WDFN: D-Train to the bullpen!

by BigAl on May 21, 2008 5:00 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

I'm listening to the Stoney and Wojo show on WDFN, and sports director Matt Dery interrupted the broadcast at 4:50 EDT with some breaking Tigers news.

Dontrele Willis will be recalled from Toledo, the Tigers have deemed him ready. When he's activated today or tomorrow, it won't be as part of the rotation. Armando Galarraga will not be moved from his starting spot, and Willis will go to the bullpen.

I'm stunned, to say the very least. I honestly thought in no way Willis would accept coming out of the pen, or the Tigers would even consider it.

I'll update this post with linkage as I find out more.

Update 5:05 PM: From Jason Beck's blog at MLB.com

The main reason, Leyland suggested, was to try to get Willis right. He'll pick his spots on using Willis to get him some innings. "We just want to keep him working and get some fine-tuning in," Leyland said.

There you have it. The Tigers obviously believe Willis has yet to fully re-discover his control. The D-Train will continue to work out his issues from the bullpen, $9 million a year contract or not.

I still have to say I'm surprised. This makes Willis the highest paid mop-up man in baseball.

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Wow..

Ballsy move to say the least…personally, I like it

by spartyboy40 on May 21, 2008 5:12 PM EDT reply actions

totally random question...

i was at the toledo mudhens game the other day and saw this phrase “bless you boys” on a t-shirt and obviously it’s also the name of this site. what does it exactly mean?

by columbusOHcubsfan on May 21, 2008 5:23 PM EDT reply actions

A short course in "Bless you boys"

There was a very popular Detroit TV sports anchor, Al Ackerman, who was a fixture in this town from the 60’s into the late 80’s.

In the early 80’s, Ackerman would use the term “Bless You Boys” on his broadcasts whenever the Tigers won. It began as a derogatory comment, a sarcastic shot at the Tigers, who had been awful all through the 70’s. As the Tigers started to win as the 80’s went on, “Bless you Boys” morphed into a rallying cry, coming to a head in the 1984 World Series season.

It’s been used as a term of endearment for the Tigers ever since.

waynefontes.com sidelionreport.com

by BigAl on May 21, 2008 5:33 PM EDT up reply actions

that's cool

thanks

by columbusOHcubsfan on May 24, 2008 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions

But

Sheff still DHing at #3 tonight.

by pfuhrmeister on May 21, 2008 5:44 PM EDT reply actions

So that's settled, for now

But I think Rogers, Robertson, and Galarraga need to look over their shoulder. Obviously, Willis had a rough spring and a wild first start, but he’s young and has been a better pitcher in his past than Galarraga or Robertson has ever been. Rogers is on a 1 year deal. If one of those 3 guys falters, Willis will be in like Flynn. My money is actually on Kenny Rogers getting bumped or coming up lame at some point this season.

by ThaWalrus9 on May 21, 2008 6:48 PM EDT reply actions

why is this surprising?

the idea that players like Dontrelle (or Robertson) would have a veto over where they are going to be playing is ridiculous. and wasn’t it in the freep or news the other day that Dontrell is having a very difficult time hitting his spots.

like I said the other day, these guys can and should be put in the bullpen AS NEEDED. if the tigers have any chance of making the playoffs it will be with the best possible starting staff- not the one that soothes these overpaid pitchers. if pudge can bat 9th then any tiger starter can accept the bullpen if he is not pitching well. I would be shocked if any of the tigers starters had contact language that prevented them from being in the bullpen. why would the tigers allow that?

by cbm1723 on May 22, 2008 12:56 PM EDT reply actions