Joe Posnanski: Not a Believer in Fernando Rodney

by Ian Casselberry on Aug 24, 2009 6:00 PM EDT in News Comment 51 comments

If you watch Tigers game broadcasts on FOX Sports Detroit, you're probably familiar with those polls that run during the game. (You know, the one Brandon Inge always wins, if he's one of the choices.)

Joe Posnanski (a new senior writer at Sports Illustrated, if you didn't know) was recently watching a Kansas City Royals telecast with a poll asking "Who is the best closer in the AL Central?" and couldn't believe the results.

Now, you knew that the viewers — the overwhelming majority of them being Royals fans — would probably pick Joakim Soria, and he’s certainly a defensible choice. I don’t think he’s the RIGHT choice, and I say that as a huge Soria fan. I mean, Joe Nathan — since he became closer of the Twins — is 22-11, 1.81 ERA, a .923 WHIP, 491 Ks in 398 innings, I mean, this is a pretty serious body of work. But Soria has been mostly sensational in his two years as the Royals closer and he gets the hometown discount. Fine.

And Soria did get the most votes. But here’s the thing: Detroit’s Fernando Rodney finished second. Fernando Freaking Rodney. I mean no offense — Rodney can look dazzling at times, and he has great stuff, and he’s had a pretty nice year — but honestly, best closer? Would you trust him to close your car windows in case of a surprise rainstorm? The Tigers have been trying for YEARS to keep him away the closer’s role — they just kept bringing in pitchers like Ugueth Urbina and Troy Percival and Kyle Farnsworth and that guy who is just about MY AGE and throws only slightly harder than me, Todd Jones. Anyone. If Joel Zumaya could stay healthy for more than four innings at a time, he would be the closer.

"Would you trust him to close your car windows in case of a surprise rainstorm?" Hilarious.

The answer for me, by the way, would be no. Not necessarily because I don't think Rodney can close games well for the Tigers. I think he's probably the best they have right now.

No, it's because I always think people don't close my car windows tightly enough. I often hear the air hiss through when I'm driving on the highway and it drives me crazy. Almost makes me want to call the person I know is responsible, because he or she was the last person in my car with me. Close it tight!

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Fernando is probably the fourth best ahead of wood.

JoePos is wrong about zumaya though. way wrong.

Mack Avenue Tigers

by MackAveKurt on Aug 24, 2009 6:17 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I would trust Fernando to close my windows in case of a surprise rainstorm

But I would not even let a healthy Zumaya come near my car.

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

by Detroitchik on Aug 24, 2009 6:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Does such a thing even exist?

Seriously, every time Zumaya has struggled, we find out later on down the road that he was hiding an injury. I would love to see what he can do if/when he can stay healthy and has grown up and learned how to pitch instead of just throw.

http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com

by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 24, 2009 6:32 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

amen, sister

nail on the head action

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

by Detroitchik on Aug 24, 2009 6:44 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

good point

I saw an interview, I’m not sure where, with ryan perry about pitching vs. throwing. it always has seemed like that’s what zoom does.

by allikazoo on Aug 24, 2009 6:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

enjoy the game tonight. Angels stadium is nice

Tammy

by VegasTigers on Aug 24, 2009 6:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks! leaving in a little while

I’ve missed being able to just go to games there whenever.. though the food isn’t that great. haha

by allikazoo on Aug 24, 2009 6:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Alli

Have a ball!!

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

by Detroitchik on Aug 24, 2009 6:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks! I'll try to get some pix of your boy :)

I have two nights to do it. haha

by allikazoo on Aug 24, 2009 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yay!!

I can never get enough

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

by Detroitchik on Aug 24, 2009 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Alas, I did not get any Maggs pictures at the game I went to

I did, however, discover (while adding captions to my Flickr album) that JV did sneak into the final picture I took (which was of Avila and Brandon Lyon high-fiving after the game).

http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com

by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 24, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Furhter proving that dumb Royals fans deserve their dumb GM.

by rcpratt on Aug 24, 2009 7:22 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Jamie Samuelsen of the Freep has a nice commentary on Ordonez

http://freep.com/article/20090824/SPORTS02/90824077/1050/With-Ordo%C3%B1ez—Tigers-made-their-own-bed—will-soon-have-to-lie-in-it

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

by Detroitchik on Aug 24, 2009 7:36 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

there are 3 ppl in ordonez jerseys

so far waiting for the gates to open ;)

by allikazoo on Aug 24, 2009 7:51 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Do they have any money?

by NCDee on Aug 24, 2009 7:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Everyone Loves Maggs :o)

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

by Detroitchik on Aug 24, 2009 8:00 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just curious

What were the final numbers on that poll? Because although Rodney was second, Soria had to have about 80% of the vote from the Royals fans……cause if the numbers were like, 8%, 6%, 4%, 2% after Soria…..big deal.

by Elfuego51 on Aug 24, 2009 7:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Anyone else watching the All-Sox battle?

Clay Buchholz has had problems throwing strikes and the White Sox lead 4-1. Gordon Beckham has homered. The Red Sox scored their run on a caught stealing.

http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com

by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 24, 2009 7:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bluh. Yes.

The Red Sox aren’t holding up their end of the bargain. Whatever bargain that may be.

by StringTheory on Aug 24, 2009 8:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Chisox lighting up Buchholz

Now 4-1 top of 3rd. No problem for Chicago scoring at Fenway, apparently.

I'm hittin' .361, don't y'all mess with me.

by StorminNormanCash on Aug 24, 2009 8:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

And they'll continue having no problem as long as Buchholz keeps throwing hanging changeups

Meanwhile, what’s their offense’s excuse? They’re facing freakin’ Jose Contreras, for crying out loud.

http://tigersamateuranalysis.blogspot.com

by SabreRoseTiger on Aug 24, 2009 8:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Clearly the White Sox take their portable evil generator wherever they go. Damn Sox can’t be stopped. :(

"Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle." -- Philo of Alexandria
(Currently, and sadly, on a self-imposed team-specific puck sabbatical.)

by Baroque on Aug 24, 2009 8:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs