Your Wild & Wooly Predictions - 2007

[DaYooperASBDT]

Here's mine:

1. Kenny Rogers wins the Cy Young

2. Todd Jones is traded in August

3. Dmitri Young goes to Japan League

4. Brandon Inge hits 30 HR, adds 90 RBI

5. Sean Casey benched by July 31st

[Oblong]

A player not on the 25 man roster will make signifigant contributions this year.

[smr-nj]

Tigers have a 15 game winning streak.

..and a 15 game losing streak.

[tigerkid23]

Rookie of the Year is Delmon Young

Cy Young is Johan Santana (really went out on a limb here)

MVP is Gary Sheffield (hehehe...homer pick)

Standings

AL East
Yankees
Red Sox
DRays
O's
Jays

AL Central
Indians
Tigers [Wild Card]
Twins
Sox
Royals

AL West
Angels
Rangers
A's
Mariners

NL East
Mets
Phillies
Marlins
Braves
Nationals

NL Central
Reds
Cubs [Wild Card]
Cardinals
Brewers
Astros
Pirates

NL West
Padres
Dodgers
Giants
Arizona
Colorado

[T.O. Tiger Fan]

How about....

Andrew Miller wins the AL ROY Award.

[DaYooperASBDT]

A player not on the 25 man roster will make signifigant contributions this year.

Shelton?

[Just Some Dude]

Sheff hits his 500th career HR at the end of September.
Kenny Rogers wins 25 games.
Curtis Granderson leads the league in K's again.
Bonderman tops 225 K's.
Carlos Guillen finishes 3rd in AL MVP votes.
Justin Verlander has the highest ERA of our starters.
Brandon Inge wins his first gold glove.
Magglio Ordonez sets new career highs in AVG, HR's, and RBI's.
Sean Casey hits over .330 w/ 20 HR's.
Pudge throws out 60% of base stealers.
Craig Monroe is hospitalized sometime during the season because he has Leylands foot up his ***.

[DaYooperASBDT]

Carlos Guillen finishes 3rd in AL MVP votes.
Brandon Inge wins his first gold glove.


Those both seem very possible. I think Guillen will be huge this season.

[whitecapwendy]

only one from me (repeat from last year)

Tigers win the World Series

(I just won't get as many laughing at this prediction as I did last year--you know most of you did :) )

[One Man's Fool]

Sean Casey hits 15 home runs.
Brandon Inge his .270 and still tops 25 homers.
Craig Monroe keeps hitting difference-making home runs and people keep insisting there is no such thing as clutch hitting.
Fernando Rodney has a rough season.
Curtis Granderson gets off to a slow start but finishes strong.
Guillen, Maggs and Sheff prove to be the most potent middle-of-the-order in the American League.
Nate Robertson leads the Tigers in wins.
By June, Corky asks the following question about Neifi Perez: "Did he die?"

[tiger337]

Bonderman leads the Tiger starters in ERA, finishes in top 5 in league.

Verlander has an ERA close to 4.50 and misses a couple of weeks with a tender shoulder

Todd Jones struggles and starts blowing saves. Zumaya takes over as closer in July.

Maybin tears up Florida State League in April and May. Then has solid summer with Erie.

Miller piles up amazing strike out totals for Lakeland but struggles with control. His promotion to Erie takes a little longer than Maybin.

Casey gets hurt multiple times in first half. Shelton wins his job back and has .860 OPS in 85 games.

Monroe has another mediocre season, gets overrated by his supporters and underrated by others. Rod Allen wets his pants and hyperventilates after game winning home run.

Granderson improves to .280/.350/.475

Sheffield is team's best hitter - .290/.370/.500.

Guillen still good but misses more time this year and has less power.

No 95 win teams in AL central. Very tight race with 4 teams still in it late in year. 92 wins takes it. Wild Card comes from East this year.

[Casimir]

I'll repeat whatever I guessed last season. I was wrong, but it seemed to work awfully well.

