While the Tigers season was practically done by the middle of July, the season did continue on. I watched them get humiliated by the Twins in a four game sweep. Which, good for the Twins, they have been bad for a long time and this year are in the hunt for a wild card race. That is the nice about baseball. There always seems to be a historically bad team that has a good year and most people rally around them hoping that they'll make a deep run in the playoffs. The Chicago Cubs are the obvious example with their World Series win last year, but the Cleveland Indians (sad to say) also are starting to play very well.
When we lived in Wichita, I watched a lot of Royals games. They weren't the back to back American League Champion Royals, they were the lose ninety games Royals. When they did win, with the exception of when they played Detroit, you felt good for them. If they had a seventy five win season, that was a great year and something to build upon. I think that no matter what team you root for if a bad team plays well doesn't a little bit of you feel good for them? Except the White Sox. Fuck that team.
But if everyone is happy for everyone else isn't there something missing? It's almost like baseball, every sport for that matter, needs that one team every fan rallies against. In football you have the New England Patriots. Basketball has the Los Angeles Lakers or the Golden State Warriors. Hockey has the Chicago Blackhawks and the Pittsburgh Penguins. Teams that are either historically good or currently winning a title every time you turn around. And who does baseball have? The New York Yankees of course. And to a lesser degree the Boston Red Sox. They won a few titles and aren't considered an underdog much anymore.
Every sport needs that team to root against. That team that always has the great players, that seems to get the call in their favor, that will sign your favorite player in the offseason. For the past few years, the Yankees haven't been the same old Yankees everyone hates. Sure, we hate them because of they're the Yankees, but they haven't been very relevant when it came to the playoffs the past few years. Well they're back. They are going to make the playoffs this season and seem to be peaking at the right time. We all know that if you're team is hot going into the post season there is no telling what can happen.
This is a good thing for baseball. We might not like seeing the Yankees in the post season, but it gives us a villain. It gives us a reason to watch if our team doesn't make it because we want to see the Yankees lose. Am I right? Depending on who they end up playing, I would rather see the Yankees lose than the other team win. I want to see the dejected faces of the fans as their beloved Yanks get crushed. It's one of those scenarios where it's 'anyone but New York' for those of us who have no team playing in October. At least that's the way I'm approaching it.
25 September 2017
18 September 2017
It's Okay
You see these posts on social media that are titled things like 'a list of things for my son' or 'every rule my daughter needs to follow'. Once they gain momentum on social media sites, it's hard to slow them down. Then they go away for a bit, then suddenly reappear. There isn't anything wrong with them. I usually read through these and get a smile or two out of them. I have my own list like that. I call it my 'It's Okay' list.
It's okay to be the 'work parent'. Be the person that others go to for advice. Life advice, work advice, it doesn't matter. Be the person that younger co-workers go to. My wife tells me plenty of stories of people she works with that come to her for day in and day out advice. It helps that she works with people that are ten to twelve years younger than we are. It gives you the opportunity to be a life mentor without it being a stupid program.
It's okay to not like 'classics'. Whether it is movies, books, art, whatever. It's fine for you to not like something just because it is considered a classic. There have been several books that are classics that I just didn't like. 'The Sound and the Fury' and 'Tropic of Cancer' to name a few. Most Hemingway as well.
It's okay for your favorite pop culture item to be something other than a classic. One of my favorite books I have read is called '44 Dublin Made Me' by Peter Sheridan. It's his memoir about growing up in Ireland. Yes, I have my favorite classic books, but it's nice to have a favorite that maybe not everyone has heard of.
It's okay to binge watch an entire season of a show in one day. Streaming services have made this a possibility the past few years. Personally, I can sit and watch a few hours worth of television shows but I cannot, on the regular, sit and watch eight or nine episodes of a show in one day. Sometimes it's nice to escape the day and laze around.
It's okay to spoil yourself. Sometimes it can be something as small as stopping at Dairy Queen and getting yourself a treat just because. It can be going out and buying something new like a work outfit, a book, or a case of craft beer. I have a wedding to go to in the fall and on my last day off, I went out and bought some new dress clothes. I'm not a huge shopper, but it was fun to do on a day off.
This last one isn't an 'it's okay', but I'm going to throw it on here. Everyone should own at least one jazz album. I'm talking Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald. Jazz musicians feel music at a whole other level than other musicians. It's just something you need to hear, and once you do it'll stick with you.
