Tigers' closer situation a debacle

ON BASEBALL

Editor's Note: This, I promise, will be the last column I write this season about the Tigers' closer situation.

Hey Tigers fans, still happy that Todd Jones isn't your closer?

Here's a fun statistic for you: Jones saved 18 games in 21 tries. In five attempts, Fernando Rodney is 1-for-5. Yep, he's already blown more saves than the old, cranky guy with the mustache. Even more sad is the manner in which Rodney tanks. While Jonesy always went out in style, giving up two-run homers and the such, Rodney walks guys, hits guys, and then walks more guys.

Hey, that's no fun!

In all seriousness, though, do you really believe the underachieving Tigers are better off with Rodney as their closer? (Please don't answer that.)

Was Jones pitching well lately? No, no and no. His ERA (5.05) was atrocious, he had given up 25 hits in his last 16 2/3 innings, and he hit rock-bottom when Jermaine Dye blasted that season-killing home run on that morbid Friday night in Detroit awhile back.

Now, of course, we know that Jones was battling tendinitis in his right shoulder. He, reportedly, had been feeling discomfort for six weeks, but he didn't reveal the injury until a few games following his demotion, which occurred a day after the Dye home run. He said he hadn't felt the shoulder pain in a game until recently.

And the result is one Jonesy on the disabled list. It'll be at least a couple weeks until he's back. To the average Tigers fan, that's a good thing. They'd rather see Jonesy shot into space for 37 years than see him on a mound again.

But again, the issue comes back to this: If you're going to replace someone, you'd better have a replacement who you're confident will do a better job. Rodney is not a viable closer for the Tigers. At least not at this point in his career.

Rodney is a talented pitcher. There's no doubt about that. He's equipped with a volatile fastball and a nasty changeup. When those pitches are working, he's much harder to hit than Jones.

But the key to being a talented closer is control. Rodney has about as much control as the "Wild Thing" in "Major League."

Think about it: When a closer enters a game in the ninth inning, the other team's hitters haven't faced him. They don't know what to expect. The advantage is clearly his. If he throws strikes, he has a good chance of getting three outs. All he has to do is make the hitters beat him. Make them locate his 94 mph fastball. Make them guess what's coming with an 0-2 count.

The ability to throw strikes is one of the main reasons Mariano Rivera, arguably the best closer of all time, is so effective. He gets ahead of hitters and then throws that twisting heater wherever he likes. Batters are at his mercy.

Rodney is the antithesis of Rivera. He constantly falls behind hitters, and the only way to get back into the at-bat is by throwing the ball down the middle. Of course, Rodney prefers to walk guys. And any manager will tell you that in a one-run game, nothing is worse than a leadoff walk.

That, unfortunately, is Rodney's specialty. In 18 1/3 innings, Rodney has allowed 16 walks. That is simply unacceptable. He can't be trusted in one-run games.

Jones, on the other hand, has much better control. In 41 innings, he's issued 15 walks. Sure, his stuff isn't as hard to hit as Rodney's -- Rodney has 19 strikeouts to Jones' 14 -- but most of the time it's good enough to record a save.

I'm no baseball stats guru, but just because a batter makes solid contact with a pitch doesn't assure him of a base hit. Four balls, however, means the man in the batter's box is headed for first base -- that's a certainty. That, right there, is the difference between Jones and Rodney. Jones lets his defense save games for him. Rodney doesn't.

Before Sunday's 6-5 most-likely-season-breaking loss to the Rays -- Detroit's 18th one-run defeat and Rodney's fourth blown save -- manager Jim Leyland ripped his players, saying no one's job is safe. I would hope that one of the jobs in jeopardy is Rodney's.

But prior to that happening, Leyland should ask himself this: Who can I plug into the ninth-inning role that will do a better job? In this instance, of course, it's just about anybody. But the most obvious candidate, Joel Zumaya, continues to feel tightness in his right arm. Plus, his 18 walks in 20 2/3 innings is just as bad as Rodney's production. He, like his fellow flamethrower, doesn't possess the control to hold down the spot.

