When Baseball Was Fun

HAPPY MAY DAY…THE TIGERS ARE ROLLING.

bobby — Wed, 01 May 2013 13:49:07 +0000

The Tigers are rolling is putting it mildly…The lights are all green and Christmas is in the air!
They have won five in a row and are getting quality starts from their starters and wall bangers from
their big bats! So, why shouldn’t the Tiger Fandom rejoice?
After all the small bats of DIRKS, AVILA, PERALTA, INFANTE and even KELLY have all experienced a
ressurection. And the waiting for that sweetheart of a man, that guy who endured a year of P.T,to
start banging that pea with clothes line drives that are finally finding the holes & gaps, VICTOR
MARTINEZ, is happening big time. We love this friendly human being! Just give us a few more like him
and TORII HUNTER and MIGUEL CABRERA and the world’s problems of hate and greed would all but go away.

And the pitching? Or shall we call them the “K STREET BULLIES.” There’s the new K man on the
block , ANIBAL SANCHEZ, with his 17 Atlanta scalps hanging from his locker room stall, waiting
patiently for his next trip to that friendly Tiger pitching mound. Just a few years ago (and please
read this carefully) JUSTIN VERLANDER was on that so-called waiting list all alone. Then out of
the West MAX SCHERZER rode in. Not too far behind him, also from the West, came DOUG FISTER with
his quick pitch. Then in the biggest robbery since Brinks, from the deep Florida Southeast, came ANIBAL SANCHEZ with his beautiful seventeen. JIM LEYLAND now has four horses that he can hook up
to his World Series express train! That’s right, FOUR. VERLANDER, SCHERZER, FISTER and SANCHEZ with
a 24 year old colt, RICK PORCELLO, trying mightally to make it five (stay tuned, the distance is long
and another colt, DREW SMYLY, is closing in).

In conclusion, a hollywood script is in the making. An old cowhand who in 2011 tried lassowing
42 heads of beef and was a perfect 42-42 is back in the bull pen. King EL GRANDE VALVERDE has
come to the rescue and in two appearances has retired every batter and is perfect once again (2-2).
All of us are waiting for the final round up but so far the rodeo is looking damned good!

SO BOYS & GIRLS THE KING AND THE CREATOR OF THE ABOVE COLLECTION OF STARS, MIKE ILITCH, is
smiling happily. And who can blame him? His reward is waiting right up around that OCTOBER CORNER.

filed also happily on this WED. 5-1-13 by bobby, founder & publisher of WBWF.

AS I SEE IT…

bobby — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 14:26:54 +0000

If you are a Tiger fan you’re probably wondering what’s wrong with these guys?
Ten & ten is not all that bad. Sure, I know it’s early is what I’ve heard both D.D. &
J.L. tell us over & over this early in the season, as if we didn’t know it. But, it’s
20 games and I smell something’s amiss. Here are my alarming questions:
1) why would a 22 year old kid come into a close game in the 8th inning with the Tigers
ahead 3-2? You mean I’m nuts because I’m on my knees begging for Smyly. How many
of us could smell disaster coming? If our bull pen is that weak, well…disaster
did indeed strike and another brilliant J.V. seven inning pitching performance was
wiped out. And let’s be honest here. The Tiger bull pen had just had two days off??
2) Why is Dirks continuing playing when he’s clearly in need of some Toledo air time.
The kid right now is a basket case. Our system doesn’t have anyone better than Kelly?
My nose smells Quenton Berry all over the place.
3) Who in the world is that player wearing Victor Martinez’ uniform? VICTOR, VICTOR,
COME OUT COME OUT WHEREVER YOU ARE….and soon. This guy is swinging at hot air.
4) Is it too early to see that Austin Jackson is returning to his strikeout routine?
Of course it isn’t. BUNT AUSTIN, BUNT!
5) As I see it on this 26th of April, 2013, this Tiger team is letting their owner,
MIKE ILITCH, clinging to just a few Tigers who are earning those millions that MR.
I is paying them…such as J.V., Cabrera, Infante, Fister, Hunter and Sanchez. The
rest have to look in the mirror and then be honest with themselves.

THIS ATLANTA SERIES IS CRUCIAL, Even though JIM LEYLAND will pretend it’s not.

