On a day he handed off to charity the proceeds of a product he pitches, “Fastball Flakes,” Tigers ace Justin Verlander took time to talk about a product he isn’t officially affiliated with … yet. Taco Bell. Verlander’s love of Taco Bell has been widely known since he went on “Conan” in January and spilled… Continue reading
Covering the Bases
Insights, notes and updates from The Detroit News baseball writers
Welcome the newest member of our Tigers coverage team
At The News, we always are trying to provide the best and most-comprehensive coverage of the Metro Detroit sports scene. That includes the super-popular Tigers. So this week, we are welcoming the newest member of our Tigers coverage team: Kurt Mensching, the editor of the always insightful and entertaining Tigers blog, Bless You Boys (blessyouboys.com).… Continue reading
Tigers first pick will be 91st in 2012 Major League Baseball draft
The Tigers will have plenty of time to determine who to select with their first pick in the 2012 Major League Baseball draft. In the official draft order released by the league Tuesday, the Tigers won’t make a selection until the 91st overall pick. That’s late in the “second” round. There will be 31 picks… Continue reading
Tigers are first 5-1 team ever without one win by a starting pitcher
The Tigers are off to a good start. Their starting pitchers — at least in the won-lost column — are not. Despite starting the season 5-1, no Tigers starter has recorded a win. And according to the Elias Sports Bureau, that’s the first time that’s ever happened in major league history. Yes, oddly, all five Tigers… Continue reading
ESPN rankings: Tigers boast two of top four players in the game
When it comes to the game’s elite players, few teams are as stacked as the Tigers. Even ESPN agrees. Today, the sports behemoth unveiled its top 10 players, ending a two-week countdown from 500 to No. 1. And Tigers fans will be pleased to know your team has two of the top four: Slugger Miguel… Continue reading
The most famous Spartan is about to own the Los Angeles Dodgers
One of Michigan’s favorite sons is about to buy one of America’s most storied sports franchises. A group led by former Michigan State basketball star Earvin “Magic” Johnson has emerged as the winning bidder to the buy the bankrupt Los Angeles Dodgers, outgoing owner Frank McCourt announced Tuesday. The bid came in at about $2… Continue reading
Royals giving Grosse Pointe South alum Chris Getz another chance
Chris Getz may not be an offensive machine. But his smooth glove is keeping him in the major leagues. The Royals on Sunday announced that Getz and veteran Yuniesky Betancourt will start the season sharing the second-base duties. That means prospect Johnny Giavotella is heading to the minor leagues. From Kansas City manager Ned Yost: “I told Getzie this morning… Continue reading
Nationals put an end to the speculation, send Bryce Harper to Triple A
Bryce Harper was one of the most intriguing story lines of spring training. Not anymore. The Nationals announced after today’s game — an 11-7 loss to the Tigers — that Harper was being sent to Triple A so he can work on becoming the team’s center fielder. That means he won’t start the season in… Continue reading
How the new playoff format would have impacted the Tigers
Yes, I get all the arguments for the new playoff format. I know it was too easy for the wild-card winner to waltz to the World Series. I know there was little incentive to winning a division championship. And I know that even by adding two more teams, Major League Baseball’s postseason still is the… Continue reading
Brewers fans rejoice: Slugger Ryan Braun wins PED appeal
The longer and longer this went on, you had a feeling the result might surprise us. And today, it sure did. Major League Baseball just announced that Brewers slugger Ryan Braun, whose reputation has taken a serious hit since we learned in December that he had failed a performance-enhancing drug test, has convinced a panel… Continue reading