Our fine production artists at Maple Street Press have finished their work on the MSP Tigers Annual 2011's cover, so I thought today might be a nice time to give you a look at that as well as explain a bit from the table of contents.
Hopefully you've made your pre-order, but if you haven't please do! It should also hit your local bookshelves statewide in Michigan on March 1.
This is really a great publication that I enjoyed writing and editing with a fine group of writers. I know you'll enjoy it! Remember, unlike other spring publications, this one has 128 pages focused entirely on the Tigers by people who know the team best. Professional full color photos are on nearly every page. Best of all? No ads cluttering things up. This is truly 128 pages focused entirely on the Tigers.
Your Detroit Tigers: 2011
Fiesta Tigres
by Kurt Mensching
With a Latin flavor, Tigers are back on track and contenders in 2011 says Kurt Mensching of Bless You Boys.
2011 Detroit Tigers Player Profiles
by Kurt Mensching
In-depth profiles of every player on the staff, including what zones batters love to see the ball thrown into, what pitches the hurlers throw for the most success and a whole lot more.
Central Casting
by John Parent
Motor City Bengals' lead writer John Parent looks at the key themes for each of the AL Central teams.
Eyeing Success
by John Parent
Parent also listed five Tigers players to keep an eye on, as well as one bonus theme that might help decide the division
Quick Work
by Ian Casselberry
Former BYB editor, current contributor to SB Nation Detroit and Big League Stew, Ian Casselberry gives us an in-depth look at some of the new Tigers.
Count On Cabrera
by Mike Rogers
Sometimes BYB author Mike Rogers gives us a look at Cabrera's battles on and off the field, and just how well his 2010 season compared historically.
Off And Running
by Lee Panas
Detroit Tiger Tales' Lee Panas looks closer at Austin Jackson's incredible 2010 season and what we might expect in 2011.
Getting Social
by Bill Ferris
Bill Ferris, now of TigsTown, looks at how some Tigers players, staff and media members use social media.
Sidebar: Tweeters you simply must follow. Ferris communicated with Scot Drucker, Casper Wells, Robbie Weinhardt, Jason Beck and more for the article.
Dreams Do Come True
by David Laruila
Baseball Prospectus' Q&A man David Laurila catches up with Max St. Pierre about the longtime minor leaguers' major league dreams becoming a reality.
Costly Errors
by Kurt Mensching
I look back at some mistakes that were made after 2006 that set the Tigers back and nearly knocked the Restore the Roar campaign off its tracks. What can we learn from those mistakes and did Dombrowski learn his lessons?
The Ace Within
by Matt Snyder
22-year-old Rick Porcello made his MLB debut before he could legally drink alcohol. In 2010, he suffered a sophomore slump and was sent to Triple-A to work on things. Will he ever become the ace many imagine he can be? Matt Snyder of Motor City Bengals tells us and compares Porcello's start to some other young aces.
Being Will Rhymes
by Will Rhymes
One of my favorite stories in the Annual, and sure to be one of yours: Tigers second baseman Will Rhymes shares what it's like to suddenly go from being in the bus leagues to the major leagues, as well as some of his favorite memories from the 2010 season.
No Relief
by Ian Casselberry
Casselberry profiles lefthander Phil Coke, who will be joining the rotation this season.
Bullheaded Lefty
by David Laurila
Laurila gets Coke's reaction to doubters, as well as asks him if he is a "typical lefty" and gets a surprising response.
Down on the Farm
Filling In The Gaps
by Matt Wallace
BYB's Matt Wallace surveys the Tigers' farm by position and names his most important player by position.
The Next Big Thing
by Matt Wallace
Wallace talks to top prospect Jacob Turner about his meteoric rise through the organization in his first professional year.
Upon Closer Inspection
by Alex Eisenberg
Eisenberg of Baseball Intellect explores Turner's mechanics and tells us just how good Turner can be. (Hint: Ace.)
Lefty Promise
by Mike Rogers
Rogers inspects another top pitcher, Andy Oliver, who disappointed in his Tigers debut until you consider that 2010 was his first year of professional baseball.
Bubbling Up
by David Tokarz
BYB's David Tokarz profiles the top 15 Tigers' prospects
BYB.com Top 20
All the authors of BYB put their heads together to rank the top 20 prospects.
Tigers Memories
The Voice Of Detroit
by Tom Gage
The Detroit News' Tom Gage talks to some of the people who knew longtime announcer Ernie Harwell best and shares their stories.
Motown's Spark
by Ian Casselberry
Casselberry dives into the history of one of the team's most popular and successful managers of all time.
The Legend Of Big Rudy
by Lee Panas
Do you know who Rudy York is? You should. Lee Panas sheds more light on the slugger from the 1930s and '40s.
A Summer To Remember
by Mike McClary
DailyFungo's Mike McClary takes us back to the 1961 season, one of the best in the team's 110-year history yet one in which it didn't make the playoffs.
Second Glance
by Allison Hagen
BYB's Allison Hagen reminds us that Cabrera may be a superstar, but he's really just a big kid who is happy to spend time with his fans.