SportsNation Blog Archives
Detroit Tigers
Opening Day -- well, Opening Night, really, and we technically already had one of those in Japan, but who's counting? -- is finally here, as the Cardinals will take on the Marlins tonight in the first stateside regular-season MLB game. It's bound to be an exciting season with so many players having changed teams, but has the power structure been altered significantly?
Vote: Pick each division and pennant, and the winner of the World Series
Rank: Baseball's best teams? | Top players in the game?
World Series repeat?
The Cardinals prevailed over the Rangers in the 2011 World Series, but St. Louis lost its biggest gun this past offseason ...
Best player?
... which is a pretty big loss, considering he might be one of the best players of all time.
Odd one out?
The Red Sox missed the playoffs last season after an epic September collapse. Will they be on the outside looking in once again?
AL's best?
Prince Fielder and Albert Pujols were probably the two biggest additions to teams in the American League, meaning the balance of power could shift.
NL's best?
Likewise, the addition of Jose Reyes to the Marlins could give the team a huge upgrade -- offensively with new third baseman Hanley Ramirez, and defensively at shortstop.
Doug Fister opened the season with the Seattle Mariners. Ivan Nova opened it more familiar with Scranton than the Bronx. But as the two pitchers prepare to (technically) make their first postseason starts after very extended relief appearances in Game 1, a spot in the American League Championship Series is on the line. Which one would you trust with the ball?
- "It's a scary game for Yankees fans such as I. Two blowout wins. Two losses in games that we rallied and Valverde closed the door on. The key for Fister and the Tigers is strike one. If the Yanks are allowed to run the pitch count up and get to the bullpen the game is over." -- SN commenter tigertunes
- "I've got it down for Nova 5 IP -- CC 2 IP -- Robertson 0.2 IP -- Mo 1.1 IP -- Frank Sinatra." -- SN commenter enozlac
Doug Fister or Ivan Nova?
Fister wasn't sharp in his first postseason outing, but he did pitch well at Yankee Stadium in the regular season. Nova's only look at the Tigers came in Game 1, but it was a good one.
Is a tired ace still an ace?
Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Justin Verlander isn't available, but Yankees skipper Joe Girardi is putting no such limitations on CC Sabathia.
Root, root, root for the home team?
The Rangers await in the ALCS, but which team would you rather see survive to play another series?
What about Alex Rodriguez?
Alex Rodriguez is hitting .143 (2-for-14) this series, although he does have three RBIs. Should fans in the Bronx feel comfortable counting on him?
What does baseball do for an encore after a wild finish to the regular season? Justin Verlander battling CC Sabathia is a good start. Michael Wilbon aptly compared the duel to Bob Gibson against Sandy Koufax. Another might be Gibson against another Tigers ace, 30-game winner Denny McLain, in the 1968 World Series. Gibson allowed one earned run in two meetings against McLain. Will either ace live up to that tonight?
- "For some reason, I have a feeling this isn't gonna be the pitcher's duel we expected. Yankees know Verlander and Tigers know CC." -- SN commenter tellini415
- "People forget that the playoffs are a completely different environment. Verlander has a 5+ postseason era, much too high expectations for him coming in to the series. Tigers offense don't hold a candle to the Yanks." -- SN commenter concrow42193
Which team has more on the line?
The Yankees were 52-29 at home in the regular season and have question marks in the rotation after Sabathia. So does Sabathia need a win more?
Will this be a pitching duel?
Verlander twice allowed three earned runs against the Yankees this season, but will it take fewer runs than that to win this one?
Who has more staying power?
There isn't much question that Verlander ruled the 2011 regular season, but does Sabathia's consistency (17 or more wins in each of past five seasons) rule?
Is this the ultimate matchup?
With apologies to Ian Kennedy, C.J. Wilson and others, the postseason offers some intriguing matchups with four proven aces.
ALDS: Tigers vs. Yankees
Jose Valverde was perfect in the regular season, but is he second-best in this series?
Vote: Five questions for Tigers vs. Yankees
ALDS: Rays vs. Rangers
The Rays used one ace just to make it, but does starting rookie Matt Moore on the road make sense?
Vote: Five questions for Rays vs. Rangers
NLDS: Cardinals vs. Phillies
Albert Pujols' slow start turned into MVP-type numbers, but does pitching rule a short series?
Vote: Five questions for Cardinals vs. Phillies
NLDS: Diamondbacks vs. Brewers
Ian Kennedy won 21 games for Arizona, but do the Brewers have the depth?
