On Magglio, other issues

MLB TV has been great for me this year but it was fabulous to the Tigers on TSN last night.
As far as the game goes I think there are some issues to address though.

At least Thames was not playing because of simply being benched against a RHP. I'm glad to hear that, but I still wonder if Stairs would not have suited up anyway.

The situation with Stairs is a real irritant for me. I mean sure, he will likely end up in the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame (BTW I am Canadian and reside in Canada), but does this justify him being regarded as a full-fledged Detroit Tiger?

It is abundantly clear to me that there is no good reason for him to take the bat out of the hands of Gomez, Shelton, Infante, Thames, Wilson, or even Clevlen. They all (or maybe not Clevlen) will be on the playoff roster and need to be given the playing time to sharpen their skills and to build their confidence. I have probably said this before but I see Stairs as a LHB PH late in the game.

I think we are going to have to live with Casey, Leyland is keen on him and his LHB. He has a reputation of being able to hit LHP. It's not all come together here in Detroit but I don't think we will see Leyland change this situation much if at all. I hate the way he plugs up the base paths with his hippo like speed. The single he had yesterday got past a diving right fielder and was not immediately backed up by the CF--yet I sat in disbelief to see him still standing on first.

Shelton should be given some time at 1B and if Thames is in the field, he could be given some bats as a DH. I think it would be wise to take Shelton to the playoffs for his bat, his ability to play first, and not unimportantly, as an emergency backup catcher.

I thought throwing Miller last night was a good idea. Not because I want to see next year's team but because they are considering him for the post season roaster. If they are, then they need to know how he can pitch under duress and not just with a 13 run lead. If I had to choose between him and Ledezma (whom I don't really care for) I would choose Ledezma at this point. But, that could changee if Miller can come in and dominate with his physical attributes.

I hope Inge can regain his concentration. He seems to be able to handle all the quick reaction plays but has been showing some difficulty with handling throws down to third and medium hit hoppers.

Polanco looks like (fingers firmly crossed) he hasn't skipped a beat. Don't know how he can do that but we have to be very thankful that he is back and ready to play in the playoffs. That's huge.

I won't go on about this again, but I think it is imperative that Leyland give Shelton and Thames some at bats where they are not under pressure or intense scrutiny. It hardly seems fair that Casey and Stairs get to hit in minimal pressure situations and these guys have to hit when the club needs something and when they have to produce or wonder when they will get their next AB.

I know it seems I don't like Casey much but I do. I just don't think he should be regarded as if he were Willie McCovey. He has been phenomenal at helping out the left side of our infield. Some of the throws he has dug out with ease are things of beauty. I just think there is room for him and Shelton to play and not disengage Shelton completely.

Looks like we may not be able to expect much help from the White Sox vs. the Twins in their upcomning series. I hope I am wrong and they show some professionalism and play with some pride. Maybe we should've just taken 1 out of the 3 we played against them!!!

Splendid fall day here in Western New York. Took the day off from work. Just had to take the old chainsaw into the woods. It's firewood time. Haven't had to build one in the stove yet but the time is coming. Maple trees are already turning red and golden. The evening skies are beginning to take on that clear azure blue color only crisp fall days can produce. I've got deer eating apples in my yard. The Fall Classic is coming, and our beloved Tigers have a very good chance to be in it. It's an even year, seems like the Tigers win it in the even years. Any stats on that?
Dan, could not possibly agree with you more. Stairs taking at bats away from those guys defies even the logic of the great Greek thinkers, Plato, Aristotle, Socrates, and how about Euclid? If...then...

I agree, I didn't mind seeing Miller in there in that situation. There was a 3 run lead, and as you could see Leyland kept a short leash on him. He had walked one and almost walked the last guy he faced before I believe he struck him out? JL had seen enough. I did not pick Miller for a playoff spot, but I think JL likes him because of his obvious ability to come in and get a strikeout. Miner, Ledezma, Maroth, and Grilli do not possess that ability. They would all be potential 2 plus inning guys, not going to overpower opponents, but can give you a decent hold. So which ability is more important? That would be the question.

I don't know Dan, I think Inge has improved by degrees these last few weeks. He is a vaccuum cleaner over there at third. He still has the occasional error, but he makes some great digs and hard throws. He has become more patient at the plate too, and I think that has allowed him to see some better pitches. He is adjusting his swing I think too. When things were going badly for him(and the team) he just seemed to have one swing, (like Granderson) no matter where the ball was coming in. Now it seems he and Curtis are watching it longer and adjusting, resulting in more contact.

I like Casey too Dan. But I agree, he's a good player, decent fielder(although I've seen him miss some digs), and a good positive presence in the clubhouse. Casey is probably a great gaffer, he probably exudes baseball. And these are the attributes I would bet JL esteems above all others. Casey is a presence. He may go out and have an awful game at the plate but it doesn't seem to matter to JL. All he sees is a guy who to him personifies the consumate optimistic, I'll get um next time coach, baseball attitude. The squeeky wheel gets the grease. So Shelton and Infante quietly get put on the shelf. (Niefi and Stairs are somewhat like Casey-knowledgeable baseball guys whose presence are almost reassuring to JL. So that's my freudian take on this whole situation. Shelton and to a lesser degree Infante(because Omar has at least gotten some chances of late), are two young quiet guys who must proove themselves on the field every little chance they get, because they are almost "invisible" around the clubhouse.

