Tigers sign pitchers Lyon, Williamson

Since no one has posted this or said anything about it, let’s weigh in… Good? Bad? Who cares?

From the Detroit Free Press, Jan. 24, 2009

The Tigers have signed free agent relievers Brandon Lyon and Scott Williamson, the team announced at TigerFest today.

Lyon, 29, is the headliner, after saving 26 games for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season. He spent most of the 2008 season as Arizona’s closer and should enter spring training with a good chance to win the same job here. Fernando Rodney, who has been more effective as a setup reliever, is among the other candidates.

Lyon's one-year contract includes a $4.25 million base salary and $500,000 in performance bonuses. He turned down at least one multiyear offer in order to sign with Detroit. Right-hander Eddie Bonine was designated for assignment to clear a roster spot.

Lyon struggled in the second half last year, finishing with a 3-5 record and 4.70 ERA in 61 appearances. He ultimately lost the closer’s job to Chad Qualls.

In an interview with the Free Press last week, Diamondbacks pitching coach Bryan Price called Lyon “a quality pitcher and even better guy.”

“The unfortunate thing is he had a stretch where he struggled at home in non-save situations and jacked his ERA up, but there were some periods of time where he was dominant,” Price said. “The ERA is going to be misleading because he really did have a terrific year.”

Price said a comparison could be drawn between Lyon and Jose Valverde, the National League saves leader in each of the past two seasons. Price alluded to the fact that Valverde had a 5.84 ERA as recently as the 2006 season.

“Valverde didn’t really figure out the role the first three years he tried it,” Price said. “He had a heckuva grace period and learned to be outstanding at what he does. That could apply to Brandon Lyon, too. He could be an outstanding closer.

“The one thing people know about him in the National League is that he’s a very, very good setup guy who can face righties and lefties.”

In explaining Lyon’s performance after the All-Star break last year, Price said he “got away from being a four-pitch pitcher.” Rather than keep hitters off-balance with an array of fastballs, curveballs, changeups and cut fastballs, Lyon relied on his fastball and curve. He became more predictable, and, consequently, more hittable.

Price said Lyon shows good focus on the mound and is “extremely prepared.”

“Brandon likes a challenge,” Price said. “He has one of those underappreciated skills – accountability. He’s going to take ownership of his failures and not make a big to-do about his successes. He’s old-school baseball. Coaches and managers love that.”

Williamson last pitched in the majors with Baltimore in 2007, when he went 1-0 with a 4.40 ERA in 16 appearances. Because of his injury history, Williamson, who turns 33 next month, signed a minor league contract.

Williamson has 55 career saves – but only one since 2003.

Dear Mr. Fantasy

Here I am this morning with Detroit native, Catholic Central phenom and former Tiger Frank Tanana. The Tigers held the first of two fantasy camps this week here at Tigertown. No I didn't attend, but I stopped by Joker Marchant Stadium for the end-of-camp game between campers and former Tigers.

Along with Tanana I saw Mickey Lolich, Jon Warden, Jim Price, Dave Rozema, Steve Kemp, Guillermo Hernandez, Matt Nokes, Mike Heath, Ike Blessit, Darrell Evans, Milt Wilcox and Dave Bergman. I complimented Bergman on his great at bat in that nationally televised Monday night game in 1984, and he modestly claimed he got lucky. It was great to see the former Tigers having fun in the sun.

To see more photos visit http://picasaweb.google.com/Thomas.hagerty/DetroitTigersFantasyCamp#

Rick Knapp, Tiger Pitching Coach, talks about, well, pitchers

Contrary to our plagiarizing ways of the past, I'll just point you to this interesting article in the Detroit News by Lynn Henning.
http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090121/SPORTS0104/901210355/1129/rss15

(Hurts to see the Tiger's pitching coach is 11 years younger than me.)

Is Leyland a lame duck?

One of the Free Press sports writers had a column today, calling Leyland a lame duck. He is only signed through this season. He wanted an extension, but it was not granted after last year. Basically, last year we hired a bunch of ball players, but they wre never formed in to a team - last time I checked that is what Jim is paid for. He worked wonders in 2006, but some of it was started by Trammell. What is Leyland's future? Is he better suited to be a National League maanger? Whay say ye?

Tigers agree to terms with RHP Juan Rincon on minor league deal

This just in from the Tigers Media Relations Department:

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has agreed to terms on a minor league contract with righthanded pitcher Juan Rincon. Rincon will be in major league camp with the Tigers this spring as a non-roster invitee.

Rincon saw action with both the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians during the 2008 season, compiling a 3-3 record and 5.86 ERA (55.1IP/36ER) in 47 appearances between the two clubs.