[wolverinefan]

Todd Jones doesn't blow a save until August

Granderson hits 25 HR's

Inge wins Gold Glove

Bonderman develops new pitch

[DaYooperASBDT]

Rod Allen wets his pants and hyperventilates after game winning home run.

Finally, you might just get one right !!!

[Yoda]

Verlander proves everyone wrong and continues to improve as a pitcher. 3.25 ERA, 19 wins.

Pudge is horrible, posting a .270/.292/.334 line.

Maybin dazzles in March, prompting Leyland to call him up in July when Granderson injures his right wrist getting hit by a pitch.

Maroth comes back and is heathy, but only mildly effective.

Bonderman is right there with Santana in the CY Young voting.

I agree with whover said Zumaya will be the closer in July.

Inge does not win the gold glove, but Polanco does after a .312/.360/.405 season, including a brief run at the batting title into mid-summer.

Monroe is gone at the trade deadline and Brent is called up to replace him. Grandy is still hurt.

[DaYooperASBDT]

I definitely see Clevlen getting another call-up sometime this season, but just as an injury fill-in like Yoda suggests.

[jadefalcon]

Bondy finishes 2nd in Cy Young to Johan the Barbarian

Inge wins GG, Grandy plays well enough to win one, but doesn't (and hits .280/.375/.470)

Guillen, Sheff, and Maggs have great years (at least .300, 20HR, 90 RBI each)

Thames outplays Monroe, and Clevlen gets a call-up and hits consistently after Craig is traded at the deadline for a good releif pitcher

Verlander and Rogers basically repeat their 2006 seasons (Verlander's K rate goes up), Nate wins 15 games while not being as effective as last year

Maroth has a .500 record and an era around 4.50

Bullpen is as solid as last year

Casey hits .280 with little power and plays in 110 games, Shelton does a little bit better, but not enough to gain Leyland's trust

Maybin and Miller have great seasons, contribute in September, and set up an all-Tigers AL ROY race in 2008

Tigers win division, but Twins are pesky and earn much scorn from Tiger fans

Gil Meche loses 20 games

[Corky]

Maybin has a huge spring and controversy and tons of argument on Motownsports breaks out when he is sent to AA.

Maroth gets hurt again by the end of April.

Robertson throws a no hitter in June.

Clevelen gets called up midseason but languishes on the bench, causing many on Motownsports to question Leyland.

Neifi is Nefiesque and will be feared dead by mid-season.

[monkeytargets37]

Ramon Santiago = AL MVP

[cruzer1]

I predict: PAIN!

[cruzer1]

Here's mine:

1. Kenny Rogers wins the Cy Young

2. Todd Jones is traded in August

3. Dmitri Young goes to Japan League

4. Brandon Inge hits 30 HR, adds 90 RBI

5. Sean Casey benched by July 31st
I never really thought about Dmitri in Japan, but it makes a lot of sense; although they might hesitate to take someone with as many issues as Young.

[Corky]

I never really thought about Dmitri in Japan, but it makes a lot of sense; although they might hesitate to take someone with as many issues as Young.


The Sake issue will have to be addressed with Meat if he plays there.

[Johnny Mac]

Inge hits .245 and .275 obp 25 hr 70 rbi with a ton of errors and a ton of great plays, everyone on motowntigers argues whether or not he needs to be replaced

Granderson drastically cuts down on K's

Maggs/Pudge/Sheff/Guillen - one will miss around 40 games due to injury

The tigers ride the roller coaster all season and Jones gets 40 saves

Zumaya throws a fastball 105

[One Man's Fool]

I predict: PAIN!

Bust you up.

http://www.cardboardcutouts.com/0585%20Clubber%20Lang.jpg

[djhutch]

Justin Verlander wins 25.

Maroth is lights out - out of the bullpen.

Andrew Miller makes the playoff roster.

