Tagged: Detroit Tigers
Meeting Jim Northrup
Yesterday the kids and I headed south to a baseball card show that featured former Detroit Tiger and 1968 World Series Champion Jim Northrup signing autographs. Little road trips are always fun, and especially if you can meat an ex-big leaguer. The kids had no idea who he was, but are always up for an adventure. Northrup played well before my time, too, but I can appreciate what he did as a Tiger. I think that they were a little confused, too, as he really doesn’t look a lot like he did on his baseball cards anymore. Northrup was great with the kids, though, as he was with all of the fans who came to meet him. I think the older player really get what the fans and the game really meen better than some of the bozos who play today’s game. The kids each got a card signed and their Papa and I each got a baseball signed so it was a successfull trip. As for baseball cards, I really didn’t find anything I was looking for-although I still view cards as a hobby, not an industry (that could be an entire blog on it’s own). This helped us gear up for the games next month, though. Just a few weeks away.
Photos property of MIB
Whitecaps Sport Youth-filled Roster
The 2010 West Michigan Whitecaps roster is all but set when they take the field Thursday in Eastlake, Ohio to take on the Lake County Captians kicking off the Midwest League season. This season’s roster includes five teen-agers including the Tigers number one 2009 draft pick, 18-year old Jacob Turner. Pitchers Giovanni Soto(18) and Melvin Mercedes(19), infielder Hernan Perez(19), and outfielder Avisail Garcia(18) round out the ‘brat pack’.
“We’re very young, but I like the talent we have, especially Turner, who has great stuff”, Whitecaps manager Joe DePastino told the Grand Rapids Press.
Turner is pictured here signing for a young fan. This year’s roster will also include eleven players from last years squad that finished 81-59 and made the playoffs. After the three game series with Lake County, the ‘Caps will face the defending MWL Champion Fort Wayne TinCaps in their home opener at Fifth-Thrid Ballpark on April 11. The full West Michigan roster can be found HERE.
The Detroit Tigers opening day roster will also consist of nine former Whitecaps including: Jeremy Bonderman*(2009), Joel Zumaya(2003), Alex Avila(2008), Brandon Inge(1999), Ramon Santiago(2000), Scott Sizemore(2007), Don Kelly(2002), Magglio Ordonez*(2008), and Ryan Raburn(2002/03).
MLive.com is featuring two really good articles on Scott Sizemore. The first one discusses his background and progress at second base. The second one has to do with his friendship with fellow Tigers rookie Austin Jackson. Both are worth checking out.
Photo courtesy of the West Michigan Whitecaps
Jacob gets his Turn in West Michigan
The Detroit Tigers announced on Thursday that they will be assigning Jacob Turner, thier first round pick of the 2009 draft (9th overall), to the West Michigan Whitecaps (Low A). The 18-year-old pitched for the Westminster Christian Academy High School in St. Louis last season. Whitecaps CEO and managing partner Lew Chamberlin told the Grand Rapids Press, “Turner represents the future of the Tigers, and I hope people would want to come out here and see him.” He has had an impressive spring training, and can hopefully keep it up at this level. I hope to get a chance to see him pitch before he’s moved up to Lakeland(high A) or even Erie(AA), which is a possibility.
Also, some former Whitecaps have been on the move this weekend as well. Optioned to the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens were outfielders Casper Wells, Brennan Boesch, and Ryan Strieby, as well as right handed pitcher Alfredo Figaro. Infielder Audy Ciriaco was been assigned to Double-A Erie Sea Wolves, while short-stop Gustavo Nunez has been sent to Minor League camp and has not been assigned yet.
Good luck this season to Turner and the West Michigan alumi in the Tigers organization. Looks like it will be an exciting year, especially seeing how Scott Sizemore does at the MLB level in Detroit.
Top photo courtesy of Westminster Christian Academy
Bottom photo property of MIB
Evans Blue to kick off Tigers Pre-Game
The band Evans Blue will be kicking off the Detroit Tigers home-opening pre-game party on April 9. The Toronto based rockers will be playing at the Hockeytown Cafe accross from Comerica Park from 3:30-6:00 pm. My wife and I recently saw them in concert, and it’s really a show worth going too. They were one of four bands opening for Pop Evil, but Evans Blue’s performance was difficult to beat. I highly recommend see these guys as the music is heavy and intense. I know they’ve just scheduled some more tour dates. We were lucky enough to hang out with some of the band members after the show, and my wife got a CD signed by them. The top pics are of Evans Blue, and the below is my better half and I after the show. Yeah, I had a few…sue me…
Photos property of MIB
Whitecaps Update
2010 Coaching Staff: The Detroit Tigers organization announced the coaching staff for this season’s Whitecaps team. Returning to the helm as manager for his thrid season is Joe DePastino. He led the ‘Caps to two playoff appearances in 2008(72-65) and 2009(81-59). Also returning for a third season is former Tiger and pitching coach Mark Johnson. Joining the staff this season as hitting coach is Luis Quinonnes. Quinnones was the hitting coach for the Class A-Short Season Oneonta Tigers for the last three seasons. Moving on is former hitting coach Benny Distefano who has been in West Michigan since 2006. He resigned to accept a position in the Mets organization. Benny was very good to the fans and always good about signing autographs. Below is a good pic of him and my daughter from last season.
