3-23-06 Tigers vs. Phillies--Spring Training

[IdahoBert]

From Lakeland, Florida

Home of the Silver Moon
Drive-In Theater


It’s the Detroit Tigers vs. the Philadelphia Phillies



Thursday March 23rd—1:05 pm


No Radio
No Television


Verlander will start Thursday at home against the Phillies
with Joel Zumaya now scheduled to follow him in relief.

[hueytaxi]

The Silver Moon still exists and shows first run movies. There was nothing like enjoying the movie and your date in the back row as the trains changed cars nearby. Pouring your favorite adult beverage in the windshield washer tank and pumping spirits into your fountain coke from a hose you had extended into the interior of your car. As they say "back in the day".

Roger

[IdahoBert]

http://www.silvermoondrivein.com/history.html

[hueytaxi]

The Filmland was located just North of Tigertown and across the street at the next light. School dances and drive ins used to rule.
Roger

Edited: I met my dear wife Robie on a blind date at the Filmland Drivein.

[IdahoBert]

Just a tidbit from yet another "Leyland rules" article--this time from today's Orland Sentinel:

Several players said that strong personality had been missing from their clubhouse. Drills are not an option - you must run your bases during batting practice. And if you mess up, regardless of how long you've been playing, you will hear about it.

"I've been through four managers since I've been here, and so far he's the best one," third baseman Brandon Inge said. "He treats us like men, and not like a Little League team. He gets respect from players. That's the main ingredient of a ballclub. You have to respect your manager, and your manager has to respect your players."

Do I take this to mean that the players didn't really respect Tram and that this feeling may have been mutual?

[diaspora04]

Verlander and Zumaya in the same game!

[Yoda]

WEATHER UPDATE:
High of 73
60% chance of afternoon thunderstorms
Wind blowing in from center 5-10 MPH

[IdahoBert]

Originally Posted by diaspora04

Verlander and Zumaya in the same game!

And no live coverage of any kind....

Anyway, more info:

Robinson Tejeda makes his first start of the spring on Thursday against the Detroit Tigers at 1:05 p.m. ET, giving the Phillies more time to properly evaluate him. He had been promised a fair shot to make the team after pitching for the Domincan Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

Rodney and Jones are scheduled for relief work too.

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by IdahoBert

And no live coverage of any kind....

Hmmm.. I'll keep in contact with Roger. Maybe I can get a line score each inning or something.

[davidsb]

Originally Posted by IdahoBert

http://www.silvermoondrivein.com/history.html

IdahoBert - the Auburn Garrett Drive In still is open also. I bet you spent a few evenings there in your youth. We go 3-4 times a year with the kids.

[cruzer1]

Over/under for K's in this game by Philly is 10. I say under.

[IdahoBert]

Originally Posted by davidsb

IdahoBert - the Auburn Garrett Drive In still is open also. I bet you spent a few evenings there in your youth. We go 3-4 times a year with the kids.

Oh yes, I remember it well. I'm not sure if it's been in continuous operation all along because I moved away so long ago, but it's amazing that it's still there.

[IdahoBert]

Originally Posted by Yoda

Hmmm.. I'll keep in contact with Roger. Maybe I can get a line score each inning or something.

When we become the "new Red Sox" of the AL we'll be on ESPN all spring!

[Yoda]

Just talked to Roger. He mans the Booster Club booth so he's never able to watch the games, but he's going to attempt to get some sort of updates. We'll see how it goes.

[diaspora04]

Originally Posted by cruzer1

Over/under for K's in this game by Philly is 10. I say under.

I will take the over, sir.

[IdahoBert]

This link is pretty much a rah rah article about the White Sox and Cubs...

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11934502/

But buried in it is this remark:

The American League Central is a tougher division. The Cleveland Indians, who appeared ready to overtake the White Sox at year-end, are the main threats. And, there are the improving Detroit Tigers, who look eerily similar in their development to the White Sox of last season.

The author doesn't define how we are "similar" but at the least it means that the Tigers are poised to be a lot better than people expect them to be. It's just nice that this is coming from a variety of sources. I'd say Tigers fans themselves are a lot more cautious about buying into this than outside observers this year.

[Corky]

Hooray Hooray!

A game today!

[grendel]

Game Information
DETROIT TIGERS VS. PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Thursday, March 23, 2006
Joker Marchant Stadium, Lakeland, FL
Game Time - 1:05 p.m.
TODAY’S STARTERS
RHP Justin Verlander (0-0, 3.09) vs. RHP Robinson Tejeda (0-0, 4.91)

TIGERS ALSO SCHEDULED TO PITCH:RHP Joel Zumaya, RHP Fernando Rodney and RHP Todd Jones.

