Restoring the Roar

Pure Michigan: Detroit Tigers Ding, dong… Inge is in...

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 10:03:09 -0400

Ding, dong… Inge is in Toledo!

"As Jim Joyce said in his postgame comments, there is no dispute that last night’s game should..."

Thu, 03 Jun 2010 15:19:00 -0400

“As Jim Joyce said in his postgame comments, there is no dispute that last night’s game should have ended differently. While the human element has always been an integral part of baseball, it is vital that mistakes on the field be addressed. Given last night’s call and other recent events, I will examine our umpiring system, the expanded use of instant replay and all other related features.”

- MLB will not reverse blown call in Tigers game

Look, I don’t want to wine and complain about this… but I’m going to wine and complain. I’m fine with Selig coming out and saying, “I fear overruling this call will open the floodgates on hundreds of games in the past and set a dangerous precedent for all future games.” That’s a valid reason to not overturn the call from last night. But to release this statement praising the Tigers organization and not even give them an explanation as to why you won’t change the call is complete bullshit.

As I said in my email to Bud himself last night, he - and he alone - has brought this nightmare upon himself. If he had half a backbone, there would’ve been some sort of review on this play as it happened. Baseball could’ve been like every other professional American sports league and had some sort of instant replay. Instead, we’re left with a public relations joke that tells us absolutely nothing.

You suck Bud Selig, in every sense imaginable…

This guy right here is one of the classiest, smartest, most...

Wed, 09 Dec 2009 17:15:00 -0500

This guy right here is one of the classiest, smartest, most well-spoken and well-rounded human beings to ever step foot on a baseball field and even if he can’t hit lefties, he’s still one hell of a ballplayer.

He’s always been “My Tiger” and, even though he is now a member of every baseball fan’s archenemy, I wish him infinitely more success, money and fame. He deserves it.

Treat him well New York. They don’t make ‘em like this kid anymore.

(With all that said, I think this is a fantastic deal for the Tigers and I’m ecstatic they made it. We get back three pitchers who will help fill the gaps of the bullpen and starting rotation, and have a pretty good young prospect at center. We’ll be ok Tiger fans.)

Joe Mauer Stealing Signs (Not Cheating) This is why baseball is...

Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:58:26 -0400

Joe Mauer Stealing Signs (Not Cheating)

This is why baseball is interesting… and also, ef Joe Mauer. What a dirty cheater… (via)

more evidence that the stars are not aligning in the Tigers' favor...yet.

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:27:00 -0400

designaddict: so i still don't have cable and didn't see what our friend inge did last night
but i can guarantee whatever it was, i completely echo your sediments

me: he drove in 2 when we really needed it - especially in the end result
i was only watching gamecast on epsn.com so i cannot attest to the solidness of the hit, but i am still on the "Inge Must Go" Bandwagon

designaddict: yeah i saw 6-5. i still hate him. we need a 3B with some power

me: the end of that game was insane - literally put me into a fit - we went to a bar to watch the last 3 innings and it was unreal...Verlander has a terrible 7th and 8th - Twins tie it up 5-5. top of 9 grandy hits a solo HR - put us up 6-5.

me: Top of 9th: polanco makes a wretched error, puts a guy on. then granderson on the next play, misplays a ball that he catches 99.9999999% of the time. we were really the only 3 watching it and just flipping out - couldnt believe what we were seeing. at this point thinking, "sh*t, rodney needs all the help he can get - and this is happening - 2 of his most sure-handed teammates are messing it all up." we somehow got out of it to hang on to our 2 game lead.

designaddict: grandy must've tightened up. got a little nervous

me: it was bad...never seen him do that before. i will stop worrying when if we take one of the next 2.

designaddict: yeah, i'll be ok with splitting these next 2. up 2 games with 3 to play is a decent position, especially when we're at home for those 3. it just means, win 1 of the 3 and you should be in.

me: if we split the next two, MIN should drop 1 in KC (Greinke game) and as long as we win 1 in CHI the worst we can do is a playoff. caveat to the whole thing is that we have Bonine and Robertson pitching the next 2...not sure how i feel about that. and wtf! the Twins with all of those Lefties...i swear they put 6 lefties in the lineup everynight

designaddict: yeah i noticed that. it's unreal. they have a bunch of them

me: i counted 5 on their roster that played last night - 2 of which are switch. okay, ill stop flipping out and let you get some work done

(via)

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 13:12:26 -0400

(via)

Tonight’s the Home Run Derby and we have a bet going...

