Tiger Geist

My father & I had some thoughts about why they’re playing baseball in cold weather cities during the first few weeks of April.  Saturday’s game in Chicago, where game time temperatures were in the mid to upper 30’s, is a reason my friends & I from the midwest live in California.  However, for the season ticket holder, its a ridiculous expense that they must absorb (similar to the fiasco NFL season ticket holders must deal with in purchasing preseason games) whether or not they can attend the game.  Good luck dumping those on craigslist or stubhub.

Another thought crossed my mind this weekend:  How dangerous is it to the players in this type of weather?  Justin Verlander nailed Orlando Cabrera in the ear flap of his helmet on a pitch that is agreed to be an accident.  However, Verlander stated after the game:

“For some reason, the balls got cold and slick,” Verlander said. “The weather didn’t change. It was the same the whole game. I couldn’t feel the ball in the eighth inning. I don’t know what happened. … They’d been a little damp the whole game, but in the eighth, they were cold, too. I know it wasn’t like that the rest of the game.”

What about other aspects, such as the outfield grass?

At what point does major league baseball (or even the teams themselves) need to do a better job of protecting their players?  

Espn magazine had a fantastic article about Greg Maddux this week.  Normally I think espn mag is a turd of journalism, but this article is well worth the trouble.  I’ve always been a Maddux fan, but this helps show the genius behind the man.

Oh, the Tigers?  I’m almost speechless.  I think the weather sucks and they are getting killed by it.  I think most of the players should be ashamed to pick up their paycheck this month.  I also think all of their big contracts and veteran players have given them some roster inflexibility to bring in some hot bats.  Raburn gets his first two at-bats and responds with a hit and a walk, but there is no guarantee he’ll still be with the team next week.