Granderson says goodbye to Detroit with Class

From the current issue of In Play! Magazine...

"The next time Curtis Granderson comes to Detroit and takes centerfield he'll be wearing a New York Yankee cap and the No. 14. Fans are still reeling from the trade that sent the 28 year to the east coast, but for one night they got the chance to forget about it and focus on all the good things Granderson has done for the city of Detroit."

Read more/photos here

Leave your comment

           CLICK ON COVER!

Verlander ...Take it or Leave it.

There is a lot of talk about Justin Verlander and contract negotiations in the past few days.


He is asking for anther year on his contract to make it a six year deal in the neighborhood of $90 million.

Verlander posted a career high 19 wins last year, but as with all stats they can be deceiving. many probably have forgotten or don't want to remember that last season.

For example, the winner of any overtime game just easily could have been the loser. At that point luck has crept into the equation. True a win is still a win, but it could have just as easily wound up in the other column.

Verlander's 19 is the same thing.

People forget that his 19-9 record could have easily mirrored his 2008 record of 11-17 with an ERA of almost 5 and only one complete game pitched. We fall in love with one "above average" season and are willing to bet the farm on the future.

True it was a good year but it could just as easily been a mediocre one as well.

Several of those 19 wins were luck, and nothing more. Depending on what inning you get pulled out of the game has much to do with it.

So let's not get all starry eyed. He's a good pitcher, if the Tigers don't sign him they will find somebody else of his caliber no problem. It's not going to be the end of the world.

For anybody interested in remembering exactly how Verlander's season went last year take a listen to Denny McLain's Tiger's Report and you will have a week by week break down of the Tigers season last year.

As with sports today, the chance of Verlander being here at the end of his new contract are slim to none. He's not asking for anything too extravagant in today's market so give it to him and be done with it.

But, if he balks too much, as with every working man and woman...there's always somebody that can take your place.

Leave your comment

           CLICK ON COVER!

TIGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH SEVEN PLAYERS

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has agreed to terms with the following seven players on contracts for the 2010 season: righthanded pitcher Jay Sborz, lefthanded pitcher Phil Coke, infielders Audy Ciriaco, Scott Sizemore and Ryan Strieby and outfielders Austin Jackson and Casper Wells.

With seven players agreeing to terms today, the Tigers now have 25 players on the club’s 40-man roster under contract for the 2010 season.

Leave your comment

           CLICK ON COVER!

TIGERS OUTRIGHT THE CONTRACT OF JEFF LARISH TO TRIPLE A

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has outrighted the contract of infielder Jeff Larish to Triple A Toledo.

Larish split the 2009 season between Detroit and Toledo. In 32 games with the Tigers, he hit .216 (16x74) with three doubles, a triple, four home runs and seven RBI. Larish batted .265 (56x211) with 13 doubles, six home runs and 26 RBI in 61 games with the Mud Hens.

Larish will participate in major league camp with the Tigers this spring as a non-roster invitee.

Leave your comment

           CLICK ON COVER!

DETROIT TIGERS FOUNDATION AND AMERICAN RED CROSS TO COLLECT DONATIONS DURING TIGERFEST

MIGUEL CABRERA AND TIGERS COMBINE TO DONATE $100,000 TO PROVIDE MEDICAL SERVICES & SUPPLIES FOR HAITIAN RELIEF EFFORTS

DETROIT – Detroit Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera today announced that he has donated $90,000 to MediShare International, which provides medical equipment, medicine and expertise to Third World nations that sustain natural disasters. The Detroit Tigers will provide an additional $10,000 to contribute towards the relief efforts in Haiti.

ALSO

MAGGLIO ORDOÑEZ DONATES $100,000 FOR HAITIAN EARTHQUAKE RELIEF EFFORT
DETROIT – Detroit Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordoñez today announced that he has donated $100,000 to the American Red Cross to support those affected by the recent earthquake in Haiti.

"The people in Haiti need our help," Ordoñez said. "I'm asking Tigers fans across the country to join me in supporting Haiti after this tragedy."