Mon, 13 Jul 2009 16:30:50 -0400

Tonight’s the Home Run Derby and we have a bet going around these parts. We’ve set the over/under on the number of Inge home runs in the first round at 6.5. I’m taking the under, Mike’s taking the over. This is a epic battle for a nice lunch. Results tomorrow.

Shutout

Tue, 19 May 2009 22:49:00 -0400

In the first of this three game series against the Texas Rangers, Dontrelle Willis started and Fernando Rodney closed out a combined one hit shutout to give the Tigers a 4-0 win. The two pieces of the Tigers pitching staff that scare me most - Willis and Rodney - were absolutely lights out tonight. Granted Zumaya, Lyon, and Seay all helped in the winning effort, but one can not ask for more than a one hit shutout - even if a combined one. Since Game 2 of the NHL’s Western Conference Finals were on at the same time as the Tigers, I watched the great pitching effort in a limited capacity - everything takes a backseat to playoff hockey: baseball, basketball, eating, sleeping, breathing - but what I did see was impressive and at one point Willis apparently retired 17 Rangers in a row. Phenomenal.

I have to say my fears of Willis are not dissolved after this one outing, but if Willis can keep this up the Tigers pitching staff just got a whole lot deeper and stronger. Same goes fro Rodney who has capitalized on all of his save opportunities this year but for some reason has flashes of the erratic Todd Jones in his non save opps.

And, by the way, the Wings just scored in overtime - 3 on 1 breakaway, Mikael Samuelsson puts in the game winner…this makes up for his errand clearing attempt in the first period that led to the ‘Hawks first goal, let’s not see sloppiness like that again, please…loved the game winner though.

Two good things came out of today for the Tigers. The obvious...

Sun, 17 May 2009 00:24:00 -0400

Two good things came out of today for the Tigers.

The obvious 9-1 win. They’ve now outscored Oakland by 21 runs in the two games this series, giving up just 2 runs. Granted, the A’s are the second lowest scoring team in the majors but it’s something to build upon.
Bondo had a successful rehab start in West Michigan, going seven strong innings, giving up two run and six hits while walking just one and striking out four. One more start and he should be back up with the big club.

As an aside, WTF is with the Whitecaps uniforms?

Curtis Grandson gives us a sneak peak into tonight’s game....

Fri, 15 May 2009 14:59:07 -0400

Curtis Grandson gives us a sneak peak into tonight’s game. That’s right, MC Hammer will be there!

13 innings and nothing to show for it...

Thu, 14 May 2009 04:45:00 -0400

I should’ve known early on that watching this game was not worth it. Like when the girlfriend swears that some Matthew McConaughey movie will be good - I just knew better.

When Dontrelle Willis was announced as the starter and trotted out to the mound in the Bottom of the 1st inning I had doubts. When he walked the very first batter I thought about switching channels, but the Crosbys were already slaughtering the Ovechkins. When Rod Allen proclaimed Willis the comeback story of the year, I laughed. And finally when Wills gave up a 2-run homerun to the very next batter, Justin Morneau, I should’ve just shut off the TV, went to bed, and hoped for the best in tomorrow’s - well, since it is 3am - today’s game.

The Tigers loss to the Twins was not totally Willis’ fault. It really was not anyones’ fault, but Willis just does not have the “stuff”. Rod Allen will try to convince us that everything is okay, as a good hometown announcer should. Hell, Mario Impemba even goes along with Rod to some degree, but with a reserved enthusiasm. I for one am not on board and remain completely unconvinced that Willis is back and is a viable fourth or fifth starter. This just leads to a perpetual ominous feeling when Willis is about to take the mound and tonight was no exception.