2009 Promotional Video: Click HERE for the Whitecaps 2009 Promo Video. It’s entertaining and gives a good view at what to expect at future Minor League games.
Tiger Fridays are back: This will be the second season the Whitecaps are offering Tiger Fridays, where a former Detroit player or players will be at 5/3 Ballpark to sign autographs. They usually have a bobblehead giveaway, or something like that, too. Here’s the lineup for this season; Jack Morris (June 4), Juan Berenguer and Ozzie Virgil (June 25), Larry Herndon (July 23), Mike Henneman (Aug. 6), Dick McAuliffe (Aug. 20), and Frank Howard (Aug. 27).
Path of the Pros: MiLB.com is continuing it’s Path to the Pros series this time featuring former Whitecap Jair Jurrjens. Jurrjens was part of one the worse trades in Tigers history (maybe that’s pushing it, but my opinion) being sent to Atlanta in a deal for Edgar Renteria. You can read the full story at MiLB.com HERE.
Prospect Chat: Baseball America has a nice interview with Casey Crosby who played for the Whitecaps last season and was named the top Minor League Pitcher in the Tigers organization. You can check this out HERE.
Winter Beer Festival: 5/3 Ballpark is hosting the 5th annual Winter Beer Festival this year on Saturday Feb. 27. You have a unique chance to sample some great beers that are brewed in Michigan. They are expecting over 35 microbreweries and beerpubs to participate, and over 200 beers to sample. Sounds like a good way to handle the winter weather to me.
Photo property of MIB
Brookens Back in the Bigs
Tom Brookens took a call from Detroit manager Jim Leyland that maybe seemed like deja vu. It was nearly 30 years ago the Leyland, then coach of the Tigers AAA team in Evansville, called Bookens into his office to tell him he was being promoted to the Tigers. This time, Brookens is being promoted to the Tigers as their new first base coach. He will also be in charge of base-running and the outfielders.
“It’s a little ironic I get a call from him again to say I’m getting the call again to Detroit”, Brookens stated.
He has been coaching in the Tigers system for the last five years. He coached the West Michigan Whitecaps to a Midwest League championship in 2007. The last two seasons he’s been in Erie, PA managing the AA Sea Wolves who had a 71-70 record this season.
I luckily had the opportunity to chat with Brookens during his time with the Whitecaps. The former World Champion Tigers always took time to visit and sign autographs for fans. He was very nice to everyone who came to the ballpark. I wish him luck in Detroit, and would like to see him have nothing but success.
You can read the etire story off of the Tigers website HERE.
Top photo courtesy of the West Michigan Whitecaps
Bottom photo property of MIB
Sizemore Tearing up the AFL
No, the AFL I’m refering to isn’t the spectacular Arena Football League that is currently on hiatus. It is the popular Arizona Fall League, where MLB teams send some of thier top prospects for more conditioning. One prospect the Detroit Tigers are keeping a close eye on is second baseban Scott Sizemore. Playing for the Peoria Javelinas, Sizemore has knocked in nine runs in only 15 at bats. Monday he went 3-4 and drove in four runs. The previous two games he hit three home runs. Sizemore is batting an impressive .375
“It’s been awesome,” Sizemore said of playing in Arizona. “Luckily I’ve kinda been getting the taste of it all. I take it the same way I went this season, take every at bat like it’s my last.”
This season splitting time between the Triple-A Toledo Mud Hens and the Double-A Erie Seawolves, he hit a combined .308 with 17 home runs and 66 RBI’s. He also represented the Tigers at this years All-Star Futures game where he had a hit and run scored as a late-inning replacement at DH. Sizemore accomplished all of this while battling a sore left wrist after surgery in 2008.
The reason that the Tigers, specifically GM Dave Dombrowski, is so interested in Sizemore’s progress is simple: second baseman Placido Palonco is a free agent. If Detroit fails to re-sign Palanco, they’ll be losing one of the most reliable second baseman in the league. He rarely makes errors, rarely strikes out, and is one of the very few pure hitters in the Tigers line-up. I do give Dombrowski credit for pulling off the trade in 2005 to bring Palanco to Detroit for a pitcher who is currently doing time. Unfortunately, some not-so-spectacular deals and generous contract extentions have painted the Tigers into a financial corner. Too much money is tied up on players like Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson. Team owner Mike Illitch will have to dig deep into his pockets in order to re-sign Placido for next season.