Vote: Five questions for Diamondbacks vs. Brewers
We can understand if you don't want to take the time to grade your tech-support help on the other end of the telephone, but when we're talking about the dollars and emotion you've invested in sports, we think it's worth the effort. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.
Take part in the 2011 MLB survey
2010 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 3)
2. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 6)
3. Colorado Rockies (Overall: No. 13)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 14)
5. Atlanta Braves (Overall: No. 15)
Take part in the 2011 NFL survey
2010 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. New Orleans Saints (Overall: No. 1)
2. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 4)
3. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 9)
4. Arizona Cardinals (Overall: No. 19)
5. Baltimore Ravens (Overall: No. 20)
Take part in the 2011 NBA survey
2010 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 2)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 7)
3. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 10)
4. Dallas Mavericks (Overall: No. 24)
5. Oklahoma City Thunder (Overall: No. 25)
Take part in the 2011 NHL survey
2010 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 5)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 8)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 11)
4. San Jose Sharks (Overall: No. 12)
5. Chicago Blackhawks (Overall: No. 16)
- Vote: Would Red Sox fans welcome Johnny Damon back to Fenway?
- Rank 'Em: Where are the AL East teams in your MLB Power Rankings?
At this rate, Doug Mientkiewicz, Dave Roberts and Bill Mueller must be anxiously waiting by the phone. Last week, it was questions about whether the Red Sox might do the unimaginable and bring Manny Ramirez back to Fenway Park. Now the Red Sox really are trying to do the only slightly more imaginable by bringing Johnny Damon back to Boston.
Even if Damon opts to waive his no-trade clause and forget the ill will that accompanied his move to the Yankees after the 2005 season, he may not be enough to resurrect the Red Sox. But what about the other former "Idiot" who may soon hit the waiver market? Ramirez hasnt played much this season, but SportsNation seems to think he could be the difference between first and second place for the Rays.
Tito (Brooklyn)
Do you think the Boston Red Sox will make the playoffs if Johnny Damon returns to that team?
Joe Morgan
He can help them because they have too many injuries in their outfield. ... I think it's a very difficult decision for Johnny Damon to go back to Boston. He wasn't happy when he left there. He didn't want to leave and he couldn't get the contract he wanted. It would be very difficult for him to go back there and help them win the pennant when they felt like they didn't need him the last time. But I think it could be a good move for him. Detroit is not going to make the playoffs. He has a chance for one last hurrah in Boston. But we are human beings and sometimes when our pride is hurt, it's tough for us to put that aside and go back. Full transcript
- More from ESPN.com: Rob Neyer recalls a visit with Ernie Harwell
- Detroit Free Press: Drew Sharp on Harwell's optimism | Stephen Henderson on voice
- Detroit News: Lynn Henning remembers Harwell as a man of the people
- The Daily Fungo: Blogger Mike McClary remembers an encounter with Harwell
- Bless You Boys: Blogger Kurt Mensching mourns the loss for the Tigers and baseball
Sports fans have a lot of voices speaking at them these days, and let's face it, a lot of them are about as useful as, well, this one. But there's still something different about play-by-play announcers, particularly the folks who bring you 162 days and nights of baseball from Opening Day through middle of autumn.
We didn't grow up with Ernie Harwell, who passed away Tuesday at 92 years old, but we grew up with voices like his (although perhaps not quite as good). Maybe you grew up listening to Harry Caray call Cubs games for people across the nation on WGN. Maybe it was Vin Scully or Jon Miller. Or maybe it wasn't baseball at all, but a basketball voice like Chick Hearn or a football voice like Pat Summerall.
So it's a simple question this morning as the sports world celebrates Harwell. If you had one game left to watch or listen to, who would you most want to hear calling the action?
- "Every true baseball fan has the announcers they grew up with, and as the players on the team may have changed, the man behind the mic almost never did.
"Growing up in Chicago and being a Cubs fan all my life, no matter how good the Cubs looked, I knew disappointment was more than likely only a swing or a pitch away, but when I tuned in to watch or listen to a game I always knew what I was getting. It was Harry Caray rambling about the vender in the second deck for three innings without ever telling his audience the score, count or batter or letting the Cubs faithful know exactly how to pronounce Durocher backwards.