An addition to the previous comment:

It's very heartening that Inge is becoming more confident. In the game last night, he had a 2 strike count and the pitcher threw him a high fastball. In the past, he would have chased that one like beer chases whiskey. However, he laid off it, and ended up singling home a run.

Granderson and some of the other guys seem to be more patient too - hopefully these are good signs going into the postseason.

I would also like to take a moment to show some love for Placido Palanco. I know that tigers.com is already doing this, but it can't be said enough. He is so important to this team! I think he inspires other players with his gutsy at bats.

Go tigers! Lets win this division!

Marty, you made a good case for Miller. I must admit, I can't see him on the playoff roster, but you made a good case. All things being equal, Ledezma deserves it more, in the sense that we've talked of who deserves it before. This is his fourth season trying out for the Tigers, and he's played on those bad teams. I of course don't dislike him personally, but I'd just like him to learn to field his position and acquire some baseball sense. He doesn't seem interested in that.

Sean Casey is indeed a slick fielder over there. As a former firstbaseman myself, I know that it can be very tricky. Takes not only quick soft hands, but the ability to read the hop depending on which infielder made the throw. I know they like to put big guys with poor fielding skills over there, and it's always kind of teed me off. It's an important position. I've seen Don Mattingly miss a seemingly easy scoop, because it wasn't really easy.

Having said that, I like Shelton because he'll do whatever it takes to learn that position (are you listening, Wilfredo?)

I too noticed Inge laying off that high heater. Reminded me of Dotty Henson in "A League Of Their Own." I was giving him the old thattaboy even before he got the single. When he locks in, he can give you some good ABs. Remember Oakland in April?

Let's see, Tigers winning in even years. Not really. Won in '35, '45, '68, and '84. Lost in '07, '08, '09, '34, and '40. And NO, I don't remember the 1907 World Series!

A reflective, philosophical turn of mind seems to prevail in Tiger Town on this crisp early autumn evening. Nothing but good stuff above, Dan and Rich I can only agree with the fine points you've already elucidated. Marty, such a poetic post, I am envious of your life up there by the big two-hearted river. Here in New York City autumn is clearly wiping its muddy boots on the the last of my summer dreams; the sun is losing its hold on us, it lacks the power it still possessed only a couple of weeks ago, and so instead it sulks, withdraws, gives up the game altogether and we're left with an interminable grey, as monotonous as the constant conversations about Randy Johnsons back. For me the beginning of autumn can only be sad because summer with its endless days and sweet reveries is over; its as if the world had taken its beauty underground, hidden from me, like the jackets and sweaters on autumn girls, covering and withdrawing the open provocations of summer wantonness: if in summer the deer eat right out of your hand, in the autumn, hunting season begins. For once though we are in the hunt and Marty the minute you said the words Fall Classic I got chills.

Your Freudian interpretation of Leyland is compelling and this is not the first or I'm afraid the last time we shall have to have recourse the the classic texts of psychoanalysis to attempt to understand our beloved managers distinctly mercurial temperment. Jason says that Leyland admitted he put on the sqeeze play to confuse the postseason scouts. If you come out and say that are you not undercutting yourself; as another philosophical mind Jake LaMotta might say -- it defeats its own purpose. I will have to disagree with y'all about Miller I can't imagine why he would be considered for the postseason as he seems as likely to walk a batter as anything else. That Maroth is home breaks my heart though I understand why but, if that spot goes to Miller my understanding will turn into something else entirely. I think Grilli needs to get that spot.

"Shelton did what he has done best since April"

Ohh, Tgr Fan, them is some cold words about Big Red. While he did gaze at the fastball done the middle and then jumped at the ankle-biting slider it was only one at-bat. I would suggest you look again at Casey's numbers with the Tigers before you read Shelton the riot act. But you guys are right, its love between Letland and Casey and nothing is going to change it. But we have to get Casey out of the 3-hole -- thats madness. Monroe is our best choice for three right now, monroe or Thames. Both hitters have a much better OBP than Casey, strikeouts or no strikeouts.

As for Shelton, he needs more at-bats and though I think we will see him tonight against Lilly, lets also give him a start at DH and get him pinch-hitting every game hes not playing so he can get the feel of coming off the bench to hit. All of his bad at-bats since he has been called up have been in a pinch-hitting role. In October we need Big Red to able to pinch hit. Especially at Shea.

Thanks Rich and Jason for the news about Thames, I was about to lose it. Hope its not serious, we need THames to have a chance in October.

The double steal last night was genius, whether it works or not it is the kind of creative manufacturing of runs (a phrase we'll all be sick of soon) that can really pick up this ballclub. And if it works you don't have to give up an out. That 2-1 sqeeze was sure pretty, only Polanco pulls that off on this team -- he really took over that game. The DP to end the game brought back memories of some other guys who used to play up the middle in Detroit.