It Was An Honor Just to Be Invited, Brandon Inge

by Ian Casselberry on Jul 13, 2009 11:45 PM EDT in Detroit Tigers News

So... that happened for Brandon Inge.

The Detroit Tigers' representative in tonight's Home Run Derby suffered the indignity of being the one guy who didn't hit any home runs in the competition. He didn't really come close until his final pitch, a long drive to left field that landed just foul. But the game is called Home Run Derby, so you are expected to hit one.

Inge isn't the only player to go oh-fer in the event, if you were worried about that. As Detroit fans know, Jason Bay went homer-less in the 2005 Derby at Comerica Park. (Troy Glaus and Bret Boone are also mentioned in this post by Larry Stone that wins the evening's award for snarkiest headline.)

But Inge seemed to take it all in good fun. Surely, it was a bit embarrassing, but in the big picture, what does it really matter? The man still had a look of someone who was genuinely happy to be among baseball's elite on the Busch Stadium field.

Zero in the home run column, #1 in our hearts, buddy. (After all, your early exit meant we could turn off the Derby relatively early.) Stand tall. Like an All-Star. Always a Tiger.

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Hooray for Inge!

I was elated to see him participate.

by 13194013 on Jul 14, 2009 12:59 AM EDT reply actions

At least we know who's NOT taking steroids.

Brandon was happy to be there and we were all happy to see him. That’s all that matters.

Unless I would have won the HR Derby Challenge.

by NCDee on Jul 14, 2009 9:01 AM EDT reply actions

he'll always have a job with the tigs

if not that, as Ceiling Inge.

by allikazoo on Jul 14, 2009 9:14 AM EDT reply actions

Disappointed?

Nah. I really didn’t expect too much from Inge in that venue. He got to live a childhood dream and that’s what made it special. On the other hand, Prince Fielder’s power was….well, there is no word for it. Awsome? Lordy, lordy, can he hit!

"It's designed to break your heart. The game begins in the spring, when everything is new again, and it blossoms in the summer, filling the afternoons and evenings, and then as soon as the chill rains come, it stops, and leaves you to face the fall alone". A. Bartlett Giamatti

by densogirl on Jul 14, 2009 9:50 AM EDT reply actions

I am happy for Brandon

It really doesn’t matter to me how he did in the HR Derby. He plays excellent baseball where it counts, right here, in Detroit.

Welcome to Detroit>>Where the weak are killed and eaten.

by Detroitchik on Jul 14, 2009 10:16 AM EDT reply actions

Did anyone else catch Inge walking back to his teammates and assorted kids (one of whom was sitting on Edwin Jackson’s lap)? Justin Verlander pretty clearly informed him that he needed to pump some iron for next time after the 0-fer. Seeing that team camaraderie was awesome.

by freetz on Jul 14, 2009 10:22 AM EDT reply actions