Morning Prowl: Sunday Bloody Sunday, Competing Closers, and All-Time Teams

  According to Peter Abraham, one scout had A.J. Burnett hitting 98 m.p.h. on the radar gun.  No wonder the Tigers only managed one hit against him in two innings yesterday.

  On the Tigers' side, Nate Robertson was awful against the Yankees, giving up four walks, three hits, and three runs in just two innings.  DesigNate Robertson is ready to make a pronouncement on this patient.

  But perhaps the worst pitching line yesterday belonged to Scott Williamson: six runs and four walks in 0.2 innings.  That led to Blake giving him a nickname that just might stick through the rest of the spring.

  Meanwhile, while the presumed fifth starter candidates struggle, Mack Avenue Tigers casts light on a pleasant surprise of Spring Training: Several pitchers are throwing well, so well that perhaps there's a competition for the closer's job after all.

  Baseball Digest Daily has posted their Tigers season preview.  Jeff Lubbers thinks the 2009 Tigers are too similar to the 2008 Tigers to be a true contender.

  Sully Baseball put a lot of work into his Detroit Tigers' All-Time Home-Grown Team and All-Time Acquired Team.  It must be seen to be believed, and provides plenty of food for thought.

  Beyond the Box Score has a graph comparing unnamed shortstops (one a Yankee, one a Tiger) that might just make you grind your teeth.

(via Detroit Tigers Weblog)

  Take 75 North wants to know if you'd be interested in a newsletter devoted to the Tigers' minor leagues (and prospects within the AL Central).  Please check out his proposal.