PHILLIES ALSO SCHEDULED TO PITCH: RHP Julio Santana and RHP Yoel Hernandez.

TIGERS SPLIT PAIR ON TUESDAY: The Tigers split a pair of games on Tuesday, falling 7-4 to the Phillies in Clearwater and defeating the Astros 10-7 in Lakeland. Nate Robertson took the loss against the Phillies after allowing seven runs (two earned) in five innings of work. Carlos Pena and Mike Hessman both belted two-run home runs. Roman Colon picked up the win against the Astros, tossing four innings. Curtis Granderson and Craig Monre both finished with a double, home run and two RBI.

MAYO SMITH SOCIETY HONORS POLANCO: Prior to this afternoon’s game against Philadelphia, the Mayo Smith Society will present the 2005 King Tiger Award to Placido Polanco. The award honors the Tigers player for both onand off-field contributions.

TIGERS TRIM NINE FROM MAJOR LEAGUE CAMP: The Tigers today announced the club has optioned lefthanded pitcher Wilfredo Ledezma to Triple A Toledo and assigned righthanded pitchers Chad Durbin, Lee Gardner and Kevin Hodge, catchers Brian Peterson and Max St. Pierre, infielder Josh Phelps and outfielders Ryan Ludwick and Reggie Taylor to minor league camp. With the roster moves, the Tigers now have 36 players in camp.

MAROTH WORKS IN MINOR LEAGUE GAME: Mike Maroth started for Triple A Toledo yesterday afternoon as the Mud Hens defeated the Richmond Braves 5-3 in Lakeland. Maroth worked five innings, allowing three runs on 10 hits and striking out four batters.

ON THE OFFENSIVE: The Tigers are leading all American League clubs with 154 run scored, 257 hits, 54 doubles, 47 home runs and a .532 slugging percentage this spring, while the club is second with 86 walks and a .368 on-base percentage and tied for fourth with a .297 batting average.

TIGERS TIDBITS: Vance Wilson has hit safely in each of his last nine games, batting .542 (13x24) with three home runs and six RBI. Curtis Granderson has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games, batting .438 (14x32) with five home runs. Granderson is third in the Grapefruit League with five home runs. Omar Infante has hit safely in 10 of his 11 games this spring with an at-bat.

LEYLAND RETURNS TO HIS TIGERS ROOTS: Jim Leyland was named the 36th manager in Tigers history on October 4, 2005. Originally signed by the Tigers a catcher in 1963, he brings 42 years of experience in professional baseball to the franchise. Leyland previously served 14 seasons as a manager at the major league level with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1986-96), Florida Marlins (1997-98) and Colorado Rockies (1999). He led the Marlins to a World Series championship in 1997, while his Pirates won three straight National League East Division titles from 1990-92.

NEW COACHING STAFF IN PLACE FOR 2006: Manager Jim Leyland will have a new coaching staff in place for the 2006 season: Rafael Belliard will serve as the infield coach, Chuck Hernandez is the pitching coach, Gene Lamont will serve as the third base coach, Lloyd McClendon is the bullpen coach, Don Slaught will serve as the hitting coach and Andy Van Slyke is the first base, outfield and baserunning coach. The six-man coaching staff brings 157 combined years of professional baseball experience to the Tigers organization.

THREE TIGERS AMONG BASEBALL AMERICA’S TOP 100 PROSPECTS: Three Tigers landed in Baseball America’s Top 100 prospects: righthanded pitcher Justin Verlander was tabbed the eighth-best prospect, while outfielder Cameron Maybin and righthanded pitcher Joel Zumaya were named the 31st-best and 35th-best prospects, respectively.

TIGERS ON TV: FSN Detroit televised the first of two games this spring from Lakeland on March 16 versus the New York Yankees. FSN Detroit’s second telecast will be on March 27 versus the Houston Astros. Mario Impemba will handle the playby-play call for the fifth straight season, and he is joined for the fourth straight year by his partner Rod Allen.

LONG STANDING RELATIONSHIP: The Tigers return to Spring Training in 2006 for the 70th season in Lakeland and their 41st at Joker Marchant Stadium. The relationship between the Tigers and the city of Lakeland is the longeststanding of all major league clubs and their Spring Training homes.