The other option is newly acquired Kyle Farnsworth, who was pitching well with the Yankees before being traded to Detroit for Ivan Rodriguez last Wednesday. But he didn't exactly make a good impression Sunday, blowing Detroit's 3-1 eighth-inning lead by allowing three runs. Also, like the other two, he's never been a full-time closer. His 27 saves doesn't exactly measure up to Jones' 319.

So what now? The options aren't exactly appetizing. The only Tigers reliever who has pitched well of late is left-hander Bobby Seay (2.41 ERA), who has a whopping one save for his career.

The Tigers sit six and a half games behind the tied Twins and White Sox with 51 games remaining. The chances of a turnaround are looking bleaker by the day, and the three-game stand that begins today in Chicago is a must-win series. Obvious statement of the day: Detroit can't afford to fall any further back.

The main objective with the bullpen, at this point, might be to groom it for 2009. That means trying to figure out whether Rodney or Zumaya can find enough control to be the Tigers' future closer. If not, then maybe G.M. Dave Dombrowski will go after Angels free-agent-to-be Francisco Rodriguez.

But if Detroit finds itself within five games of first place in a couple weeks when Jones returns -- and he's healthy -- the old fart should retake his place as the closer. No, not for 2009 or down the road. But for the final push toward October. To make this almost-lost season more like what it was supposed to be.

You can hate him all you want. You can boo him all you want. But the past week has shown us -- in a sick kind of way -- that Todd Jones remains the best closer the Tigers have got.

Even if that's a depressing thought.

Thinking about baseball

ON BASEBALL

My trip down here to Tobacco Road, to the Research Triangle, provided me with a lot of thinking time.

Approximately 13 hours alone in my Honda Civic. As good as my Journey CD is, I couldn't listen to it 44 consecutive times. I had to put on my thinking cap.

And while baseball isn't more than an afterthought in this basketball-crazy environment, it consumed my mind for much of the trip.

Here are a few thoughts as we prepare for the league championship series:

Only in New York
So it is very likely Joe Torre will not be back as Yankees manager next year after 12 extremely successful years. The Boss said during New York's series with Cleveland that anything short of a series win would probably mean the end of Torre's tenure.

Crazy, I thought -- only-in-New-York crazy.

Let's see... Torre's Yankees have never missed the playoffs and won four World Series. Of course, it's a what-have-ya-done-for-me-lately society, but any other team in the majors would be happy with making the playoffs every year (not to mention winning the division every year except this year).

Poor Joe.

On a related side note, I recently finished watching "The Bronx is Burning," ESPN's original show about the flamboyant 1977 Yankees. The show, which received rave reviews, portrayed an inexorable George Steinbrenner constantly on the brink of firing quirky manager Billy Martin.

Martin barely held onto his job and went on to lead the Yanks to an improbably
world championship that year and the next. But The Boss wasconstantly breathing down his neck, questioning every personnel decision he made.

So maybe Torre didn't have it that bad after all. He's the longest-tenured
Yankees manager since Casey Stengel held the job from 1949 through 1960.

And Stengel didn't have to deal with a certain Boss running the show.

A good start for the Tigers
The Detroit Tigers got their very important off-season running in the right
direction this week by picking up the $13 million option on catcher Ivan Rodriguez.

Is "Pudge" worth $13 million at this stage in his career? No way. But name five catchers in the game better than Pudge right now -- especially defensively and calling games.

Tough task, isn't it?

The reason keeping Pudge was the right decision is because his replacement would undoubtedly be a downgrade. Detroit wants to win now. It's not building for the
future. It's got the pieces to repeat that magical run of a year ago, and Pudge (even with his putrid OBP of .294 this season) is one of the pieces.

The most telling number that demonstrates his importance to the Tigers is that the team's pitching staff's ERA was 1.00 lower with Rodriguez catching compared to Mike Rabelo catching.

The Tigers still have plenty of work to do before pitchers and catchers report. The most pressing issue now becomes finding an All Star-caliber shortstop to replace Carlos Guillen, who's moving to first base.