On the heels of Ordoñez’ generosity, the Detroit Tigers will provide an opportunity for Tigers fans to support the Haitian relief effort as well. The American Red Cross Southeastern Michigan Chapter will be at the gates of Comerica Park during TigerFest on Saturday, January 23 to collect donations. The Tigers Foundation, an affiliate of Ilitch Charities, will match up to $10,000 collected by the Red Cross.

The Tigers will also donate a portion of its proceeds received from the fan photo exhibit at TigerFest. Using green screen technology, fans will have the opportunity to have their picture taken showing them catching a ball in the outfield, standing at home plate in a batting stance or arguing with an umpire at Comerica Park.

Leave your comment

           CLICK ON COVER!

TIGERFEST READY TO ROAR AT COMERICA PARK ON SATURDAY

Fans Excited to Welcome Tigers Players Back to Detroit

DETROIT –The 16th Annual TigerFest, presented by StubHub!, will be held at Comerica Park this Saturday, January 23, 2010 from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. Tickets for the annual fan event are sold out.

The event returns to Comerica Park for the fourth consecutive year and promises another great opportunity for fans to interact with their favorite Tigers. This year’s event features autograph sessions, photo booths, seminars and many chances to see exclusive areas at Comerica Park, including the Tigers’ Clubhouse, Champions Club, Executive Offices and the Ernie Harwell Media Center.

Players and staff scheduled to appear during the event are listed below and are subject to change:

Rod Allen Armando Galarraga Rick Porcello
Al Avila Carlos Guillen Ryan Raburn
Alex Avila Mario Impemba Wilkin Ramirez
Rafael Belliard Brandon Inge Nate Robertson
Brennan Boesch Austin Jackson Jay Sborz
Eddie Bonine Jeff Jones Daniel Schlereth
Tom Brookens Don Kelly Max Scherzer
Miguel Cabrera Rick Knapp Bobby Seay
Audy Ciriaco Gerald Laird Scott Sizemore
Phil Coke Gene Lamont Ryan Strieby
Dan Dickerson Jim Leyland Jacob Turner
Brent Dlugach Lloyd McClendon Justin Verlander
David Dombrowski Zach Miner Casper Wells
Adam Everett Magglio Ordonez Dontrelle Willis
Casey Fien Ryan Perry

Leave your comment

           CLICK ON COVER!

TIGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH MINER, SEAY AND LAIRD

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has agreed to terms on a contract for the 2010 season with righthanded pitcher Zach Miner, lefthanded pitcher Bobby Seay and catcher Gerald Laird. The club avoided arbitration with all three players.

Miner spent the entire 2009 season with the Tigers, appearing in a career-best 51 games. He finished 7-5 with a 4.29 ERA (92.1IP/44ER) and 62 strikeouts in his 51 outings (five starts) with the Tigers last season.

Seay posted a 6-3 record and 4.25 ERA (48.2IP/23ER) in 67 appearances for the Tigers during the 2009 season. He established career highs with six wins, 67 appearances and 48.2 innings pitched last season. Seay tied for eighth among all American League relievers with six wins.

Laird saw action in a career-high 135 games for the Tigers in 2009, batting .225 (93x413) with 23 doubles, two triples, four home runs and 33 RBI. He led all American League catchers with a .997 fielding percentage and 78 assists last season. Laird threw out 40.4 percent of runners attempting to steal (40x99), tops among all league catchers in 2009.

With three players agreeing to terms today, the Tigers now have 18 players on the club’s 40-man roster under contract for the 2010 season.

Leave your comment

           CLICK ON COVER!

TIGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH JOSE VALVERDE

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has agreed to terms with righthanded pitcher Jose Valverde on a two-year contact with a club option for the 2012 season.

Valverde compiled a 4-2 record, 2.33 ERA (54.0IP/14ER) and 25 saves in 52 outings for the Houston Astros during the 2009 season. He fanned 56 batters during the season, while he limited opponents to a .207 batting average (40x193).

