Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008)

Subject: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:08 pm

Kenny Rogers (baseball)

Kenneth Scott Rogers also known as "The Gambler" (born November 10, 1964 in Savannah, Georgia) is a Free Agent left-handed American Major League Baseball pitcher who has played for six Major League Baseball teams since his rookie year in 1989. He has spent the last two seasons with the Detroit Tigers. Previously lauded only for his fielding and perfect game, he is currently the possessor of 23 consecutive shutout innings in postseason baseball. His career 210-141 win-loss record gives him a .598 winning percentage.

His nickname is "The Gambler" as a play on country music star Kenny Rogers's trademark single The Gambler. He is also referred to as "The Roaster" by radio host Jim Rome a play on the aforementioned Country Singer Rogers restaurant chain Kenny Rogers Roasters.

Biography

Rogers grew up on a 15-acre farm in Dover, Florida. Upon meeting his future wife as a teenager, he told her that he would become a farmer if his baseball career did not pan out. His goal was to play in the majors for three years, and be able to qualify for a pension. After pitching Game 2 of the 2006 World Series, he completed his 18th season, the first of a two-year, $16 million contract.

Signed to the Texas farm team in the 39th round for $1000 when he was only seventeen years old, he graduated from Plant City High School in Florida in 1982, where he played baseball only during his senior season, hitting .375 as a right fielder (he played shortstop in his senior league). He was converted into a pitcher on the strength of his throwing arm and left-handedness. Rogers spent seven years in the minor leagues before making it to the Rangers in 1989 as a reliever. He became a starting pitcher for the club in 1993.

During his career, he has played for the Texas Rangers (1989–95, 2000–02, 2004–05), the New York Yankees (1996–97), Oakland Athletics (1998–99), the New York Mets (1999), the Minnesota Twins (2003), and the Detroit Tigers (2006-present).

Rogers achieved notoriety among Mets fans during his tenure with New York. During the 1999 National League Championship Series against the Braves, he entered in relief in the bottom of the 11th of Game 6, with the Mets down 3 games to 2. After surrendering a double and the baserunner advancing to 3rd on a sacrifice fly and two subsequent intentional walks issued to Chipper Jones and Brian Jordan, Rogers ended New York's magical season by walking Andruw Jones on five pitches with the bases loaded.

He, his wife Rebecca Lewis, and children reside in Westlake, Texas during the off-season. He enjoys golf, fishing, and building houses for Habitat for Humanity.

Accomplishments

Perfect Game

Rogers became the fourteenth major leaguer to pitch a perfect game on July 28, 1994 with the Rangers against the California Angels. Soon after his feat, he appeared on ABC's Good Morning America on July 29, 1994, and on CBS's Late Show with David Letterman on August 1, 1994. He also met and appeared with Country Western music star Kenny Rogers at a function in Arlington, Texas on August 13, 1994.

Coincidentally, his 1994 perfect game was caught by Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez who in June 2007 caught the no-hitter of Detroit Tigers' teammate Justin Verlander, both of whom were teammates of Rogers at the time.

Gold Gloves

Known as one of the finest fielding pitchers in baseball, along with having one of the best pick-off moves, Rogers has won five Gold Glove Awards at pitcher with the Rangers in 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, and with the Tigers in 2006.

200 Career Wins

On Sunday June 18, 2006 Kenny Rogers won his 200th game (against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field), during which Detroit set a club record with eight home runs.[4] With the 12-3 victory, Rogers (10-3) became the ninth active pitcher with at least 200 wins.

All-Star Game Appearances

He is the only left-handed pitcher selected for each of the last two All-Star Games before this year. It was announced on 2 July 2006 that he had been selected for the 2006 AL squad, and was American League manager Ozzie Guillen's pick for starting pitcher. In his first All-Star Game start, he pitched two innings and gave up three hits and one run -- a solo home run to David Wright.

2006 Pennant Race

On October 6, 2006, Rogers pitched his way to his first postseason win pitching 7⅔ scoreless innings, with 8 strikeouts in a 6-0 Tigers victory against the New York Yankees in Game 3 of the American League Division Series. At 41 years and 330 days old, he became the oldest starting pitcher to earn his first career postseason win.

A week later on October 13, Rogers retired nine batters in a row, in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series against the Oakland Athletics, allowing only two hits and two walks in 7⅓ scoreless innings, while striking out six and pacing the Tigers to a 3-0 victory, leaving the Tigers one win away from their first World Series since 1984.

2006 World Series

Rogers started Game 2 of the 2006 World Series on October 22, 2006. "We wanted Kenny to pitch two games at home," Leyland said. He left the game with the Tigers in the lead 3-0, pitching 8 shutout innings, retiring 10 straight batters, striking out five, allowing only two hits, with three walks, making him the oldest starting pitcher to win a World Series game, and one of only two pitchers over the age of 40 to do so (Curt Schilling would become the second in 2007).

