Five reasons to look forward to the 2011 season

By Matt Harding
In Play on Facebook

5. There's always next year.

4. Dave Dombrowski wants a winning team. I believe he'll do everything in his power to enhance the pitching staff as well as the lineup. A strong rotation and bullpen is key, but without a solid, everyday lineup, a team doesn't have too much of a shot.

3. Verlander and Scherzer's battle for the role of ace. This could get interesting next year. Who will be the team's #1 starter? As of now, most fans agree that Max Scherzer should be given the title, due to his incredible second half performance. Others go with JV, whose status has been "ace" for the past few years. A friendly rivalry can only help the ballclub as these two try their best to one-up each other during every start.

2. Miguel Cabrera. What a season this has been for Cabby! He keeps on putting up numbers that more so resemble lottery tickets than averages and home runs. As a Tiger, he'll continue to be the team's MVP year in and year out. Hopefully the club will be smart enough to have him retire as a Detroiter.

1. Finally, the best reason I can come up with: Baseball is just so fun to watch! The greatness of the sport is surpassed by none other.

Read In Play! Magazine Here

Denny McLains Tigers Report Sept 17

By Denny McLain
In Play on Facebook


Denny's weekly Tigers Report, brought to you by In Play! magazine, can be heard every Friday morning at 8:50am on 100.7 FM The Rock. http://www.inplaymagazine.com/broadcasts.php?audio_id=55

Read In Play! Magazine Here

GUILLEN SCHEDULED TO UNDERGO DIAGNOSTIC SURGICAL PROCEDURE ON LEFT KNEE

In Play on Facebook

A Full Recovery for Guillen is Anticipated for the 2011 Season

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers today announced the following medical update on Carlos Guillen:

Guillen was examined by Dr. Russ Warren at the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York yesterday. Due to continued knee soreness, Dr. Warren recommended a diagnostic surgical procedure on his left knee tentatively scheduled for Friday, September 17. The diagnostic surgical procedure will end Guillen’s 2010 season and a full recovery is anticipated for the 2011 season.

Guillen has been sidelined since August 17 with a deep contusion in his left knee.

Read In Play! Magazine Here

Denny McLain interview WEFG The Champ 97.5 FM Muskegon

In Play on Facebook

Denny McLain interview (Part 3) with WEFG The Champ 97.5 FM and WLCS 98.3 FM

Muskegon, Michigan Sept. 8, 2010

Denny McLain interview (Part 1) WEFG The Champ 97.5 FM



Denny McLain interview (Part 2) WEFG The Champ 97.5 FM




Denny McLain interview (Part 3) WEFG The Champ 97.5 FM

Read In Play! Magazine Here

Cabrera playing through pain and Guillen may be done for the season

By Matt Harding
In Play on Facebook

Cabrera, for the second time this week, has exited a game due to what is now being called a left bicep tendonitis injury. "I can't get my swing right," said Cabrera, after leaving in Tuesday's 9-1 victory against the rival White Sox. One main reason a player might have trouble playing, hitting in particular, with bicep tendonitis: "Pain will especially be felt when you extend your arm out in front of you or raise your arm above your shoulder.

Cabrera said he first injured the shoulder diving for a ball during the Tigers' last homestand against the Royals. He's also told reporters that he's had the injury before and with rest, it quickly went away.

Additionally, Carlos Guillen is all but certain to end the 2010 campaign on the DL. He will be a free agent after this season.

Read In Play! Magazine Here

CARLOS GUILLEN NOMINEE 2010 ROBERTO CLEMENTE AWARD

In Play on Facebook

CARLOS GUILLEN NAMED DETROIT TIGERS NOMINEE FOR THE 2010 ROBERTO CLEMENTE AWARD PRESENTED BY CHEVROLET

Photo by Jennifer MacPherson / In Play! Magazine

Major League Baseball and Chevrolet, the official vehicle of Major League Baseball, announced yesterday that Carlos Guillen was named the Detroit Tigers 2010 nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award presented by Chevrolet. Guillen is one of the 30 Club nominees who are finalists for the national award, which is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who combines a dedication to giving back to the community with outstanding skills on the baseball field.

