Detroit Tigers, Volume 5: The Hank Greenberg edition

[streaker]

Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 5: The Hank Greenberg edition

We're running out of Pizza owners! Who has next, Jet's or Hungry Howie's?

Never know. For instance, the owner of the Jacksonville Jaguars also owns a U.S. plastics company that I use to call on (Flex-N -Gate). He is a graduate from U-Illinois and immigrated from Pakistan and started that business (over 4 Billion in sales). They provide truck bumpers to over 90% of the trucks manufactured. They have a presence in Detroit and he is here frequently. (Even got detained several times by the border patrol at the Ambassador Bridge crossing.) He put a ton of money into the facilities in J-ville and the players love him. Someone like that would be great, really is involved in learning our sports here.

[alfablue]

Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 5: The Hank Greenberg edition

Wasted season.

I know you posted this with a lot of emotion, being that we just lost to end the season.

but it was not a wasted season- they could have folded back in September- that would have been a wasted season. They could have folded against the A's- a little less wasted. May have just collapsed against the Hankees- would have been dissapointed, but not wasted. To make it to the World Series and call it a waste regardless of how the team lost- the rest of the American League would he happy to be here, if the Tigers would not.

it was not a waste.

(unless you think last year's NC game was a waste, too...)

[manurespreader]

Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 5: The Hank Greenberg edition

wow leave for 5 minutes and look.

I disagree that when mike I dies the team is toast. I don't think he has that much to do with the day to day operation of the team and the family is very involved in the city. I think the family continues with things. But boy he does look bad.!

As far as needs, you have to go look at who is available at what spots. Doesn't do any good to get rid of a guy and bring in something less, like we did with INGE btw, (until infante got here. though he was not that great either) .
so my list of things they do.

1. re sign Sanchez. The red sox are interested big time and will spend a ton of money to get him, so it will take quite a bit.
2. find a closer. I wish it were different but jose has lost it. they might dangle Smiley as trade bait for one.( I hope not, Smiley will be a good pitcher, maybe Porcello will go)
3. both corner outfield jobs. Garcia is a couple of years from being a good major league ball player, he swings at everything and has to learn to adjust. I am kind of hoping Boesch can get better, but he will have to shorten his swing if you ask me and I think it's 50-50 they keep him.
D Young I would keep just on the basis of he is the only guy in the lineup that can hit in the post season, and he is really funny. that remark about the chicken was hilarious. Dirks is fair, but will be unmasked like Berry if he plays too much, he needs to continue to improve and to hit with more power.
4. another bull pen arm, preferable a lefty.

that's a lot and that doesn't include a shortstop as I don't see one out there to be gotten that is better.( Peralta is another one who hits in the post season. I'll take hits over slick fielding no hits any day so...., Ian Desmond?) I wonder if Castellanos will be ready and if he can play short or the outfield. He might fill one of the holes, but the last guy who was major league ready, got the job, and then wasn't.

guys maybe gone, maybe not:

Porcello, Berry, Young, Peralta, Kelly, Laird, ( who cannot hit in the clutch).

We also might need another catcher because Avila is hurt a lot, and I doubt v mart is the guy.( let's hope v mart can still play, he's been gone a year!)
A ton for them to do in the off season.

I liked our team and I don't think they were as bad as jack buck made them out to be.

[bronconick]

Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 5: The Hank Greenberg edition

Granted, I'm not a Red Wing fan, but if there's a hypothetical situation where one of the two teams was going to be sold, I think the Tigers are more attractive until the day where the Wings have a new stadium. Of course, this doesn't void Hammer's "Fire sale" if the new guy wants a salary # around $100 million instead of $140 or whatever.

[manurespreader]

Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 5: The Hank Greenberg edition

Granted, I'm not a Red Wing fan, but if there's a hypothetical situation where one of the two teams was going to be sold, I think the Tigers are more attractive until the day where the Wings have a new stadium. Of course, this doesn't void Hammer's "Fire sale" if the new guy wants a salary # around $100 million instead of $140 or whatever.

