2025 Detroit Tigers: AKA Dumpster Diving in the Off-Season

[David Watts]

Originally Posted by Westheim

I was gonna fire a shot at F.P. Santangelo, and how could the Tigers be last as long as he's still squawking, but turns out that he's gone for a year and a half. Hey, I can watch Gnats broadcasts now!

I don't find Shepard particularly annoying, but the supporting cast is hit-and-miss.

If only the Tigers would have given Impemba and Allen (a pair I liked) two chairs to sit on.

Rod Allen was awful Craig Monroe might be just as bad if not worse. I used to really love Gibson, but this year, not so much. Every broadcast turns into an episode of Baseball for Dummies. It's actually quite insulting. Being treated like a newbie to the game night after night grows old. Thank goodness, MLB-TV gives us access to the opposing teams broadcast. That being said, I haven't watched any the KC series, as the Royals team featuring Rex Hudler is maybe the worst in baseball. Reminds of going to a game and realizing your sitting right behind Johnny Frat Rat and all his buddies, each of which has their baseball hat on backwards.

[Amazin69]

I have no idea what things were like before Impemba and Allen went off the rails, but Rod was really good for period of time. I remember hearing him do radio for the Snakes and he gave a cogent explanation of Arizona's bunt-defense scheme against the Mets that was so much better than the level of "analysis" one normally gets that I took notice of him after that.

Gibson I could rarely stand, but then I never liked his personality as a player and I remember catching a Rangers game in a rain delay and Josh Lewin giving Tom Grieve chapter and verse about how little he enjoyed working for Detroit, particularly how Gibson threw his "franchise hero" weight around, especially wrt those "Gibby and the Geek" segments that Josh particularly disliked (for obvious reasons).

I swear, Grieve could have sent Josh a bill for therapy after that.

[David Watts]

Originally Posted by Amazin69

I have no idea what things were like before Impemba and Allen went off the rails, but Rod was really good for period of time. I remember hearing him do radio for the Snakes and he gave a cogent explanation of Arizona's bunt-defense scheme against the Mets that was so much better than the level of "analysis" one normally gets that I took notice of him after that.

Gibson I could rarely stand, but then I never liked his personality as a player and I remember catching a Rangers game in a rain delay and Josh Lewin giving Tom Grieve chapter and verse about how little he enjoyed working for Detroit, particularly how Gibson threw his "franchise hero" weight around, especially wrt those "Gibby and the Geek" segments that Josh particularly disliked (for obvious reasons).

I swear, Grieve could have sent Josh a bill for therapy after that.

When Rod gave that bunt explanation, did he repeat it 6 or 7 times for emphasis? Noise

[CONN CHRIS]

Watching the game last night, my son and I were talking about this poll. He doesn't think much of the TV crew and often listens to the radio broadcast while watching so he agreed with it. I was strongly opposed, believing that they couldn't possibly be the worst crew in the game. Just then:

Short hit a ball down the right field line that I thought might snake around the pole. It bounced off the base of the wall (I think) and was foul. I jumped up and said "I want to see that replay" - no dice, the boys weren't even talking about the game as they were ogling over hot dogs.

The at-bat went on. At some point, I said "This is a nice at-bat. No mention of the game, still all hot dog talk.

Short lines out. Nothing but hot dob talk.

second out of the inning, still no commentary on the game. Just hot dogs.

When the third out came, they stopped talking hot dogs long enough to mention that the third out had just happened but went right back to hot dog talk.

Literally the only mention of the game that entire half-inning was the 3 seconds spent mentioning the last out.

I give. They are not good.

[Amazin69]

No, Rod only explained things once in 1998. Perhaps it was the Snakes' PBP man (Greg Schulte, I see), who kept things rolling. I'd have to check out a later Detroit game to see if things deteriorated.

That hot-dog story sounds positively horrific. Did the Tigers hire their broadcasters from Apple TV or something?

[David Watts]

Originally Posted by Amazin69

No, Rod only explained things once in 1998. Perhaps it was the Snakes' PBP man (Greg Schulte, I see), who kept things rolling. I'd have to check out a later Detroit game to see if things deteriorated.

