Restoring the Roar

Globally, 1984 is probably best known as the title of George Orwell’s classic novel. But the year has a different significance in everyone’s heart. For the history buff it was the year Reagan won the presidential election by a landslide over Walter Mondale. In 1984 the music lover saw Bruce Springsteen release Born in the USA, Prince release Purple Rain, and Michael Jackson win 8 Grammys. For the weird-useless-trivial knowledge guru, 1984 was the year John DeLorean was acquitted of cocaine charges. And, most importantly for this site, sports fans saw Los Angeles host the Summer Olympics, the first 64 team Men’s NCAA Basketball Tournament, and… drum-roll please… The Detroit Tigers win the 1984 World Series.

So what better do 3 guys who grew up in the Detroit area have to do but write about and discuss the current Tigers squad in hopes that they can bring the Glory Days back to Motown. Here’s to this year’s team Restoring the Roar of 1984!
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22 Plays

Dan Dickerson and Jim Price’s call of Granderson’s leaping, game saving catch in Cleveland this weekend.

Tigers take 2 out of 3 from the M’s - This roadtrip: 2-1

With only one bad inning in a 3 game series, the Tigers took 2 out of 3 from the Seattle Mariners, the first series of this year’s first roadtrip, and the Tigers go into Anaheim on Tuesday with a 7-5 record.

The starting pitching and bullpen pitching were going on all cylinders. Rick Porcello and Edwin Jackson looked great in the second and third games respectively, with the Tigers giving up a combined total of two runs in those final two games.  Verlander looked lights out in the first game, until they decided to play the 5th inning where SEA scored 5 runs - a couple of which were not Verlander’s fault or just flukes - an errand throw by Inge, a great sqeeze play by SEA, a rare wild pitch by JV.

The hitting was impressive, as usual - the Tigers have yet to have a game in which they get fewer than 8 hits.  During the Seattle series, it seemed that everyone from Cabrerra to Santiago to Guillen to Inge were getting hits when and where they counted.  Yes, Inge is hitting out of his mind this year - I will admit it - but let’s see where he’s at come July or August before I start retracting any previous slams against him.

Sidenote: Before things get out of hand - it’s useful to know I am one of 3 contributors to this page and the other 2 Tigers fans harbor no ill feelings toward B. Inge.  And, in all honesty, I don’t either - I simply think Tigers fans give him too much credit for too few results.  This season is looking like Inge may have turned a corner with his new batting stance and so far decent offensive numbers.  Let’s wait and see where he is in July before we start calling for my retraction of jabs against Brandon Inge of seasons past.

All in all, the Tigers had an impressive showing against the M’s who had the best record in the AL coming into this series.  Granted the M’s are not a superpower in the AL, play in one of the traditionally weakest divisions, and are relying on an aging Ken Griffey Jr. to fill the seats of SafeCo Field.  But lets give credit to the Tigers for stellar pitching and great offense and hope that this carries into Anaheim and beyond.

Rick Porcello gave up five hits in seven innings on Sunday. He earned his official first win of his career. Porcello had three strikeouts, no walks and retired the final 14 batters he faced. Two weeks into the season, I think we are all pleased at the productivity of the starting rotation. ps. zumaya could be back very soon, with bonderman and willis (holding my breath) soon behind [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4081510]

Rick Porcello gave up five hits in seven innings on Sunday. He earned his official first win of his career. Porcello had three strikeouts, no walks and retired the final 14 batters he faced.

Two weeks into the season, I think we are all pleased at the productivity of the starting rotation.

ps.
zumaya could be back very soon, with bonderman and willis (holding my breath) soon behind [http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4081510]

White Sox 0, Tigers 9 We played a little hooky from work today and headed downtown to watch our beloved Motor City Kitties play their most complete game this year. A few observations from today’s game: The trade for Josh Anderson could’ve been the Tigers biggest move of the offseason. Today, he beat out a bunt, stole second, scored a couple runs, went 2-for-2 with a couple walks and fielded his position quite well. If he hasn’t won the leftfield position yet, I’m not sure what he needs to do. Galarraga has now turned in two quality starts in his two games this season. He was great today, pitching out of a couple jams. We might have the best top of the rotation in the American League. I’m excited about seeing what they do this year. Ryan Perry was all over the place today firing 4 95+mph heaters within inches of 3 White Sox batters. The last blow back, a killer 97mph high fastball, was up around Josh Fields head which caused a little bit of a ruckus with Fields taking few steps toward Perry. The umpires quickly stepped in and Leyland came out to calm the situation. If Perry is going to be the closer, he’s going to need some more work. The homerun Cabrera hit was just tagged. At the time, we were looking up at the press box making Rod Allen jokes when a we heard a crack, turned our heads and the ball was already over the fence. That was a bullet and I would’ve hated to be sitting in the leftfield seats when that thing was flying towards me. Jackie Robinson Day was a big success. It also lead to a lot of conversations that sounded like this:Mike: ”Who’s in the bullpen warming up?”Me: “Not sure. It’s number 42 though.”Mike: “Thanks.” Rodney came in and made 8 really strong pitches, getting all 3 outs in the 9th. I can’t remember the last time someone reached base against him. He looks better than he has in 2 years.

