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The Detroit Tigers got the smallest amount of consolation from the 2012 World Series on Sunday, snatching the No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft away from the San Francisco Giants on the final day of the 2017 regular season. Better yet, it was delivered via a walk-off home run from Giants third baseman Pablo Sandoval.
You know, the one — okay, yeah, never mind. Bad memories. Got it.
Anyway, the Tigers will have their choice from a rather deep pool of prospects. We’ll get to them in due time, but Baseball America has already started to profile some of the top college and high school talents available. Jay also outlined a few top prospects last month, well before we even thought the Tigers had a shot at the first overall pick.
Like I said on Sunday, this is only happening because the Tigers are currently the worst team in baseball. But, instead of worrying about that little detail, let’s enjoy the only Pablo Sandoval home run we’ve ever been able to celebrate.
It’s a #walkoff to end the season!! #WeAreSF pic.twitter.com/rgufZJZnxb
— San Francisco Giants (@SFGiants) October 1, 2017
The Tigers might have found their new manager
No, it’s not Tampa Bay Rays third base coach Charlie Montoyo, who the Tigers are currently interested in (along with 50 other guys). It’s Ian Kinsler!
Ian Kinsler managed the entire game for Tigers today. Umpires were advised and he was cleared to make pitching changes, etc., if necessary.
— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) October 1, 2017
I might have been a little more impressed with Kinsler’s work if he had been the one to orchestrate Andrew Romine’s Family Circus path around the diamond on Saturday.
Tigers manager Brad Ausmus' pregame plan to play Andrew Romine at all nine positions pic.twitter.com/A296RhQoRw
— anthony fenech (@anthonyfenech) October 1, 2017
Kinsler also didn’t seem to have the same swag that Juan Uribe had when he managed the Los Angeles Dodgers on the final day of the 2014 season.
Juan Uribe for Tigers manager. It’s much better than this idea.
Actual Tigers stuff
Lynn Henning of the Detroit News already dropped his 2017 Tigers Awards. I’m not entirely sure about the Anibal Sanchez pick, though; Daniel Stumpf had a solid year, and Andrew Romine led the staff with a 0.00 ERA. Motor City Bengals has some entirely reasonable ideas for free agent starters the Tigers should pursue. The Tigers are looking at internal managerial candidates. I hope it’s not Dave Clark, unless he can manage from [insert random location along the third base line here].
Around the horn
Max Scherzer left his start on Saturday with a hamstring injury, but an MRI came back negative. Justin Verlander is still good at baseball. So is Andrew Miller. J.D. Martinez was one of the best trade deadline additions ever. No pressure, Dawel Lugo. Even Justin Upton couldn’t make the Angels offense better. You should pay attention to Rockies ace Jon Gray (who will pitch in the NL Wild Card Game on Wednesday).
Baseball is awesome (and will break your heart)
Make sure you read the accompanying Twinkie Town post about Glen Perkins’ final game in Minnesota.
Here's what appears to be the final out of @glenperkins career. He asked for the ball, was clearly emotional in the dugout. pic.twitter.com/DijExDpJ5h
— Chris Long (@ChrisLongKSTP) October 1, 2017