Mike D. who writes at the blog Yankees Fans Unite is interviewing bloggers of all major League teams as spring training approaches. A couple of weeks ago, he asked me questions about the Tigers 2011 season, their current off-season and what to expect in 2012. He's got my answers posted on his blog today.
This interview was done prior to the injury to Victor Martinez. I gave my thoughts on that development in a recent post. Basically, I think it's a tough loss for the Tigers, but not a devastating one. They should still be favorites to win the division even if they don't replace him.
Showing posts with label interviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label interviews. Show all posts
Friday, January 20, 2012
Monday, March 21, 2011
Knee Jerks Podcast Appearance
I appeared on the knee Jerks podcast with Greg Eno and Big Al Beaton Monday night. It was basically a 45-minute preview of the Tigers season. I'm better at writing than talking, but it was fun and the 45 minutes flew by for me. If you want to hear it, you can check it out here.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Will Rhymes Interview
Whether or not you think second baseman Will Rhymes has a future as a major league regular, it's hard not to root for him. The diminutve infielder has made a lot of fans with his hustling play and solid contribution offensively and defensively down the stretch. One of his biggest fans is Kurt Mensching of Bless You Boys and Kurt got the opportunity to interview Will earlier this week. Among other things, you'll learn that Rhymes is a biologist and that he makes himself very accessible to internet fans.
It was particularly interesting to hear Rhymes's thoughts on the competitiveness of each minor league level. He feels that there is not a big difference between Short season ball (Connecticut Tigers), level A (West Michigan WhiteCaps) and high level A (Lakeland Flying Tigers). While he thinks that the jump to double-A (Erie SeaWolves) is the first really big challenge, he does not feel as if it's as big as the jump to Triple-A (Toledo MudHens:)
It was particularly interesting to hear Rhymes's thoughts on the competitiveness of each minor league level. He feels that there is not a big difference between Short season ball (Connecticut Tigers), level A (West Michigan WhiteCaps) and high level A (Lakeland Flying Tigers). While he thinks that the jump to double-A (Erie SeaWolves) is the first really big challenge, he does not feel as if it's as big as the jump to Triple-A (Toledo MudHens:)
To me the lower levels are roughly equivalent, short season through high A. Obviously you are continually learning at each level and people can make improvements or struggle at different levels but from a competition stand point, it is very similar. AA begins to separate the men from the boys a little but I disagree with the jump to AA being the biggest. To me AAA is a whole different animal. You have a lot of veteran pitchers who really know how to pitch. You also see a lot of major league-ready arms, and the bullpens are much improved. Overall defense is better, and all of these things make it harder to hit.
Sunday, August 01, 2010
My day at Fenway
I went to the Tigers game at Fenway Park and it was a great day despite the outcome of the game. First, I was interviewed before the game by Detroit Tigers broadcaster Dan Dickerson. The interview was about my book Beyond Batting Average and baseball statistics in general. It will be aired on Sunday's pre-game show (on WXYT in Detroit). I think the interview went pretty well but I haven't heard it yet. So, we'll see how it sounds.
I almost didn't make it. First, there was a major delay on the subway. Then, I was supposed to meet Dan at 2:00 but they wouldn't let fans in until 2:10. I tried to tell Fenway security that I was supposed to be at an interview with the Tigers broadcaster at 2:00 but they either weren't buying it or didn't care. Probably both. I thought I was going to miss an opportunity I had been anticipating for a long time.
Anyway, I finally got in the park and met Dan in the stands at about 2:20. I was a wreck at that point but Dan is the type of guy that puts you at ease right away. So that helped a lot. Still, I think I would have blanked out if I had not prepared so much ahead of time.
I also got a chance to meet Samara Pearlstein for the first time. Many of you know her as the author of the great blog Roar of the Tigers. She also did all the illustrations for my book. I'm sure she will put up her usual photographs of the game and she even took a couple of me. So, you will get to see my mustache for the first (and maybe last) time. For one thing, it certainly isn't creating any good karma for the Tigers.
The best part of the actual viewing of the game was not surprisingly Miguel Cabrera. He put on an awesome show in batting practice. He even had the Red Sox fans cheering and he took a bow afterward. He then hit a rocket in the first inning that cleared everything in left field.
Max Scherzer pitched a fine game as well.
Needless to say, the game did not end well. Being surrounded by 30,000 hysterical Red Sox fans dancing and chanting "Papi Papi" for ten minutes after the game is an experience I would not wish on any Tigers fan!
Regardless, it was a good day at the ballpark.
I almost didn't make it. First, there was a major delay on the subway. Then, I was supposed to meet Dan at 2:00 but they wouldn't let fans in until 2:10. I tried to tell Fenway security that I was supposed to be at an interview with the Tigers broadcaster at 2:00 but they either weren't buying it or didn't care. Probably both. I thought I was going to miss an opportunity I had been anticipating for a long time.
Anyway, I finally got in the park and met Dan in the stands at about 2:20. I was a wreck at that point but Dan is the type of guy that puts you at ease right away. So that helped a lot. Still, I think I would have blanked out if I had not prepared so much ahead of time.
I also got a chance to meet Samara Pearlstein for the first time. Many of you know her as the author of the great blog Roar of the Tigers. She also did all the illustrations for my book. I'm sure she will put up her usual photographs of the game and she even took a couple of me. So, you will get to see my mustache for the first (and maybe last) time. For one thing, it certainly isn't creating any good karma for the Tigers.
