Brandon Inge Latest News Thread

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Fri Mar 21, 2008 1:43 pm

03/21/2008 5:09 PM ET
Inge seeing time at shortstop
Versatile defender eyed as possible backup if Renteria injured
By Jim Molony / MLB.com

LAKELAND, Fla. -- Shortstop Edgar Renteria was held out of Friday's game against the Blue Jays in order to give his aching back another day to heal, as well as give Tigers manager Jim Leyland another opportunity to look at Brandon Inge at shortstop.

Renteria, a late scratch from Thursday's lineup because of lower back spasms, was not available for comment Friday morning. Leyland indicated the 32-year-old's injury is not serious.

"[He has a] stiff back, better but still stiff," Leyland said.

Renteria is day-to-day and could be back in the lineup for Saturday's game against Philadelphia in Clearwater, Fla. He is listed on the travel squad for that game.

In the meantime, Leyland will get a look at Inge -- a versatile defender who has played all three outfield positions, third base and catcher in the past -- at shortstop. Utility infielder Ramon Santiago is also a candidate to back up Renteria, but Leyland already knows what Santiago can do at the position.

"You have Brandon Inge on the team, [and] I think you work him," Leyland said. "If you had to play somebody at shortstop for a month what would be the best way to go? Hopefully that won't be the problem. That's why I want to look at him. If you're talking about two days that's one thing, [but] if you're talking about a lengthy period of time, are we a better club with Inge playing at short or Ramon Santiago playing at short?"

Inge played some shortstop in college but has not played the position during the seven years that he's been with the Tigers. He certainly is athletic enough to handle the position, and fared well against the Blue Jays on Friday.

"We found out a couple of things," Leyland said.

It isn't a question of a roster spot. Leyland said Santiago is already on the club, so he'll have a role regardless. But it makes sense to find out now if Inge might be a better long term option if circumstances dictate one is needed.

"We can't work with him at 30 places, you know?" Leyland said. "We're trying to do a little work with him right now at shortstop, talking to him about positioning and stuff. But we can't cram everything in."

Inge's offense is one of the reasons why he'll get a look at the position in the days ahead.

Santiago, 28, hit .284 in 32 games for Detroit last season, and he has little power. Inge is a career .241 hitter with 13 or more homers in each of the last four years.

"[Santiago] is a really tremendous utility infielder; he can really play shortstop," Leyland said. "And he's swinging the bat better, but you're not going to expect a huge amount of offense from him.

"You know, he's a real bona fide middle utility infielder in the Major Leagues, in my opinion. I love him on the team. He's a good man, never says anything, goes about his business, doesn't bother anybody, doesn't cause any waves."

And he's there for whenever the Tigers need him.

Jim Molony is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Fri Mar 21, 2008 2:40 pm

one day at a time!
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Fri Mar 21, 2008 2:50 pm

Brandon made some good plays at short today. That guy can play some great defense!!!!!

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Fri Mar 21, 2008 3:11 pm

if we get plagued by injuries, he will play every day!
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Fri Mar 21, 2008 7:34 pm

He seemed to be smiling today.

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:44 pm

thank U, God! Big Smile

_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Fri May 02, 2008 7:50 pm

05/02/2008 11:15 PM ET
Inge catching time as backup backstop
Veteran spelling Pudge, re-learning the ropes behind the plate
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

MINNEAPOLIS -- For someone who became a backup catcher by necessity when the season started, Brandon Inge is finding his best route toward playing time nowadays is to get back behind the plate.

Inge caught Thursday's series finale at Yankee Stadium to give Ivan Rodriguez a well-deserved day off, and manager Jim Leyland said he plans on catching him again in one of the remaining games against the Twins this weekend at the Metrodome. Though the primary benefit is to keep the 36-year-old Rodriguez fresh for the season's second half, it also keeps Inge from withering on the bench waiting to fill in at center field for Curtis Granderson.

"I think if you keep Pudge fresh, he's going to do much better," Leyland said Thursday. "And if you catch Inge, you'll keep him sharp."

After Thursday's game, Leyland made a point to praise Inge for his work in his fourth start of the season at catcher. Inge, in turn, said Friday he enjoyed working with starter Nate Robertson to help him get past a rough opening inning, retire nine straight and keep the game close enough for Detroit to rally.

"When you're going in two different directions, I know it can snowball and be really, really bad, and [the pitcher] can be out of the game," Inge said, "or you can say, 'OK, it was bad here, but I can make an adjustment.'"

It was the kind of working relationship Inge had in his younger days as an everyday catcher with a very young Tigers pitching staff in 2003, when both Robertson and Jeremy Bonderman were rookies and Mike Maroth was in his first full Major League season on his way to 21 losses. The difference now is that by limiting the damage early, the Tigers have an offense to get back into games.

Inge said earlier this week that calling a game again wasn't a big adjustment for him. Though he moved out from behind the plate in 2004 and remained Detroit's everyday third baseman through last season, he said he approached the position still thinking through the game like a catcher and positioned himself defensively according to the pitches.

Inge has caught every Tigers starter except injured Dontrelle Willis and callup Armando Galarraga. Depending on what day he catches this weekend, he'll work again with either Justin Verlander or Kenny Rogers. Which pitcher he works with is not going to make a difference.

"Pudge and Inge are our catchers," Leyland said, "and Inge is going to have to catch everybody. We're not going to make an issue out of that."