During the first inning, FOX cameras caught a smudge on Rogers's pitching hand. Rogers said it was dirt mixed with rosin from the rosin bag, wiped it off and pitched 8 scoreless innings for the win. Major League Baseball spokesperson Rich Levin said the incident was investigated, and the substance was described as dirt. Since it was not ruled to be a foreign substance, per Rule 8.02, Rogers remained in the game. In the process, Rogers extended his streak to 23 shutout innings. Examination of images from previous games has revealed similar smudges in two other games. The national media’s coverage of the incident was dubbed “Smudge-gate”.

Pickoffs

Rogers is known for having one of the greatest pickoff moves in baseball history. On September 17, 2007 against the Cleveland Indians, Rogers picked off Jason Michaels in the sixth inning for his 91st career pickoff which is tied for first all-time with Mark Langston.

In the news

Rogers had refused to talk to local media during the 2005 season after they published a report saying Rogers was having trouble trying to get the Rangers to give him a contract extension, and that he would retire if he didn't get one.

On June 29, 2005, after walking out onto Ameriquest Field for a pre-game warmup against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Rogers shoved two cameramen, knocking a camera to the ground. One of the reporters then resumed filming and Rogers shoved him again, this time kicking the camera after it had been knocked to the ground a second time. He had to be
restrained and was sent home. Larry Rodriguez of Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex' Fox Network affiliate KDFW was taken to a local hospital, complaining of shoulder, arm and leg pain. While in the hospital, Rodriguez made an official complaint of assault against Rogers.

On July 1, 2005, Commissioner Bud Selig suspended Rogers for 20 games and fined him $50,000. While an appeal of his suspension was pending, Rogers appeared at the 2005 All-Star Game in Detroit.

On July 18, 2005, Rogers was charged with a Class A misdemeanor assault charge with regard to Rodriguez and a Class C misdemeanor assault charge with regard to FSN Southwest cameraman David Mammeli. Rogers was cited and released on $1,500 bond.

On July 22, 2005, Selig heard Rogers' appeal of his suspension; on July 27, Selig upheld the suspension. However, on August 9, 2005, independent arbitor Shyam Das ruled that Selig's actions exceeded his authority and Rogers was reinstated effective the next day. Das also ruled the $50,000 fine be converted to a charitable contribution. In all, Rogers' suspension
lasted 13 games.

On August 11, 2005, Rogers returned to the mound against the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park. Rogers allowed five runs and seven hits in five innings, on the way to a 16-5 Boston victory. He finished 2005 with a 3.46 ERA in 195⅓ innings. Shortly after the regular season ended, the Rangers announced Rogers would not return to the team.

On October 5, 2005, Rodriguez filed a civil suit against Rogers and the Rangers, seeking an unspecified amount of monetary damages.

On March 26, 2006, Rogers reached an agreement with the prosecution; that if he completed an anger management course within four months, the Class A misdemeanor would be reduced to a Class C misdemeanor.

On June 22, 2007 Rogers returned from surgery to repair a blood clot in his left arm. He pitched six shutout innings and allowed only two hits in a victory against the Atlanta Braves.

Signing with Detroit

On December 8, 2005, Rogers signed a two-year, $16 million contract with the Detroit Tigers. Rogers ended the 2006 regular season with a record of 17-8 and a 3.84 ERA. "We've needed a guy like that for a long time. I'm glad we went out and got him. ... He means a lot to our team and to guys like me," said Tigers starter Jeremy Bonderman, on Kenny Rogers.

Rogers, on his first year in Detroit: "There's a lot of benefits here, by far, that you wouldn't know as a visiting player, and for me, I've been around quite a while, but I appreciate the town, the city, the people. The travel for a baseball player is very hard, but here it's not that difficult. It lends itself
to being able to relax on certain days that you could get off. There's just more benefits, especially when you have the quality of people here like Dombrowski and like we have in Mr. Ilitch, those things that you can't take for granted. You add in Jim Leyland and the coaching staff here, and I just got lucky to choose this place.... Right when I went in the door and met them, I knew. I knew where I was going to end up." [5]

On March 30, 2007, ESPN reported that Kenny Rogers would miss three months after undergoing surgery for a blood clot in his pitching shoulder. He made his return on June 22 against the Atlanta Braves, pitching 6 scoreless innings and allowing two hits while earning his first win of the season.

Subject: Tigers sign Rogers for 2008 Fri Nov 30, 2007 12:17 pm

Tigers sign Rogers for 2008

Left-hander gets 1-year contract

November 30, 2007
By JON PAUL MOROSI
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

After negotiations that spanned several uncertain weeks and prompted the firing of baseball’s best-known agent, the Tigers and left-hander Kenny Rogers announced Friday that they have agreed to terms on a one-year contract.