Atlanta's Edgar Renteria seems like a good bet if Detroit can pull off a trade with the Braves. And then there's Alex Rodriguez, or "A-Rod."

Many Tigers fans are quick to rule out trying to sign the soon-to-be American League MVP, but before they shun the idea, they should consider who exactly they're shunning.

Forget his playoff numbers. During the regular season, A-Rod is the best player in baseball -- hands down. If owner Mike Ilitch is willing to dole out hundreds of millions of dollars, the Tigers should pursue A-Rod, who is expected to opt out of his current Yankees contract.

You just never know what might happen.

There's still baseball
Because of how quickly the first round series were completed, we've experienced this three-day window devoid of games and filled with speculation. Fortunately, this period is almost over.

Colorado-Arizona begins Thursday and Cleveland-Boston commences Friday.

Have the playoffs lost a little spice with the quick exits of the Yankees and Cubs? Sure, they have. But these two series appear very competitive (then again, I would have said the same about the first-round matchups).

As is usually the case in October, pitching ruled the first round. The Rockies shut down the Phillies' high-octane lineup and the Indians pitchers were able to limit the
damage caused by the Yankees. So forget the bats for a moment -- these two series will be decided by pitching.

Which is why I'll take the Diamondbacks and Indians in two series that stretch six or seven games.

While no one will argue that Colorado has more punch in its lineup than Arizona, the D'Backs -- led by Brandon Webb -- have the pitchers to quiet the Rockies bats (even at Coors Field).

Cleveland and Boston's top two starters are a wash, but I like Cleveland's Nos. 3 and 4 guys over Boston's, and the Indians' middle relief has proven more steady of late.

So I'll take Arizona in 6 and Cleveland in 7.

Giving the D'Backs a chance to win two World Series in seven years (while the Yanks have none during that period) and the Indians an opportunity to win their first championship since 1948.

Yes, minus the Yanks and Cubs, there are still myriad storylines left in October.

It's nearing gut-check time for Tigers

ON BASEBALL

Maybe that is what will finally awake the Detroit Tigers out of their August slumber.

A four-hour rain delay followed by a four-and-a-half-hour game. A 3:30 a.m. walkoff home run by Carlos Guillen.

No, you don't see that more than once in a lifetime.

The Tigers have been flailing for over a month now. Their starting pitching has been anything but advertised. Their bullpen has defined "shaky." And their lineup really isn't that scary anymore.

Sill — and I can't believe I'm saying this — after Friday night's eight-and-a-half-hour affair — a 9-6 win in 11 innings over the Yankees — the Tigers find themselves a mere game and a half behind the Central Division leading Indians (mostly because Cleveland has been almost as bad as Detroit of late).

Detroit hasn't won a series since it swept the Twins July 17-19. It hasn't even won back-to-back games in two weeks.

So, yes, Saturday night's game against the Yankees is huge. The marathon victory Friday night won't mean a thing if the Tigers can't wipe the sleep from their eyes and focus clearly enough to win this second game of the four-game set.

No, a loss Saturday night wouldn't mean the end of the season. Heck, losses in the final three games to the Yanks wouldn't diminish all hope, but it sure would tighten the noose. The Tigers need momentum. They need to get the car moving instead of conking out every block. Who knows if Guillen's long ball was the beginning of a change in direction.

It's gonna take a team effort
It is clear, with Joel Zumaya finally back, that the presence of one player isn't going to determine the Tigers' fate. Sure, Zumaya's return was such a big deal that it was featured on the front page of the "Detroit Free Press," but he went on to allow all three runs just two days later in a devastating 3-1 loss to the Indians (if the Tigers could have pulled that game out, they'd be in first place right now).

The same can be said for Gary Sheffield. Yes, the Tigers miss his veteran presence in the lineup right now, but he alone is not going to push the team back into the postseason. Especially if his shoulder continues to bother him.