[monkeytargets37]

Runelvys Hernandez:

372 pounds 0-28 48.38 ERA in AA ball for Tampa Bay

[DaYooperASBDT]

Inge hits .245 and .275 obp 25 hr 70 rbi with a ton of errors and a ton of great plays, everyone on motowntigers argues whether or not he needs to be replaced

Granderson drastically cuts down on K's

Maggs/Pudge/Sheff/Guillen - one will miss around 40 games due to injury

The tigers ride the roller coaster all season and Jones gets 40 saves

Zumaya throws a fastball 105

Hate your predictions, but love that avatar !!!! :classic:

[209A12]

Skip quits the smokes...........Mr. Butts is not happy.

[CaliforniaDreaming]

I predict that this thread will be visited often by people wanting to say..."I told you so!"

[cruzer1]

Runelvys Hernandez:

372 pounds 0-28 48.38 ERA in AA ball for Tampa Bay
He signed with Boston.

[Brent]

In keeping with my negativity leanings. The Tigers will win between 84 and 89 games in 2007 and miss the playoffs.

[tigerfanfromchicago]

The Tigers win the division this year. I don't know if they will win the World Series, but I think they can do better than the wild card for the regular season.

I predict the Hawk will finally annoy the heck out of everyone and get fired. He decides to visit Dick Vitale and Chris Berman to see if they have a job for him at ESPN. Their constant yelling causes Al Gore to make a new documentary on noise pollution.

[baseball3]

--The Tigers will get in the playoffs as a wild card and lose in the first round

--Jones will again struggle as closer and there will be more pressure on mgt. to have Zumaya become the closer

--The Tigers will trade for a lefty hitting 1B just before the trading deadline by trading either Monroe, Thames or Clevlen

--Miller will have a great year at Erie, continuing to struggle with his control, but, get a call up during the season for the bullpen

--I agree --------someone NOT on the present 25-man roster will have a major impact on the Tiger '07 season

--Verlander, Rogers and Bonderman will again have outstanding seasons with each winning 15 games minimum

--Players who will struggle offensively: Inge, Casey, Pudge, Monroe and Thames

--Players who will flourish: Guillen, Granderson and Maggs

Minor league surprises: Maybin is human in Lakeland, Trehern struggles and underperforms, JJ gets promoted to Toledo and becomes their #1 starter, but, slows by season's end with arm problems, Sizemore is the best player at WM, Joyce has a great year in Lakeland.................

Lakeland wins the FSL, Toledo wins their league while Erie, WM and Oneonta struggle to be above .500

[sabretooth]

Bonderman leads the Tiger starters in ERA, finishes in top 5 in league.

Very reasonable prediction, although I think he'll be top 10 (3.75), not top 5 (this would require a 3.50 ERA, I believe).

Verlander has an ERA close to 4.50 and misses a couple of weeks with a tender shoulder

I was going to make this prediction as well.

Todd Jones struggles and starts blowing saves. Zumaya takes over as closer in July.

Agree.

Maybin tears up Florida State League in April and May. Then has solid summer with Erie.

Sounds good.

Miller piles up amazing strike out totals for Lakeland but struggles with control. His promotion to Erie takes a little longer than Maybin.

I look for Miller to crack the rotation next year.

Casey gets hurt multiple times in first half. Shelton wins his job back and has .860 OPS in 85 games.

This would be fabulous. I do believe that Casey will have injury problems because of poor conditioning, but it seems that Leyland is determined that Shelton will not play regularly here again. Big mistake -- if I'm wrong about that, and Shelton is given a chance to produce again and does produce, I'd be thrilled.

Monroe has another mediocre season, gets overrated by his supporters and underrated by others. Rod Allen wets his pants and hyperventilates after game winning home run.

Seems believable. I consider Monroe to be a decent enough bargain, but I would sure like to see us upgrade that position if possible. For now, First Base is the major hole.

Granderson improves to .280/.350/.475

This would be very nice. I'm going to have to do some research before I decide on making a Grandy prediction.

Sheffield is team's best hitter - .290/.370/.500.

Sounds about right for his stats, but I believe Guillen will be around that level or slightly higher in terms of OPS (875 - 900).