It's okay to be the 'work parent'. Be the person that others go to for advice. Life advice, work advice, it doesn't matter. Be the person that younger co-workers go to. My wife tells me plenty of stories of people she works with that come to her for day in and day out advice. It helps that she works with people that are ten to twelve years younger than we are. It gives you the opportunity to be a life mentor without it being a stupid program.
It's okay to not like 'classics'. Whether it is movies, books, art, whatever. It's fine for you to not like something just because it is considered a classic. There have been several books that are classics that I just didn't like. 'The Sound and the Fury' and 'Tropic of Cancer' to name a few. Most Hemingway as well.
It's okay for your favorite pop culture item to be something other than a classic. One of my favorite books I have read is called '44 Dublin Made Me' by Peter Sheridan. It's his memoir about growing up in Ireland. Yes, I have my favorite classic books, but it's nice to have a favorite that maybe not everyone has heard of.
It's okay to binge watch an entire season of a show in one day. Streaming services have made this a possibility the past few years. Personally, I can sit and watch a few hours worth of television shows but I cannot, on the regular, sit and watch eight or nine episodes of a show in one day. Sometimes it's nice to escape the day and laze around.
It's okay to spoil yourself. Sometimes it can be something as small as stopping at Dairy Queen and getting yourself a treat just because. It can be going out and buying something new like a work outfit, a book, or a case of craft beer. I have a wedding to go to in the fall and on my last day off, I went out and bought some new dress clothes. I'm not a huge shopper, but it was fun to do on a day off.
This last one isn't an 'it's okay', but I'm going to throw it on here. Everyone should own at least one jazz album. I'm talking Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald. Jazz musicians feel music at a whole other level than other musicians. It's just something you need to hear, and once you do it'll stick with you.
14 September 2017
Tank Games
As we watch the Detroit Tigers struggle to reach the finish of the season, there are plenty of people that believe that the team should go out of their way to lose games. The thought is that the more games they lose the higher the draft pick they will get in next year's draft. The higher the draft pick, allegedly, the better the talent. The better the talent, the better your team gets. Pretty straight forward thinking. I see a few problems with this strategy, as do plenty of others.
The first problem I see with this idea is that with baseball prospects, even the guys that are coming out of college, are still several years away from playing in the MLB. By all accounts, the major leagues are on a much higher level than even the minor leagues so if a fanbase thinks that a number one or two pick is going to have an immediate impact on their team they don't really pay attention. There are once in a generation type players that can have an immediate impact, but there doesn't appear to be any player like that in the upcoming draft. They'll settle for a top five draft pick for next year's draft and the front office that the Tigers have will most certainly do an excellent job selecting their next player.
The MLB draft seems like a crap shoot when it comes to comparison of the other major sports. A lot of that hinges on players getting drafted so young. There are plenty that get drafted right out of high school, and yes they can decline to sign with the team that drafts them and pursue a college career. You see that quite a bit that a player will get drafted out of high school, not sign with the team, and then several years later get drafted much higher because they have developed. Even those generational players that get drafted spend some time in the minors before getting called up.
It takes time. It always takes time. With all the holes that are in the Tigers roster, it's a good thing for them to take their time developing their young players. Al Avila traded away five veteran players and got nine players back. There have been a couple that have played in the Major League with other teams and have even seen some time with the Tigers this year. The majority of the players are in double A or lower. There are players that they have drafted that are about the same level. So the next crop of talent is going to come up soon, and they are going to come up together. That is how you seemingly come out of nowhere and start winning plenty of games. Look at the Royals in 2014 and 2015. Look at the Cubs the past couple of years. The Astros. All of them were terrible for so long. They drafted talent, developed the talent, and then were seemingly relevant.
I feel like I have written several posts like this, and part of it might be trying to convince myself that this is for the best. This is how the Tigers are going to get good again. Gone are the days of winning now. In five and six years they'll have the win now mentality, but for now it's going to be terrible baseball to watch. Just keep an eye on the minor league teams if you want to get excited about baseball. That's what will keep you going.
The first problem I see with this idea is that with baseball prospects, even the guys that are coming out of college, are still several years away from playing in the MLB. By all accounts, the major leagues are on a much higher level than even the minor leagues so if a fanbase thinks that a number one or two pick is going to have an immediate impact on their team they don't really pay attention. There are once in a generation type players that can have an immediate impact, but there doesn't appear to be any player like that in the upcoming draft. They'll settle for a top five draft pick for next year's draft and the front office that the Tigers have will most certainly do an excellent job selecting their next player.