The value of the deal was not immediately known, but Detroit’s last known offer to Rogers was $8 million.

The Tigers also announced that they had signed right-handed reliever Francisco Cruceta to a one-year major league contract. Cruceta, who had drawn significant interest from big-league clubs scouting the Dominican Winter League, could compete for a bullpen job in spring training.

The team had to clear room for Rogers and Cruceta on what remains a full 40-man roster. They designated for assignment two players known for their play during two memorable months: first baseman Chris Shelton (.326 in April 2006) and outfielder Timo Perez (.414 in Sept. 2007).

Detroit has 10 days to trade or release Shelton and Perez. The team should be able to find a taker for Shelton, who will make close to the major league minimum in 2008 and would be appealing to clubs who do not have established first basemen. It may be more difficult to trade Perez, who will receive a raise in arbitration unless he clears waivers.

Rogers, 43, said multiple times during the year that he would like to retire as a Tiger. After a nuanced negotiation, he appears to have that opportunity now.

Rogers said in August that there was “no place I want to play other than (Detroit),” but his agent, Scott Boras, added a wrinkle to that statement at the general managers’ meetings in early November. Boras said then that Rogers still wished to pitch in Detroit, but added, “He wants to be properly placed in the current market. As long as the Tigers are willing to do that, they will remain his first choice.”

The club was surprised by the development, but it ultimately did not affect the outcome, since it’s believed that no team outbid Detroit’s best offer.

Rogers then fired Boras as his agent two weeks ago and indicated that he would represent himself in negotiations.

Cruceta went 3-0 with a 3.02 ERA in 25 games with the Texas Rangers’ Triple-A affiliate this year. He served a 50-game suspension during the season after testing positive for a performance-enhancing substance.

Subject: Lynn Henning and Tom Gage / The Detroit News Fri Nov 30, 2007 1:11 pm

Friday, November 30, 2007

Tigers sign Rogers to one-year deal

Lynn Henning and Tom Gage / The Detroit News

DETROIT -- After wading through the legal-language he encountered when he fired Scott Boras as his agent and began representing himself in negotiations with the Tigers, free-agent pitcher Kenny Rogers opted Friday to sign a one-year deal with Detroit, the team for which he pitched the past two seasons.

"My change in representation (firing Boras) you could say was more about my desire to stay in Detroit," said the 43-year-old Rogers, who said the contract he signed Friday was "higher" than the offer initially made by Detroit, before Rogers decided to do his own negotiations. "But my position was to pitch for Detroit. If I had felt like being a true free agent, Scott
would still be my representative.

"In my heart of hearts, I had no desire to pitch anyplace else. I pretty much had made that decision a long time ago. There was never any other choice but Detroit for me. Yes, you like to know what your value is out there (free agent market). I have no doubt at all that I didn't get as much as if I wanted to be on the free-agent market. There's a shortage of pitching out there. But it wasn't something that appealed to me. I didn't really want to go and start over somewhere else."

Without divulging details, Rogers said the contract was "for a pretty good amount," and he acknowledged that performance plateaus and incentives in 2008 were part of the agreement. The deal is believed to be for approximately $8 million. Rogers won 17 games for the Tigers during their remarkable 2006 renaissance, and another three games during the playoffs and World Series.

His 2007 season, however, began with an alarming setback when he was found in March to have arterial blockage in his left arm. Surgery was performed and Rogers returned to the team in June.

He was 6-2 in his first eight decisions but later developed soreness in his throwing arm and was placed on the disabled list. He made only 11 starts in 2007, finishing with a 3-4 record and 4.43 earned-run average.

Rogers, however, is viewed by the Tigers as a savvy, surgical pitcher whose
guile and exceptional athleticism can withstand the limitations of age, even for a pitcher who this month turned 43.

President and general manager Dave Dombrowski and manager Jim Leyland both wanted to retain Rogers, believing a pitcher who has won 210 big-league games can again help to settle and nurture a rotation otherwise flush with youth, particularly in the cases of 25-year-old Jeremy Bonderman and 24-year-old Justin Verlander.

The Tigers will head to next week's Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tenn., with one more off-season priority nailed down.

Signing Rogers had ranked as a primary mission for Dombrowski, as well as settling a need for a new starting shortstop, which was achieved when the Tigers traded last month for Edgar Renteria.

They had also sought a steadier left-handed hitter for left field and got their man, Jacque Jones, in a trade with the Chicago Cubs.

Now that Rogers has been signed, the Tigers will continue to shop for bullpen help, although they made a move Friday that could give Leyland some crucial depth heading into spring training.

