Guillen

Subject: Re: Guillen Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:50 am

Guillen puts the focus on his footwork
First baseman works on maintaining proper stance at the bag
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

BOSTON -- As manager Jim Leyland promised, some of the Tigers were on the field at Fenway Park early on Wednesday afternoon for some extra work. It didn't all have to do with the struggling offense, though.
Carlos Guillen hasn't been slumping at the plate, but his defensive footwork had somehow gotten into a slump. So infield coach Rafael Belliard took Guillen out to the field early and drilled him on the proper stance to have at the bag when readying for a throw.

It's not simply a matter of allowing him to field throws better. It's a matter of allowing him to avoid a collision with a baserunner.

"The way he was doing it, he could get hit and get hurt," Belliard said. "He was in the running lane a lot of times."

Added Leyland: "We don't know how it started, but we hope we put an end to it today."

The trend developed last week, and it happened at least a few times over the course of last weekend's series with the White Sox at Comerica Park. Belliard noticed it once during the season-opening series against the Royals, but neither he nor Leyland saw it at all during Guillen's time at first base last season or in Spring Training last month.

Thus, it's not that Guillen is struggling to handle the adjustment to first base. It's that he fell into a bad habit.

"You have to have good footwork," Belliard said. "The ball is going to tell you how to go. The throw, you have to see the ball before you commit how to go. That's what we worked on, to get out with the ball, go at the same time as the ball."

Belliard worked with Guillen on planting his right toes on the bag while using his left foot to stretch out with his glove side.

"If you throw your left foot to the ball, it's easy," Belliard said.

So Belliard had Guillen working on his foot plant while taking throws from third baseman Miguel Cabrera, who was at the park for early work on his hitting.

Once they have that down, Belliard believes, Guillen should be all right.

"First base is not that easy," Belliard said. "You have to be a good athlete. I think when you go from short to first base, it's easier for any position guy going from there. A lot of things happen at first base, just like a lot of things happen at shortstop."

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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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: Guillen Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:52 am

I am very glad he is doing that! We want Carlos on the field not on the DL! thumbs up

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"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: Guillen Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:56 am

Glad we weren't the only ones to notice! Smile

GO 'LOS!
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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: Guillen Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:51 am

And we are glad they noticed before he did hurt himself!

I have seen several horror movies without any problems. But in certain Guillen situations at 1st base, i really had to look away!! affraid

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"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: Guillen Thu Apr 10, 2008 4:52 am

munch! crunch! ooo..that would take him out for the season, too!
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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: Guillen Thu Apr 10, 2008 1:15 pm

you rock on with your bad self, carlos!!!

playin like a BAMF! haha.
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LO! (:

"You can give your all. That's all you can do. Play as hard as you can and represent the team in the best manner that you can. If you win, you win. If you don't, well, you can sleep well, because you left it all out there."

- Brandon♥Inge -

Subject: Re: Guillen Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:01 pm

just stay well....
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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: Guillen Sat Apr 12, 2008 5:17 pm

Guillen out with mild hamstring strain
Detroit's veteran first baseman listed as day-to-day
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

CHICAGO -- Tigers first baseman Carlos Guillen was out of Saturday's lineup and is listed as day-to-day with a mild strain of his right hamstring.
Guillen suffered the injury in the ninth inning of Friday's 5-2 win over the White Sox, when he was running out a ground ball. He said he felt a little pull as he sped into first base to avoid a double play.

"It's pretty tight and sore," Guillen said Saturday morning.

After the game, Guillen said his hamstring was feeling better, but he did not expect to return for Sunday's series finale.

Guillen was out of the starting lineup for the first time this season. He's had one of the more productive bats for a Tigers offense that struggled for the first week and a half or so before producing 18 runs over a three-game stretch. Without Guillen, the Tigers didn't record a hit against White Sox starter Gavin Floyd for 7 1/3 innings in a 7-0 loss.

Guillen scored three times in Wednesday's 7-2 win at Boston, including once on a solo homer, and added a run in Friday's victory. He's batting .314 (11-for-35) with four doubles, two home runs, nine walks, eight runs scored and two RBIs.

To take Guillen's place, Detroit manager Jim Leyland moved starting third baseman Miguel Cabrera to first base and center fielder Brandon Inge to third while inserting hot-hitting rookie Clete Thomas in center. It marked Cabrera's first start at first in the Major Leagues.