Willis pitched 4 1/3 innings and let up four runs, eight hits, had no strikeouts and a couple of walks. For some reason this was “not a bad start” according to Rod. Now, I am certainly not an expert and I understand Willis has not been himself in the last 2 seasons, but eight hits and four runs in just over four innings is not “not bad”, it is pretty damn bad. The damage would have been much worse but Willis saved himself with a phenomenal play (and I am going to call it a really lucky play) in which he doubled off a runner at second after catching a rocket line drive that somehow landed right in his glove and he had the presence of mind to throw it to second before the runner could tag-up. Good play Willis, better play Lady Luck.

Despite Willis’ stats, this 13 inning loss can hardly be blamed solely on him - the pitcher who started the game and was within two runs when he exited…in the fourth inning. The team went 3-11 with runners in scoring position. The Laird/Sardinha combo and Polanco were hitless…in a 13 inning game…that’s a combined 0 for 11. Ordonez, our supposed number two slugger, had a double and that was it…in a 13 inning game…oh yeah, he also had 2 strikeouts. Brandon Lyons was asked to pitch about 3 times as long as usual and ran out of gas before giving up the game winning grand slam to Joe “The Tiger Killer” Crede. Jim Leyland got ejected after arguing a bad call on Ordonez’s behalf in one those two strikeouts and Gene Lamont was left calling the pitches - did they even have pitchers when Lamont played baseball? Sarcasm, relax.

The point is that even though there are a multitude of reasons the Tigers lost tonight, when I see Willis’ name on the lineup card I worry. I worry because he is unpredictable on his best day. I worry because he was injured all of last season but has a hefty contract. I worry because he started this season on the DL because of an anxiety disorder of some sort. I worry because I might ignore all of those worries, and watch the game go 13 innings only to have Crede crush us with a swing of the bat… well, I never really worried too much about that specifically, but after this last game I will.

I am afraid that watching Willis pitch is turning into an experience like playing with cheaply made fireworks. There’s always the hope that everything will go as planned - the wick burns evenly, the flight path is high enough to clear your neighbor’s roof, and the end result is a loud thunderclap and a dazzling burst of color. However, there’s the chance that the wick ignites as soon as the flame hits it and it blows up in your face; or maybe it just doesn’t light at all and you have an uneasy wait to see if anything happens or if you kick it aside. There’s the chance that the flight path is about seven degrees instead of 70 degrees and your neighbor’s shed turns into a bonfire right before your eyes. Or there’s the chance that the ignition and lift-off go great, but there is not a notable result at the end of it all and you wonder why the hell you wasted your money and a trip to Ohio. I think tonight’s performance was more like the latter of the three than the previous two, but that is little consolation.

I hope Willis can find his old stuff he had in his first and third seasons with The Marlins, but there are many reason why that is unlikely…a weaker National League vs the stronger American League offenses; the recent health issues; the lack of pressure in a small Florida market vs a city like Detroit that loves baseball; the current lack of incentive with a huge contract from the Tigers, etc.

So, yes, I worry when I see Willis on the lineup card.

Because a picture says a thousand words….. and if that...

Mon, 11 May 2009 10:01:34 -0400

Because a picture says a thousand words….. and if that thousand isnt enough…the audio from the catch is below

Dan Dickerson and Jim Price’s call of Granderson’s...

Mon, 11 May 2009 09:57:40 -0400

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

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:34:59 -0400

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...

Mon, 20 Apr 2009 11:34:12 -0400

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...

Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:20:00 -0400

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.

jpwilton: Ella LOVES Tiger baseball! We start ‘em young...

Tue, 14 Apr 2009 17:31:36 -0400

jpwilton:

Ella LOVES Tiger baseball!

We start ‘em young here in Detroit.

RIP Mark “The Bird” Fidrych No Tiger player has ever...

Mon, 13 Apr 2009 21:38:00 -0400

RIP Mark “The Bird” Fidrych

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

Go Get ‘em Tigers Since today’s opening day, I...

Fri, 10 Apr 2009 07:38:00 -0400

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...

Thu, 09 Apr 2009 17:08:00 -0400

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!