TIGER’S 1 6 (9-7) GAME REPORT CARD

bobby — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 15:42:58 +0000

We have been watching ALEX AVILA closely since Spring Training began. Our conclusion
is rather surprising…ALEX should hang it up! He does not deserve to be wearing a
MLB uniform. His expressions tell the true story…he just doesn’t give a rat’s —-
about the great game of baseball. Because of family he finds himself trapped in a
Tiger’s uniform where he does not belong! Just watch him…he has as much emotion
as my Aunt Matilda. His little counter part, _____PENA runs rings around him in his
love for the game. Where are you Kevin Costner? So, ALEX, do us all a favor and hang
it up. And, personally, we think that RAMON SANTIAGO should do the same. When he
comes to the plate, it’ll be a cold day in you know where before he evin hits the ball.
The way JIM LEYLAND has treated this quiet little Latino has ruined him.

Now for some good news…MIGUEL CABRERA is on his way to hitting heaven, where TED WILLIAMS,
LOU GEHRIG, TY COBB and ROGERS HORNSBY reside. Tiger fans, enjoy him while you still can.
HE’S A WALKING ALL TIME HALL-OF-FAMER.

PRINCE FIELDER is on his way to a 2013 AL MVP. He wants to make it THREE TIGERS IN A ROW!

JHONNY PERALTO is quietly dancing a jig at SS. Name me one player who so-little-is-expected
and still manages to hit .300 and cover the ground, baby. Go JHONNY, go.

Then there’s OMAR INFANTE. Mr. LEYLAND, leave the kid play! You’re not dealing with another
RYAN RAYBERG here. INFANTE is not another CHARLEY GERHRINGER but, just like CHARLEY
G, you can wind INFANTE up in the Spring and unwind him in the Fall. That is of course if you
leave him alone while he plays out his heart for you.

Don’t you dare touch AUSTIN JACKSON or TORII HUNTER. These two should also be left alone.
What are the heights they can reach? While they hit 1 & 2 who knows? PERFECTION?

ANDY DIRKS is another bobby hoeft in sheep’s clothing. In size, hitting lefty while throwing
righty, running, you’ll have to tear the uniform off him, (are you watching Avila?) hitting
in the six hole, a real old school hustler and you’ve got me. That’s all that I can say.

There’s just one thing to say about the whole darn pitching corp. How did you ever make it
out of Spring Training with your stinking location habits??? This includes wild FISTER, COKE,
PORCELLO, SCHERZER, and yes, even you J.V! WALKS and especially pitching from behind to
MLB hitters is driving us banana’s! Travel back to last season and maybe you’ll find your
control. If you don’t find it soon then we’re all in for a long
season…AND WE WON’T LIKE THE RESULTS!

posted by bobby on 4-20-13…early report card.

TIGERS SHOW SOME SWAGGER…

bobby — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 16:24:35 +0000

The media, both TV & Newspaper, missed a good story. Umpiring behind the plate was
the umpire that in our opinion was responsible for the biggest GAFF in Tiger history.
What could be more blatant a GAFF than depriving a young pitcher from throwing a
PERFECT GAME. And in so doing he even took a no hitter away from ARMANDO
GALARAGA. JAMES JOYCE stood there behind the plate calling balls and strikes. It
makes me wonder what goes on in his mind whenever he sees the Tigers. He’s spared
from having to deal with Galaraga at least in a Tiger uniform. Suffice it to say that
Galaraga will never come to that door of the Hall-Of-Fame ever again because an umpire
blew one when James threw hands down instead of up for the obvious out call. But,
aha, the TV camera’s caught it all! AND THE LEAGUE COULD HAVE CHANGED IT. The League
and Joyce are full of beeez wax. And to his credit, ARMANDA still remains quiet!

The removing of J.V. after only five innings almost blew the game for the Tigers as his
replacement couldn’t handle the heat of the moment. Drew Smyly, hopefully learned a big
lesson. You MUST KNOW WHERE THE PLATE IS!! No excuses here for the kid. He’s been a
pro long enough to know where it is. My hunch is that he will re-group and become a winner!

Four players: Infante, Hunter, Peralta and Fielder all had 2 hits each totalling eight of
the Tiger’s nine hits with Jackson getting one. Four players, Cabrera, Dirks, Avila and Martinez
all drew a goose egg.