Guillen still good but misses more time this year and has less power.

This would be a bummer. I think Guillen will still slug around .500 with at about 15 HR and about 40 doubles.

No 95 win teams in AL central. Very tight race with 4 teams still in it late in year. 92 wins takes it. Wild Card comes from East this year.

I believe that Chicago, Minnesota and Detroit will be in the 90+ win category, but Cleveland has to show me something.

Cleveland has two exceptional starting pitchers (Sabathia, and Lee), two workhorses (Westbrook and Byrd) and a good youngin' (Sowers), but their defense is poor and that will continue to impact their pitching. Plus their bullpen is very weak, if not downright horrible.

ALSO:

- Rogers' ERA drops to the mid-4's (4.70 or so).

- Robertson drops to the mid-4's as well (4.50 or so).

- Ledezma struggles as the bullpen lefty, particularly with control.

- Polanco bounces back and has a decent offensive season (.775).

[Blue Square Thing]

Zumaya is out for a (short) while with a wrist inflammation - cue much debate about how often he's played the darned guitar thingy.

Inge *won't* win a gold glove. Much as I like the guy and think he might even deserve to, I just don't think there's the votes out there for him. They'll look too much at the E's and I don't think he'll cut down the E's.

Oh, and MLB still doesn't get to grip with the whole performance enhancing drugs thing.

Ian

[whitecapwendy]

I predict that this thread will be visited often by people wanting to say..."I told you so!"
I will wait until the end of October to do so--once. :classic:

[FloridaTigers]

Rookie of the Year is Delmon Young

Cy Young is Johan Santana (really went out on a limb here)

MVP is Gary Sheffield (hehehe...homer pick)

Standings

AL East
Yankees
Red Sox
DRays
O's
Jays

AL Central
Indians
Tigers [Wild Card]
Twins
Sox
Royals

AL West
Angels
Rangers
A's
Mariners

NL East
Mets
Phillies
Marlins
Braves
Nationals

NL Central
Reds
Cubs [Wild Card]
Cardinals
Brewers
Astros
Pirates

NL West
Padres
Dodgers
Giants
Arizona
Colorado

I'd shoot myself if we got the WC again. DIVISION OR BUST!

[wanker]

In keeping with my negativity leanings. The Tigers will win between 84 and 89 games in 2007 and miss the playoffs.

It's kinda nice to think that's the negative prediction on wins instead of the 70 or so the past seasons.

[DaYooperASBDT]

I'd shoot myself if we got the WC again. DIVISION OR BUST!

I'm done picking Cleveland, for anything. Ever.
Same for Chicago (well the Cubs, anyway).

[Tyrus]

Predictions (some of them actually serious):

* Dan Petry is named color commentator for the free-TV broadcasts (which would be a great pick, I think.) The Tigers bring in an unknown from out of state to handle the play-by-play. (No, not Rick Rizz!)

* A huge brawl breaks out between the Tigers and the White Sox during a game in Chicago. The fight is sparked when Vance Wilson slides into home plate, then cold-cocks AJ Queer-zinski. Unruly fans storm onto the field, and it turns into one of the worst donnybrooks in sports history. The media blames Detroit.

* Polanco wins the batting title.

* Dan Dickerson reaches across the broadcast booth and pimp-slaps Jim Price for saying "wow" one too many times. After shaking it off, Price says, "wow."

[Tigercub33]

Granderson, does not have an error during teh regular season, hits 25 HRs and finally starts to steal - 15-20 SBs for him

Polanco rebounds to 2005 form but his defense starts to suffer.

Guillen, while playing very solidly, will miss about 25 games this year.

Sheff will play LF on the road and will fill in for Magglio more than orginally thought. He will hit 30 HRs and drive in 120

Magglio will rival Sheff in the HR dept but will only come in with 90 RBIs and hit under .300. He will spend several games at DH to preserve his knee for the stretch run.

