Grand Rapids Loves Brandon Inge

by Ian Casselberry on Jan 19, 2008 10:13 AM EST in Detroit Tigers News

If you haven't done so, check out Tom Gage's piece in today's Detroit News about Brandon Inge's promotional appearance at last night's Grand Rapids Griffins hockey game.

More than 1,000 people waited in line - some more than two hours - to get a chance to meet Inge. Maybe some of them were saying goodbye, while others were just expressing their enjoyment of Inge's career with the Tigers. Whatever the reason, it's pretty clear what Inge means to most of the Detroit Tigers' fanbase.

If there was a bitter note to last night's appearance, it's that Inge didn't speak with the media last night. David Mayo criticizes him for that in today's Grand Rapids Press, and was far too harsh about it, if you ask me. I'm not really sure what he was expecting.

What could Inge really have said? We already know what his preferences are. He wants to be a starting third baseman in the major leagues. Would it have been nice if he talked about possibly playing a super-sub role or maybe even moving back to catcher? Sure. But what if he hasn't even worked that out in his own mind yet?

Last night's appearance wasn't a press conference. It was a meet-and-greet with fans for autographs and photos. And from all accounts, Inge made time for everyone who wanted to meet him.

There will be a time for Inge to face the media, likely down in Lakeland when Spring Training begins. Perhaps Mayo should ask his editor to spring for a plane ticket, so he can get the answers that he supposedly wants so badly that he drove all the way over to Van Andel Arena last night in hopes of getting some face time with Inge.

One more Inge note: Jason Beck compares his situation to that of Joe Crede's with the White Sox. Have these two third basemen seen their careers move to a parallel path?

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Not sure what Inge could have said

He's certainly not about to come out and say he wants out of Detroit when there's a two hour line of people there to see him. Its been made clear since the trade that Inge wants out. And besides, it was a meet and greet with the fans, not a press conference. I haven't read Mayo's column before, but after reading this one, I'm not inclined to start.

by JeffK on Jan 19, 2008 12:00 PM EST reply actions

Inge

Well, I am in the "GR" this weekend and me and the special lady went to Centepointe mall today for a little shopping. The special lady is from GR. I had went into the sports shop there around Christmas when we were in town and was contemplating buying a discounted (yah) Maybin jersey. So, went back in there today and they had a trading card thing going on outside the store. On the discounted rack I found an Inge jersey, but it was a kids. Me thought I would definetly get me an Inge jersey, but all of the rest of them were still full price. So....we step out of the store and the special lady sees the sign the Big Boi! Inge was signing autographs TODAY! Well, this wasn't a team promotion as an autograph was 25 and a photo with him was 75. We started walking to another store and there he was eating some food with a few people in an empty space in the mall, but it was seperated from the "common folk". I thought of saying something to him, but really...does he want to deal with some asshole asking him questions when he is going to be getting paid to sign some swag? I didn't have my camera on me either (kicking myself). For what it is worth, I am glad I didn't say anything, but you never know, he may have laid it out there....oh the decisions we make!

by Zappatista on Jan 19, 2008 2:29 PM EST reply actions