2011 MLB Manager of the Year Award candidates

Posted on November 16, 2011 by

Now that the Cy Young award has been claimed by Justin Verlander, it is time to turn our attention to the next award on the horizon.

On Wednesday, November 16, 2011 the American League and the National League manager of the year will be chosen.

Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland is a candidate for the honor. He won the award in 2006 in his first season as the Tiger’s skipper and in 1990 when he led the Pittsburgh Pirates to a first-place finish in the NL East.

The other top AL candidates include; Joe Maddon (Rays), Joe Girardi (Yankees), Mike Scioscia (Angels), and Ron Washington (Rangers).

The top NL candidates are; Tony LaRussa (Cardinals), Charlie Manuel (Phillies), Ron Roenicke (Brewers), Kirk Gibson (Diamondbacks).

In the AL awards race, as much as I would like to see Jim Leyland win (and, he would deserve to win!), I think the award will probably go to Ron Washington. You will recall that it was his Rangers that beat the Tigers in the ALCS to advance to the World Series.

In the National League I think that Tony LaRussa will be selected. His Cardinals won the World Series, and immediately afterward LaRussa announced his retirement. The writers will undoubtedly take that into consideration when casting their ballots.

Former Tiger Kirk Gibson should get some serious consideration for the award. He took an Arizona team with a dismal record (65-97) and led them to first place (94-68) and into the playoffs in his first full season as their skipper. The dramatic turnaround was due to his tough (Sparky-like) managerial style.

Who do you think should win in each league?

~Skip

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BREAKING!!! The 2011 Cy Young Award Winner

Posted on November 15, 2011 by

Photo Credit: JULIAN H. GONZALEZ/Detroit Free Press

Congratulations to Justin Verlander! He has become the third Detroit Tigers pitcher to win the Cy Young Award. He was a unanimous choice. Denny McLain and Willie Hernandez are the previous recipients of the award.

Closer Jose Valverde came in fifth place overall behind Jered Weaver, James Shields, and CC Sabathia.

~Skip

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AL Cy Young winner will be announced Tuesday

Posted on November 15, 2011 by

Today is the day.

For the majority of the 2011 baseball season, any fan chatter or writer’s talk that has included Justin Verlander has gone hand-in-hand with the name Cy Young.

Now comes the moment of truth, and what many baseball fans believe is a Cy Young Award certainty for the pitcher who wears Detroit’s number 35.

Clearly, Justin Verlander has been baseball’s most dominating pitcher this season – a fact not missed by even the most casual of baseball fans. He threw a no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays in May (his second in his career) en route to clinching pitching’s Triple Crown in the American League with 24 wins, 250 strikeouts, and 2.40 ERA.

Detroit’s ace on the mound has already won several awards this off-season. Recently, he was voted player of year by the MLB Players Association.

Additionally, he picked up the respected Sporting News Pitcher of the Year Award, and Sporting News Player of the Year Award.

A Cy Young Award would be the pitcher’s crowning achievement in his career.

Other 2011 Cy Young candidates include Jered Weaver (Angels), CC Sabathia (Yankees), James Shields (Rays), Josh Beckett (Red Sox) and Jose Valverde (Tigers).

Understandably, Valverde’s name has been lost in Verlander’s large shadow, however, he has a strong case for the award, too. He was perfect, saving 49 games in 49 save opportunities this season. He has a 2-4 record with a 2.24 ERA, and a 1.18 WHIP.

Valverde landed in a sixth place tie in the NL voting for the award in 2007 while he was with the Arizona Diamondbacks. He was an MVP candidate in 2007 and 2008.

Plus, the off-season awards have not left his arms empty either. The All-Star was honored with the 2011 MLB Delivery Man of the Game.

But I believe that this is Verlander’s award in 2011.

Only two Tiger’s pitchers have won a Cy Young Award; Denny McLain in 1968/1969 and Willie Hernandez in 1984.

The winner is chosen by the Baseball Writers Association of America.

The announcement will be made at 2 p.m. EST.

~Skip

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Dombrowski sheds light on the 2012 Tigers season

Posted on November 1, 2011 by

It was a conclusion made by most Detroit Tigers fans before the season ended, but it was never really made official until today. Magglio Ordonez and Carlos Guillen will not wear a Tigers uniform when the 2012 season begins.

Both contributed to the Tigers resurgence in the mid-2000′s, unfortunately both spent a considerable amount of time on the disabled list and didn’t see much playing time this past season. Magglio played in 92 games in 2011 while Guillen saw playing time in only 28.

In an interview with the media earlier today, Tigers president and general manager Dave Dombrowski said it was “very unlikely” that either player would be back.

Dombrowski also stated that the Tigers would be looking for a back-up catcher, that they have an eye on getting a second baseman, and third base will also get their attention. Brandon Inge would be back in the final year of his contract. How extensive his role will be remains to be seen. Likely, he will share duties at the hot corner with Don Kelly. As for Wilson Betemit, the Tigers aren’t rushing to nail down a deal with him, but they aren’t opposed to one.

Although Ramon Santiago was the regular second baseman in the last weeks of the season, he will not be considered for the everyday spot. (My thought is he should be given the opportunity. Let the position be his to lose. What could it hurt?) However, the Tigers would like to have him back in a utility role. He is a free agent.

