I like Clete, but yeah, he probably shouldn’t be anywhere near the top half of the lineup.

I don’t think he’ll ever be anything more than a 4th OF.

I think everyone was looking for any reason to have a “hero”. Just like Avila has become. It’s the love of the game.

Once I decide I like someone, I’m not gonna suddenly stop liking them if they struggle. I mean, my top 5 Tigers are (in order) Verlander, Maggs, Galarraga, Inge, and Granderson. All five of them have struggled at one point or another this year, but it would take more than that for them to fall out of favor with me. The only real scenario in which my ranking might change would be if someone came along that I liked better. But I will say this: I like Inge, and I still don’t understand the massive amount of love he gets. I’m not criticizing it, I just don’t understand.

always trying to swing for the fences. I just want to see the ball in play.I think it has contributed to his poor BA in August which is only .182 now…. OUCH.

And we shouldn’t root for Miguel Cabrera because he’s a superstar, we should root for Miguel Cabrera because he’s hilarious and adorable. OBVIOUSLY. ;)

Why does anyone like anyone? Who knows.

But Clete does his job and seems as shocked by the accolades as anyone else. I think it’s that sheepish nature when the camera is on him, really.

Plus, frankly, I like anyone who can field that well.

I want to be down with the hip kids

I am a member of the Cult of Clete, because he just looks so gosh darn EARNEST out there.

He reminds me of a character in Philp Roth’s Great American Novel. There’s young kid who plays outfield and keeps running into the wall. Every game. The owner of the team finally calls him in and asks “Now son, just what are you thinking out there?” And the kid replies “I dunno. I ain’t havin’ no sex thoughts or nuthin’ like that, I swear.”

And that’s what I always think of when I see Clete in the outifield.

I sorta feel like clete is the brandon inge of 2009. it’s gonna take some time but he’ll prove himself and he works hard to earn the fan love.

Onto the more pressing issue of entrance music. Does anyone else remember when ruben sierra got shipped to the tigers when they were truly putrid? The yankees sent him here. His music? Long way down by the goo goo dolls. Hilarious.

They make us real chick fans look bad.

He isn’t a star, and he’s likely never going to be a star. Then again, my favorite palyers on the 1984 tigers were Larry Herndon and Tommy Brookens. Clete kinda fits that mold, in that he’s not the guy you really think about, but he can come through on occasion for you.

This year anyway, he’s #34, and I’m 34 years old.

Until someone tells me otherwise, he’s the only guy I know of who has a walk off walk, a walk off home run, and has scored on a balk, which is random and weird enough to qualify as cool in my book.

The “cult” thing is absolutely a harmless joke, but it’s fun to pull out whenever he does something good. I don’t think any of us are actually worshipping the guy.

Bottom line, he seems like a good kid, one of those scrappy players that everyone loves to cheer for. And he’s got a great baseball name.

If anyone did, I think it would be Ryan Perry. Maybe Edwin Jackson. I’d love to hear someone come out to As I Lay Dying or Lamb of God, or something of that sort.

up with Milt Cuyler!

Who cares if people like Clete? It’s “Who’s your Tigers?” not “This is your Tiger and you’ll like it.”

I think Ian nails it on the head with this post. Spot Starters got served.

that Jeff Larish is having season ending surgery on his hand and wrist. So I guess we cross that name off the list of September 1 possibilities.

2 -1 Boston.