In eight seasons at the major league level with the Twins (2001-08) and Indians (2008), Rincon has posted a 31-27 record, 3.80 ERA (468.1IP/198ER) and 431 strikeouts in 409 outings (three starts). He is fourth among all American League pitchers with 395 appearances since the start of the 2003 season, while he is second among all league relievers with 31 wins and fourth with 434.0 innings pitched during the stretch.

Rincon was among the players selected to the Venezuelan provisional roster for the 2009 World Baseball Classic announced Monday.

Now that's an apetite

Today I was manning the drivethru window during lunch. A customer came through and ordered two Whoppers, twl large frioes and two large onion rings. I asked him if he wanted anything to eat. He declined. When he pulled up to the window, I smiled when I realized the customer was none other than the last 30 game winner in MLB, Dennis Dale McLain - kind of thrilling

Who is the Manager's manager?

There have been 45 managers in the history of the Detroit Tigers. I will highlight some of them, with some stories interspersed.

Hughie Jennings (.538 - his winning record while a Tiger manager) was the manager from 1907-1920, winning three American League pennants in 1907,1908,1909.

Ty Cobb (.519) was the Tiger manager from 1921-1926, not as successful as a manager as a player.

Mickey Cochrane (.582) was the manager from 1934-1938,winning the World Series in 1935.

Steve O'Neill (.551) was the manager from 1943-1948, winning the World Series in 1945, Steve was one of four brothers who all played professional ball.

Jimmy Dykes (.506) managed the Tigers in 59 and 60. He was involved in the only deal in which two managers were traded for each other. Jimmy ended up in Cleveland and Joe Gordon (.456) came here - the trade didn't work out for either team.

Charlie Dressen (.539) was the skipper from 1963-66. Charlie was given credit for beginning the assemble of the 68 Tigers. He was famoulsy quoted for saying, "Just hold them, boys, until I think of soemthing!" Charlie had 2 heart attacks while managing and actually died of kidney failure on 8-10-66.

Charlie was suceeded by Bob Swift (.566). Bob only finished out 1966 as he died of cancer on 10-17-66, a little over 2 months after Charlie.

Mayo Smith (.560) took over from 1967-1970. Teh Tigers lost the pennant in 1967 to the Red Sox on the very last day of the season, but came back to be the '68 World Champs. I can remeber that like it was yesterday, including celebrating in Kennedy Square and throwing our classmate, Jim Stokes, in the water there. Mayo made on of the boldest managerial decisions of al time. He had four good outfielders (Horton, Northrup, Kaline, and Stanley) and wanted to play them all in the Series, especially the veteran Kaline. He also had the weak hitting shortstop, Ray Oyler who went 0 for August - so Stanley was installed at short and the rest in History.

Next up was the venerable Billy Martin (.549) from 71-73. Billy had a reputation for not getting along with veterans and for burning out young pitchers. He managed many times, but always seemed to wear out his welcome, especially with George Steinbrenner. While with the Yanks, it was Martin who brought the amount of pine tar on George Brett's bat to the attention of the umps. On 8-13-72 he drew the tiger line up out of a hat - what a maverick. The phrase "Billy Ball" was coined because of how Billy liked to use the hit and run, steal bases, and use the suqeeze play (7 of Rod Carew's 19 steals in 1969 were of home plate). Billy was killed on Christmas Day in 1989 in a car accident -alcohol rules again.

Sparky Anderson (.576) from 1979-95 , managed the '84 champs, when the TIgs jumped out to a 35-5 start. I was lucky enough to be in attendance when the Tigs won the last game against Oakland, right before all hell broke loose in Detroit.. Sparky was known as "Captain Hook". in 1989 Sparky took a month off becuase the stress got to him - Dick Tracewski was in charge. Sparky finally retired following the '95 season, although management was frustrated by Sparky when he refused to play the replacement players during spring training in "95. The term "Bless You Boys" was coined in Sparky's tenuire and he even got to meet the pope. When Sparky entered the Hall of Fame he chose to do it as a Cincinatti Red, he had managed the Big Red Machine from '70-'78, winning two World Series in 75 and 76. Personally, I have not forgiven Sparky for choosing to be remebered as a Red and not a Tiger.

Alan Trammell (.383) 2003-2005, lost 119 games in 2003. Although his record was poor, Alan is credited with re-instilling professionalism and pride in Detroit and with strating the ball rolling for the AL Champs of 2006.

Jim Leyland (.586) 2006- . Began his career as a minor league catcher for the Tigers. Managed the Pirates, Marlins, and Rockies before coming to Detroit and being named manager of the year with the exciting team in 2006. I witnessed the clincher against the Yankees and the A's and actually had seats to the only game the Tigers won in the World Series, when Kenny Rodgers put something extra on the ball. Did leyland have the team ready in 2008 with that expensive payroll? Will he have them ready in 2009?

Time will tell ---