Tiger of the Year

[Starflyer]

SIMON NAMED TIGER OF YEAR

November 8, 2002








First baseman/designated hitter Randall Simon has been named Tiger of the year by the Detroit chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America.

Simon -- who led the Tigers in most offensive categories last season -- received 18 of 28 first-place votes. Robert Fick received five first-place votes and finished second in the balloting. Other first-place votes went to first baseman Carlos Pena (two), outfielder Bobby Higginson, left-hander Mark Redman and catcher Brandon Inge.

Simon, 27, led the Tigers with a .301 batting average, .459 slugging percentage, 19 home runs and 82 RBIs, despite sitting out 14 of the last 18 games. The home runs and RBIs were career highs for Simon, who was playing his first full season.

By Gene Guidi

Whoever voted for Inge needs a FULL psychological examination

[Shaggy Ry]

And he isn't going to be offered arbitration. Whichever team signs this guy is going to be getting a bargain - no walks and all.

[Starflyer]

Tiger of the Year Simon likely will be playing elsewhere in 2003

Friday, November 8, 2002

By Danny Knobler

DETROIT -- It should tell you something about the Detroit Tigers' offseason that while Randall Simon was named the Tiger of the Year Thursday, there's no guarantee he'll even be a Tiger next year. It should also tell you something about the 2002 Tigers.


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The Detroit chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America chose Simon as the top player on the team that tied for the worst record in the major leagues. Simon, who batted .301 with 19 home runs and 82 RBIs, received 18 of the 28 first-place votes.

What he didn't receive is a definite spot on next year's roster.

"He can hit, and he definitely fits in that way," president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said Thursday. "But (first base and designated hitter) is the one area of depth that we have. I don't know where all those pieces will fall."

Dombrowski will leave Saturday for the general managers' meetings, the first real step in a winter that he hopes will be active on the trade front. And while he won't say that Simon is a player he'll be peddling, it's fairly easy to figure it out.

First off, Carlos Pena is basically set as the Tigers first baseman. In fact, there's probably no other player on the team that is as set at one position in next year's opening day lineup.

Second, the Tigers have Dmitri Young and Eric Munson, both best suited to first base or DH. The DH spot could be even more crowded if Dean Palmer is able to hit but not able to play regularly at third base.

Third, Simon will be eligible for salary arbitration for the first time. So he won't be the $290,000 bargain that he was in 2002.

In the 38-year history of the Tiger of the Year award, only one recipient has failed to return to the team the following season. Al Kaline retired after winning the award for the second time in 1974.

Dombrowski said again Thursday that he sees little chance that the Tigers will pursue any "big-money" free agent. There has been some speculation that the Tigers would be interested in Steve Finley, since they need a center fielder, but Dombrowski said that's highly unlikely. . . . Palmer's work in the instructional league left the Tigers unconvinced of whether he'll be able to play third base next year. "It went well, but he was still only at the point of playing five innings, and only every other day," Dombrowski said. "You can't count on him." In an effort to expand their options, the Tigers are having Munson play third base in the Puerto Rican winter league.

[Biff Mayhem]

Qslver.......please come back, I want you to read this!! ;)

[Ranger]

Originally posted by Starflyer
Whoever voted for Inge needs a FULL psychological examination
Wow...
Who was that idiot? Whoever it was needs to lose their journalism degree and the right to vote.

I really think Redman would have been it, followed by Fick.
Qslver.......please come back, I want you to read this!!
why don't you email him Biff?

[MotownRandy]

Eventhough Q bugged me sometimes with all his stats, I still miss him. The stats are useful and challenge you to think more.

No way should the Tigers acquire Steve Finley...lol.

Too bad we probably won't get anything in return for Simon. Everyone should know we are not going to keep him so it would not be smart to trade for him.



Whoever voted for Inge needs a FULL psychological examination

Although I am one of the few who would be considered a Brandon Inge supporter I will agree with this statement. There is no way he deserved a vote for Player of the year.

[OldTimey]

Not this year anyway. Of course I think he'll never deserve it, but come on. To give it to him this year is out of control.

[MelissaG915]

where's the Q?

[Oblong]

How sad.

[OldTimey]

Yes it is a shame when Randall Simon is our best player.

[jake]

I meant to vote for Dean Palmer but it must have registered Inge.

[Cult of Guillen]

How did Juan Acevedo not get a single vote? I think he should have won the award before Simon, and definately before Fick, Higginson or Inge. The guy had a hand in more that half of the Tigers wins. I don't think he was dominating by any means, but he did get the job done.