Doug Creek fan club

Charles Liston · #1 (**permalink**) 03-19-2005, 08:44 PM

He's 36, he's got a career 5.19 ERA, and he didn't pitch in the majors in 2004.

And yet, suddenly (and temporarily no doubt) he doesn't suck. He's pitched 6 innings and has given up one hit and one walk, and has struck out 5. That's pretty darned good even if it is just spring training.

He isn't going to make the team. For that to happen, either Rodney or German would have to give up their spot, and there's no way that that is going to happen. But I hope ol' Dougie goes to Toledo, keeps his ERA under 4, and is the first guy called up when the inevitable injuries occur.

If you're a lefty, and you can still fog up a mirror, it's never really over. Come on Dougie.

Charles Liston · #2 (**permalink**) 03-19-2005, 08:55 PM

Make that 7 innings, 3 hits and 1 walk - I didn't realize that he pitched again today. Still got the 0.00 ERA.

The G Man · #3 (**permalink**) 03-19-2005, 09:09 PM

Totally!!

I love the episode where Joey makes out with...oh...I thought this was a Dawson's Creek thread.

My bad.

tiger337 · #4 (**permalink**) 03-19-2005, 09:13 PM

I just looked up Doug Creek's career stats to see if I could find anything promising in there. I couldn't. He averages 6.5 walks per 9 innings lifetime. Ouch !

wyrmer · #5 (**permalink**) 03-19-2005, 09:27 PM

When I saw him, he didn't look overly impressive, but not bad either. I'd take him over Stevo Colyer if we absolutely have to have another lefty.

Casimir · #6 (**permalink**) 03-19-2005, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by tiger337
I just looked up Doug Creek's career stats to see if I could find anything promising in there. I couldn't. He averages 6.5 walks per 9 innings lifetime. Ouch !

Well, given what he's done so far this spring, perhaps we can conclude he's gotten all of the walks out of him, so its going to be good pitching from him for here on out?

Edman85 · #7 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 02:29 AM

There's too many deserving players slated for Toledo for Doug Creek to serve a purpose. He's worthless... Let a Mike Bynum or somebody like that stick, not an old piece of crap.

TigerPride · #8 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 06:08 AM

Although Creek is having a good spring, it's a numbers thing. Tram states Tigers are going north with only 11 pitchers. My bet are the following.

Bonderman
Robertson
Maroth
Johnson
Ledezma

Percival
Urbina
Farnsworth
Walker
Rodney
German

Knotts doesn't make my list because of numbers also. Although no typical long reliever is on this roster, there is just too much potential of the short relievers to exclude one just to make room for Knotts or a 2nd lefty.

Hopefully, neither Knotts, Colyer or Creek are not claimed by another team and they can be sent to Toledo. Nothing wrong with trying to get better and building pitching depth.

bibbits · #9 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 08:40 AM

i still think that rodney is going to go down to toledo for a month to build up arm strength and be able to be in games on a regular basis instead of getting pushed aside by numbers up here. will allow the tigers to use knotts in that long relief role and see how the rest of the staff shakes out during the beginning of the season. i still could actually see ledezma getting a start or two down in toledo to start the season giving someone like creek or colyer a little time to see how they do when the bell rings.

TigerPride · #10 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by bibbits
i still think that rodney is going to go down to toledo for a month to build up arm strength and be able to be in games on a regular basis instead of getting pushed aside by numbers up here. will allow the tigers to use knotts in that long relief role and see how the rest of the staff shakes out during the beginning of the season. i still could actually see ledezma getting a start or two down in toledo to start the season giving someone like creek or colyer a little time to see how they do when the bell rings.

Makes sense to me. Rodney & Ledezma still have options. Hpoefully they wouldn't take it as a demotion or lack of confidence in them. Gives Knotts, Colyer or Creek one more chance when it counts. Gives Tigers more time to evaluate if they want to trade Urbina or not.

4 starters 1st month
Bonderman
Robertson (L)
Johnson
Maroth (L)

Knotts (long relief/spot starter)

Percival
Urbina
Farnsworth
Walker (L)
German
Colyer (L) or Creek (L)

Charles Liston · #11 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 01:07 PM

Here's a working title for Doug's spring training diary: "Hey, I don't seem to suck lately".

wyrmer · #12 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 04:45 PM

Chaulk up another good performance today. Can't fault a guy with an ERA of zero.

Edman85 · #13 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by wyrmer
Chaulk up another good performance today. Can't fault a guy with an ERA of zero.

No, but you can question its significance...

Charles Liston · #14 (**permalink**) 03-20-2005, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Edman85
No, but you can question its significance...

Boy, what a grouch! I was going to take everyone over to Dairy Queen, but it looks like you're in such a crabby mood that you're going to have to stay home.

I agree, not every spring training performance is important, but there are a few that are in my opinion, such as German, Colyer, Knotts, Thames, Ledezma, possibly Higginson, Logan, Wise, Jason Smith. These are guys that need to "make the team" in spring training.

Creek? He never had a chance. You make a good point about his age and using up a Toledo spot on a guy that old. My guess is that they signed him and invited him before the Farnsworth trade, which really changed the shape of the bullpen.

Franks151 · #15 (**permalink**) 03-22-2005, 02:21 PM

Doug Creek's dream Spring Training is over. He gave up home runs to Ryan Doumit and Graham Koonce. Pack your bags Dougie.

holdenm · #16 (**permalink**) 03-22-2005, 02:42 PM

Hopefully he can go to Toledo where we can call him up if we need a lefty due to injuries which are bound to occur during the season!

Sparks4Ever · #17 (**permalink**) 03-22-2005, 03:33 PM

I wouldn't count him out quite yet. Are we going to give up on Rodney or German if they have one bad performance?

There's still a week and a half of spring training left. If he pitches well, I wouldn't be surprised if Tram keeps two lefties.

Charles Liston · #18 (**permalink**) 03-22-2005, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Franks151
Doug Creek's dream Spring Training is over. He gave up home runs to Ryan Doumit and Graham Koonce. Pack your bags Dougie.

Yup that's game over. Good job though Dougie.

Hey it's Graham Koonce, one of our old farm guys - a teammate of Kapler's in low A Fayetteville. Something I always wondered about him - did his family Anglicize their surname, and Rusty Kuntz' family didn't? It might be unintentionally Anglicized too - I think that a lot of European families had their names mangled by immigration officers when they first arrived in North America.

Edman85 · #19 (**permalink**) 03-22-2005, 05:09 PM

Again, I think the organization would be better off if Bynum, Palma, Hamman, or Colyer were in the Toledo bullpen. It's not as if we can have 100 players in Toledo, and certainly, younger guys who don't suck should be given the nod.