Carlos Guillen, the 2010 Detroit Tigers nominee for the Roberto Clemente Award, has played a significant role in the community, supporting programs and charities to improve opportunities for children in Hispanic communities, youth sports organizations and children’s health organizations locally and beyond. He and his wife, Amelia, host the Detroit Tigers Foundation’s signature fundraising event, “Keeping Kids in the Game” which benefits children’s health and youth baseball. In three years, the event has raised more than $600,000 to support Fundación Chamos Venzolanos, DMC Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation, C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital and the Detroit Tigers Foundation. Fundacion Chamos Venezolanos is a foundation established by the Guillen family to aid youth and underprivileged people in his native Venezuela with the development, promotion and support of healthcare, educational and sports-related programs, services and facilities.

“I am honored to be chosen as the Detroit Tigers Roberto Clemente Award winner,” Guillen said. “The game has been good to my family and we think it’s important to do our best to help the community.”

Fans Can Vote for the National Award Recipient on
www.Chevy.com/Clemente and Register for a Chance to Win a Trip to 2010 World Series

Read In Play! Magazine Here

Denny McLains Tigers Report September 3

By Denny McLain
In Play on Facebook

Denny's weekly Tigers Report, brought to you by In Play! magazine, can be heard every Friday morning at 8:50am on 100.7 FM The Rock. http://www.inplaymagazine.com/broadcasts.php?audio_id=54

Read In Play! Magazine Here

Five bright spots on the otherwise dreary looking Tigers

By Matt HardingIn Play on Facebook

The Tigers have been playing like the Cleveland Indians in Major League as of late, minus the magical comeback, while Jose Valverde's been looking like Major League II's Rick 'Wild Thing' Vaughn, vest and new haircut not included. They've also resembled the Bad News Bears, especially with Brennan Boesch dropping a catchable ball in Wednesday's game against the Twins.

The Detroit baseball squad has been looking more like the Chicago Cubs in Rookie of the Year (pre-Henry Rowengartner). They also happen to resemble the 2010 Chicago Cubs!

While the 65-68 Tigers look grim, there are a few bright spots on the roster. So, without further ado, here are five of the Tiger's bright lights who've been shining through all of the duds.

5. Austin Jackson: Even though he's only 12 for his last 43, he's been patrolling center field like a seasoned veteran, not a rookie. Even after that .279 batting average in his last 10 games, he's still hitting .305.

4. Jhonny Peralta: He's one dinger shy of matching what he did with the Indians this season (in nearly 230 less at-bats). He's also upped his OBP and batting average. In other words, he's been a heckuva lot better with the Tigers than with the Tribe. An added bonus, he's been flashing some leather at shortstop.

3. Will Rhymes: After receiving a promotion, then a quick demotion after the return of Carlos Guillen, Rhymes has been back since August 18. Since then, Rhymes has been a tear. He's accumulated a .320 batting average, has eight RBI, but has yet to hit his first big league home run. And talk about a second baseman! His range rivals that of Placido Polanco and Michael Young.

2. Miguel Cabrera: Um, Miggy's really, really good. If it weren't for that home run machine Jose Bautista, he could win that Triple Crown. Maybe the Reds' Joey Votto can instead.
1. Max Scherzer: Our new ace has emerged. Justin Verlander just isn't cutting it. Scherzer pitched nine innings Wednesday, giving up only four hits in the Tiger's extra inning loss. He may be only 10-9 this season, but has pitched like an absolute ace since being called up after a May 15 demotion. Can you believe that 1.85 ERA in his last 10?

Read In Play! Magazine Here

Tigers to Recall Weinhardt and Purchase the Contract of Max St. Pierre from Toledo

In Play on Facebook

With rosters set to expand, the Tigers have announced that they will recall the contract of righthanded pitcher Robbie Weinhardt and purchase the contract of Max St. Pierre from Triple A Toledo prior to tomorrow night's game at Minnesota. Weinhardt will be in his second stint with the Tigers, while St. Pierre will be making his major league debut after 978 games at the minor league level over 14 seasons.

Read In Play! Magazine Here