High School grading logic...

Back when I was in high school, if I a had D+ or D- average on my report card, I'd be benched until I got that average up. I would have been humiliated, angry, and made to improve. Today Brandon Inge and Ryan Raburn earned those marks. I say we implement the high school rules and get the team back on track.

Its been an up and down and sometimes dismal first half. I remember when Don Kelly was playing full time at 3B while Inge was on the DL. Things seemed smoother in the lineup. Instead of having a gaping hole at the bottom of the lineup, there was just one small tear. Now it seems like the Tigers get something going, and its gone in seconds.

I get the concept of letting a guy play through his slump, and I'm on board with that concept. The problem is, when do you call it a slump, and when do you call it old fashion lack of production? Raburn has spent the better part of the season trying to get out of his, and if you ask me, the way he's holding the bat, he's never going to come out of it. The same case can be made for Inge.

Inge's value has never been behind the plate. He also streaks between .210 and .225. The difference this season is that he's committing errors like their going out of style, and he's not producing HRs and RBIs. He's simply playing bad baseball.

So what would my old high school coach say if I was given a D- or D+? He'd bench me, and replace me. There would be no discussion. It would just be so. Perhaps the Tigers' management will find a replacement for the two holds before the July 31 trade deadline. I'm personally not going to hold my breath.

Mid-season Awards Poll!

Imagine its November, and the World Series is over. MLB is wrapping up the awards voting, and they've just announced that Justin Verlander has won the 2011 AL Cy Young Award. If a mid-season poll has any indication of what's to come, your dream will come true.

Early voting hows Roy Halladay and Justin Verlander heading home with the Cy Young awards. Jim Leyland also faired well with 3rd place in the AL Manager of the year award. For the NL, former Tigers outfielder Kirk Gibson would take hom the top Manager prize.

Its fun sometimes to see these polls. So much baseball is left to play, but often times the story is already written. What's left is the conclusion to verify what we already knew. Our winners came out of the gate holding the trophy, and never looked back.

Justin Verlander's nick name quickly turned in 'Cy Young' in the dug out at the Allstar Game. Even Josh Beckett, a contender for the award, acknowledged him him as the best pitcher. Verlander just smiled. He was enjoying the moment, and preparing to get his teammates back to Detroit. An ace turned Concierge took care of the flight plans for his Allstar teammates.

A class act if you ask me.

So enjoy the rest of the story. Dombrowski has some work to do, and the Ace will be back on the mound Friday. The MLB awards will be something to see.

NFL vs Players Almost Over?

Its true. The NFL lockout is over thanks to a judge. The players are tired of having no deal. The owners are getting a lot of things they wanted. Brees, Brady, and Manning all say its time to seal the deal. As far as the reports say, we could see a ratified deal in less than 10 days. I'll keep you posted.

Taxing Greatness

The United States needs money. Congress can't spend it if they don't have it. So why not turn to Christian Lopez, the 23 year old cell phone salesman who handed over Jeter's 3,000th hit ball, and was rewarded with four awesome seats to all the games at Yankee Stadium this year, and a bunch of signed memorabilia. The IRS is guessing he owes something like $5,000 to $15,000. My guess is they will lean near the higher end. Why not, right?

One of the classiest moves I've seen from a fan was the selfless act of giving the ball back to Derek Jeter. He didn't ask for the ball, but Mr Lopez decided he should have it. Most people call him stupid. I applaud him. Now in another classy move, he's said he'll pay his taxes.

I sat there thinking "Someone is going to help this guy out. They're just going to wait until he gets the bill."

Apparently I was wrong....about when they'd agree to help him.

Miller High Life has vowed to pay the tax bill. "Miller High Life believes you should be rewarded for doing the right thing, not penalized," Miller High Life brand manager Brendan Noonan said in a statement. "We want to recognize Christian Lopez, and in turn everyone like him, for doing the common sense thing and help him continue to live the High Life."

A lot of class out there. It never ceases to amaze me. It never gets old.

C'mon, Dave, Let's Trade!

But please don't trade stupid. Rumors are swirling that Carlos Beltran could be on the Tigers' radar. Why? Who knows. He's an outfielder. He hits great. He's a great player. Why not? The Tigers have enough good and great Outfielders.

The real problem is the starting rotation. You have a Cy Young contender, a good pitcher, and two guys who are starting to pitch well. What about the fifth? There isn't one. Furbush is currently down in Toledo, and Coke can't start.

Aside from a huge hole in the rotation, there's Inge and Raburn. Carlos Guillen is due back this week or next, and will get a shot at 2B. Inge, tho, has turned into a fixture of bad baseball that won't go away at 3B. Why not Kelly? Who knows. Maybe they think he'll be Inge 2. Its a hole in the lineup that's killing rallies, and basic run production.

So my advice to Dave Dombrowski is not to trade for Carlos Beltran, but to instead find a replace for Inge in the infield, with someone who can hit, and a nice starter for the rotation. Do that, and you win the AL Central.

A fine Allstar Week!

Rollie Fingers almost did the unthinkable. He almost beat Jennie Fynch in a pitcher's duel during the annual Celebrity Softball Game. Just before that, watching Cano pound long ball after long ball from pitches from his Dad. He saved the HR Derby, and stuck it to every Boston fan in America. Nicely done, Robinson. It was the start of an enjoyable Allstar week.

I always enjoy watching the Allstar game. It doesn't always matter to me who does what, but with five Tigers on the roster, I anxiously awaited the start from Avila, and the fill in sports for Peralta and Cabrera. So far, nothing significant has come from them, or really any of the AL, but its still exciting to see the home town guys in the game.

I was trying to remember the last time the Tigers had so many potential Allstars on one roster. It reminded me a lot of the Pistons putting four starters in the NBA Allstar game. I'll never forget them and LeBron winning it for the East.

Its a shame Justin Verlander couldn't pitch tonight. I would have loved to see him and Avila out there together on the national stage. Still, it was nice to see him picked, and in the dugout enjoying himself. I hope he had a hot dog.

Something scarey could be in the works though. Miguel Cabrera has reportedly left the game with an injury. Now, we know that if even one little thing feels weird, these guys will stop playing. Look at Jared Weaver. He felt something weird, he bowed out early.

That's the nature of pro sports when you have millions of dollars at stake. Its not only the salaries, its the potential loss of team income if they don't make the playoffs. The Tigers are one of those teams built for a post season run. I can't imagine the Illitches will be pleased if their expensive payroll doesn't gather a couple or more post season games.

One thing I am hoping for is to see Valverde get a chance to save the AL. Its not because of his pitching, I can see that any day. Its because he has a new dance rehearsed! I'll admit it. I'm a fan of Papa Grande's antics!

No matter how this turns out, I'll still look at this night like all the other July ASGs. It was a good two nights of baseball. I can't wait until next season!

Kenny Joins the USA!

Congratulations to Ken Holland, GM of the Red Wings, for becoming an official U.S. Citizen! He spent 8-10 years working on it. He's brought a lot to us here in Detroit, and we're glad to finally have him as one of our own!