The Tigers would also like to have Delmon Young back in 2012. He would be a part of an outfield that would also consist of Austin Jackson and Brennan Boesch.

Joel Zumaya might figure into the Tiger’s plans for next season. They are cautious, and he would probably be invited to spring training. Where things go for there would be anyone’s guess.

Brad Penny was mostly a disappointment and he isn’t expected to be back. So the Tigers will be looking to fill the fifth starter’s position. Jacob Turner is the obvious choice of many, although Dombrowski noted that Duane Below, Adam Wilk, and Drew Smyly would also get a look from the organization.

For more from the press conference here is a link to the Detroit Free Press online article. CLICK HERE

~Skip

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Several Tigers are nomimated for the 2011 GIBBY award

Posted on October 30, 2011 by

Baseball’s fourth season of the year begins this weekend, and it is always every bit as exciting as the season that it follows.

Photo Credit: JULIAN H. GONZALEZ/Detroit Free Press

For those readers who are saying, “Huh? What’s he talking about?” I will tell you.

There is the pre-season, the regular season, the post season, and this one. Of course, I am speaking of the Hot Stove season in baseball.

Here we not only will we get to dabble in the free-agent market and shore up a position or two, but we will have the chance to cheer on several players who will be nominated, and/or receive prestigious awards during this time.

The Detroit Tigers will have to make a few changes before opening day next year as some players will not be back in a Detroit uniform. They will also have to make some decisions about other players, too.

In the meantime, there are the rewards that come along with the stellar performances from the past year.

Justin Verlander, who walked away with pitching’s Triple Crown (24 wins, 250 strikeouts, and a 2.40 ERA), was recently awarded the Sporting News Player of the Year award. The last time a pitcher won the award was in 1988 when Orel Hershiser took the honor. (STORY)

And, Verlander is a shoe-in for this year’s Cy Young Award.

Now, Justin Verlander, along with Tiger’s teammates Miguel Cabrera, Jose Valverde, and Joaquin Benoit, are among several Detroit players nominated for the 2011 GIBBY (Greatness in Baseball Yearly) Award.

Here are the categories in which the Detroit Tigers are represented:

PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Miguel Cabrera
STARTING PITCHER: Justin Verlander
CLOSER: Jose Valverde
SETUP MAN: Joaquin Benoit
BREAKOUT PLAYER: Alex Avila
MANAGER: Jim Leyland
EXECUTIVE: Dave Dombrowski

In the Must C Category:

MOMENT: Jim Thome’s 600th HR on August 15, 2011 in Detroit
PERFORMANCE: Justin Verlander’s no-hitter on May 7, 2011 in Toronto
ODDITY: Raburn’s Ricochet on April 26 in Detroit; Alex Avila’s mask creating sparks on September 13, 2011 in Chicago; Justin Verlander giving Don Kelly the hot-foot on July 24, 2011 at Minnesota.

Fans have until December 4 to vote. The winners will be announced on December 16 at 8 p.m. on the MLB Network. You are allowed to vote up to 25 times per category. Get your vote in for our Detroit Tigers!

Here is a link to the GIBBY’s official form. You can also see the other deserving nominees, and see details about each player, or moment. (GIBBY)

~Skip

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Thanks for an outstanding season

Posted on October 16, 2011 by

The Tigers gave us a good summer, they were in first place for a long time and won many exciting games. They had strong pitching and Valverde set the record for most saves in a Tiger season. Verlander is a contender for the Cy Young Award and Cabrera is a contender for the batting crown. They gave us exciting baseball and spoiled us.

In the Division Championship Series they struggled and beat the Yankees. When they faced the Rangers for the American League Pennant they struggled even more and fell behind by losing the first two games. They faced a tough team that out pitched and out hit them. The Tigers are a good team and gave the Rangers a run for their money before falling to them four games to two. The Tigers couldn’t get the big hit and their pitching faltered. We have to give credit to Texas, they have an outstanding team and that is why they are heading to the World Series for the second year in a row.

The Tigers went far and hopefully we can get back there again next year and make it to the World Series. There is no doubt Tiger President, CEO and General manager Dave Dombrowski will make some moves to improve the team and make them stronger next year. There is every reason to believe that the Tigers will continue to be contenders in 2012. Thanks for the memories. -Harry Katopodis

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One series away from the World Series

Posted on October 8, 2011 by

Some baseball analysts give a slight edge to the Tigers and others give the edge to Texas but pundits have been wrong all year.  There is one thing the pundits can’t measure and that is heart, the Tigers have won so many games with heart. They do what it takes to win and their pitching staff is second to none in baseball. The Tigers have a good team and they know it. They pitched their way past the Yankees and are ready to do it again. The Tiger bats are due to come alive and contribute more and I think they will do so this series.

The Tigers have the edge in pitching and with a little more help from their hitters we should beat Texas. This series won’t be a cakewalk, however the Tigers can beat them. Verlander as a rookie helped the Tigers get to the World Series for the first time in 22 years in 2006. Now he has a chance to do it again and to win the World Series this time. The Tiger bullpen is the best in baseball. Jim Leyland is also often an overlooked factor, he is the best manager in baseball. This should be an exciting series and the Tigers should advance to the World Series. I would love to see Valverde’s victory dance after they win the American League Pennant. -Harry Katopodis

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