Some fans may be disappointed by the Detroit Tigers for not making it to the post season. While many injuries plagued the team this year (including pitcher, Kenny Rogers), there were many personal accomplishments that made for some excellent baseball being played all around. From Magglio Ordoñez to Cameron Mayben (whose first major league hit was a home run off of Roger Clemens), nearly every player on the Tigers team did something spectacular this season.
The Tigers finished the season in second place for the AL Central Division, just behind the Cleveland Indians. Finishing with an 88-74 record just wasn’t good enough this year, so after beating the Chicago White Sox, in the last game of the season, the Tigers bid the baseball world adieu, at least until March or April when Spring Training begins.
This year, the Tigers, not just as a whole, but as players, did not get the credit or appreciation they deserved. Many personal achievements were reached and there will be mention of at least one of them in the record books…Magglio Ordoñez. Mags won the AL batting title this year. While everyone was blathering about how great it was A-Rod got some homeruns, Magglio was busy helping his team out with his massive, batting average and nearly errorless fielding.
Magglio set many records for the Tigers this year and is the first in several years, to win the batting title with his .363 average. Sure A-Rod can hit homeruns…sometimes, but Magglio consistently hits nearly every time he is up at bat, often hitting doubles and getting RBIs. Speaking of RBIs, Mags had the most for the Tigers with 139 and 28 home runs. He had 117 runs, 216 hits, and 54 doubles this season alone. Adding that to his fielding, he only had one error this season, making him our MVP of the AL. He’s the best all around player, but he’ll get shafted because unlike A-Rod, he isn’t out for himself. He’s a team player.
This is not the only personal achievement attained by the team. There were many more milestones met by Tigers this year. The team is such a good one overall, but they just couldn’t bring it together with so many other factors getting in the way, such as the illness and injury of many of their best players.
Other personal achievements accomplished by the Tigers this year include:
Justin Verlander’s No Hitter – If you didn’t see it, then you missed out. This was one exciting game. It is fitting the person to save the last “hit” ball by catching it was Magglio, ensuring Justin got his no hitter.
Placido Polanco’s errorless season – There was not one error for Polanco this season. He also finished with the second highest batting average for the Tigers, third in the AL, at .341.
Polanco & Magglio’s Over 200 Hits – The first time since 2002 (when a Yankees duo accomplished this feat) since two players on the same team both got over 200 hits. Polanco had 200 on the dot, and Mags had 216. Polanco attained 200 during the last game of the season.
Curtis Granderson Accomplishes Much – Granderson had 20 homeruns, 20 stolen bases, 20 doubles, and 20 triples at some point during this year. In fact, he ended with 185 hits, 38 doubles, 23 triples, 23 home runs, and 26 stolen bases. He also finished with a .302 batting average. He just hoped to get over .300 and he did so in the last game of the season.
Todd Jones hits 300 – Todd Jones pitched his 300th save this year. As a relief pitcher, he finished with the Tigers (in what may be his last season) this year and had 301 saves for his career.
While many of the Tigers accomplished things on their own, they played as a team. Hopefully, next year, we can celebrate for the entire team and not just individually. I’m hoping they make it to the Playoffs because to me…they deserve it.
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Written by Ashtyn Evans - Visit Website
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