TODAY’S STARTER - JUSTIN VERLANDER
Makes his fifth appearance, third start, of the spring this afternoon against the Philadelphia Phillies...tabbed the eighth-best prospect in baseball prior to the season by Baseball America...combined for a 1.29 ERA (118.2IP/17ER) in his 20 starts with Lakeland and Erie in 2005, tops among all minor league pitchers...named to Baseball America’s first-team minor league all-star squad last season...selected by the Tigers in the first round (second overall) of the June 2004 draft.

2006 Spring: 0-0, 3.09 ERA (11.2IP/4ER), 12 H, 5 BB, 10 SO
2005 Season (Detroit): 0-2, 7.15 ERA (11.1IP/9ER), 15 H, 5 BB, 7 SO
2005 Season (Erie): 2-0, 0.28 ERA (32.2IP/1ER), 11 H, 7 BB, 32 SO
2005 Season (Lakeland): 9-2, 1.67 ERA (86.0IP/16ER), 70 H, 19 BB, 104 SO

DATE OPP. DEC. IP H R ER BB SO
3/3 @Reds ND 2.0 4 2 2 0 2
3/8 vs. Braves ND 2.2 4 1 1 1 2
3/13 @Phillies ND 3.0 1 1 1 4 3
3/18 vs. Dodgers ND 4.0 3 0 0 0 3

UPCOMING PROBABLE PITCHERS:
FRIDAY AT HOUSTON: Jason Grilli (R) vs. Roy Oswalt (R), Trever Miller (L) and Chad Qualls (R).
SATURDAY VS. WASHINGTON: Jeremy Bonderman (R) vs. Tony Armas (R)/Jon Rauch (R), Chad Cordero (R), Kevin Gryboski (R), Valero de los Santos (L) and Jason Bergmann (R).
SUNDAY AT NEW YORK (AL): Nate Robertson (L) vs. TBA.
MONDAY VS. HOUSTON: Mike Maroth (L) vs. Fernando Nieve (R) and Taylor Buchholz (R).

BROADCAST SCHEDULE
AM 1270 The Sports Station will air 13 spring games this season. FSN Detroit returns to Lakeland and will televise two Tigers games back to Michigan and Northern Ohio.

Date Opponent/Time TV/Radio
3/23 vs. Philadelphia None/None
3/24 @Houston None/None
3/25 vs. Washington None/1270
3/26 @New York (AL) None/1270
3/27 vs. Houston FSN/None
3/28 @Los Angeles None/None
3/29 vs. New York (AL) None/1270

DETROIT TIGERS SPRING TRAINING ROSTER
MANAGER
Leyland, Jim 10

COACHES (6)
Belliard, Rafael 17
Hernandez, Chuck 55
Lamont, Gene 22
McClendon, Lloyd 21
Slaught, Don 34
Van Slyke, Andy 18

PITCHERS (18)
Bonderman, Jeremy, rhp 38
Colon, Roman, rhp 43
Dingman, Craig, rhp 57
German, Franklyn, rhp 62
Grilli, Jason, rhp 49
Jones, Todd, rhp 59
Maroth, Mike, lhp 46
Mercado, Hector, lhp *68
Percival, Troy, rhp 40
Robertson, Nate, lhp 29
Rodney, Fernando, rhp 56
Rogers, Kenny, lhp 37
Seay, Bobby, lhp *73
Spurling, Chris, rhp 48
Verlander, Justin, rhp 35
Walker, Jamie, lhp 32
Woodyard, Mark, rhp 50
Zumaya, Joel, rhp 54

CATCHERS (2)
Rodriguez, Ivan 7
Wilson, Vance 13

INFIELDERS (10)
Guillen, Carlos# 9
Hessman, Mike *67
Infante, Omar 20
Inge, Brandon 15
Kelly, Don+ 58
Pena, Carlos+ 12
Polanco, Placido 14
Santiago, Ramon# *61
Shelton, Chris 26
Young, Dmitri 25

OUTFIELDERS (6)
Gomez, Alexis+ *63
Granderson, Curtis+ 28
Logan, Nook# 19
Monroe, Craig 27
Ordonez, Magglio 30
Thames, Marcus 33