The MLB draft seems like a crap shoot when it comes to comparison of the other major sports. A lot of that hinges on players getting drafted so young. There are plenty that get drafted right out of high school, and yes they can decline to sign with the team that drafts them and pursue a college career. You see that quite a bit that a player will get drafted out of high school, not sign with the team, and then several years later get drafted much higher because they have developed. Even those generational players that get drafted spend some time in the minors before getting called up.
It takes time. It always takes time. With all the holes that are in the Tigers roster, it's a good thing for them to take their time developing their young players. Al Avila traded away five veteran players and got nine players back. There have been a couple that have played in the Major League with other teams and have even seen some time with the Tigers this year. The majority of the players are in double A or lower. There are players that they have drafted that are about the same level. So the next crop of talent is going to come up soon, and they are going to come up together. That is how you seemingly come out of nowhere and start winning plenty of games. Look at the Royals in 2014 and 2015. Look at the Cubs the past couple of years. The Astros. All of them were terrible for so long. They drafted talent, developed the talent, and then were seemingly relevant.
I feel like I have written several posts like this, and part of it might be trying to convince myself that this is for the best. This is how the Tigers are going to get good again. Gone are the days of winning now. In five and six years they'll have the win now mentality, but for now it's going to be terrible baseball to watch. Just keep an eye on the minor league teams if you want to get excited about baseball. That's what will keep you going.
24 August 2017
Papa
My grandfather passed away this afternoon. His health steadily declined over the past month or so. We got to see him and my grandma when we were home in August for our family reunion. He was a good man, a family man, a lowkey funny man. My entire family is, of course, sharing stories and photos of him on social media. What I want to share is longer than what most social media posts are, so here is a fun story I have of the man we all knew as Papa.
Several years ago, we were home around Christmas time because my wife's grandfather had passed away. All of the services were going to be in the spring time because you can't really do much in terms of burial in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in December, but we wanted to be with our family. During that week we were home, we took a trip to see my family for their annual Christmas get together. Papa suggested that if we were going to be around for a bit that I come out to hunting camp to hunt for a day or two. After clearing it, I went out there with my dad and Papa. As we were leaving camp to go to our respective seats, dad told me 'nothing that doesn't have antlers.' I said okay, not thinking I would see much only having just a few hours of light. Papa turned to me and said 'Bullshit. Charlie he's home for just a few days. Shoot whatever the fuck you want!' I looked at him, looked at Dad, shrugged my shoulders and said okay. Just before sunset, I had a small doe walk into the bait pile. I waited for a bit hoping for maybe another (read: bigger) one come in with it, contemplated, then shot it. This was the first deer I had ever shot. We didn't hunt much as kids, which looking back at it I hate myself for that. I walked back to camp and Papa had just gotten there before I did.
Papa: 'See anything?'
Me: 'Yup.'
Papa: 'Well did you dress it out?'
Me: 'I didn't have a knife. (I wasn't planning on hunting so didn't come home prepared) Papa, this is my first deer.'
Papa: 'Oh?'
He then walks over to where the Crown Royal was stored and pulled out two shot glasses. He poured, we toasted, then had one more. Just Papa and I sitting at King Pine Camp. Sharing a few shots of whiskey. It was everything.
Several years ago, we were home around Christmas time because my wife's grandfather had passed away. All of the services were going to be in the spring time because you can't really do much in terms of burial in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan in December, but we wanted to be with our family. During that week we were home, we took a trip to see my family for their annual Christmas get together. Papa suggested that if we were going to be around for a bit that I come out to hunting camp to hunt for a day or two. After clearing it, I went out there with my dad and Papa. As we were leaving camp to go to our respective seats, dad told me 'nothing that doesn't have antlers.' I said okay, not thinking I would see much only having just a few hours of light. Papa turned to me and said 'Bullshit. Charlie he's home for just a few days. Shoot whatever the fuck you want!' I looked at him, looked at Dad, shrugged my shoulders and said okay. Just before sunset, I had a small doe walk into the bait pile. I waited for a bit hoping for maybe another (read: bigger) one come in with it, contemplated, then shot it. This was the first deer I had ever shot. We didn't hunt much as kids, which looking back at it I hate myself for that. I walked back to camp and Papa had just gotten there before I did.
Papa: 'See anything?'
Me: 'Yup.'