The Cabrera shift, Leyland emphasized, was a preventative move to avoid worsening his sore left quadriceps.

"We are not moving Cabrera," Leyland said.

Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
_________________
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: Guillen Fri Apr 18, 2008 5:58 am

I have no problem with Miggy at 1B, except his footwork is as bad as Los'

Subject: Re: Guillen Fri Apr 18, 2008 7:23 am

both are pretty scary! Bring back CASEY!
_________________
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: Guillen Wed May 21, 2008 1:45 am

From the tigers.com website:

"I was thinking about Guillen's comments about the fans expecting to much. What a load of hooey...and I like Carlos so please don't think otherwise.

But this is how I see it:

You're darn right we expect a lot of you. You are living the dream so many have and would love to achieve. You get to play ball, for HUGE money, along side some talented fellas. You get to travel to different ball parks, meet some of the greatest players of old, have people ask for your autograph, fans cheer when you hit a home run or make a great play, fans buy jerseys with your number on it...spend money like crazy on season tickets and expensive hot dogs and beer...

Is it really too much to ask of you all that you bring your A game each night? No one expects you to win each day, but really - can't you at least ACT like you all want to be ballplayers? And it's not just about the money you make (although that is a large part - dang, all that dough because you can hit a ball with a stick!), it's about the Old English D you are representing. It means a lot to us...maybe you'll get traded away to some new team with a new emblem but we will still be right here, backing up the D. Try to take care of it while you're here - it's special.

Seriously, I expect no less from my 12 and 8 yr olds when they play ball...and they go out each night and give the best they got, win or lose...for free. No one pays them millions. In fact, I shell out big dollars each year just so they can play a sport they love. They are in it for the love of the game - when is the last time any of you wore your team hat 24/7 or slept in your uniform because it was just too cool to take off?

You guys should take a page from their book.

ok, done. Smile

thanks for allowing my vent.

Go TIGERS - let's win two in a row!"
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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: Guillen Wed May 21, 2008 8:37 am

Someone give this person an award for a phenomenal piece of writing!!! applaud

Subject: Re: Guillen Wed May 21, 2008 8:44 am

I thought it said volumes too.
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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: Guillen Mon Jun 02, 2008 8:56 am

Carlos Guillén
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Carlos Alfonso Guillén (born September 30, 1975) is a Major League Baseball third baseman and switch-hitter who plays for the Detroit Tigers. He was born in Maracay, Aragua State, Venezuela.

Guillén was signed by the Houston Astros as a non-draft amateur free agent in 1992. He was traded to the Seattle Mariners with pitcher Freddy García in the deal that sent Randy Johnson to the Astros. Guillén made his debut in 1998 and was traded to Detroit at the end of the 2003 season.

Coming from a long tradition of Venezuelan shortstops, which has produced the likes of Chico Carrasquel, Luis Aparicio, Dave Concepción, Ozzie Guillén (no relation; Guillén is a common surname in Venezuela) and Omar Vizquel, and the young stars Alex González and César Izturis as well, Guillén was forced to switch to second and third with incumbent Alex Rodriguez at short. After the 2000 season, A-Rod signed with the Texas Rangers, allowing Guillén to move back to his natural position. He had a league-average campaign in his first full-season with the club.

In Game 3 of the ALDS, he hit a perfect squeeze play in the bottom of the ninth inning to score Rickey Henderson and complete the Mariners' sweep of the Chicago White Sox. In September 2001, Guillén was hospitalized after being diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis, but he was ready for the ALCS against the Yankees the following month.

Over the years, the holes in Guillén's swing have gotten smaller, and some have disappeared altogether. In the field, he has good range with a strong arm and turns the double play reasonably well.

Guillén showed the perfect components that fitted together in a young and restructured 2004 Tigers team. In a career year, he led his club in RBI (97), runs (97), doubles (37), triples (10), total bases (283), slugging percentage (.542), OPS (.921), and his .318 batting average was only second to .334 of teammate Iván Rodríguez. Guillén also got his first All-Star berth. However, his breakout season was cut short, as he missed the final month of the 2004 season after tearing his ACL while legging out a triple. He healed well during the 2004-05 offseason and was back to his previous form in time for 2005's opening day, although problems with his left hamstring kept him out of the lineup for much of the year. Guillén returned to elite status in 2006 having another outstanding season. His on-base percentage reached .400 for the first time in his career, and he led all Major League shortstops with a .919 OPS.