* - non-roster invitee
+ - lefthanded hitter
# - switch-hitter

2006 DETROIT TIGERS SPRING TRAINING SCHEDULE
DATE OPPONENT WP LP SAVE ATTEN.
3/1 TIGERS 4, FLA SOUTHERN 3** De La Cruz Wadsworth -- 2,115
3/2 TIGERS 8, REDS 5 Durbin Wagner Spurling 4,015
3/3 Tigers 17, @Reds 10 Maroth Weathers -- 3,835
3/4 TIGERS 6, ITALY 5* ** Hodge Miceli -- 1,331
@Indians 11, Tigers 8* Byrd Ledezma Perez 3,626
3/5 TIGERS 4, PIRATES 1 Durbin Bayliss Spurling 4,832
3/6 Tigers 8, @Braves 2 Robertson Ramirez -- 7,213
3/7 INDIANS 7, TIGERS 4 Lee Hodge Graves 4,962
3/8 TIGERS 5, BRAVES 5 (11) -- -- -- 5,114
3/9 Tigers 3, @Toronto 2* De La Cruz Blank Mercado 2,843
Tigers 6, @Yankees 1* Rogers Johnson -- 9,889
3/10 Tigers 12, @Dodgers 3 Spurling Meadows -- 3,898
3/11 @Twins 14, Tigers 3 Radke Robertson -- 7,756
3/12 BLUE JAYS 3, TIGERS 1 Halladay Maroth Taubenheim 5,923
3/13 PIRATES 9, TIGERS 2* Maholm Ledezma -- 2,875
@Phillies 3, Tigers 2* Hernandez Seay Lopez 5,223
3/14 TIGERS 14, INDIANS 10Sanchez Guthrie -- 4,560
3/15 Tigers 12, @Devil Rays 10 Spurling Colome Durbin 3,699
3/16 TIGERS 4, YANKEES 3* De La Cruz Henn -- 5,918
@Nationals 8, Tigers 2* Patterson Tata Bergmann 2,590
3/17 TIGERS 3, TWINS 2 Mercado Rainville Jones 4,476
3/18 DODGERS 3, TIGERS 2 Kuo Ledezma Osoria 5,498
3/19 Tigers 5, @Houston 2 Rogers Oswalt Durbin 4,940
3/20 TIGERS 15, YANKEES 2 Bonderman Mussina -- 8,435
3/21 @Phillies 7, Tigers 4* Floyd Robertson -- 4,480
TIGERS 10, HOUSTON 7* Colon Backe -- 4,478
3/22 OPEN DATE
3/23 PHILADELPHIA, 1:05 p.m.
3/24 @Houston, 1:05 p.m.
3/25 WASHINGTON, 1:05 p.m.
3/26 @NY Yankees, 1:15 p.m.
3/27 HOUSTON, 1:05 p.m.
3/28 @LA Dodgers, 1:05 p.m.
3/29 NY YANKEES, 1:05 p.m.
3/30 @Cleveland, 1:05 p.m.
3/31 TAMPA BAY, 1:05 p.m.
4/1 @Tampa Bay, 3:05 p.m.

* - Split Squad Game, ** - “B” Game
ALL TIMES EASTERN; HOME GAMES IN CAPS

OVERALL RECORD: 14-9-1 HOME: 7-4-1 ROAD: 7-5
VS. AL: 7-4 VS. NL: 7-5-1 “B” GAMES: 2-0

2006 DETROIT TIGERS SPRING TRAINING TRANSACTIONS
DATE TRANSACTION
3/12 Assigned C Chris Robinson to minor league camp.
3/13 Optioned RHP Kyle Sleeth to Single A Lakeland.
3/17 Optioned RHPs Eulogio De La Cruz, Preston Larrison, Humberto Sanchez and Jordan Tata, INFs Tony Giarratano and Kody Kirkland and OF Brent Clevlen to Double A Erie. Assigned RHPs Tim Crabtree and Colby Lewis, Cs Mike Rabelo and Danilo Sanchez and INF Kevin Hooper to minor league camp. Unconditionally released RHP Matt Mantei.
3/23 Optioned LHP Wilfredo Ledezma to Triple A Toledo. Assigned RHPs Chad Durbin, Lee Gardner and Kevin Hodge, Cs Brian Peterson and Max St. Pierre, INF Josh Phelps and OFs Ryan Ludwick and Reggie Taylor to minor league camp.

[gamtchll]

and the 5th spot just might be decided today

[LkldDave]

It's been raining here in Lakeland for the past 30 minutes off and on...

[Yoda]

Hey Dave. Judging the radar they should be ok. It will be on and off, but should be light.

By the way, do you know WONN's schedule? They're broadcasting 13 games on 1230 AM but I'm not sure which games. Hopefully they're doing today's game. I'll know soon.