Even if Palonco does return in 2010, it seems that Sizemore is the Tigers second baseman of the future.
“We think he’s ready to play, ” stated Dombrowski.
For the Tigers sake, and yours, Dave, I hope you’re right.
UPDATE: Sizemore broke his ankle on Thursday turning a double play, and will miss the rest of the AFL Season.
Photos courtesy of TigsTown
Bless You Boys! Tigers Honor 1984 World Champions
Monday night the Detroit Tigers will honor the 1984 World Championship team in a pre-game ceromony. All the greats will be on hand including HOF manager Sparky Anderson, MVP Allan Trammell, Lance Parrish, Kirk Gibson, Willie Hernandez and more. It’s hard to believe it’s been 25 years since the Tigers won it all. Detroit had the best record in baseball that season with 104 wins on their way to the World Series. This is one of my favorite memories about being a baseball fan as a kid.
Luckily, I’ve had a chance to meet some of my childhood heroes through my Minor League baseball trips. A lot of these guys like to give back to baseball and coach in the Minors. It’s great seeing them instruct a whole new generation of players. So far off the the 1984 team I’ve had the pleasure of meeting Tom Brookens (West Michigan Whitecaps), Lance Parrish (Great Lakes Loons), Doug Bair (Dayton Dragons), and Barbaro Garbey (Peoria Cheifs). We also had a chance to meet John Wockenfuss this season, who was traded in 1984 in a deal to the Phillies to bring Willie Hernandez and Dave Bergman to Detroit. We got to meet pitcher Jack Morris, too, but he wasn’t coaching, just signing at a store opening in northern Michigan. Still, he has the most wins of any pitcher in the 80’s, so it was great meeting him. I can’t wait until next years trip to see who we can meet along the way.
Tom Brookens of the Whitecaps signs for the kids in 2007
Lance Parrish of the Loons signs some cards for the kids in 2007
Photos property of MIB
Whitecaps’ Crosby is Tigers top MiLB Hurler
The Detroit Tigers named Casey Crosby their Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Crosy went 10-4 with a 2.41 ERA and 117 strikeouts in 104 2/3 innings pitched for the West Michigan Whitecaps this season. In the second half of the season, he went 5-2 with a 0.78 ERA and 49 strikeouts in only 46 innings of work. The 21 year old hurler, had his fastball clocked at 98 mph in this, his first full pro season. Crosby only pitched three games in 2008 before having reconstructive surgery on his left elbow.
“He’s a great kid with a great work ethic, working hard at everything he does,” Whitecaps manager Joe DePastino told the Grand Rapids Press. “He was willing to learn and get better, and he’s very deserving of this award.”
Crosby’s keeping up the Whitecaps tradition of this honor by the Tigers organization. The last four season’s has seen the award handed to a West Michigan pitcher. Jon Kibler won it last season, with Duane Below taking home the honor in 2007 and Burke Badenhop in 2006.
Taking home the award for the Tigers Minor League Player of the Year, is former Whitecap Scott Sizemore (2007). Splitting time between the Erie Seawolves (AA) and Toledo Mud Hens (AAA) he hit .308 with 17 home runs and 66 RBI’s.
Photo courtesy of the Grand Rapids Press
Whitecaps Update
Down to Third: After posting a 43-27 record for the first half of the season, the ‘Caps barely stayed above .500, going 38-32 in the second half. They finished 11 games behind the Fort Wayne TinC
aps. Clinching the Wild Card, they play the Great Lakes Loons in the first round of the MWL Playoffs.
Post Season All-Stars: LHP Casey Crosby and DH/OF Billy Nowlin were named to the MWL Post-Season All-Star team. Crosby was 10-4 in his first pro season, with a 2.41 ERA in 24 starts. He also fanned 117 batters and only waked 48. Nowlin (.311) and fellow Whitecap Gustavo Nunez (.315) finished second and third in the league for batting averages. Nowlin hit 29 doubles, 13 homers with 77 RBI’s.
Very Offensive: The Whitecaps 2009 team had one of the best offensive seasons in franchise history. They broke records for team batting average (.274), hits (1,316) and doubles (267).
Who Ya Gonna Call?: OF Wilkin Ramirez got his September call up to the Detroit Tigers. He got a small taste of the big leagues back in May, but expects to learn a lot this time around.
“Now that I’m going to be here longer, I can learn even more,” Ramirez stated. “You can learn a lot if you pay attention.”
So far he’s been contributing a a pinch runner and has seen some at bats. He’s got power adn speed, and I’m sure we’ll be seeing more of him with the Tigers in seasons to come.
Minoring In Baseball 