Tiger Geist

I was a huge Ryan Raburn fan.  One of my first posts was actually describing how Raburn should be the starting third baseman for Detroit in 2008, based on how Brandon Inge was overpaid and his stats plummeted in 2007.  Not my best work, and i’m guessing if Inge ever meets me he’ll punch me in the face.

Then, Raburn had a rough beginning to his 2009 stint with the Tigers.  I was done with him.

Yesterday’s game… Raburn brought me back.

I’m happy Thames got two hits, I’m glad the rest of the team hit well, I love Clete’s slam… but the game was Raburn’s.  For a guy who could be optioned back to Toledo at a moment’s notice (anyone else notice that we don’t have a true backup first baseman?), Raburn pulled out a gutsy play at the plate.  I re-watched it a few times last night, and I found it interesting that you can’t even see Gene Lamont motion to go home.  Raburn just takes off, and then a BEAUTIFUL slide.  Yes I love me some good sliding; i’m not a fan of the basic “lets try to kill the guy at the plate” deal, but what a slide!

To top it off, Raburn picks up a first baseman mitt and finishes the game for Cabrera (granted that happened earlier in the game).

I don’t know what will happen this evening;  I think Leyland is playing with fire by not giving Cabrera a few days off.  I’m surprised Raburn is still on the team with Thames’ return and Cabrera’s limp; its quite possible that Mike Hessman is sitting in Chicago right now in case he’s needed in the nightcap.  But to tie the game with 2 outs in the bottom of the eighth, Raburn goes from the shithouse to the penthouse.  Detroit needed a win.

UPDATE:

After the first game of the double header, call I can say is… Ryan Raburn is the most exciting Tiger when he’s on third base.  Granted, Josh Anderson is the most likely to attempt to steal home, but after the sign screw-up today, I’m never leaving the room if Raburn is on third.  I don’t know what happened, but when Sardinha swung away on an apparent squeeze play, Raburn had to go back to third, tag up, and then run home.  I can’t imagine the amount of fear generated when you’re running towards home and the batter doesn’t square around…