It's going to take both a team effort from the pitching staff and the batting lineup — starters 1-5, hitters 1-9... all the relief pitchers — to be playing when the leaves change colors. That was evident on Friday when the bullpen didn't allow a run in more than six innings of work. Everyone did their job — even Tigers' fans whipping boy, Jason Grilli.

A big concern for the Tigers has to be Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, who simply isn't close to the hitter he used to be. As a veteran at the age of 36, you'd expect Rodriguez to display patience at the plate, however that is far from the case. When he walked Friday night (actually, it was Saturday morning), the radio announcers woke up from their night dreams to talk about how surprising of an occurrence it was. After all, it was just Rodriguez's seventh walk of the year compared to 78 strikeouts. His .289 on-base percentage is even more of a concern.

With Sheffield out, Rodriguez struggling, Brandon Inge even worse, and Cameron Maybin still getting used to the majors, no one can say anymore that the Tigers' lineup is devoid of holes.

But, still, Detroit should have enough offense to get back to the postseason... providing its starting pitching gets its act together.

And that's the big question: What has happened to that rotation? Jeremy Bonderman has struggled. Kenny Rogers is injured. Justin Verlander hasn't been the same since his no-hitter back in June. Nate Robertson has been up and down.

Of late, the Tigers' best starter has been Jair Jurrjens, who gave up a single hit in Detroit's 2-1 win over Cleveland Tuesday night. That's not a good sign. Now is the time for last year's top guys to step up and lead this team. Not Jurrjens, or Andrew Miller, who didn't make it out of the fifth inning Friday night.

Good performances from those two will be bonuses. Bonderman, Verlander, Robertson and Rogers (when he returns) need to start lasting longer into games (at least six innings) and giving up less runs (as simple as that sounds).

Maybe Friday night was a start. Maybe the Tigers will build on the extra-inning, extra-time victory. But, then again, the game didn't exactly showcase the main ingredient the Tigers need to gain momentum — good starting pitching.

I'm sure team members aren't thinking about that, however. At this point in the season, a win's a win — however the Tigers might come upon it.

Wednesday, 7/18/07's main point: Is Vick now the football version of Bonds?

ON FOOTBALL

As sad as it is to say this, Michael Vick isn't the only one.

Vick's not the only NFL player who has been involved with the grotesque, inhumane, sickening practice of pitting dogs against each other in a concealed area until one rips the other's head off.

I don't have proof. I can't name names. But I know there are others. All you have to do is listen to what Washington running back Clinton Portis said a while back about the ongoing investigation of Vick: "I know a lot of back roads that have the dog fighting if you want to go see it."

Portis isn't lying, folks. This stuff goes on frequently — especially in the South — and I'm sure Vick isn't the only NFL player (or other professional athlete, for that matter) involved.

He is, however, the only player who has been indicted, and his name makes this case huge.

Which reminds me of an investigation that is ongoing in another sport. Um, does the name "Barry Bonds" and the word "steroids" ring a bell?

Just as the federal government is determined to nail Bonds for what we all know he did — cheated — it is dedicated to convicting Vick for his participation in a dogfighting ring.

The evidence isn't quite as transparent in Vick's case. A book hasn't been written with loads of evidence against him. His dogfighting trainer isn't locked up in a Surry County jail, refusing to talk about his loyal companion. But it has become quite conspicuous that Vick played some role — whether it was running the ring, or simply betting on the fights — that should land him in a dirty jail cell and abruptly end his NFL career.

That's where the similarities stop. Bonds is a free man, hitting home runs, making millions, on the verge of history. Right now it appears unlikely that he'll get indicted for taking steroids, and I'm sure the thought of spending time in the ringer hasn't even entered his super-sized head. He's got it much better than Vick.

What's interesting is that the man in the most trouble — Vick — has been loved by NFL fans for most of his six-year career. His dazzling runs and cannon of a arm made football exciting in Atlanta and filled the Georgia Dome on Sundays. He became a favorite player for video gamers — Falcons' fans or not — and he was featured on the cover of Madden 2004. For his play (and the positive publicity he brought to Atlanta), he was awarded an NFL-record 10-year, $130 million contract in December of '04.

