Hey Bruce Rondon…
Month: September 2015
Raul Mondesi | Firing a Bazooka
Perhaps you’ve forgotten about Raul Mondesi. I haven’t. Mondesi is where I got the term “Bazooka” from when referring to great outfield throws. Mondesi and Dave Parker had the best outfield arms I’ve ever seen and I’ve been watching baseball for a long time. Here’s a video of Raul throwing out Mark Portugal at first.
Ryan Goins | Flashin’ Leather
9/23/2015
Tigers 7 White Sox 4
The Tigers earned a split in the four game series with the White Sox and they did it the hard way. After losing a doubleheader on Monday they won in extra innings yesterday and evened it up this afternoon in the finale behind another quality start from Justin Verlander.
JV lasted seven innings and allowed three earned. He was impressive in the seventh. Knowing it was his last inning he left it all on the mound. He pounded Sox hitters with high nineties fastballs reminding us all he can still bring the heat.
More good news. The offense showed up today and scored some runs. J.D. drove in two and brought is RBI total up to 98 on the season and Victor hit his 11th home run.
The Twins come to town this weekend and it is a big series for the Minnesotans. They’re still in the wild card hunt. Perhaps the Tigers can play spoiler?
Miggy rested a sore back today. I’m a little worried about him. He hasn’t hit with much power and I’m wondering if we’ll ever see the Mighty Miggy again.
Thoughts on Bruce Rondon
By now Tigers and baseball fans have heard that Bruce Rondon was sent home from the team for what manager Brad Ausmus would only say was “lack of effort”. I was listening to MLB radio and heard that this has been a problem with Rondon in the minor leagues as well.
I’m not a professional athlete so I don’t claim to know the trials and tribulations of one. However, I don’t get it. If Rondon doesn’t want to put forth the effort to be a MLB pitcher, what does he want to do? I don’t know his family situation, or the way he was brought up, but I can only guess that he wanted to be a baseball player.
By reaching the major leagues, or the minor leagues for that matter, he’s part of an elite (eye-leet) group of people. Does he have any idea how difficult it is to ham & egg it like the majority of us? Does he have any idea how difficult it would be to make the kind of living he’s making, or possibly could make, outside of baseball in a 9-5 job?
Unfortunately, I’m a glass is half empty kind of guy, people that know me can attest to that. I constantly struggle to see the positive side of things and I know that comes through in my blog posts. For the past few weeks I’ve been trying to highlight the positive things in Tigers games. It is a small exercise that I hope will carry over into other facets of my life. Most importantly, I’m hoping it will be a reminder to me to count my blessings. Perhaps it would benefit Bruce to do the same.
2013 Baseball Trip: No shoes, black sox, no problem
I wish I had read this before I went down to SC!!
‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson Museum-Greenville, SC: While in Greenville, we also visited the ‘Shoeless’ Joe Jackson Museum, which is located right behind Flour Field. The folks who run the museum are the nicest you’d ever meet, and they love their baseball. They stated that they spend more time at the museum than their own homes! They are also extremely knowledgeable about Joe and the history of baseball in the area. The museum is in Joe’s home that he had built-in 1940. Unfortunately, many of his trophies and memorabilia were taken after the death of his wife. It’s believed that family members came to the house and took most those items. It’s a nice little museum and a must for any baseball fan in the area, especially if your taking in a Drive game anyway.
Photos property of Minoring In Baseball
Jose Bautista | Firing A Bazooka – Twice
9/22/2015 – Bautista nailed the Ackley kid at third then Chris Young at home. This reminds me a little of Dave Parker in the 1979 All-Star game he nailed Jim Rice at third and Brian Downing at home.
Tigers 2 White Sox 1
Daniel Norris was smokin’ balls for five innings. In fact, he had a perfect game going but was lifted after throwing just 62 pitches. I’m not sure how I feel about that. I understand trying to protect a young arm but how many more times in his career will Norris be perfect through five complete. Couldn’t they have extended his outing and then skipped his next start?
In any case, the Tigers were two outs away from completing their first combined no-hitter in team history until Neftali Feliz allowed a triple in the ninth and eventually blew the save.
Fortunately, they rallied in the 10th for the win. It was least the offense could do. They have scored a combined four runs in the first three games of this series while they have pitched well enough to be 3-0. They will try for a series split tomorrow with JV on the hill.
Bruce Rondon was dismissed from the team. Brad Ausmus cited “lack of effort” as the reason but refused to elaborate. I wonder what his issue is? I had heard he was upset about losing the closer’s role but can what he was doing be considered closing? He was atrocious.
Instant Legends Update…
Even though the Tigers will not end their World Series drought in 2015, I’m very excited for MLB playoffs and the start of the 2015-2016 NHL season.
Most of my excitement for the upcoming hockey season revolves around two rookies, that are not Red Wings, Connor McDavid (Edmonton) and Jack Eichel (Buffalo). McDavid and Eichel were the first two picks in the 2015 NHL draft, both of whom I saw play at the World Junior Tournament in Montreal after last Christmas.
Below is the cover of the Hockey News, August issue, with the heading Instant Legends.
FYI: I’m a new THN subscriber
Last night the NHL pre-season kicked-off. McDavid had two assists against Calgary and was the game’s first star. Eichel, had a short handed goal, which proved to be the game winner, against the Wild and was also name the game’s first star. I know it’s pre-season, but I’m excited, did you see the Tigers’ doubleheader yesterday?
Here’s a link to Eichel’s “shorty”.
White Sox 3 Tigers 2
The Tigers got swept in today’s day / night doubleheader but you can’t point the finger at the pitching staff. Tonights’s starter, Randy Wolf, like this afternoon’s starter, Kyle Ryan, deserved better. However, in 18 innings of baseball today, the offense could produce only two runs.
I was willing to tip my hat to Jeff Samardzija in the first game, but enough hat tipping, the offense has to be better. Geez! I guess this doubleheader was a microcosm of this entire season.
Sark, I’m beginning to agree with you on Miggy, despite being on the verge of his fourth batting title, he almost seems disinterested. He had a hit tonight but his at-bats aren’t very good. He struck out twice and almost looked like he didn’t care. I hope I’m just wrong and frustrated because I tune in every night just to watch him hit.
I’m very disappointed. Again.
Flashin' Leather 