White Sox 0, Tigers 9

We played a little hooky from work today and headed downtown to watch our beloved Motor City Kitties play their most complete game this year.

A few observations from today’s game:

  1. The trade for Josh Anderson could’ve been the Tigers biggest move of the offseason. Today, he beat out a bunt, stole second, scored a couple runs, went 2-for-2 with a couple walks and fielded his position quite well. If he hasn’t won the leftfield position yet, I’m not sure what he needs to do.
  2. Galarraga has now turned in two quality starts in his two games this season. He was great today, pitching out of a couple jams. We might have the best top of the rotation in the American League. I’m excited about seeing what they do this year.
  3. Ryan Perry was all over the place today firing 4 95+mph heaters within inches of 3 White Sox batters. The last blow back, a killer 97mph high fastball, was up around Josh Fields head which caused a little bit of a ruckus with Fields taking few steps toward Perry. The umpires quickly stepped in and Leyland came out to calm the situation. If Perry is going to be the closer, he’s going to need some more work.
  4. The homerun Cabrera hit was just tagged. At the time, we were looking up at the press box making Rod Allen jokes when a we heard a crack, turned our heads and the ball was already over the fence. That was a bullet and I would’ve hated to be sitting in the leftfield seats when that thing was flying towards me.
  5. Jackie Robinson Day was a big success. It also lead to a lot of conversations that sounded like this:
    Mike: ”Who’s in the bullpen warming up?”
    Me: “Not sure. It’s number 42 though.”
    Mike: “Thanks.”
  6. Rodney came in and made 8 really strong pitches, getting all 3 outs in the 9th. I can’t remember the last time someone reached base against him. He looks better than he has in 2 years.
jpwilton: Ella LOVES Tiger baseball! We start ‘em young here in Detroit.

jpwilton:

Ella LOVES Tiger baseball!

We start ‘em young here in Detroit.

RIP Mark “The Bird” Fidrych No Tiger player has ever excited a crowd like you did. You will be missed.

RIP Mark “The Bird” Fidrych

No Tiger player has ever excited a crowd like you did. You will be missed.

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]
37 Plays

Go Get ‘em Tigers

Since today’s opening day, I decided to bring back the rally cry for the 1960’s Tigers… well it’s the sexy version of rally cry. Seriously, WTF is to ‘RAWRR’ at the beginning about?

We here at Restore the Roar will be downtown tomorrow celebrating our 1-3 Tigers home opener against the Texas Rangers. It should be a rousing time, destined to involve tons of laughs and pints of beer. In celebration of that, here’s a quick little desktop wallpaper I created this afternoon for you folks at home. Just click the image above and ‘Save as…’. You’ll be restoring the roar everyday this summer. Bless you boys!

We here at Restore the Roar will be downtown tomorrow celebrating our 1-3 Tigers home opener against the Texas Rangers. It should be a rousing time, destined to involve tons of laughs and pints of beer.

In celebration of that, here’s a quick little desktop wallpaper I created this afternoon for you folks at home. Just click the image above and ‘Save as…’. You’ll be restoring the roar everyday this summer. Bless you boys!

Tigers 4, Blue Jays 52009 Blown save count: 1 Well, it only took 2 games this year for our so-called closer to bring back the memories of last year. Edwin Jackson throws 7 1/3 strong innings, looking almost untouchable until Rolen’s homer in the 8th. Bobby Seay come in and does his job for one batter and then Brandon “Blown Save” Lyon comes in and gives up 4 runs in 1 1/3 innings, including a sac fly to center that ends the game with a Tiger loss.

Tigers 4, Blue Jays 5
2009 Blown save count: 1

Well, it only took 2 games this year for our so-called closer to bring back the memories of last year.

Edwin Jackson throws 7 1/3 strong innings, looking almost untouchable until Rolen’s homer in the 8th. Bobby Seay come in and does his job for one batter and then Brandon “Blown Save” Lyon comes in and gives up 4 runs in 1 1/3 innings, including a sac fly to center that ends the game with a Tiger loss.

Three faces per Eric and my text messages last night: Nicklas Lidstrom, Steven Dorff and starting shortstop Adam Everett.

Three faces per Eric and my text messages last night: Nicklas Lidstrom, Steven Dorff and starting shortstop Adam Everett.

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