Wow, I will have to keep that in mind in the future. As I mentioned, I have been a Tigers fan since the 50s, but have NEVER been to spring training. I heard they remodeled the entire complex. How does it look now Fish?
Charlie
[This message was edited by FISHHEAD on February 02, 2004 at 04:28 PM.]
[This message was edited by FISHHEAD on February 02, 2004 at 04:30 PM.]
Charlie
[This message was edited by FISHHEAD on February 02, 2004 at 04:28 PM.]
[This message was edited by FISHHEAD on February 02, 2004 at 04:30 PM.]
Even with the signings, we really could only win 70 games or so, tops IMO. Go up and down their squad, and the only spots where they are average or above the league average for production are C (I-Rod), 2B (Vina), SS (Guillen), and OF (Young). Higgy is weak, White only gets 100 games a year.
The staff has promise, but is still a few years away, and the bullpen is a mess. If things really go their way 75 wins is attainable, but let's not get carried away.
Side note: Damian Moss was a FA??? After 2 years??? I would have tried to gobble him up in a second. He has good stuff, is a lefty, but lacks control...sounds a bit like Randy Johnson...although the two aren't really comparable, just the above statements.
The staff has promise, but is still a few years away, and the bullpen is a mess. If things really go their way 75 wins is attainable, but let's not get carried away.
Side note: Damian Moss was a FA??? After 2 years??? I would have tried to gobble him up in a second. He has good stuff, is a lefty, but lacks control...sounds a bit like Randy Johnson...although the two aren't really comparable, just the above statements.
Apparently lost to most in this thread is the intangible improvement this experienced, veteran catcher with the ten gold gloves will bring to a pitching staff of 20 somethings. In many ways, a catcher can make or break a young pitcher in a crisis situation.
Forget the bat, big ballpark etc. This was an unbelievably wise acquisition even if Pudge hits .240.
Forget the bat, big ballpark etc. This was an unbelievably wise acquisition even if Pudge hits .240.
I think Pudge is a great player but....
As a catcher in his 30's he's on the downside of his career (just a fact for almost all catchers, it's a brutal position)
and
I don't think he'll make much more difference than Juan Gonzalez
and
it's gotta be demoralizing by July an being 20 plus games out of first. if he'
s like most humans it has to affect your performance.
That said, I think he's a class guy and wish him the best.
As a catcher in his 30's he's on the downside of his career (just a fact for almost all catchers, it's a brutal position)
and
I don't think he'll make much more difference than Juan Gonzalez
and
it's gotta be demoralizing by July an being 20 plus games out of first. if he'
s like most humans it has to affect your performance.
That said, I think he's a class guy and wish him the best.
Yes Charlie, I think that Moss would have been a great addition to most staffs. He just needs a good pitching coach, and pitching in a pitchers park like Comerica would be great for him.
I have been to 2 games at Ford Field, one last year and this year, it is an awesome stadium. I don't have a lot to compare it to as far as football, since all I know was the Silverdome, save for one game at the new Bengal stadium 2 years ago. But it is very cozy, and unreal that 65000 people are there.
I have been to 2 games at Ford Field, one last year and this year, it is an awesome stadium. I don't have a lot to compare it to as far as football, since all I know was the Silverdome, save for one game at the new Bengal stadium 2 years ago. But it is very cozy, and unreal that 65000 people are there.