Only recent mediocre play, a couple other off-the-field incidents (the double-birdie to Falcons' fans, the special water bottle), and this current case have tarnished Vick's reputation as one of the most exciting and popular players in the NFL. Despite the federal indictment of Vick Tuesday, Nike still hasn't ended its sponsorship of the quarterback, instead reviewing the new information.

Basically, Vick really had to mess up to ruin his situation, and despite his irreconcilable mistakes, Nike — I guess — still believes he's a decent person to represent the company, which — I guess again — doesn't sell dog collars.

Bonds, on the other hand, has been hated by baseball fans for several years for his unruly attitude and now, of course, the overwhelming evidence that he took steroids. He couldn't land a Nike contract if he threatened the company with Greg Anderson. Unless he hits No. 756 at home, he'll be booed mercifully.

Baseball fans know that Bonds is just one in a first baseman's glove-full of steroid users in MLB, but they don't boo the other guys. Jason Giambi, the contrite one, is cheered at Yankee Stadium and treated indifferently in other ballparks. Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez, who has lost several pounds in the past few years, is beloved in Detroit and was voted the starting All-Star catcher for the American League despite not having the best numbers.

The only player fans, the media and the government — it appears — want to indict, want to lock away, is Bonds, the man who could steal Hank Aaron's record, the man who will never apologize for anything.

And then there's Vick. This indictment is great news. I cannot wait for Vick to be banned from the NFL — the right move for commissioner Roger Goodell — convicted, and then sent to jail. As a dog lover who recently lost my beloved dog to cancer, it sickens me to think of grown men transforming innocuous animals into violent creatures that kill each other.

Vick should get no leniency in this case.

But let's not be too ignorant to realize that Vick's not the only NFL player — just as Bonds wasn't baseball's only steroid user — who has witnessed a brutal dogfight. The NFL and the legal system needs to send a strong message with this case that anyone who so much as knows about dogfighting will be strongly disciplined.

Maybe the NFL should amend its meetings that it holds with players about personal conduct to include a section on treating animals kindly. Whatever it does, it shouldn't view this case as isolated.

Michael Vick, I'm sure, is simply the bass in a pond swarming with fish when it comes to dogfighting.

Friday, 7/13/07's main point: Makeup calls can be partisan

On BASEBALL

We know it when we see it. It's as obvious as a walrus in an ice cream parlor. The makeup call.

It's been perfected by officials in all professional sports. Well, "perfected" might be the wrong word, because if that was the case, maybe it wouldn't be so transparent to even the casual fan.

It made a grand appearance during Thursday night's Tigers-Mariners game. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Seattle's Adrian Beltre singled with the bases loaded, scoring two runs. As the ball sailed toward home plate in an ill-advised attempt to throw out the second run, Beltre alertly dashed for second base.

The only problem was Detroit catcher Mike Rabelo (who was filling in for the ejected Ivan Rodriguez) had cut off the throw and quickly fired the ball to Carlos Guillen. The shortstop appeared to tag Beltre at least once after Beltre continued toward third after somehow sliding under Guillen's initial tag. Beltre was ruled safe, however, by the second base umpire, allowing Richie Sexson to score what turned out to be the game-winning run.

A moment later — with Beltre standing on third base — the Tigers touched second base in an appeal, and the same umpire who had ruled Guillen didn't tag Beltre, called Beltre out (suggesting that the Seattle third baseman hadn't touched second base).

Replays showed, however, that Beltre had clearly touched the bag before continuing on his way. So, obviously, the out call was a makeup call.

In most cases a makeup call is as harmless as a pet rabbit. In this case, though, it cost the Tigers the game. If Beltre had been ruled out when Guillen initially tagged him, Sexson wouldn't have scored and the inning would have ended 2-2. Instead, Seattle led 3-2, which turned out to be the final score.

While Beltre had every right to be flabbergasted when the umpire said he didn't touch second base, he should be thankful that he wasn't called out when he actually was out.

I'm out.