Casey will be benched by late June, causing Guillen to shift over to 1B and Infante to play at SS until a new 1B is traded for.

Pudge will continue to his excellent D, but will hit less than 10 HRs - albeit with more patince at the plate finally.

Monroe will be traded in July after putting up huge HRs numbers but horrible BA and OBP numbers.

Inge will continue to make strides and will become a better overall hitter, but will not have as many HRs. He will not win the GG.

Bonderman will finally have an ERA under 4 - by getting to 3.91. He will lead the AL in K's

Rogers will start to show his age, but still come away with 15 wins while posting an ERA in the low 4s

Verlander will learn how to K more guys, but will give up more runs

Maroth will be in the Pen by seasons end.

Todd Jones will get injured in a freak shaving accident and Zumaya takes over as closer. after blowing a HUGE save in his 2nd game as CL, he goes on to save 30 straight games.

Tigers come away with 92 wins, and finish a game behind Cleveland Indians (who trade away a HUGE bat to get a top notch pitcher). Detroit beats Boston in the ALDS, beats Cleveland in the ALCS, loses to the Cubs or Marlins in the WS in 7 games.

[baseball3]

You had me on that one until you had the Cubs/Marlins in the WS !!!

GREAT stuff !

[Tigercub33]

You had me on that one until you had the Cubs/Marlins in the WS !!!

GREAT stuff !

I think the Cubs will be like last years Cardinals and I think the Marlins will really take off and win the WC in the East (and have a better record than the Cubs).

[baseball3]

I think you should go to Vegas AND buy a lottery ticket somewhere!!

[estrepe1]

I think you should go to Vegas AND buy a lottery ticket somewhere!!

I don't think that either of those teams is all that farfetched. Anything can happen in the NL. I don't think the Cubs make the playoffs let alone the WS. The Marlins are really talented though.

As for the Tigers.


I think they win 85 games this year. The pitching falls a bit but stays top 5. The offense though suffers through a major injury to both Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen during different stretches.

[eastside billee]

1. J. Bonderman will decide to start growing his hair in spring training
and vow not to get it cut all season ala Magglio.

2. Steve Yzerman will be used as a relief pitcher in August.

3. Mike Illitch will decide to grow his hair beginning in spring training
and vow not to get it cut all season ala Magglio. In September
he will do an infomerical for Hair Club for Me.

4. Dick Cheney will require that he be referred to as "Rick" from hereon.

5. Bobby Seay will be the new lefty out of the bullpen.

6. Mike Tyson will be hired to do play by play for 97.1

[whitecapwendy]

1. J. Bonderman will decide to start growing his hair in spring training
and vow not to get it cut all season ala Magglio.

2. Steve Yzerman will be used as a relief pitcher in August.

3. Mike Illitch will decide to grow his hair beginning in spring training
and vow not to get it cut all season ala Magglio. In September
he will do an infomerical for Hair Club for Me.

4. Dick Cheney will require that he be referred to as "Rick" from hereon.

5. Bobby Seay will be the new lefty out of the bullpen.

6. Mike Tyson will be hired to do play by play for 97.1
Steve has already had a little practice:
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e249/whitecapwendy/6-26-06SteveYzerman.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e249/whitecapwendy/6-26-06SteveYzermanMattWalbeck1.jpg
http://i40.photobucket.com/albums/e249/whitecapwendy/6-26-06SteveYzermanMattWalbeck2.jpg

[DaYooperASBDT]

Freak shaving accident by Jones?

Mike Tyson doing the play-by-play?

ROTFLMAO !!!!!!!!!

[DaYooperASBDT]

AJ Queer-zinski.

That's really disgusting, I'll fix that for you:

A.J. "Golden Shower" Pee-in-ski

[HeyAbbott]

Both Granderson and Inge have a stretch where both of them have 600 fielding chances without an error.

Maroth's elbow comes completely apart in Spring Training, ending his career.

Clevlen stays with the club beginning in July for the rest of the season.

Tigers score 860 runs.

