
