The best part of the actual viewing of the game was not surprisingly Miguel Cabrera. He put on an awesome show in batting practice. He even had the Red Sox fans cheering and he took a bow afterward. He then hit a rocket in the first inning that cleared everything in left field.
Max Scherzer pitched a fine game as well.
Needless to say, the game did not end well. Being surrounded by 30,000 hysterical Red Sox fans dancing and chanting "Papi Papi" for ten minutes after the game is an experience I would not wish on any Tigers fan!
Regardless, it was a good day at the ballpark.
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Internet Radio Appearance
I appeared on the Knee Jerks internet radio broadcast with Greg Eno and Al Beaton last night to talk about the Tigers. You can listen to it here. Big Al also talks about the Tigers at Bless You Boys. Greg talks Tigers on Where have you gone Johnny Grubb?
Monday, April 12, 2010
Detroit Tigers Podcast Appearance
I appeared on the Detroit Tigers Podcast last night with hosts Mike McClary of the Daily Fungo and Ian Casselberry of the MLive Cutoff Man blog. We talked about my book Beyond Batting Average and about the Tigers in general. The segment with me starts right before the 33 minute mark of the Podcast.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
Internet Radio Interview
Last night, I appeared on The Knee Jerks with hosts Greg Eno and Big Al Beaton. Jennifer Cosey, who writes the underrated Tigers blog Old English D, was also on the show. We talked about Johnny Damon, spring training and other topics. I haven't heard it yet but it was a fun interview. If nothing else, you get to hear my Massachusetts accent.
Monday, December 15, 2008
An interview with Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson had another successful season on and off the field in 2008. After suffering a hand injury which delayed the start of his season, Granderson once again finished among Tigers team leaders in several statistical categories and lead the American League in triples for the second consecutive year. Off the field, he blogged diligently on ESPN, was a television analyst for TBS during the post-season and served as an MLB ambassador in China. Next on his agenda is the second annual Curtis Granderson celebrity basketball game to benefit the Grand Kids Foundation. Given his busy schedule, I very much appreciate that Curtis took the time to participate in an e-mail interview with Tiger Tales.
Tiger Tales: Curtis, thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions. You have had another busy off-season with broadcasting and a trip toChina among other things. What is the next big event on your agenda?
Tiger Tales: Curtis, thank you for taking the time to answer a few questions. You have had another busy off-season with broadcasting and a trip to
Curtis Granderson: I am trying to enjoy the remaining time of this short offseason. I have my charity weekend and celebrity basketball game (www.grandkidsfoundation.org) coming up on Jan. 16-17, so hopefully a lot of fans can make it out to that and help us support Michigan's inner city schools. Then TigerFest is the following weekend.
TT: You have now developed into one of the better lead off men in the game by taking a lot of pitches, getting on base and scoring runs. Would you approach your at bats differently if you batted third, fourth or fifth instead of lead off? Do you think that you might be moved into the middle of the order at some point in your career?
CG: If I did happen to move throughout the lineup, my approach would only change depending on the situation that time at-bat. When I'm leading off, I only lead off once a game. The rest of my at-bats deal with the score, outs, and if there are runners on base. I really don't see myself moving too much this year, unless it's similar to what the team has done in the past and that's put me 8th or 9th against lefties. The middle of our lineup guys are there for a reason and have done a great job, and I don't see them moving anytime soon.
TT: In the past, you have indicated that you take pride in your defense and that you have worked hard on that part of your game. Are you happy with the progress you have made in that area?
CG: This past year's defense, I actually took a step back, so I wasn't happy with my play in the 2008 season. I felt that being out with the broken finger and not be able to run while injured put me a step behind once I returned to the lineup and I never fully got back to where I wanted to be. So this 2009 season, I must get myself two steps ahead of where I want to be, and get back to playing the defense that I want to play.
TT: One thing you needed to work on in 2008 was hitting versus left-handers and you were successful. Are there any parts of your game you are looking to improve in 2009?
CG: I am still trying to improve my at-bats against lefties, improve my defense, and try to eliminate those long slumps that happen throughout the course of the season. Every year I seem to always have at least one, and trying to minimize them when I get in them is a big goal for me this season.
TT: You did not attempt to steal as much in 2008 as you did in 2007. Is there a reason for that? Do you think you might do more base stealing in the future?
CG: When I steal, the sign comes from Jim Leyland. So if he doesn't want me to run, then I don't. I didn't have the green light to steal. Hopefully this upcoming season I can get his confidence back up to allow me to steal more.
TT: 2008 was a disappointing season for a Tigers team that was expected to be in contention all year. What happened? Are you optimistic that things will turn around in 2009?
CG: There wasn't enough credit given to other teams throughout the division from the media and press. Everyone picked us and the Indians to just roll through the AL Central. The White Sox and Twins both had great teams and no one picked them. There was also the fact that we didn't play well consistently throughout the season and with injury after injury, all that added up to a disappointing season. The great thing about baseball is that come Spring Training every year, new teams emerge as the favorites on paper, and new surprises find their way out. I am very optimistic and excited to begin this next season.
TT: You have always done a great job connecting with fans in many ways. Are you going to continue your blog next year?
CG: We will see. So far it has gone well. I enjoy interacting with the fans. It's why I blog and it's why I hold a charity event that is accessible to all of them. The fans are the reason we are able to play this game for a living. And especially with the economy the way it is in
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)