Tagged: Tigers
Whitecaps Season a Success
Despite statistically having one of the worse seasons on franchise history, there is a lot of positives to be found in the West Michigan Whitecaps 2010 season. The fact that the team was 29 games below .500, then bounced back in the second half to make the playoffs was amazing enough. More importantly, though, the season was just fun. Going to the games were fun, and just being able to be at the ballpark instead of anywhere else is victory enough. I was able to spend fun times with my kids and other families were able to do the same. Below is the link to the Whitecaps 2010 promotional video, so everyone can get a feel for a game at Fifth Third Ballpark. I also posted pics from throughout the season of the Whitecaps, Crash, and staff at children’s hospitals, veteran’s hospitals, and other appearances around town. To these folks I think they would say it was a great season.
Whitecaps 2010 Promotional Video
Ph
Phtos courtesy of the West Michigan Whitecaps
Playoffs Are Here!
Despite ending the first half of the season in last place, the re-vamped West Michigan Whitecaps clinched a wild card playoff spot due to their second half performance. They were a dreadfull 26-43 in the first half and have a franchise worst 76 losses overall. The ‘Caps turned things around, however, going on a 26-12 tear since July 28. This is the seventh year in a row West Michigan will be involved in the Midwest League’s post season, and the 14th time in the franchises’ 17 year history. Whitecaps’ manager Joe DePastino said there absolutely is no complacency that his team is just happy to make the playoffs after dropping to as many as 29 games under .500 in late July.
“None at all,” DePastino said. “When you’ve gone from rock bottom to where we’re at, you want to win it all. These guys want to win it. To do what they’ve done, they would be disappointed if they didn’t finish it off with a championship.”
The Whitecaps might not be favored to win the MWL title, but may have as good a chance as any team. They start tonight at home against the Lake County Captains who finished first overall in the first half, but finished below West Michigan in the second stanza. The ‘Caps played the Captains more than any other team this season (21 times!), and are 7-5 against them since the All Star break. What could be interesting here, is if Lake County activates former ‘Caps All Star pitcher Giovanny Soto who the Indians organization picked up the Jhonny Peralta deal. If the ‘Caps can slip past the first round matchup, it’s possible they could play in-state rival Great Lakes Loons who, at 90-49, have the best record in professional baseball. This won’t scare the Whitecaps too much, though, as they went 7-5 against them in the second half.
Game 1: Whitecaps 2, Captains 4
Game 2: Whitecaps 8, Captains 0
Game 3: Whitecaps 2, Captains 3-Whitecaps Eliminated
Captains go on to win Midwest League Championship
Meanwhile, north of Grand Rapids up in Traverse City, the Beach Bums are making history of their own. Ending the regular season on a three game winning streak at home, the Bums qualify for the Frontier League playoffs for the first time in their five year history. They snagged the wild card bid with a 7-0 romping of the Washington Wild Things on the 4th, and ended the regular season in dramaitic fashion beating the Wild Things again the next night 4-3. Their first playoff game is on the 9th, while hosting the Windy City Thunderbolts on September 11-12. Good luck to both teams, and I’ll be updating this post with the results.
Game 1: Beach Bums 1, Thunderbolts 5
Game 2: Beach Bums 9, Thunderbolts 2
Game 3: Beach Bums 5, Thunderbolts 3-Bums advance to Championship Series
Game 1: Beach Bums 5, River City Rascals 3
Game 2: Beach Bums 0, River City Rascals 8
Game 3: Beach Bums 2, River City Rascals 6
Game 4: Beach Bums 0, River City Rascals 2-Rascals Frontier League Champions
Photos courtesy of West Michigan Whitecaps and Traverse City Beach Bums
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
Whitecaps Update
Stealing Second: The West Michigan Whitecaps still sit in second place in the MWL Eastern Divis
ion with a record of 18-12, nine game behind the red hot Fort Wayne TinCaps. They remain 3.5 games ahead of the third place South Bend Silver Hawks. The Whitecaps have already secured a playoff spot, though, but hope to gain some ground on the TinCaps. The first playoff game will be at Fifth Thrid Ballpark on Sept. 10.
Player of the Week: ‘Caps outfielder Ben Guez was named Player of the Week (July 20). He’s been hot at the plate since the All-Star break batting .373 with three home runs and 20 RBI’s. For the season he’s slugging .261 with seven homer and 42 RBI’s in 62 games. Guez is the sixth Whitecap to earn Player of the Week honors this seaon (Casey Crosby, Luke Putkonen, Bryan Pounds, Billy Nowlin, and Ronnie Bourquin). Pitcher of the Week: Casey Crosby was named MWL Pitcher of the Week (July 26). Crosby is a 2009 MWL All-Star and has a record of 8-3. His ERA is 2.92 and has struck out 101 batters so far this season. Last Monday he threw five hitless innings against the Kane County Cougars. Crosby is the first Whitecap since Mike Hernandez in 2006 to win the award twice in one season.
Hot Bat: Right fielder Avisail Garcia has had a hot bat his last seven games. He’s hitting .423 with four runs scored and four RBI’s.
Matt Nokes: Former Detroit Tiger Matt Nokes will be appearing at Fifth Third Ballpark on August 31 as part of ‘Tiger Fridays’. Matt was a rookie with the Tigers in 1987 when he was third in Rookie of the Year voting, was selected to the American League All-Star team, and won the Silver Slugger Award. He batted .289 and hit 32 home runs that season.
Minoring In Baseball 