On August 1, 2006, Guillén became the tenth Tiger to hit for the cycle, in a game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

In 2006, Guillén became the first player in modern Major League history to raise his average for six consecutive seasons, batting .320. In the field, however, he tied for the major league lead in errors at shortstop, with 28.

On August 6, 2007, in the bottom of the 1st, he got his 1,000 hit, knocking in Curtis Granderson with two out.

On September 30, 2007, on his 32nd birthday, Guillen hit the 93rd home run of his career and it gave him 100 RBIs in a season for the first time in his career.

In 2007, he had the lowest fielding percentage of all major league shortstops, .955.

Due to the acquisition of shortstop Edgar Rentería from the Atlanta Braves during the 2007-2008 offseason, and due to his decreased mobility, Guillén initially moved to first base to start the 2008 season. However, on April 22, manager Jim Leyland announced that Guillen would be moving to third base, with Miguel Cabrera becoming the new starting first baseman.

_________________
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: Guillen Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:21 pm

06/13/2008 8:08 PM ET
Guillen settling in at third base
Has not made an error at hot corner in last 11 games
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

DETROIT -- Two weeks have passed since Tigers manager Jim Leyland announced his plan to give Brandon Inge some starts at third base and move Carlos Guillen to left field. Guillen hasn't committed an error at third since.

Guillen, who seemed not so long ago like a defensive liability, with seven errors in his first 24 games at third, has evened out of late. Since Guillen's two-error game on Memorial Day against the Angels, he has gone 13 games in the field without an error, including 11 games at the hot corner.

Just as important as the numbers has been the look. Guillen has appeared to move around comfortably at third, especially ranging to his left.

The main reason starts with health. Both Guillen and Leyland said he's moving around better because his bout with hemorrhoids has ended. It was bad enough to limit him to DH duties for a day during their last road trip, and it might've been more except that a pulled left oblique sidelined Inge at the end of the trip.

Beyond that, though, is Guillen's comfort level at the hot corner. That has seemingly come with time and repetitions.

It's something Leyland expected to happen. Even when he decided to play Inge at third in some games, Leyland told reporters he believed Guillen would eventually settle in and be comfortable at third base.

"He's fine at third base," Leyland said Thursday. "He's not Brandon Inge. We know that. How many are? [Adrian] Beltre, [Joe] Crede maybe. But Carlos is playing good. He's ranging good, ranging good to his left. He's playing well at third base, which I knew he would. He works at it.

"Carlos is one of my all-time favorite players because he works at it. He's always ready to play. He's always in a good mood. He comes here with a positive approach every day. I'm blessed."

Infield coach Rafael Belliard added that Guillen has altered his approach on ground balls, playing slightly deeper and letting the ball come to him when he can.

Guillen's increased comfort at third allows Leyland the flexibility to have Inge split time with Ivan Rodriguez at catcher. Inge will still play occasionally at third, Leyland said, to give Guillen some time off when needed.

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: Guillen Fri Jun 13, 2008 6:37 pm

Now we just gotta keep him out of fights! Neutral

_________________
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: Guillen Fri Jun 13, 2008 7:05 pm

I think the only reason we need to keep him out of fights is we don't want him injuring himself in a brawl! We need him healthy!
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"I'm glad we're in the other division," Terry Francona, manager of the East-winning Boston Red Sox, told the Associated Press. "That lineup just got scary."

Subject: Re: Guillen Fri Jun 13, 2008 10:32 pm

exactly!
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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: Guillen Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:31 pm

07/03/2008 10:59 PM ET
Guillen has fond memories of Seattle
But infielder happy about trade that took him to Detroit
By Jason Beck / MLB.com

SEATTLE -- Four-and-a-half seasons have passed since the Mariners traded Carlos Guillen to the Tigers in a move that became a barometer for both organizations. The Mariners' general manager who made the move has now moved on, too, with Bill Bavasi dismissed last month.

