Tiger Geist

Lynn Henning is on my shit list because of how he mailed in his college football reporting this year.  Yes I’m a Michigan alumni / fan.  Its been a tough year on me (I’m a lions fan but not nearly as attached as I am to Michigan football).  But Henning’s articles made absolutely no sense whatsoever, written with seemingly no knowledge of college football, the recruiting process, or the history of Michigan football up until the first game this season (Can’t link to it due to detnews.com archive login, but feel free to search for “Disastrous UM Season didn’t have to happen” by Henning on detnews.com).  So let’s just say he’s going to have to step it up during 2009 to earn back my trust.  To paraphrase Big Al:  “This is why i started blogging, because the main stream media wasn’t getting the job done”.

NOTE:  I generally don’t touch items outside of the Tigers here; feel free to check out mgoblog.com, my favorite in-depth take on the University of Michigan sports scene.

Back to Henning… I’ll admit he was a fantastic guest on the Detroit Tigers Podcast (episode #59); very candid and honest in his approach, which i think can be difficult as a beat writer.  However, he mails one in this morning, stating that the fans dislike Sheffield because of his mouth.  Is this the reason fans think Sheffield should be bought out or traded?  Sure, thats it.  Has nothing to do with:

• Making $14 million while being out-hit by Marcus Thames, who makes less then $3 million
• Taking up a valuable roster spot for a defensive player, when the team was defensively-challenged in 2008
• Seemingly forcing Jim Leyland to play him while he struggled
• Refusing to admit he was hurt during the first four months of the season
• Forcing himself onto the field while his shoulder was still hurt, claiming he wasn’t a DH

What would $14million give us right now?  How about K-rod?

Henning writes:

Never mind Sheffield was batting up a storm until a July 2007 game at Comerica Park when he and Placido Polanco crashed into each other chasing a pop fly.

Sure.  I also remember when Kenny Rogers was lights-out, Justin Verlander didn’t struggle, Joel Zumaya appeared healthy, and Brandon Inge was an above-average hitter.  A lot can happen in 18 months, especially to someone who just turned 40.

Sheffield’s damaged shoulder needed offseason surgery and he never fully recovered until late in 2008.

Really?  Because his stats show that his monthly splits were pretty much the same for July, August, and September.  Take those months over a full year, and you’re looking at about…. eh… 35-ish home runs, 85-ish rbi’s…. .231 average.  Sound good?  Yeah, we’d all be happy with a 35 home run DH.  But that’s assuming a full year.  Last time Sheffield played a full year… 2005.  Since 2003, his stats have slowly declined (ugh, which is not too far removed from when he stopped spending his off-seasons with Barry Bonds).

I have nothing against Gary Sheffield… why would I?  But here is where Henning is missing the point:  Sheffield is taking the roster spot of players the fans feel would give the Tigers a better chance to win.  His salary is taking up payroll that would give the Tigers a better chance to win.  It has little to do with his attitude;  he hasn’t produced in relation to his contract.  Simple as that.  Winning (or simply playing to your contract) will make everyone love a player:  Let me introduce to you Bonds, Barry and Clemons, Roger.

To the baseball point Henning brings up, will Sheffield rebound?  I think he’ll have a solid year.  I think he could have a very good year if he’s healthy.  Its hard to predict health, but what odds would you take that for the first time since 2005 he plays a full year?  I’m not happy to have a DH on the roster who can’t field, when I bet Mike Hessman can put up similar numbers and backup different positions.  And I question Sheffield’s motiviation once he gets to 500 home runs, probably around Mid-may at the latest.

Please Lynn Henning, you can do better.  Don’t take the obvious stance on these issues.  And please.. please… please… stop writing about Michigan football.