The Redemption of Ednel Javier Baez.

[Motor City Sonics]

Most of us were wrong.   Most of us wanted him gone.   But he's another week of starts away from qualifying for the batting race and at this point he'd be close to the Top 10. 

He's been outstanding in Center, too

And suddenly the Tigers don't need to rush Vierling or Meadows back. 

I think Sweeney has taken notice too, the way he's hitting lately. .425 in his last 10 games.     When Vierling and Meadows come back (if for Meadows), someone's getting squeezed out.   They all know it and they're playing their guts out because of it. 

This has been an amazing turnaround for Baez.  

I have my theory. 

When Baez is just one of several good players, he just plays ball and he's still decent.   When he is asked to carry a team, like when he got here, he tries too hard, doesn't relax -- tries to force things.   

I mean, anything north of .250 for this guy over the full season is a win, right? 

[monkeytargets39]

Maybe being the only highly paid veteran status really pushed Javy to play through injury and he just really got out of sorts until he finally had to shut things down.  Now that he’s healthy and he knows the team will win with or without him, he’s playing loose and just having fun.  

[Motor City Sonics]

Well this thread is aging well tonight. 

[Motor City Sonics]

The hand he's gonna get when he steps up to the plate today.    It's gonna be a standing O for him.    My how things have changed in 6 short weeks.