“We are pleased to add a premier closer like Jose Valverde to our club,” Tigers President, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager David Dombrowski said. “His addition fills what we felt was our biggest need and he solidifies the back end of our bullpen to strengthen our pitching staff.”

In seven seasons at the major league level with the Arizona Diamondbacks (2003-07) and Astros (2008-09), Valverde has posted a 19-19 record, 3.17 ERA (386.0IP/136ER) and 167 saves in 379 career outings. He has struck out 470 batters over his career, while limiting opponents to a .208 batting average (296x1424).

Valverde is second among all National League pitchers with 116 saves since the start of the 2007 season, trailing only Francisco Cordero’s 117 saves. Valverde was selected to the National League’s all-star squad in 2007.

Additionally, the Tigers today announced the club has received cash considerations from the San Diego Padres to complete the Dusty Ryan trade on December 21, 2009.

Leave your comment

           CLICK ON COVER!

TIGERS AGREE TO TERMS WITH JOEL ZUMAYA

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has agreed to terms on a contract for the 2010 season with righthanded pitcher Joel Zumaya, thus avoiding arbitration.

Zumaya compiled a 3-3 record, 4.94 ERA (31.0IP/17ER), one save and 30 strikeouts in 29 appearances for the Tigers during the 2009 season.

In four seasons at the major league level with the Tigers, he is 11-11 with a 3.15 ERA (171.1IP/60ER), four saves and 176 strikeouts.

With Zumaya agreeing to terms, the Tigers now have 14 players on the club’s 40-man roster under contract for the 2010 season.

Leave your comment

           CLICK ON COVER!

VERLANDER NAMED ‘KING TIGER’ 2009 BY MAYO SMITH SOCIETY MEMBERS

DETROIT -- Detroit Tigers righthanded pitcher Justin Verlander has won the 2009 King Tiger Award, given each year by the Mayo Smith Society.

Verlander posted a 19-9 record and 3.45 ERA (240.0IP/92ER) during the 2009 season. He led the American League with 35 games started, 240.0 innings pitched, 269 strikeouts and 10.1 strikeouts per nine innings. Additionally, he tied for the league lead with 19 wins, finished third with 4.27 strikeouts per walk, fifth with 10.80 baserunners per nine innings, tied for fifth with three complete games, sixth with a 3.45 ERA and 8.21 hits per nine innings, tied for sixth with a .243 batting average against and eighth with a .679 winning percentage.

Verlander became the first Tigers pitcher to lead the American League in strikeouts since Jack Morris did so in 1983 with 232 strikeouts. His 269 strikeouts stand as the fifth-most in franchise history and mark the most by an American League pitcher since Boston’s Pedro Martinez fanned 284 batters during the 2000 season. His 240.0 innings pitched marked the most by a Tigers pitcher since Morris worked 249.2 innings for the Tigers in 1990.

Verlander was also named to the American League all-star team for the second time, and finished third in American League Cy Young Award voting. He earlier won the Tiger of the Year award from the Detroit chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America.

Also getting King Tiger votes from Mayo Smith Society members were first baseman Miguel Cabrera, third baseman Brandon Inge, righthanded starting pitcher Rick Porcello, outfielder Ryan Raburn and second baseman Placido Polanco.

The Mayo Smith Society, founded in 1983 and named for the manager of the Tigers’ 1968 World Series championship club, is a nationwide organization of Tigers fans. Since 2004, it has voted on King Tiger winners based on players’ on- the-field and off-the-field endeavors; from 1964 to 1980, the presidents of individual Tigers’ fan clubs had voted for their own King Tiger awardees. Mayo Smith Society representatives plan to make the King Tiger presentation to Verlander during the organization’s annual trip to Lakeland, Florida, for Spring Training.

Past King Tiger winners as voted on by the Mayo Smith Society:
2008: Miguel Cabrera
2007: Magglio Ordonez
2006: Kenny Rogers
2005: Placido Polanco
2004: Carlos Guillen, Ivan Rodriguez (tie)

Leave your comment

           CLICK ON COVER!