With Tigers fans hyperventilating over the way Tigers starters have been roughed up over the last few days, I thought I'd sprinkle in a little perspective. First let me say that I have no problem with fans showing concern about Justin Verlander's last outing and Dontrelle Willis' spring numbers. I must admit, I'm scratching my head as well.
However, and you know there is always a however, fans across the country are freaking out at some of the inflated ERA's of many stud pitchers in the league. Tigers fans, you are not alone. For every fan complaining about Verlander's 5.85 ERA and Willis' 8.64 mark, there are just as many Giants fans wondering about Barry Zito's 10.31 ERA. Yankees fans can't be too thrilled about Chien-Ming Wang's 8.04 earned run average.
Here are some others: Ben Sheets (9.56), Brandon Webb (8.50), Cole Hamels (7.16) and Erik Bedard (8.63).
I find it hard to believe that all of the names listed above will continue to struggle this mightily once the bell sounds.
On a side note. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the Angels Preston Gomez. The former manager and current assistant to the General Manager was hit by a car Wednesday morning in Blythe, CA. He is in critical condition in a California hospital. Gomez was hit at a gas station on his way back home from spring training in Arizona. Preston is perhaps the nicest person I have met in the game of baseball. Always concerned about people and their families. I can't imagine not seeing him on our trips to Anaheim. Please get well Preston.
Mario...or to anyone else who may know the answer to this question: What are the Tigers DOING about some of the perceived holes in their bullpen. I hear some of the interviews out of Lakeland with Jim Leyland and he sounds more confident in the bullpen then some other predictors do...expecting the Tigers to finish second in the AL Central even with their packed offensive lineup. Are we trying to get more predictable talent in our bullpen? If I was a big time pitcher, I think I'd LOVE to have the run support the Tigers will give, making free agency and/or a trade to Motown desireable. Leyland and Dombrowski have proved to be the type of bosses that players would want to play for. The past two seasons have seen wonderful successes that I would expect the momentum to continue to build. Am I over-simplifying all this?
Man, I hate hearing this about Preston Gomez. I've never met the man, but I've heard great things about him for many many years. Here's hoping it turns out okay for him and his family.
I agree with you. Verlander is going to okay. Willis is the one I worry about. But, no concern until Mid-May. The bullpen is the bigger concern, but when we were in Lakeland I think Bautista is going to be a big help, maybe huge help. He looked awesome down there. Time will tell.
Can't wait till Monday, I feel the flu coming on...
Mario Impemba is in his seventh season as play-by-play announcer on FSN Detroit’s Emmy-winning Tigers coverage.
In addition to Tigers duties, he has done play-by-play on FSN's coverage of MHSAA football and basketball championship games, as well as CCHA hockey and college basketball. In the off-season, he is the radio and television voice of Oakland University Golden Grizzlies basketball.
Before joining the FSN broadcast team, he spent the previous seven seasons as the radio voice of the then-Anaheim Angels and served as a fill-in TV play-by-play announcer during his final three years in Anaheim.
Check out more about the craft of baseball broadcasting at his website, thesoundofbas eball.com.