That hot-dog story sounds positively horrific. Did the Tigers hire their broadcasters from Apple TV or something?

I'm just picky when it comes to broadcasters. I grew up with Ernie and Paul on the radio and George Kell and Al; Kaline on television. These guys were low key and let a game speak for itself. There wasn't constant noise, as they didn't feel the need to talk nonstop. That's the biggest problem with today's broadcasts. The analysts often feel that in order to do their job they have to be constantly jabbering. It gets on my very last nerve. Craig Monroe is a perfect example. I tuned into a game that Maybin was doing and turned it off before after only 2 outs. This dude never shuts up.

[Amazin69]

Just for you, Motor City! From Wednesday:

Tigers broadcast team ranks dead last in local MLB broadcaster ratings

Haven't read the article yet, but if GKR aren't #1, I'm sending an angry letter.

(I'd accept Kruk and Kuip, but I'd still disagree. Especially as those guys rotate out of the booth.)

ETA: Grr. Apparently GKR easily won the "A" votes category, but a small coterie of haters (is that you, Bru?) kept us from the top.

I didn't watch a lot of Pads games, but I did notice that Enberg had them going nicely before he passed. Mark Grant is an underrated talent, IMO.

Anyways, my sympathies, Tiger Den.

ETAA:

The problem is mainly with Matt Shepherd and the widespread impression that he’s just not a baseball guy, nor a very compelling broadcaster in general. His forced use of catch phrases, particularly his own pet ones that don’t fit into a baseball context, and general lack of easy familiarity with the game are the chief gripes.

However, different color analysts have their supporters and detractors too, without any one of the group really seizing the role and becoming a long-term fixture.

[cephasjames]

Well, they lost game 1 to the Friars, but they didn't go down without a fight. Even though losses sting, it's nice to see them claw back.

[cephasjames]

It is so hard not thinking of 1984 when watching the series against the Padres.

[CONN CHRIS]

Originally Posted by cephasjames

It is so hard not thinking of 1984 when watching the series against the Padres.

!!!! Greatest clip ever


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmukTdo-WuY

[cephasjames]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

!!!! Greatest clip ever


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dmukTdo-WuY

So good!

[cephasjames]

What should the Tigers do as the trade deadline approaches? Buy? Sell?

[CONN CHRIS]

Originally Posted by cephasjames

What should the Tigers do as the trade deadline approaches? Buy? Sell?

Sell only if they get good return on ERod or Lorenzen. Baez of course but that isn't happening.

Otherwise, stand pat - good things are coming with this bunch

[Westheim]

I looked at the weekly schedule and it looks like I will be here often this week.

Btw, wanna buy a barely scuffed Verlander and Scherzer for more sentimental farewells? What an offer, huh? Can... Can Riley Greene run a few laps around the field just so we can see how he moves? Yes?

[cephasjames]

Originally Posted by CONN CHRIS

Sell only if they get good return on ERod or Lorenzen. Baez of course but that isn't happening.

Otherwise, stand pat - good things are coming with this bunch

I think this is where I land too.

[CONN CHRIS]

Extras with the ghost runner rule. the opponent scores in the top half.

Why oh why is it that the first instinct of every manager is not to bunt that runner over in the bottom half? This is the second or third time this year that I have been yelling 'bunt' and AJ doesn't hear me and the game goes down the drain.

[cephasjames]

I think because 1) the runner is already in scoring position, and 2) managers don't like to give up the out that will inevitably come with the bunt. Those are two of the arguments I've heard.

[CONN CHRIS]

Originally Posted by cephasjames

I think because 1) the runner is already in scoring position, and 2) managers don't like to give up the out that will inevitably come with the bunt. Those are two of the arguments I've heard.

I call balderdash. When the visiting team scores a run in the 10th, job one in the bottom is to score at least one run to stay in the game.

[Westheim]

Those Tigers really pressed Shohei against the wall in the first leg of the double-header! 0-for-5, with 2 K!

... never mind the 1-hit shutout he hung on the Detroit Carpenters.

[CONN CHRIS]

He is a sight to behold. I hear that the Angels are not dealing him. Interesting.