Denise Illitch gets in a publicly recorded confrontation when she slaps a police officer.

The Tigers win 90 games and are the third best team in the AL Central.

[Yoda]

Denise Illitch gets in a publicly recorded confrontation when she slaps a police officer.

Do I know who you am? (burp)

[Moonlight Graham]

Tigers 92 wins.
Bonderman, Verlander and Robertson will all win 18 games.
Rodgers will win 14.

Tigers win wild card again yet win the World Series in 6 games.

Leyland quits smoking, goes on the patch but starts to drink more coffee and gets addicted to caffein which leads Leyland to dethrone the late Joe Dimaggio as the pitch man for Mr. Coffee.

[DaYooperASBDT]

Tigers score 860 runs.

I would bet at least two pounds of kielbasa on that one.

[Yoda]

I would bet at least two pounds of kielbasa on that one.

Its not for sale.

[DaYooperASBDT]

Its not for sale.

Your boyfriend is a very poor sport. :cool:

[Casimir]

I would bet at least two pounds of kielbasa on that one.

Good kielbasa should not be used as a medium of currency. That's just sacrilegious.

[DaYooperASBDT]

Good kielbasa should not be used as a medium of currency. That's just sacrilegious.

I whole-heartedly disagree. Since we are no longer on the gold standard, I feel that U.S. currency should be redeemable in something. And what is more guarranteed to hold its value, in any disaster, more than good kielbasa ??? :rambo:

[whitecapwendy]

I whole-heartedly disagree. Since we are no longer on the gold standard, I feel that U.S. currency should be redeemable in something. And what is more guarranteed to hold its value, in any disaster, more than good kielbasa ??? :rambo:
But the disaster of loss of electricity (hence loss of refrigeration) would soon cause that Kielbasa, no matter what quality, to lose its value quite quickly. :laugh:

[DaYooperASBDT]

But the disaster of loss of electricity (hence loss of refrigeration) would soon cause that Kielbasa, no matter what quality, to lose its value quite quickly. :laugh:

I'm surprised you failed to recall the situation that is currently taking shape in my Frigidaire ...... The Cornish (hen) Conflict.

Back to predictions, here's a can't miss one:
During a Tigers broadcast, Jim Price lets out his patented "Wooowwwwww",
and suffers a collapsed lung as a result ....

[whitecapwendy]

I'm surprised you failed to recall the situation that is currently taking shape in my Frigidaire ...... The Cornish (hen) Conflict.

Back to predictions, here's a can't miss one:
During a Tigers broadcast, Jim Price lets out his patented "Wooowwwwww",
and suffers a collapsed lung as a result ....
Oh yes, thanks for the reminder........
Disaster scene #2: leaving the high quality Kielbasa in the freezer for more than a month or two would also cause a rapid downward slope in value :cheeky:

[ToledoTigerFan]

Todd Jones doesn't blow a save until August

If this happens, I will buy a ticket to an August game, strip naked, and take a stroll onto the field during a televised game. It's obvious I still do not trust Jonesy. I think he will blow his first save the first week of the season.

[eastside billee]

The Cornish (hen) Conflict

Great Name for a band.

[Zakk_Wylde]

Leyland quits smoking, goes on the patch but starts to drink more coffee and gets addicted to caffein which leads Leyland to dethrone the late Joe Dimaggio as the pitch man for Mr. Coffee.

Whenever I hear about coffee addicts I think of that moving Kicking And Screaming with Mike Ditka. Man what an awful movie!

[Franks151]

Cole Hamels stays healthy, further refines dominate changeup and wins Cy Young in NL.

A.J. Burnett becomes first baseball player to go on DL with Wii Elbow.

Bud Selig suffers a stroke.

Royals improve more than any other team thanks to emerging stars Alex Gordon, Mark Teahen, Billy Butler and solid contributions from Zach Greinke.

[baseball3]

Greinke is positioned to have a break out year. I spoke with him last week and he's very much looking foward to the '07 season.

