Tiger337

Jim Rice was not nice to the press. He once ripped the skin off of a Red Sox media person because he parked in Rice's spot.

It wouldn't have hurt him, but Whitaker and Sandberg had very different careers. Sandberg was a high peak performer whereas Whitaker never had an MVP type year. Whitaker had a longer career and had more good years than pretty much any middle infielder ever, but never had a great year. The voters appear to favor peak years (and it doesn't have to be a lot of them) over career. On the other hand, Whitaker was a private person who didn't get a lot of publicity, so he might have benefitted from more national exposure, but I think his unusual career arc hurt him him more than anything. Calendar years are arbitrary cutoffs, but it's what people look at.

I'm not really thinking about Suarez much, because I think it's unlikely. I won't be disappointed if they don't get him because the price seems like it would be steep for a two-month rental. I am not opposed to them trading top propects, but only if it's for someone who will be with the Tigers beyond this year. I am hoping for a couple of high leverage relievers with good track records.

Harry Caray was the best.

Rest in Peace Ryne Sandberg, one of my favorite non-Tigers during my favorite period as a fan. I remember him having the original "career year" in 1984. It was the first time I heard that term. The next few years, Peter Gammons would refer to a great year as a "Ryne Sandberg career year".

It happened today!

a little bit in their features and confidence, but Melton seems happy and relaxed whereas I remember Weaver as a sourpuss.

It's Hinch's fault. He's too soft. These guys need to toughen up and play through injuries. I don't remember Jack Morris going on the DL twice a year.

Yes, more like drowning than treading water.

Tigers also got Randy Dobnak.

I was looking at the Twins roster yesterday and noted some intriguing pitchers (Duran, Coulombe, Jax). Paddack was not one of them. Paddack might be somebody they could fix, but he doesn't seem to address any immediate problem. Perhaps, they think he can work as a reliever?

If you dropped the "U" in his first name, nobody would even notice him.

Which is why they have had strict rules regarding gambling for a century. Now, they are actively promoting and encouraging gambling. It puts the integrity of the game in jeopardfy even if nobody is doing anything wrong.

He is old but better than Flaherty. That's a good deal for the Royals.

The Royals are apparently close to signing Lugo to a two year extension. He is someone I was thinking would have been good for the Tigers to pursue in the off-season. If it's really a two-year, that is a bargain.

It's not Suarez. They're getting Shelby Miller back.

I don't think Parker is a hall of famer...but that was funny.

Is Luke Jackson the big deadline move?

Yes, Meadows is better. I was thinking that Hinch loses some flexibility without Sweeney and that Meadows might need to reset in Toledo. If Meadows hits at all, then I want him playing centerfield in Detroit.

Good thing I am not the manager or GM.

He is still President and has both houses on his side, so you are correct.

I think it will be Meadows going to Toledo when Carpenter returns. Sweeney is their back-up shortstop. McKinstry can play there, but shortstop is not his best position and he is their most frequent third baseman at the moment. Vierling, Perez and Greene would cover center field.

I am surprised that Hicklen played in only one game. I seem to remember him being on the roster for a while and I thought he had played a few games.

Four homers, none of them solo: grand slam, two 3-run homers and a 2-run shot.

Why did they pick those particular cutoffs? It has been a really really bad slump but if was the worst ever, couldn't they have stopped at the first one?