Morning Prowl: Sheff, the WBC, The Gambler, and Social Media

by Ian Casselberry on Feb 18, 2009 8:00 AM EST in News Comment 5 comments

Let's see if he feels this way in June, but for now, Gary Sheffield says "I'm a DH" and won't ask to play in the outfield this season.

Placido Polanco told Jon Paul Morosi that he'll be skipping the World Baseball Classic. Does anyone else wish Justin Verlander was opting out, as well?

Jeremy Bonderman still keeps in touch with Kenny Rogers, and is trying to coax him into coming back. However, Rogers is apparently comfortable with retirement.

If you're into power rankings, the Tigers rank 25th on FOX Sports' preseason list. (Lynn Henning has a response.)

DesigNate Robertson is not happy about Adam Everett's choice of number.

You can now keep up on your Toledo Mud Hens via Twitter, with @MudHens.

In case you didn't know, we are also on Twitter at @blessyouboys. (I'd like to do much more with Twitter this year, and plan to install a sidebar widget this week.) If you want to feed my narcissism, my personal account is @iancass.

Other Tigers-related Twitter accounts worth following are @TweetingTigers (which aggregates all Tigers news and blog feeds), @detroit_tigers (MLive.com), @MikeMcClary (or @DailyFungo), @joedexter, and @billfer. If I missed any, please let me know.

While we're on a social media kick, you can become a fan of the Detroit Tigers on Facebook. (However, as Matt Wallace and I discussed last night, there are several ways to declare your Tigers fanhood on Facebook.)

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Comments

On Rogers and Higgy...

I agree with DesigNate….Higgy is my #4, granted I will give the Phillips call.

NOW, if Mr. Rogers is working out (you know, in the hood) and the rotation has some injuries or further decline, can a return in the second half be in the cards? It is the chic thing to do these days……

by Zappatista on Feb 18, 2009 8:57 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Verlander

At first I didn’t want JV to pitch in the WBC, but the American pitchers really don’t put in all that much work. Even if they get to the finals it’s at most what, 5 games and a pitching staff that currently has 21 guys on it?

The most IP by a pitcher on team USA in 2006 was 8.2 by Roger Clemens. The most IP by a MLB player on any team was 14 by Bartolo Colon.

If you’re saying JV shouldn’t go because he should be getting more work done in Lakeland, you might have a point. But if the worry is about his arm health, I don’t think 8 IP is going to affect him that much. Plus he might benefit for a little work in a competitive arena to get any kinks out before the season starts.

by MacRae on Feb 18, 2009 10:19 AM EST reply actions 0 recs

Lynn Henning nailed it

Power rankings are so stupid in the first place. In the second place, the rotation might see three new pitchers compared to last year. Two guys were injured for large portions of the season and a third had a pretty successful year in Tampa that all the media seem to have forgotten about. But whatever. They’re just something to start conversation and it worked.

Other topics: I’m sure if Verlander felt like he was going to hinder his season by participating in the WBC, he’d not do it. I dont’ think it will make a big impact.

And at least Rogers is handling this “Should I retire?” issue a lot more privately than Brett Favre, eh!

Mack Avenue Tigers

by Kurt Mensching on Feb 18, 2009 11:27 AM EST reply actions 0 recs