Brandon Inge Will Catch You in Lakeland

by Ian Casselberry on Jan 28, 2008 5:03 PM EST in Detroit Tigers News

Zappatista broke this in the comments, so kudos to him. Our long regional Inge-credible nightmare is over. Danny Knobler reports that Brandon Inge will join the Detroit Tigers for Spring Training, and plans to accompany the pitchers and catchers in mid-February. He came to his decision after a chat with Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski.

(Somewhere, Lynn Henning is jumping up and down, and tearing papers into shreds. "What? Why didn't he tell me? I called him two dozen times! This is the epitome of rudeness, Mr. Inge! Bad form!")

[UPDATE: Double burn! Inge talked to Henning's Detroit News colleague, Tom Gage. Okay, it was probably a conference call. Hat tip to Billfer.]

Inge surely doesn't consider this an ideal situation, but it's clearly in everyone's best interests for him to make the most of this. He remains a valuable part of a playoff contender, helps the Tigers in several positions of need (and could solve the organization's gaping void at catcher, post-Pudge), and maintains the roots he and his family have established in the metro Detroit community.

Sure, things could change and Inge could still end up in another uniform in 2008. But for now, he's being the type of team player and professional that made him such a fan favorite in Detroit to begin with.

Tweet Comment 4 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

When you read his comments...

He tries to make it very clear that he loves Detroit and wants to stay there. It looks like he'd take a starting job anywhere on the field, but barring that, he wants to go elsewhere. I can totally understand his impulse.

Here's hoping he makes the most of it and becomes the Tigers' solution at catcher...

by russkiejedi on Jan 28, 2008 6:32 PM EST reply actions

Inge

I am actually little excited about Inge staying, especially if he can be a good catcher. You cannot have enough catchers. He should gets lots of ABS as a back-up catcher, possibility to start against lefties in CF to relieve Granderson, defensive replacement at 3B in late innings and it gives Leyland chance to pull Jones against lefties in the late innings and put Inge in LF. Thames should also get a few ABS when playing LF against lefties. Never know about the injury bug. I am sure glad Raburn still has an option left.

by Barry on Jan 28, 2008 11:24 PM EST reply actions

INGE

I think I posted this on the Bilf, but does anybody really think that Shef is going to play a whole season? I don't see it happening. Even if he does, what about next year? I could see Cabrera as a DH and Inge retaking his position.

Mark it dude....

by Zappatista on Jan 29, 2008 7:44 AM EST reply actions