Still, don't expect an I-told-you-so from Guillen. He seems to be happy the way things have turned out for him in Detroit, enough so that he doesn't necessarily miss Seattle.

"I don't think about it," Guillen said Thursday. "No big deal."

He still loves the city, of course, and he fondly remembers his six seasons with the Mariners. They averaged 91 wins a season in those six years from the time he came over in the Randy Johnson trade with Houston at the trade deadline in 1998 to his trade to Detroit. It was a relative love affair between the team and the city then.

"When I played here, this place would have 45,000, every night," Guillen said. "But we won 116 games and we were in the playoffs for two years in a row. We won 93 and didn't make it. But I love Detroit."

The Bavasi-led Mariners traded Guillen in January 2004 in an effort to free up the shortstop job for free agent Rich Aurilia, whom the Tigers had been pursuing themselves. Seattle nearly had dealt him to Cleveland for Omar Vizquel earlier that offseason before the deal fell through when Vizquel failed a physical.

Detroit ended up getting quite a consolation prize for its trouble. Gone to Seattle in the deal were incumbent shortstop, Ramon Santiago, and Minor League shortstop Juan Gonzalez. Santiago rejoined the Tigers as a Minor League free agent two years later. Gonzalez was last seen in the Dodgers farm system at Double-A Jacksonville.

The Mariners traded away Aurilia after just more than half a season, and they haven't had a 90-win season since Guillen left. Guillen, of course, became one of the cornerstones of the Tigers. And Detroit has become home to Guillen.

One thing he definitely doesn't miss is the West Coast travel. The Mariners regularly rack up some of the highest mileage totals of any Major League team.

"When we went to the east coast, three hours ahead [in time zone], you're tired," Guillen said. "You never get a day off. You're always traveling on your off-day. Every flight's long. Minimum two hours and a half, I think, except Oakland. I love Detroit. Everything's close."

The Guillen home is about to become a little bigger. His wife is due in the next few days to give birth to their third child and their first daughter, Camelia. She'll join older brothers Alonso and Issac.

"They're excited," Guillen said, "but they want another boy to play baseball."

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: Guillen Thu Jul 03, 2008 8:33 pm

Subject: Re: Guillen Thu Jul 03, 2008 11:47 pm

¡Las Felicitaciones campechanas a la Familia de Carlos Guillen! clap

_________________
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: Guillen Fri Jul 04, 2008 9:36 am

una nina nueva! FELICITACIONES!!!

Subject: Re: Guillen Sun Jul 06, 2008 11:48 pm

TIGERS CORNER
Guillen is 'a great choice' for All-Star squad
BY JON PAUL MOROSI • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • July 7, 2008

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SEATTLE -- Even without a clutch hit or a winning streak, this was going to be a special week for Tigers third baseman Carlos Guillen. Perhaps as early as tonight, his wife, Amelia, will give birth to the couple's first daughter, Camelia Jose.

Then on Sunday, some more big news came his way: For the third time in his career, Guillen was named to the American League All-Star team.

"I'm glad, very excited," he said.

Guillen, who has been indispensable to the Tigers since his arrival in 2004, will be the lone Detroit player in uniform for next Tuesday's game at Yankee Stadium. Manager Jim Leyland will be there as a member of the AL coaching staff.

Guillen began this season as the Tigers' everyday first baseman, but he switched to third base in late April. He has become a good defender at his new position while hitting close to his career norm. He entered Sunday's game with a .292 batting average, eight home runs and 44 RBIs.

"A great choice," Leyland said of Guillen, who also made All-Star teams in 2004 and 2007. "It couldn't happen to a better guy."

Throughout his career, Guillen has been known to borrow -- and use -- equipment from other players, and he is sure to indulge himself next week. He talked Sunday about possibly getting bats from All-Star teammates Alex Rodriguez and Manny Ramirez.

"Everybody," Guillen said with a smile. "They're all good hitters."

Guillen also has a tendency to use gloves made for other players: Miguel Cabrera (third base), Miguel Tejada (shortstop), Sean Casey (first base) and Gary Sheffield (outfield).

Guillen might want to bring all of those mitts to New York because his versatility is one reason he made the team. The Tigers sent five players to last year's All-Star Game in San Francisco, when Leyland managed the AL: Guillen, Magglio Ordoñez, Placido Polanco, Pudge Rodriguez and Justin Verlander.