[whitecapkat]

Oh what a pitching line up and no live feed....son of a monkey's uncle

[zCor]

Yoda and Roger, Did you see the AAA game yesterday? I was wondering how Maroth faired?

[Yoda]

The lineup from memory is something like:

Polanco
Guillen
Young
Ordonez
Shelton
Monroe
Inge
Granderson
Wilson

[Yoda]

Originally Posted by zCor

Yoda and Roger, Did you see the AAA game yesterday? I was wondering how Maroth faired?

I didn't but Roger may have. Check the minor league photos thread in the minor league forum. Ask him there and he'll likely check it when he gets back from the game today.

It was good to meet you by the way.

[zCor]

Originally Posted by zCor

Yoda and Roger, Did you see the AAA game yesterday? I was wondering how Maroth faired?

Nevermind, I saw it above in the report. He gave up ten hits and three runs in 5 innings. Not what I was looking for from him....

[IdahoBert]

Originally Posted by zCor

Yoda and Roger, Did you see the AAA game yesterday? I was wondering how Maroth faired?

See grendel's game notes.

[Yoda]

Phillies go down 1-2-3 in the 1st. That was quick.

[zCor]

Originally Posted by Yoda

I didn't but Roger may have. Check the minor league photos thread in the minor league forum. Ask him there and he'll likely check it when he gets back from the game today.

It was good to meet you by the way.

It was great to meet you and Roger, too. I'm going to try and persuade my cousin to post on here. He'll go by "Ballcapps" (his last name is Capps). He was really impressed with both of you.

[zCor]

Originally Posted by IdahoBert

See grendel's game notes.

Thanks Bert! I'm still catching up with everything I missed online while in Florida.

[RobSk]

Originally Posted by IdahoBert

This link is pretty much a rah rah article about the White Sox and Cubs...

http://msnbc.msn.com/id/11934502/

But buried in it is this remark:

The author doesn't define how we are "similar" but at the least it means that the Tigers are poised to be a lot better than people expect them to be. It's just nice that this is coming from a variety of sources. I'd say Tigers fans themselves are a lot more cautious about buying into this than outside observers this year.

Yeah. I don't see many similarities here. I actually think the Tigers are set to be a superior offensive team to the 05 White Sox, and they haven't made moves to destroy their offense the way the Sox did in the 04->05 offseason. However, I see virtually no possibility that the Tigers will have a massive improvement in pitching the way the Sox did, as I think more of the Tigers are known average to below-average quantities (Maroth, Rogers, Robertson), unlike Garcia and Buerhle who were known average to above average quantities, and the unknown quantities (Bonderman/Verlander/Zumaya) are still significantly younger/less experienced than Garland.

I think that *if* the Tigers have a break out season this year, it won't be via the White Sox route, but by good health for Guillen/Ordonez and a return to 2004/2003 season for them, a big season from Grandy and Shelton, and surprisingly average pitching from the bullpen.

I just don't see 2006 as a potential big year for Tiger SP. 2007, possibly.

Rob

[Yoda]

0-0 at the end of 1.

[IdahoBert]

I agree Rob. The White Sox pitching was unbelievable last year. Our team ERA would have to drop below 4.00 and we'd have to score 850 plus runs to even win 90 games.

[Yoda]

Rain delay in the 2nd.

[IdahoBert]

RAIN DELAY--AFTER 1.5--SCORE 0-0 AND VERLANDER HAS ALLOWED NO HITS.

[Yoda]

Radar

The stadium is just south of I-4, just to the lower-left of the I-4 logo in the center of Florida.

[Ron Burgandy]

Originally Posted by IdahoBert

I agree Rob. The White Sox pitching was unbelievable last year. Our team ERA would have to drop below 4.00 and we'd have to score 850 plus runs to even win 90 games.

That assumes no luck, right? After the last few years, we should be in-line for a season where we perform above our pythagoreans...

[RobSk]

Originally Posted by Ron Burgandy

That assumes no luck, right? After the last few years, we should be in-line for a season where we perform above our pythagoreans...

Man, you would sure think so. :)

I'm not trying to rain on anyone's parade. I just think the low-probability scenario for the Tigers going nuts and winning 90 this year involves an offensive explosion, not a pitching bonanza.

A little freaking luck wouldn't hurt, and we are so due.

Rob

[gamtchll]

end top 3rd, NO HITS!!!??!!!

[Yoda]

No way they win 90 games. It would take an act of God and God hates the Tigers. I'd be thrilled with 81+ wins.