Baseball is a funny game.
How do you figure that any hitter would have a .419 career average against Johan Santana. But that’s where Magglio Ordonez stands after doubling and homering against the Minnesota ace Wednesday night.
Archive for July, 2007
Mags vs. Santana
Wednesday, July 18th, 2007Tigers take on Santana
Wednesday, July 18th, 2007What an interesting matchup for the Tigers tonight as they send their young rookie Andrew Miller to the mound to take on possibly the best pitcher in baseball, Johan Santana.
Santana is virtually unbeatable in the second half of the season. I heard a stat earlier today that is amazing. Santana has lost a total of four games in the second half over the past four seasons.
That’s why Tuesday night’s 1-0 win was so important. You hate to lose the first game of a series with Santana looming.
Tiger offense
Tuesday, July 17th, 2007Fox Sports Detroit posted a pretty amazing graphic during Tuesday night’s game against Minnesota.
The Tigers lead the league in runs, batting average, slugging percentage and average with runners in scoring position.
That’s impressive for anyone, let alone a team whose strength is supposed to be pitching.
If the Tigers get their bullpen straightened out, they are going to be pretty hard to beat.
Spectactular softball
Monday, July 16th, 2007I was just watching a little of the World Cup of Softball on ESPN.
I am constantly amazed that the skill level of these ladies. Softball, figure skating and gymnastics are the three sports where I believe women shine the brightest in athletics.
That’s not to say they don’t do well in other sports, but in those three they are as good or better than their male counterparts.
Thames on fire
Sunday, July 15th, 2007Everytime Jim Leyland is asked about Marcus Thames, he has great things to say. One of his favorite sayings about Thames is “He’s a weapon.”
That weapon has been firing a lot lately with big home runs like Sunday’s three-run shot to give the Tigers the lead against Seattle.
Thames hitting well does not bode well for Craig Monroe, who had a miserable first half.
Odd start to second half
Friday, July 13th, 2007What a strange way for the Detroit Tigers to begin the second half of the season.
Both teams were scratching their heads after the strange play that allowed Seattle to score three runs and beat the Tigers 3-2 Thursday night.
I don’t know how umpire Bruce Froemming missed Carlos Guillen tagging Adrian Beltre, but it all evened out because Froemming also missed Beltre touching second base.
Strange scheduling
Thursday, July 12th, 2007Baseball swings back into action tonight after the All-Star break, well sort of.
There are just five American League games and one National League contest scheduled for Thursday night. These guys have just enjoyed three days off. It makes no sense to add another day to the vacation. I am sure they would appreciate the off day more during the dog days of August and September.
American League dominance
Wednesday, July 11th, 2007The American League has won 10 straight All-Star Games after holding off the NL tonight.
Is the AL that much better or is the winning streak a fluke?
Nice tribute to Mays
Tuesday, July 10th, 2007Baseball doesn’t seem to do a whole lot right in the public relations realm these days, but the tribute to Willie Mays before the All-Star Game was outstanding.
Having the All-Stars form a tunnel from him to pass through as he walked in from center field was a very nice touch. The players showed tremendous respect for the legend.
Magglio in home run derby
Monday, July 9th, 2007Detroit’s Magglio Ordonez will compete in tonight’s home run derby in San Francisco.
I don’t like it one bit.
First of all, Ordonez is not a home run hitter. Sure, he hits a few out of the park, but he is more of a line-drive, doubles hitter.
Secondly, I would hate to see him mess up his stroke by trying to hit home runs. His swing has been beautiful this year as evidenced by his spot atop the American League batting race. The Tigers need him to keep hitting the ball to right field, not get in the habit of trying to jerk the ball out of the park. They have enough guys who do that.
Why didn’t they invite Gary Sheffield to compete instead? Sheffield is more of a pure home run hitter. He is among the leaders in the American League. And it would have been a nice consolation prize for him missing out on making the All-Star team.