Interview with Yankees Blogger

Mike D. who writes at the blog Yankees Fans Unite is interviewing bloggers of all major League teams as spring training approaches.  A couple of weeks ago, he asked me questions about the Tigers 2011 season, their current off-season and what to expect in 2012.  He's got my answers posted on his blog today.

This interview was done prior to the injury to Victor Martinez.  I gave my thoughts on that development in a recent post.  Basically, I think it's a tough loss for the Tigers, but not a devastating one.  They should still be favorites to win the division even if they don't replace him.

Knee Jerks Podcast Appearance

I appeared on the knee Jerks podcast with Greg Eno and Big Al Beaton Monday night.  It was basically a 45-minute preview of the Tigers season.  I'm better at writing than talking, but it was fun and the 45 minutes flew by for me.  If you want to hear it, you can check it out here.

Will Rhymes Interview

Whether or not you think second baseman Will Rhymes has a future as a major league regular, it's hard not to root for him.  The diminutve infielder has made a lot of fans with his hustling play and solid contribution offensively and defensively down the stretch. One of his biggest fans is Kurt Mensching of Bless You Boys and Kurt got the opportunity to interview Will earlier this week.  Among other things, you'll learn that Rhymes is a biologist and that he makes himself very accessible to internet fans. 

It was particularly interesting to hear Rhymes's thoughts on the competitiveness of each minor league level.  He feels that there is not a big difference between Short season ball (Connecticut Tigers), level A (West Michigan WhiteCaps) and high level A (Lakeland Flying Tigers).  While he thinks that the jump to double-A (Erie SeaWolves) is the first really big challenge, he does not feel as if it's as big as the jump to Triple-A (Toledo MudHens:)

To me the lower levels are roughly equivalent, short season through high A.  Obviously you are continually learning at each level and people can make improvements or struggle at different levels but from a competition stand point, it is very similar.  AA begins to separate the men from the boys a little but I disagree with the jump to AA being the biggest.  To me AAA is a whole different animal.  You have a lot of veteran pitchers who really know how to pitch.  You also see a lot of major league-ready arms, and the bullpens are much improved.  Overall defense is better, and all of these things make it harder to hit.  

My day at Fenway

I went to the Tigers game at Fenway Park and it was a great day despite the outcome of the game.  First, I was interviewed before the game by Detroit Tigers broadcaster Dan Dickerson.  The interview was about my book Beyond Batting Average and baseball statistics in general.  It will be aired on Sunday's pre-game show (on WXYT in Detroit).  I think the interview went pretty well but I haven't heard it yet.  So, we'll see how it sounds.

I almost didn't make it.  First, there was a major delay on the subway.  Then, I was supposed to meet Dan at 2:00 but they wouldn't let fans in until 2:10.  I tried to tell Fenway security that I was supposed to be at an interview with the Tigers broadcaster at 2:00 but they either weren't buying it or didn't care.  Probably both.  I thought I was going to miss an opportunity I had been anticipating for a long time. 

Anyway, I finally got in the park and met Dan in the stands at about 2:20. I was a wreck at that point but Dan is the type of guy that puts you at ease right away.  So that helped a lot.  Still, I think I would have blanked out if I had not prepared so much ahead of time.

I also got a chance to meet Samara Pearlstein for the first time.  Many of you know her as the author of the great blog Roar of the Tigers.  She also did all the illustrations for my book.  I'm sure she will put up her usual photographs of the game and she even took a couple of me.  So, you will get to see my mustache for the first (and maybe last) time.  For one thing, it certainly isn't creating any good karma for the Tigers.

The best part of the actual viewing of the game was not surprisingly Miguel Cabrera.  He put on an awesome show in batting practice.  He even had the Red Sox fans cheering and he took a bow afterward.  He then hit a rocket in the first inning that cleared everything in left field.
Max Scherzer pitched a fine game as well.

Needless to say, the game did not end well.  Being surrounded by 30,000 hysterical Red Sox fans dancing and chanting "Papi Papi" for ten minutes after the game is an experience I would not wish on any Tigers fan!

Regardless, it was a good day at the ballpark.

Internet Radio Appearance

I appeared on the Knee Jerks internet radio broadcast with Greg Eno and Al Beaton last night to talk about the Tigers.  You can listen to it here.  Big Al also talks about the Tigers at Bless You Boys.  Greg talks Tigers on Where have you gone Johnny Grubb?