The Tigers signed minor-league free agent Francisco Cruceta, 26, who last season was 3-0 with a 3.02 ERA for Triple A Oklahoma City, the Texas Rangers' top farm club. Cruceta was limited to 25 games because of an earlier 50-game suspension for violating the ban on steroids.

Cruceta has a solid fastball and racked up 70 strikeouts in 65 2/3 innings for
Oklahoma City. The Tigers were impressed by Cruceta's work this autumn in the Dominican Winter League, where he was 1-1 with a 1.08 ERA, with 25 strikeouts in 16 2/3 innings.

"Cruceta has pitched very well in the Dominican Republic this winter," Dombrowski said. "He is a quality prospect and we expect him to compete for a spot in our bullpen in 2008." To make roster room for Rogers and Cruceta, the Tigers designated for assignment first baseman Chris Shelton and outfielder Timo Perez.

If no other team claims either player off waivers, or works out a trade with the Tigers, Detroit could re-sign either Shelton or Perez and keep them within the organization.

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Sat Dec 01, 2007 9:40 am

It's about time!

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Sat Dec 01, 2007 10:31 am

OMG, Kenny Rogers met Kenny Rogers!!!! If there are any pictures of that, I gotta see 'em!!! LMAO

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Sat Dec 01, 2007 12:49 pm

I wish we could somehow find some MORE information about Kenny Rogers and his recent signing.....

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Sat Dec 01, 2007 1:46 pm

I'm trying, can't you tell? whistle

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Sat Dec 01, 2007 1:48 pm

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Sat Dec 01, 2007 2:50 pm

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Sat Dec 01, 2007 3:06 pm

We just need to know the terms.... that is what I am looking for.
Smile

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Sat Dec 01, 2007 3:25 pm

I believe ALL of them. Keep 'em coming gogetem!!

After awkward negotiations,
Rogers signs with Tigers for one year

December 1, 2007
BY JON PAUL MOROSI
FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

From the outside, talks between the Tigers and Kenny Rogers started and stopped awkwardly, like heavy traffic in a snowstorm. At first, it seemed simple. Then it grew complex. In the end, Rogers fired the most famous agent in baseball and began representing himself.

On Friday, though, when the club announced it had signed the left-hander to a one-year contract, everything seemed uncomplicated again.

Tigers president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said he did not come close to acquiring another starting pitcher, and Rogers said -- repeatedly -- that he never intended to pitch anywhere else.

"There was never any choice but Detroit," Rogers said during an afternoon teleconference.

Rogers will make an $8-million base salary, plus up to $2 million in incentives based on innings.

"If I felt like being a true free agent, Scott would still be my representative, and I'm sure he'd do a great job," Rogers said of agent Scott Boras. "The dilemma was, in my heart of hearts, I had no desire to pitch anywhere else. When you put those types of restrictions on a representative, it becomes very hard for them to do their job."

Rogers, 43, started 11 games this year because of two extended trips to the disabled list. He underwent surgery for a blood clot at the end of spring training and did not pitch for roughly six weeks late in the season because of elbow inflammation.

Rogers, who believes he is healthy, said the elbow pain was caused by trying to pitch too quickly after surgery. "I have no doubt about how that was caused," Rogers said.

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Sat Dec 01, 2007 9:01 pm

More, more!! I'm Kenny insatiable!!

Subject: Kenny’s contract updated Sat Dec 01, 2007 9:21 pm

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Sun Dec 02, 2007 10:37 am

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Sun Dec 02, 2007 5:57 pm

GO KENNY

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Sun Dec 02, 2007 5:58 pm

KENNY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Sun Dec 02, 2007 7:55 pm

K!!!!!

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Sun Dec 02, 2007 7:56 pm

Yeah! YOU SAID IT TIGERSAINT!

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Sun Dec 02, 2007 8:29 pm

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Mon Dec 03, 2007 4:17 am

Here I am at school.....i just love my job. Sigh

Thanks for the "Special K"!!

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Mon Dec 03, 2007 4:17 am

You have yourself a great day at the office, too!!

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Mon Dec 03, 2007 8:47 am

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Mon Dec 03, 2007 4:20 pm

My day went well. Sick from my treatment, but what ELSE is new?
How was YOUR day?

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:25 pm

Good. I had home made beef pot pies for dinner! With that same yummy pie crust on top. I will have to put the recipe in the recipe section.

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:26 pm

Yes please.....!! bounce

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:36 pm

I'll put it on the recipe thread tomorrow.

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:37 pm

I'll be here tomorrow then.....

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Mon Dec 03, 2007 7:46 pm

OK will do, well better get to sleep

Subject: Re: Kenny Rogers - Detroit Tigers (2006-2008) Tue Dec 04, 2007 5:20 am

I'm back. Lookin' for some good recipes..... Suspect