Detroit Free Press photographer Eric Seals created some nifty videos during his assignment in Lakeland for Spring Training. This one features Brandon Inge, Curtis Granderson, Matt Treanor and Tigers fans all talking about what autographs mean to them.
Neat stuff.
Adam Everett #4
It’s difficult to get a clear picture of new Tigers shortstop Adam Everett based on his 2008 performance with the Twins. He had just 158 at bats (which produced a .213 average) and appeared in only 45 games for the Twins defensively due to a bum throwing shoulder. However, it’s not so much Everett’s production at the plate that concerns Tigers fans – anything close to .250 would suffice – it’s his glove work.
Jim Leyland and the Tigers’ faithful look to the 31-year-old to fortify (along with third baseman Brandon Inge) the left side of the infield. But how can he inject some offense into the lower third of the lineup in 2009? By focusing on the parts of the strike zone he favors; for Everett that’s above the belt from the heart of the plate to the outside corner.
The bottom line is that the Tigers wouldn’t have signed Everett to man a keystone position if they didn’t see him as a defensive upgrade to the departed Edgar Renteria.
Brandon Inge #15
Brandon Inge began last season as the Tigers backup catcher and ended it as the third baseman for 2009. In between was yet another sub-par offensive performance for a player that, as recently as 2006, seemed locked in as a power-hitting, Gold Glove-caliber defensive whiz. Perhaps the shift from full-timer to part-time super-sub weighed on Inge in ’08, pushing his average to .205.
Unfortunately, there’s little positive Inge can take away from last season; he struggled against righties and lefties alike, and, outside of the fastball, opposing pitchers had little problem fooling Inge. But he and the Tigers view 2009 as a fresh start.
At the plate, Inge will look to rediscover the power that generated 27 home runs in ’06. To do that he’ll need to focus on his strengths, particularly turning on pitches on the inner half of the plate, and avoiding the urge to pull the ones on the outer edge.
In 2009, chances are that Inge will save more runs with his defense than he’ll drive in with his bat. Yet the stability he’ll enjoy as the Tigers regular third baseman could ignite an offensive resurgence.
Sad news from Cincinnati today. Former Tigers shortstop Eddie Brinkman passed away at 66.
Brinkman joined the Tigers in 1971 as part of the trade that sent Denny McLain to the Washington Senators.
Brinkman won the Gold Glove in 1972, the same season he finished in the Top 10 for Most Valuable Player, and was named to the American League All-Star Team in 1973.
After his playing career, Brinkman was a coach and scout for the White Sox from 1983-2000.
Brinkman wore number 8 in his four seasons in Detroit. He never hit over .237 — an average the Tigers would welcome from Brandon Inge.
He epitomized good-glove-no-stick at shortstop and, according to my brother who watched him play, was a joy to watch.
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