[Yoda]

But will he be able to handle it?

[baseball3]

I have known Zack for 8 years. I know how he's "wired" and how he thinks (which by everyone's admission is at least defined as unique). There is no doubt that he can and will handle it. His big problem is simply this..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
pitching boars him. He would rather be a position player and hit. He is board with the game as a pitcher only and he has a hard time dealing with all the free time with nothing to do.

You and I would KILL to have an arm like that and talent like any of these players, so, we just do NOT understand this kind of thinking. For him, pitching is not challenging enough and creates boardam. I know, doesn't make sense to me either, I'd pitch my A** off for a few years, make $100+/- Million and be board, but, he's a unique guy. Money, fame, fortune is not the motivator with him, it's the challenge, the journey, the defensive plays, the 2-2 counts with runners in scoring position and 2 outs, it's ALL that.....

He'll be fine, he's ready to go.

Last year this time, I was concerned, even before he left for spring training in the things he was saying, but, now, he's ready..

[Yoda]

That's really, really odd. Thanks for the info though. I don't see how he wouldn't find just entering the league a challenge though. If he wants to be challenged, he should have kept pitching to prove himself. Because right now he hasn't done that yet. Other than that ridiculous curveball he had in MVP '05. Hopefully he sticks with it but doesn't kill the Tigers too often. They have a good young team with him in the mix.

[baseball3]

You are so right, it's odd and "normal" people just don't understand it. But, at the same time, it is soooooooo true.

ALL people are different, and "odd" in our own way.

I guess it would be like Billy Butler's personality and demanor off the field. If you knew him, had discussion with him, you'd take him for a Jeff Foxworthy self-study project. However, put him in a batters box and watch his discernment, his ability to wait on an offspeed pitch and MASH a fastball, the two just don't mix and are confusing to us "normal" non professional athletes. Off the field, you'd take him as "dumb as a box of rocks", on the field, he'll take you YARD, even when you think you've got him set up for a "backwards" pitch. Just hard to figure out.

We're all different and that's probably why life is so interesting. Thank God for all these talented young men that we've had the opportunity to watch and create memories with, it's a wonderful journey each day.

Can't wait for the coming season and the creation of new memories and experiences.

[Tigercub33]

Other than that ridiculous curveball he had in MVP '05.

That pitch was crazy good. Its impossible to hit, even if you know it coming.

BTW, if this is truly the problem with Greinke, maybe he should request a trade to an NL team.

[baseball3]

you tell me if it is the problem with him or not by this sample.

The first time I saw him in '06, last January, his first statement to me was, "did you see that I lead the American League in slugging percentage last year?"

Fact is that he had 2 official AB's for the year, 1 was a HR.

All off season, he thought about how well he would have done, had he been given the opportunity to hit. He even made the statement, "I think the Royals changed our pitching rotation so I would have as few as possible National League games". Trust me, it was on his mind.....

[Yoda]

They why doesn't he stop pitching and become a hitter. If it bugs him that much he should do it. He's less likely to sustain a major injury. I know I'd rather be a position player than a pitcher.

[baseball3]

My suspicion is that the Royals drafted him and paid him $2.475 M to pitch. Thus, as long as they are paying the bills and (so to speak) calling the shots, he'll pitch. I am of the belief that he could also make it as a position player, but, if you've drafted and paid him, I guess that's your choice.

Two other players I had of similar ilk were James Loney and Ryan Sweeney. Even though they were drafted as position players, I feel like both could have made the majors as pitchers. In Loney's situation, most teams other than the Dodgers were looking to draft Loney as a pitcher. In fact, if memory serves me correctly, they are the ONLY team that considered him a position player worthy of that high of a draft pick and other teams considered him a 1st round pitching prospect.

WOW, what options these kids had AND the teams.

[DaYooperASBDT]

You are so right, it's odd and "normal" people just don't understand it. But, at the same time, it is soooooooo true.

ALL people are different, and "odd" in our own way.