Inge's catching days don't appear likely to end soon. Though Vance Wilson's arm has progressed well in recent weeks after struggling to regain strength following Tommy John elbow ligament replacement surgery last summer, he has a case of plantar fasciitis in one of his feet that has halted his rehab. He's expected to resume catching bullpen sessions soon in extended Spring Training, but he still faces game work and a Minor League rehab assignment.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Fri May 02, 2008 8:27 pm

Wilson is never going to play for the Tigers again. They've been saying the same things about him for 2 years now.
_________________
Coming soon: A better signature!

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Fri May 02, 2008 8:51 pm

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Fri May 02, 2008 9:16 pm

me too.
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Tue May 06, 2008 12:54 pm

Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Inge's new attitude: Catching is cool
Lynn Henning / The Detroit News

In a dramatic disclosure that could have long-term impact on the Tigers lineup, Brandon Inge said Tuesday that he is willing to work at catcher as often as the team requests, in 2008 and beyond.

"I had to get over the hump," Inge said before Tuesday night's game against the Red Sox at Comerica Park. "I'm feeling comfortable catching."

Inge, 31, had asked the Tigers last winter to trade him to a team that might play him regularly at his preferred position, third base.

He was displaced at third base last December when the Tigers made a dynamic trade with the Florida Marlins that brought third baseman Miguel Cabrera to Detroit, in addition to pitcher Dontrelle Willis.

Inge said Tuesday that he still prefers to play third base -- "my first love" -- and that a chance to play at third regularly could persuade him to play elsewhere.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm not gonna lie," Inge said, "but I'm good with the catching, too. I don't like sitting.

"And I love Detroit. I love everything about it."

Inge's change of heart was revealed during pre-game conversations with Tigers manager Jim Leyland.

"Inge came to me," Leyland said of the news that pleased a Tigers skipper who has been shuffling and switching players during the early weeks of the 2008 season. Leyland has been trying to find offensive and defensive combinations that might turn around a team that sat five games beneath .500 entering Tuesday's game.

Leyland said he would "probably catch Inge more" in the coming weeks. Inge's reversal could also make him the likely successor to Pudge Rodriguez, whose contract runs out at the end of 2008. The Tigers have been searching, in vain, for the past year or more for a long-term catching option.

Inge said during spring training that he was unhappy catching, that its multiple responsibilities affected his offense and made playing baseball less than fulfilling.

But he said Tuesday that he has been finding his old comfort level at a position he played exclusively for the Tigers from 2001-2003.

"I don't know how it came about," Inge said of his change in attitude, which has left him with a new disposition toward an old position. "I think I'm over that now."

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Tue May 06, 2008 1:28 pm

I

Brandon !

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Wed May 07, 2008 8:17 am

I'm glad Inge doesn't mind catching now, however, I don't want him to do it too much whistle

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Wed May 07, 2008 12:35 pm

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Wed May 07, 2008 1:22 pm

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Wed May 14, 2008 4:39 am

I want to see Inge at 3rd! And i want that NOW! Nod

_________________
"I'm on a mission. Mark my words: I'll be back, and I'll be able to do what I've been doing." Joel Zumaya

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Wed May 14, 2008 5:23 am

hear that, Jimbo?
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Wed May 14, 2008 5:38 am

Yeah! Take Rent out for all I care and let Los either play SS or DH him!
_________________
"Contrary to what everybody else thinks, I still think I can come back and help this team."

Todd Jones on shoulder injury.

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Wed May 14, 2008 6:53 am

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Wed May 14, 2008 6:57 am

Isn't Los out of playing SS because of his knees? I thought that was why they were doing all the switching.

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Wed May 14, 2008 8:20 am

Im not too sure, but I do think so. But we need a new SS after that play Rent tried to make, showboat. Get him off!
_________________
"Contrary to what everybody else thinks, I still think I can come back and help this team."

Todd Jones on shoulder injury.

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Wed May 14, 2008 9:08 am

You're right Rickimouse. But Los was an All Star last year as SS. Can his knees really be this bad? Maybe he just don't want to risk something that could shorten his career. Could understand that. Better this way than eternal DL.

Dontrelle could play SS, so we still have Armando in the rotation. Laughing

_________________
"I'm on a mission. Mark my words: I'll be back, and I'll be able to do what I've been doing." Joel Zumaya

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Wed May 14, 2008 9:59 am

After the great play Los made last night, he looks like he's still SS material to me!!!

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Wed May 14, 2008 10:08 am

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Wed May 14, 2008 10:10 am

Inge is still our best 3rd baseman! Such a mess our great Tiger organization has gotten itself into! Inge loses his job to a new 3rd baseman, who we learn is much better at 1st! Then we take our all-star SS have him play 1st, and find he is bad at it. To make it worse, instead of giving Inge back his 3rd base job, we put Carlos there since Leland does not know what to do with Los. Los needs to be the DH if his knees are that bad, but that is filled by Sheff. Oh wait Sheff does not want to DH, he wants to play outfield. We get rid of Jones, so Sheff is now in LF (and doing better batting ever since) so DH is open....... Oh no, we have a great bat brought up from Toledo, (Joyce) can't send him back down..... So let's DH him. Now we are left with inge catching again

grouch

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Sat May 17, 2008 11:17 am

I'm afraid Brandon has turned to drugs. Look closely at this picture. LOOK AT THE SOCKS:

_________________
Coming soon: A better signature!

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Sat May 17, 2008 11:20 am

But I thought he always wore his pants DOWN during warm ups and then up at game time?

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Sat May 17, 2008 11:22 am

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Sat May 17, 2008 11:23 am

Brandon! I'm ashamed!

On an unrelated note. Burke Badenhop actually wears STIRRUPS when he pitches Stunned

Subject: Re: Brandon Inge Latest News Thread Sat May 17, 2008 11:24 am