Delmon Young could be the Detroit Tigers breakout player of the year, Bob Wojnowski compares Brandon Inge to Tim Tebow (don't kill the messenger), and Don Mattingly calls Ozzie Guillen a name. These stories and more in today's Morning Prowl.
Tigers links:
Predicting Breakouts With Spring Training -- Baseball Nation, Marc Normandin
I believe this completes the cycle. Every Detroit Tiger has been mentioned at least once as someone who might have a breakout season. I hope at least one of them is right.
Do Tigers' lineup options mean they're close to trade? -- The Detroit News, Tom Gage
I don't mean to pick on dear old Brandon Inge, but I can not for one second believe another team would trade for him.
And Then There Were Two – Tigers Option Andy Oliver to Toledo -- The Tigers Den, Matt Snyder
I'm going to be honest, these are the two guys I wanted (and thought) would be fighting for that last spot in the rotation. At this point, I think Smyly is pitching better, but Below has the experience. I'd be happy with either.
Scherzer Mizzou Legends -- University of Missouri Official Athletic Site
Another video from Missouri's athletics page talking about Max Scherzer's impact with the university and with the Detroit Tigers.
What do Brandon Inge and Tim Tebow have in common? -- The Detroit News, Bob Wojnowski
Wojo compares Inge to Tebow. Yep. I love Bob, but this is absurd.
SweetSpot predictions: AL Cy Young -- SweetSpot Blog, David Schoenfield
Justin Verlander received 11 of 38 first-place votes for predicting this season's AL Cy Young winner. This is assuming he doesn't regress or continue to become "lucky."
AL Central preview: Tigers are big cats in division -- MLB.com, Anthony Castrovince
"The following might read very much like a Detroit Tigers season preview. We promise, though, that the intention is to do an analysis of the season ahead, as it relates to the American League Central Division at large. Problem is, the Tigers are the clear front-runners in said division." Aw, yeah!
Elsewhere in baseball:
MLB eyes London Olympic stadium for baseball games -- Yahoo! Sports, Andrew Dampf
I know I should support the growth of Major League Baseball all over the world. But I really hate this. I don't like it when the NFL does it, and I seriously doubt I'll enjoy MLB doing it.
Pitchers Similar to Royal Pitchers -- Royals Review, Jeff Zimmerman
I find these comparisons to be a bit odd. But interesting to look at nonetheless.
There’s Two Sides To Every "Walk-Off" (& How The Term Came To Be) -- Around the Horn, Elise Myers
I love history lessons. And I'll be completely honest, I had no idea how or why it came to be coined "walk-off" before reading this.
The most critical at-bat of all time -- The Hardball Times, Dave Studeman
I'm sure there a few Tigers' at-bats that come to mind. Let's hear 'em ...
Don Mattingly calls Ozzie Guillen "a little sh*t" -- HardballTalk, Craig Calcaterra
I bet there was at least a little bit of malice. Maybe 70/30?
Carl Pavano targeted by extortion plot -- Big League Stew, Keith Kaduk
One of the many reasons why it must be totally awesome to be famous and have everyone know your name. /sarcasm