Galarraga robbed of perfect game

OK, gents. Can't believe someone hasn't already started the discussion, but let's get to it. Time to decide how much you believe in tradition and how much you believe in getting it right. Replay or no replay? And for the first time in history, should MLB step in, overrule an umpire (Jim Joyce) and award Armando Galarraga a perfect game? If so, does that open a huge can of worms? Does it matter that Joyce admitted he blew it? How do you justify overruling the call -- does it have to be the last out of a perfect game? Last out of a no-hitter? Or do you just hang your hat on the fact that Galarraga tossed the first 28-out perfect game in MLB history? No matter your opinion, Galarraga showed a lot of class last night. Kudos to him -- the Tigers should be proud of both his performance and his reaction to the controversy.

Oswalt Looking for a New Team, Tigers Need Starting Pitchers...What's the problem here?

None that I can see. Just stuff Astros owner Drayton McLain's pockets full of money and a few minor league prospects, and everybody's happy. (Yeah, yeah, more MLB teams want him than NBA teams want LeBron, small point that cash will solve.)



Tigers need Major League pitching help NOW.

Oswalt has a proven track record in the bigs. At the end of last season, he had a 3.23 ERA, with 1370-70 record for the mediocre Astros.

But wait...I see Drew Sharp said the same thing in the Free Press this morning. All of a sudden, I have new-found respect for Drew.

Win or lose, Jose Lima was a hero to my daughter

Since no one mentioned Jose Lima's death, and he was a real fan favorite in Detroit (and everywhere else he played), I thought I'd write a bit about him...

I knew Jose Lima about as well as a reporter can know a player because he was so unbelieveably sweet to my daughter, Taylor, when she was young. Actually, she met him before I did. I played in the Tigers Fantasy Camp in January of 1996 when Taylor was 3. While I was in Lakeland hanging out with the alumni players, some of the current Tigers were making their annual media tour throughout Michigan, and one of the stops was in my hometown of Traverse City. So Taylor's mom took her to meet the guys, and she immediately hit it off with Lima (she reminded him, "My name is Taylor. Don't forget me!"). She told him that her dad played for the Tigers too (I wish). After Taylor's mom explained I was at the Fantasy Camp, Lima said he was heading to Lakeland the next day to get a jump on spring training, and he would tell me hello. Long story short: He didn't make it over to Marchant Stadium before I flew home, so I searched him out on Opening Day and told him he was in big trouble with my daughter. He laughed, and we ended up talking for quite a bit. We became friends after that, and he was always extrememly gracious to my daughter -- he called her "baby," spoke to her on the phone, sent her notes and little gifts and treated her like a queen on those days when I wasn't working and we were just fans. Taylor, in turn, made him all sorts of stuff -- cards, drawings, pot holders, etc. I remember, too, that she liked the smell of his cologne.

Lima and I fell out of touch after his last go-around in the majors in 2006. My cell phone freaked out one day, wiping out all of my contacts (including his phone number), and I never connected with him after that. Sadly, just last week I looked through some old files, trying to find something with his number written on it, but I didn't have any luck. A few days later, we heard the horrible news.

Needless to say, we were stunned his death. The news was delivered via radio on our way home from church on Sunday, and it was so surreal -- sitting on the side of the road, crying and hugging my 17-year-old daughter, grieving for a man we hadn't spoken to in years but who had touched our hearts forever. Taylor asked, "Dad, do you think he forgot me?" I said, "No way. I don't know how he could."

For me and my daughter, it will always be Lima Time. Rest in peace, my friend. We miss you.

Rangers in Bankruptcy: Tettleton One of the Largest Creditors

Interesting to note that in the bankruptcy filing of the Texas Rangers, one of the largest unsecured creditors is ex-Detroit Tiger Mickey Tettleton, at $1.4 million. Of course, that's chump change to the $24 mill they owe A-Rod.

Do you think the bankruptcy judge would let them stiff A-Rod and pay off Mickey?

Damn Verlander

Dear Gregg,
It was a late night game last night, but the Tigers won 5-1 and thier starter that you were worrying about pitcxhed a complete game; so sorry to disappont you. I know that deep down you are a true Tiger fan, but you are very skeptical with their roster. I do believe Leyland and Domborwski will keep adjusting it until they get it right. It is 162 games and I will see you in October.
Go Tigers -
chuck

12 inning masterpiece - Saturday

Saturday's game against Boston was another come from behind victory. Willis did not have it. Walked 7 and before you know it we were down 6 - 1 . Then we got on our horses everyone participated. Boesch seems to be the real deal. Four hits. And to win the game on Santiago's walk off walk was fun. It is the longest game that I personally witnessed - almost 5 1/2 hours, but well worth it. They never gave/give up. And maangement is gonna find a way to win this thing (Gregg). After the game they demoted Sizemore and Scherzer - moves that are aggressive, but necessary - sends a message to everyone. See you in Ocotober!!

Billy Ray "Rojo" Johnson: Head hunter?

If you need a good laugh this morning, check out Will Ferrell's surprising debut with the Astros' Triple-A affiliate, the Round Rock Express:

http://www.cinematical.com/2010/05/10/will-ferrell-baseball-player/