"I'm sure that baseball fans across the country have similar stories about their home-town broadcaster as well." -- Read buckifan927's full post on free agency
It's just like the census, only this one is fun and doesn't come in the mail. And nobody from FOX News or MSNBC will yell at you about it. It's time for ESPN The Magazine's Ultimate Standings, in which SportsNation grades organizations on everything from ticket prices and stadium experience to the talent on the field, court or rink. Which team will end up on top this year? It depends on what you say.
Take part in the 2010 MLB survey
2009 MLB Ultimate Standings
1. Los Angeles Angels (Overall: No. 1)
2. Milwaukee Brewers (Overall: No. 7)
3. Tampa Bay Rays (Overall: No. 16)
4. Minnesota Twins (Overall: No. 23)
5. Philadelphia Phillies (Overall: No. 24)
Take part in the 2010 NFL survey
2009 NFL Ultimate Standings
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (Overall: No. 3)
2. Green Bay Packers (Overall: No. 13)
3. Indianapolis Colts (Overall: No. 14)
4. Tennessee Titans (Overall: No. 15)
5. New England Patriots (Overall: No. 19)
Take part in the 2010 NBA survey
2009 NBA Ultimate Standings
1. Cleveland Cavaliers (Overall: No. 5)
2. San Antonio Spurs (Overall: No. 9)
3. New Orleans Hornets (Overall: No. 12)
4. Houston Rockets (Overall: No. 17)
5. Orlando Magic (Overall: No. 18)
Take part in the 2010 NHL survey
2009 NHL Ultimate Standings
1. Carolina Hurricanes (Overall: No. 2)
2. Detroit Red Wings (Overall: No. 4)
3. Washington Capitals (Overall: No. 6)
4. Pittsburgh Penguins (Overall: No. 8)
5. St. Louis Blues (Overall: No. 10)
- Your Rankings: How do you rank MLB general managers? | Granderson good move?
- Live from winter meetings: ESPN's baseball experts weigh in from Indianapolis
- Local chats: ESPN Boston's Gordon Edes, 11:30 ET | ESPN Chicago's Bruce Levine, 7 ET
Unless you're a diehard Tigers fan or savored his occasional postseason television work (or his blog), chances are you're hearing a lot more about Curtis Granderson this week than, well, ever before. Granderson, who hit 30 home runs for the Tigers last season, is apparently on the verge of heading to the Bronx in a three-team deal to either replace or join free agent Johnny Damon.
The NFL may be king in this country, but when it comes to offseason interest, SportsNation says MLB is on equal footing with its gridiron peer. And that leads to an obvious question. With seemingly so few teams actually in contention to win once pitches start being thrown, is baseball's hot-stove season actually more interesting than its regular season?
And for those looking for a little more insight on Granderson, we're here for you. If by insight, you mean his Wrestlemania memories and favorite foods. If you insist on the baseball stuff, Keith Law chats Thursday at 1 p.m. ET.
Craig (Norwich, CT)
I've been a big fan of yours ever since I found out that you are a pro wrestling fan, and I was just wondering how much fun WrestleMania 23 really was. It must have been such a great time.
Curtis Granderson
I got a chance to sit ringside. To be there in front of 80,000 people and be inches from the whole show, was one of the best times I've had. It didn't stop from the start to the end. They delivered and satisfied the whole time. Full transcript from April 13, 2007
Jeffrey (Rochester)
What's your favorite thing to do on a road trip? Do you have any spots in certain cities that you have to visit?
Curtis Granderson
The food in every city, I look forward to. KC for the ribs, Seattle for the fish and chips. Chicago for the pizza. Baltimore for the crab cakes. My big thing is getting the food that a city is known for. I love to eat. Full transcript from April 13, 2007
Only three times since 1901 has an MLB team come from three games behind with four to play. That's a smaller number than the total of unassisted triple plays in the same span. It's a smaller number than the total of perfect games in that span. It's even a smaller number than Hall of Famers who went by animal names in everyday conversation (Goose Goslin, Catfish Hunter, Mule Suttles and Rabbit Maranville, for starters). But the Minnesota Twins became the first to make the postseason by beating the Tigers Tuesday night.
Now the question is would an encore be an even greater upset?
The Yankees took all seven games from the Twins during the regular season. They're rested and ready (and a little perturbed, in the case of Jorge Posada). The Twins didn't even get to New York until just before the morning radio shows started and have hardly any arms left to pitch.
- Your Rankings: Who are the Twins chasing for the all-time postseason upset?
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