A Little of This, A Little of That Pt. 2

None of this deserves its own full posting, so I present a smattering (smorgasbord, even?) of some sports related information.

(ed. note:  maybe I really am this dense, but it took me nearly a month to figure out the "NOT funny" comment after the last post in response to an opposite day video. well done, sir.)

• According to the New York Daily News, the formerly inaccurate throwing and dog-slaying Michael Vick is looking for a book deal.  A memoir, of sorts.  First of all, I never got the idea of people trying to write stories about themselves before they've finished their careers (or, in his case, life in the public eye as a future playing career remains up in the air).  Second, who wants to read about this guy, or his life?  Chapter One...Why Didn't Roddy White Catch Like That For Me?...Chapter Two...Fido Had It Coming...Chapter Three...Pretend Remorse in an Attempt To Get Out Of Bankruptcy...
• I never could stand Mark Cuban, ever.  I realize what he does that is good, that if he was the owner of my favorite team, I'd love him.  But, he owns the team I hate, he's constantly running his mouth, and he never shuts up about the referees.  This time, it came on Twitter, where he complained about something else the refs screwed up for him.  Here's what I want.  I want Cuban to go out there and ref a game of any kind, at any level.  Rec basketball, high school, college.  A quarter, a half, a game.  Anything.  Go and do that, and once your done, let me know how much complaining you want to do.  I'm not saying referees are infallible, but, jeez already, give them a break.
• You can look at Dontrelle Willis' recent DL-stint for a blood related anxiety disorder in two ways.  First and foremost, it's a bit sad how far he's fallen, if only because he's a guy that not much was expected of when he first started playing pro ball, and then in a few short years won 22 games.  And, unlike so many other pro athletes, Willis legitimately seems like a really nice, likeable guy.  The leg kick, the smile, the fact that he could hit better than most Marlins at the time.  The whole bit.  So, if only for those reasons, to see a guy that was dominating the National League only a few years ago not be able to get guys out in Single A is a bit depressing.  The other side of things is, I wonder how much of his recent DL trip is a "I walked nearly twice as many guys as I struck out last year" thing, as opposed to a disorder thing.  Not that I doubt the results of the test, but, somehow I feel like if he had rediscovered his command, he'd have found a way into that 5th spot this year, and not on the DL.
• I love the guy, but, shouldn't this be a good thing?
• Saw this on the BLS on Yahoo.  Not sure who Fredi Gonzalez thinks he is having all of his players get hair cuts, but I guess I see the point of trying to make the clubhouse a bit more professional.  Then again, I think it's fair to say that if a player (ahem, Hanley) decides wearing a "I'm Sick of This S**t" t-shirt is the grown-up way to handle things, maybe Gonzalez isn't so far off base.

30 Teams in 30 Days

Detroit Tigers: Didn't This Team Play In The Series A Few Years Ago?
(Over the next 30 days, BERNing on Sports will be previewing every team in the Majors, yes, even the Royals. Only one a day, every day, so try not to get too hooked)

Keeping it Real
What the hell happened to this team? Wasn't it 2006 (I believe that just two seasons ago) when the Tigers were in the World Series? I think so. Though, the remnants left on this team may not give that impression. First off, they realized they didn't make out nearly as well as they thought they did with that Marlins trade. While Miguel Cabrera did hit the snot out of the ball in the second half last year, he had to move to his fourth position in four years (with DH in the near future). Dontrelle Willis simply isn't a major league caliber starter anymore. He has lost the ability to throw strikes. I wish I had a funnier way to say it. When he was sent down last year, he didn't go to AAA, but instead to Single A Lakeland. Yes, the same D-Train that won 22 games just three short years ago. Then, Justin Verlander decided he also was no longer effective as his ERA jumped a full run and suddenly that live arm lost some zip. Joel Zumaya was unable to stay healthy, and Fernando Rodney was unfortunately too healthy for any Tigers fan liking. There weren't many changes made, so if you're a Tigre fan, you've gotta be hoping for a bunch of career revivals.

Offensive Defense
The Tigers posted the 6th worst fielding percentage in the entire league last year. It's no surprise that with clowns like Cabrera and Carlos Guillen and Edgar Renteria tooling around. Brandon Inge and Adam Everett should help things, but then again, having those two in your everyday lineup has its obvious disadvantages. Ideally, your best players could hit and play defense but...

D-Train D-Railed
I touched on it before, but this guy has completely lost it. In a matter of two seasons, his ERA has jumped by nearly 6 full runs. Think about that. Then, consider that he walked 35 guys in just 24 innings last year. Next, think about how he was sent down to the minor leagues to not just clear his head, but work on his mechanics. Think about that, if you still have room mentally. Willis just looks like he's lost all command of what ever it was he did effectively. He's put on weight, lost tons of velocity, and seems to be en route to become just another one or two year wonder.

What Closer Will Make Tigers Fans Go Grey This Year
Last year it was Fernando Rodney for stretches, Todd Jones for others. Neither was a safe bet, as the pair combined to lose 7 games, and walk 48 batters in 82 innings. Jones' career has always been nothing short of a complete mystery, from how he got people out over his career to why he continued to be allowed to write a column for the Sporting News. Rodney's just not cut out to handle 9th inning duties, as is evidenced by the fact that despite opponents hitting under .230 against him, his ERA was barely under 5. Brought in to the "rescue" was Brandon Lyon, who had a great 1st half (19 saves, under 3 ERA) and an awful second half (7 saves, over 8 ERA). If you've seen any of these guys pitch, you could imagine how terrible this will be to watch unfold.

Bold Predictions
Jim Leyland will be so annoyed by his team that at some point this year that he'll just light up and smoke a cigarette. In the dugout, or walking to the mound to make a pitching change, it'll happen.

I can't take credit for this one entirely, nor can I explain it. But I can say that the explanation I was given was quite convincing, so I'll repeat it here: Armando Galarraga, after a nice breakout year, will come crashing back to reality.

Up Next...Sunday, Phillies