Here’s Casey Crosby with the West Michigan Whitecaps in 2009. Tonight he will make his major league debut for the Detroit Tigers against the New York Yankees.
Congratulations to the Michigan State Baseball team. Today they were selected to play in the NCAA baseball tournament. It’s the fifth time in school history and the first since 1979.
Go green and go white!
Yesterday the Brandon Inge era in Detroit came to an end yesterday. The Tigers finally released him. There was really no place for him on the team. His hitting and defense was poor.
There’s no doubt that he was a polarizing player. While many people despised Inge, others loved him. To me his career as a Tiger was filled with peaks and valleys. Most people will choose to reside in one or the other. I was somewhere in the middle. Because I don’t have a favorite ballplayer, I try to see things objectively. There are times I love a player and times I don’t. Inge was one of those for me.
Over the years he played all over the field. He had a canon for a catcher, and played a quality third base. In my opinion his athleticism kept him on the team and on the field. For the most part his defense was pretty solid. His hitting was iffy. I could go on about the hitting and strike outs and whatnot, but I won’t. The numbers speak for themselves.
Here’s just a couple of memories from me.
In April 2001 I got my very first baseball autograph, and it came from Brandon Inge. It was the day after opening day. My Dad and I went to Comerica Park early and caught the end of BP. After that Inge came out and posed for a professional photographer. I remember people saying, “Who’s that guy”? I knew who he was, but many didn’t. After that was over he came over into the camera well and signed for many people, including me. This was just before his second-ever Major League game. That was awesome for me. I still have that ball.
I voted for the whole “Bran-Torino” thing in 2009 to get Inge in the All-Star game in 2009. It was a bummer that he whiffed in the Home Run Derby. Afterward I bought an Inge All-Star game t-shirt to commemorate all of my hard work in voting.
In 2010 the Whitecaps had a Brandon Inge bobblehead giveaway on a wet rainy night in April. I remember that well because I made a lady mad when I tried to cut in line.
I was also at Fifth Third Ballpark in 2010 when he came back “home” and made a rehab start with the Whitecaps. He’s a was a ‘Cap in 1999 and people still speak of him fondly.
All in all it was a move that the Tigers had to make. It is a business. Nearly every baseball player will have deal with such a day. It’s rare to go out on top.
Good luck Brandon. Thank you for all you’ve done for the Tigers.
I’m glad I took this photo back in 2000, back when Tiger Stadium still stood. Many people forget that Tiger Stadium opened the same day as Fenway Park. All the hooplah over last Friday’s celebration in Boston reminded me of this photo. I feel fortunate to have it, and sad that there’s nothing to commemorate what’s left where the stadium once proudly stood.
Miguel Sano - Third Base - Beloit Snappers - Minnesota Twins Number One Prospect 2012 (Baseball America)
Colin Kaline - Third Base - West Michigan Whitecaps - Grandson of Hall of Famer Al Kaline
Yesterday was the home opener for the West Michigan Whitecaps. It was a pretty, but very windy day at Fifth Third Ballpark. The Whitecaps won 4-0 over the Bowling Green Hot Rods. The new Whitecaps played well. Hopefully that will continue all season.
I didn’t get a ton of photos. A good portion of the ballpark is under a shadow as the game starts. Getting action shots in the shadows can be tricky. Hopefully I’ll get some better shots in the days ahead.
I’ve started my 2012 Whitecaps set on Flickr. Feel free to check it out periodically throughout the season.
Yesterday I spent my afternoon at Kobs Field in East Lansing, watching the MSU baseball team take on Michigan. It was the largest crowd ever at McLane Stadium. Unfortunately the guys in green and white lost to their rivals 4-3.
I had an amazing seat directly behind home plate. It was a beautiful day. The only bummer was the loss by the Spartans.
My MSU Baseball photo set is available on Flickr.
Seeing that today is opening day, here’s the late Ernie Harwell with his definition of baseball.
Oh grand and glorious day! Today is Major League Baseball’s opening day. Today the Detroit Tigers will begin their defense of the American League Central Championship. 2011 Cy Young and MVP Award winner Justin Verlander will take the mound for Tigers. The Tigers will face a formidable opponent, the Boston Red Sox. Game time is 1:05pm eastern at Comerica Park in Detroit.
But that’s not all the baseball for me today. My West Michigan Whitecaps (class A affiliate of the Tigers) begin their season today on the road against the Dayton Dragons. Some of the Whitecaps got to play yesterday wearing a Tigers uniform against the Toledo Mud Hens. I’ll have to listen on radio for the ‘Caps game tonight.
But that’s not it either. The Crosstown Showdown takes place in Lansing as well tonight. The Lansing Lugnuts (class A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, also arch-rival and nemesis of the Whitecaps) will play an exhibition game against the Michigan State Spartans baseball team. The game will be play at Cooley Law School Stadium and shown nationally on the Big Ten Network. Go Green and Go White!
There’s so much baseball going on today. I don’t know how I’ll keep up, but I’ll try. What a great day!