The wings stadium is stuck waiting for the state to come up with money for on and off ramps. The longer the delay the less likely it will get done if you ask me. It's is really needed though and the location is good, they just can't get funds right now. The governor is off fighting manny maroon and when he is done with that, maybe we can get his attention.

[Hammer]

Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 5: The Hank Greenberg edition

I know you posted this with a lot of emotion, being that we just lost to end the season.

but it was not a wasted season- they could have folded back in September- that would have been a wasted season. They could have folded against the A's- a little less wasted. May have just collapsed against the Hankees- would have been dissapointed, but not wasted. To make it to the World Series and call it a waste regardless of how the team lost- the rest of the American League would he happy to be here, if the Tigers would not.

it was not a waste.

(unless you think last year's NC game was a waste, too...)

Level of expectations, my friend.

When you dump $214 mil on (arguably) the top hitter on the FA market, when you have a top-5 payroll to start with, when you are expected to win the whole thing by your entire fanbase starting back in February, when you have an 83-year old owner that all of a sudden acts and sounds like he's 103, going on 153, then yes, the entire season was wasted.

Difference between Ferris and the Tigers: the Tigers were expected to be here, and expected to win. They were an established favorite. Ferris was expected to be a second division team in their own conference, and they came out of nowhere to blow everyone's mind (myself included in that mix). This last Ferris team was more like the 2006 Tigers. The 2006 Tigers were not a wasted season, because no one expected anything out of them. If Mr. Ilitch were 63 instead of 83, I'd say we would have a couple more years. I think we've got probably one more year to make a run, two tops. On average we get one of these runs once every generation.

And when I say "fire sale", I don't mean the payroll going from $140 to $100, I mean $140 going to $70-75. I'm talking Minnesota Twins-San Diego Padres level.

[bronconick]

Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 5: The Hank Greenberg edition

Well, short term, every team gets another $25 million this upcoming year from the national TV deal, and the Tigers have an option this offseason to re-open the FSD TV contract given that the Astros currently make more as it's the halfway point of a ten year deal.

[Hammer]

Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 5: The Hank Greenberg edition

Also keep in mind that the Astros just sold for over $600 million this last offseason. Think about that when you think of what the Ilitch family is going to do when the inevitable happens.

[FadeToBlack&Gold]

Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 5: The Hank Greenberg edition

Also keep in mind that the Astros just sold for over $600 million this last offseason. Think about that when you think of what the Ilitch family is going to do when the inevitable happens.

Sell the Tigers to the highest bidder, and use $400 million of the proceeds to build the Wings a great new arena? /pipedream

[Hammer]

Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 5: The Hank Greenberg edition

Better pipe dream: Mark Cuban.

Now wipe the monitor off and carry on.

[Twitch Boy]

Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 5: The Hank Greenberg edition

Better pipe dream: Mark Cuban.

Now wipe the monitor off and carry on.

Imagine him going after Joe West or getting into it with Ozzie Guillen or some other clown.

...this has to happen.

[Hammer]

Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 5: The Hank Greenberg edition

I hadn't even considered him vs. Joe West. That would be epic. There would never be a dull moment again.

I'll say this. We'd never have to worry about the Tigers being cheap. They might spend $200 mil exactly the wrong way, but they'll spend it nevertheless.

[bronconick]

Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 5: The Hank Greenberg edition

Hasn't baseball quietly been giving him the Jimmy Balsillie treatment? Shot down trying to get the Rangers and Cubs?

[Hammer]

Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 5: The Hank Greenberg edition

I think so. I think he tried to buy the Pirates, too.

[manurespreader]

Re: Detroit Tigers, Volume 5: The Hank Greenberg edition

So if the tigers are sold, does that mean that all the property that Olympia entertainment owns in foxtown goes too? They own like everything over there, including a big tract on the other side of the freeway between motor city casino and Woodward, as well as the hockey town cafe, the fox, second city, and a ton of parking areas. I bet they make more money from parking than they do from ticket sales.