Thoughts on Bruce Rondon

Crippy Baseball, Detroit Tigers ,

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

Crippy Baseball

I wish I had read this before I went down to SC!!

Minoring In Baseball's avatarMinoring In Baseball

joe1‘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.

joe2joe3

joe5

joe6Photos property of Minoring In Baseball

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Tigers 2 White Sox 1

Crippy Baseball, Dailies, Detroit Tigers , , , ,

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…

Crippy Hockey ,

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

Connor McDavid & Jack Eichel
Connor McDavid & Jack Eichel

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”.

http://video.nhl.com/videocenter/embed?playlist=835626

White Sox 3 Tigers 2

Crippy Baseball, Dailies, Detroit Tigers , , ,

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.

Royals 10 Tigers 3

Crippy Baseball, Dailies, Detroit Tigers , , , ,

The four game winning streak came to an end today.  Alfredo Simon was atrocious and the offense couldn’t come up with 11 runs to complete the sweep.

On the bright side, Miggy had another hit and RBI, although he was only 1-4 and did leave four runners on base. Victor had another hit and RBI and was 1-2 with a walk.  Additionally, this was the second straight series win.

Simon is a free agent at the end of the season and I’m wondering if the Tigers are going to make him an offer. He does have 13 wins but his ERA is 5.21 and he is wildly inconsistent.  Perhaps, for the right price, he’d be ok for a fifth starter or long relief, but I don’t think he can be counted on for much more.

The White Sox come to town tomorrow and it looks like the Tigers might miss Chris Sale which I’m not sure is much of a break. Sale has really struggled down the stretch, as he did last season, which probably cost him the 2014 A.L. Cy Young Award.

Is it just me or does it seem like J.D. is struggling?