I guess it would be like Billy Butler's personality and demanor off the field. If you knew him, had discussion with him, you'd take him for a Jeff Foxworthy self-study project. However, put him in a batters box and watch his discernment, his ability to wait on an offspeed pitch and MASH a fastball, the two just don't mix and are confusing to us "normal" non professional athletes. Off the field, you'd take him as "dumb as a box of rocks", on the field, he'll take you YARD, even when you think you've got him set up for a "backwards" pitch. Just hard to figure out.

We're all different and that's probably why life is so interesting. Thank God for all these talented young men that we've had the opportunity to watch and create memories with, it's a wonderful journey each day.

Can't wait for the coming season and the creation of new memories and experiences.

I could really get used to reading quality posts like this.
Rock on, dude.

[ToledoTigerFan]

It's too early to be making any big predictions, but my early prediction is Brandon Inge is going to have a HUGE year. 30 HR's and 110 RBI or thereabouts. He'll cut down on his errors, too. Maybe enough to win a Gold Glove. The guy was made to play third base. It's a damn shame the Tigers wasted years trying to make him a catcher. He's an infielder.

[IZMickey]

2006 was a delightful surprise, and 2007 will be an unsurprising delight.

The Tiges come out of the gate fast, fade mid-way and have to scramble for the division. A key pick-up or key injury mid to late season could make the difference.

No rookies shine until 2008.

[A.J.K.]

bear with me, i'm gettin' crazy... but hopefully at least one will be right!





Sean Casey hits over .300 w/20+ HR's.

Craig Monroe hits just barely .260 but with 35 home runs.

Jeremy Bonderman leads the league in strikeouts and is a Cy Young candidate.

Robertson, Maroth, and Verlander all fail to improve significantly. Verlander has a little more trouble getting out of jams and has less wins and a higher ERA. Kenny Rogers misses some time with a jammed finger but pitches well. Todd Jones leads the league in saves before the all star break but falters somewhat after.


Sheffield has a slow start due to missing so much time last year. Many in Detroit turn on him, but he hits .350 w/20 homers after the All-Star break and is the World Series hero as the Tigers beat the Cubs.

Granderson struggles late in the season and Maybin is called up.

Thames gets 300 ABs at a backup 1st baseman/outfielder/DH. Hits 20+ Hrs.

[TigerToes]

* Dan Dickerson reaches across the broadcast booth and pimp-slaps Jim Price for saying "wow" one too many times. After shaking it off, Price says, "wow."

Okay - This one very nearly had me spitting Diet Pepsi onto the laptop. The visual of Jim Price being pimp-slapped...

Wow. (Tee Hee Hee) :cheeky:

My prediction:
~ESPN analysts will learn how to pronounce our players' names, and will actually talk about the Tigers - NOT the Yankees and A-Rod - during a Tigers vs. anybody-else-but-the-Yankees game.

Hey - A girl can dream, can't she???

[DaYooperASBDT]

ESPN analysts will learn how to pronounce our players' names, and will actually talk about the Tigers - NOT the Yankees and A-Rod - during a Tigers vs. anybody-else-but-the-Yankees game.

"Good morning, and welcome to Baseball Broadcasting 101. We will dispense with handing out a syllabus, and jump right into our first lesson. Everyone ready, let's start!"

"Derrick Jeter"

"Derrick Jeter"

"Derrick Jeter"

"Derrick Jeter"

"Derrick Jeter"

"Derrick Jeter"

"Derrick Jeter"

"Derrick Jeter"

"Derrick Jeter"

"Derrick Jeter"

"Derrick Jeter"

"Derrick Jeter"

"Derrick Jeter"

"Derrick Jeter"

"Derrick Jeter"

"Derrick Jeter"

"Derrick Jeter"

"Derrick Jeter"

"That was a good start, but we'll need some more work on this one. Tommorrow, we'll start to work on "Johnny Damon", if we can finish up today's work ...."

[whitecapwendy]

Why are game threads and
must win
must win
must win
suddenly going through my mind?