Ordoñez, currently on the disabled list with a pulled oblique muscle, had been an All-Star each of the past two seasons. Rodriguez, a 14-time All-Star, will miss the game for the first time in his five-year Detroit career.
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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: Guillen Mon Jul 07, 2008 8:58 am

I didn’t even think Carlos Guillen would be an All-Star candidate

1. Carlos Guillen is the lone Tigers All-Star. Did this shock you and which Tiger has the best case for being snubbed?

When I was in college, there wasn’t exactly the handsomest crop of ladies at my school. It just wasn’t a babefest. So any girl that was halfway good looking was like an uberbabe walking across campus. She may not make “Women of the Big Ten” in Playboy magazine, but by our low standards, she was hot. Why do I bring this up? Great question.

To me, the whole debate about the All-Star Game mirrors this issue. There is so little going on in sports right now, that sports talk dopes like me grab hold of the All-Star debate and beat the bloody pulp out of it like its Roe v. Wade or gun control. And you know what, nobody cares. Oh sure, I guess some fans want their guy in and are a little miffed when one guy makes it and another doesn’t. But it’s an exhibition game between a bunch of millionaires that very few fans outside of the host city have a deep passion for anyway. It really doesn’t matter who makes it or who doesn’t. Can anyone name a past All-Star snub in any season? Are you still furious that some player didn’t make the AL squad back in 2005? Of course not.

But still, someone does have to go from each team and so someone inevitably gets on who doesn’t deserve to. To say I’m shocked at the selection of Guillen would be an overstatement. I’m mildly surprised only because I didn’t even think he’d be a candidate. He’s had a solid first half. Steady, but nothing spectacular. I thought Placido Polanco was almost a lock even though there were two second basemen ahead of him (Dustin Pedroia and Ian Kinsler). Other than the injured Magglio Ordonez, Polanco just made the most sense.

I think the rationale Terry Francona gave makes all the sense in the world, but at the same time underlines what’s wrong with the game as a whole. The AL manager loves the flexibility that Guillen presents because he can play so many positions. He wants to win the game badly for a variety of reason, but mostly because the Red Sox will have a chance to win the AL and he wants home field advantage in the World Series. This bogus rule which has been torturing baseball since 2003 rears its ugly head again. Deserving players are left off the roster because a manager wants more flexibility when setting his line-up or making late game substitutions. It’s ridiculous.

Look, the game ended in a tie in 2002. It wasn’t the worst scourge in sports history. It really wasn’t that big of a deal. It happened and MLB should have just said, “Well, that was a fluke. It will probably never happen again.” But instead, they knee-jerked into this silly “the game counts” rule which has done nothing to improve the All-Star game. And instead keeps deserving guys like Polanco off the team. I’m surprised Francona didn’t take Brandon Inge. The guy can play like six positions. That would give the AL ultimate flexibility.
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bow

Subject: Re: Guillen Mon Jul 07, 2008 2:54 pm

Couldn't take Inge.....too many freakin' Sawx Jack-offs on the team!!

Subject: Re: Guillen Mon Jul 07, 2008 2:55 pm

Congrats to 'Los for making the team.

If Veritek makes it, then PUDGE should have been an EASY choice.....THAT SUCKS!!

Subject: Re: Guillen Tue Jul 08, 2008 4:29 am

Don't get me wrong kids, Carlos is hot/aggressive/DG ball player...but do we have to show this pic on the Freep site:

You kids: Do NOT start chew. See how disgusting it looks?
And if you go to any oral cancer website, you will see how gross it can be...
_________________
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: Guillen Tue Jul 08, 2008 7:43 pm

FROM BECK'S BLOG

As expected, Carlos Guillen is out today. His wife gave birth to
daughter Camelia yesterday here in Detroit. He'll likely be back on
Wednesday.

Subject: Re: Guillen Wed Jul 09, 2008 1:06 am

Hmm..saw video from Tuesday's game that showed 'Los in the dugout!
_________________
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: Guillen Wed Jul 09, 2008 3:18 am

He was probably at the game, but given the day off because of the birth.

"His wife gave birth to daughter Camelia yesterday here in Detroit."

So he was close by.