Papa: 'Well did you dress it out?'
Me: 'I didn't have a knife. (I wasn't planning on hunting so didn't come home prepared) Papa, this is my first deer.'
Papa: 'Oh?'
He then walks over to where the Crown Royal was stored and pulled out two shot glasses. He poured, we toasted, then had one more. Just Papa and I sitting at King Pine Camp. Sharing a few shots of whiskey. It was everything.
04 August 2017
The Foundation is Set
The dust has settled on the MLB trade deadline. The Tigers ended up pulling off one more trade which most everyone was expecting. They sent Justin Wilson and Alex Avila to the Chicago Cubs for more prospects. As with the JD Martinez trade, the prospects weren't the highest profile. To be fair, the pieces that the Tigers moved were not worthy of top ten or twenty ranked prospects. After the Martinez trade, the fan base was ready to run Al Avila out of town. After the Wilson/Avila trade, most seem to be willing to give it a chance. These trades were necessary and were extremely helpful for the organization.
All in all, the Tigers got six prospects all of which are infielders. Third basemen and shortstops at the moment. Some people that know more than I do think one or two might end up being an everyday player at the major league level while others will end up being a serviceable bench player. So why should a fan be excited about players that aren't going to be the next Bryce Harper or Kris Bryant? Because the Tigers didn't have these types of prospects before. Looking at the top prospects within the organization, before the trade, seven of the top ten prospects for the Tigers are pitchers. The other three prospects were all outfielders. When all you draft is power arms and outfielders this is what you end up with. After the trades, two of the new prospects are slotted into the top ten and another is within the top fifteen. The farm system still isn't the best in the league, in fact I believe most have it ranked in the bottom third of the league, but it is improving.
I think that the foundation is set for the next era of the Detroit Tigers. I don't think that we'll see a decade's worth of ruling the AL Central, but they are going to be fun to watch. The players that are coming up in the next three to four years aren't the power hitters we have come to grow and love. These are going to be guys that hit doubles and get on base and manufacture runs. It is going to be very different. It'll be a different type of game played. Think of the way the Kansas City Royals play, that is how I think it'll be for the Tigers. On base guys in front of some power bats. These trades that were made are not going to solve the problem though. It is just the start of the solution. Al Avila is rebuilding the organization, he needs time. They have drafted fairly well the last two years, getting some pitchers but also going after athletic players.
I think these trades might have helped jump the rebuild ahead a year, but it will all depend on how the prospects develop. I think they will be making noise in 2019 but 2020 or 2021 seems to be more likely for them to really threaten to take the AL Central back from other teams (most likely the Chicago White Sox). That will depend on the coaching in the minors. Get excited about the future Tigers fans. It'll take some time, but get excited.
All in all, the Tigers got six prospects all of which are infielders. Third basemen and shortstops at the moment. Some people that know more than I do think one or two might end up being an everyday player at the major league level while others will end up being a serviceable bench player. So why should a fan be excited about players that aren't going to be the next Bryce Harper or Kris Bryant? Because the Tigers didn't have these types of prospects before. Looking at the top prospects within the organization, before the trade, seven of the top ten prospects for the Tigers are pitchers. The other three prospects were all outfielders. When all you draft is power arms and outfielders this is what you end up with. After the trades, two of the new prospects are slotted into the top ten and another is within the top fifteen. The farm system still isn't the best in the league, in fact I believe most have it ranked in the bottom third of the league, but it is improving.
I think that the foundation is set for the next era of the Detroit Tigers. I don't think that we'll see a decade's worth of ruling the AL Central, but they are going to be fun to watch. The players that are coming up in the next three to four years aren't the power hitters we have come to grow and love. These are going to be guys that hit doubles and get on base and manufacture runs. It is going to be very different. It'll be a different type of game played. Think of the way the Kansas City Royals play, that is how I think it'll be for the Tigers. On base guys in front of some power bats. These trades that were made are not going to solve the problem though. It is just the start of the solution. Al Avila is rebuilding the organization, he needs time. They have drafted fairly well the last two years, getting some pitchers but also going after athletic players.
I think these trades might have helped jump the rebuild ahead a year, but it will all depend on how the prospects develop. I think they will be making noise in 2019 but 2020 or 2021 seems to be more likely for them to really threaten to take the AL Central back from other teams (most likely the Chicago White Sox). That will depend on the coaching in the minors. Get excited about the future Tigers fans. It'll take some time, but get excited.
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