Last but not least….The Tiger’s, like last year, allowed a mediocre pitcher, WORLEY, to go way
too deep into the game. The guy should have been LOOOONG GONE by the third inning!

filed by bobby on 4-2-13 so-far-so-good…

HOUSTON, HOUSTON, PROBLEM IS STILL THERE…

bobby — Sat, 16 Mar 2013 14:48:11 +0000

Jeff Kobermus is still drifting in the Florida winds. As it stands right now
he probably has a leg up on his main competitor, QUINTON BERRY, as his biggest
edge seems to be his ability to hit right handed as opposed to BERRY’S swinging
from the left side. You see they are competing for the position of a back up
for ANDY DIRKS. Seeing that DIRKS swings from the left side it doesn’t make bAse-
ball sense to replace him with another lefty, does it? Big edge here goes to KOBERMUXS.
And if the Tigers are comparing B.A.’s the edge here also goes to KOBERMUS with
his B.A. of .256 as opposed to BERRY’S .188 as of today. BERRY’S advantage you’d
think might be his blinding speed…but, wait a minute. JEFF is just as fast if not
faster! In two years of pro ball J.K. swiped over 80 bases compared to Q.B.’s 30
last year. HOWEVER, there’s one advantage BERRY has, and it’s a biggie: LEYLAND
LOVE’S BERRY.!!

The pitching positions are unbelievably close. VERLANDER, SCHERZER, SMYLY, RONDON,
PORCELLO, DOTEL, SANCHEZ, ALBUQUERQUE, FISTER, COKE, VILLAREAL and MARTE seem to be
in the COMERICA mix. That’s twelve big ones on the bus headed for Detroit right now.
But how about CROSBY, HILL, THOMPSON, GARCIA, and ALVAREZ? We just learned that CROSBY
was sent to Toledo this morning. However, that leaves four young strong arms out there
hanging in that “Florida wind”. SWAMI what will they do? As Leyland pointed out once
again today saying: “Some hearts are going to be broken.” I remember it well. Mine was
broken twice. It’s one of those downsides of pro baseball. Anyway, what would you do?
It seems like HILL, ALVAREZ, THOMPSON, GARCIA, MARTE and VILAREAL are in the race to be
called into the Skipper’s office. Who will it be? Remember, you can keep only two which
makes a total of twelve that receive tickets for Comerica.

Another huge decision the Tigers face, maybe the biggest, is who will be the fifth starter?
Right now Smyly and Porcello are nip & tuck. Our thinking is that Smyly and his Southpaw
arm has the inside track. But PORCELLO is pitching lights out. WOW…what a wonderful
surprise.

One last question…will the Tigers draw over 4M for the first time in their history? What
do you think?

filed on Saturday , 3-16-13, by the Tiger’s swami, bob hoeft. GO CATS…

HOUSTON, HOUSTON, WE HAVE A PROBLEM….

bobby — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 17:30:29 +0000

Coming right out of left field, this rookie is causing Jim Leyland some sleepless nights.
Here’s why. The only way to keep him is to follow the MLB’s Rule Five guidline to keep
him on the bench all year! JEFF KOBERNUS, a $50,000 steal, is proudly wearing the English
“D” every which way but loose and causing Dave Dombrowsky to sheepishly grin from his cat
bird seat behind the hitting cage.

The Washington Nationals saw something good in this 6’2″, 210 pound second baseman playing
for the University of California. So, in 2009 in the second round they drafted him and he
has performed admirably in the Nat’s farm system. But, Tiger scouts were watching and when
he became available to the Red Sox the Sox took him as a favor to the Tigers. In turn the
Tigers sent a minor leaguer to the Red Sox. What has upset the fifth rule apple cart is Jeff’s
play. He apparently knows the rules and is playing his guts out to make it to Detroit. He
is currently hitting .316 and also a little known fact is that in the last two years he has
stolen 95 bases! The kid can run, which will help him on the Kelly,Garcia, Worth, Michado
and Boesch sweepstakes. None of them can run like Kobernus. And Leyland only has a few spots
left.

So there you have it. a great story unfolding in Lakeland. Will JEFF KOBERNUS prove that just
maybe the Washington Nationals made one of the biggest blunders of all time. $50,000 for
this kid is blasphemy in today’s MLB market place.

GO FOR IT JEFF, WE’RE ALL WITH YOU!

Posted by Bobby on 3-2-13…GO CATS!

IT’S ALL SUNSHINE IN FLORIDA !

bobby — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 17:25:56 +0000

It’s nothing but snow as I look out my office window here in Chelsea, Michigan…
But, wait. There’s nothing but sunshine coming up from Lakeland, Florida.
Why is this? The Tigers won their opening Spring Training game, 2-1 over the
mighty Atlanta Braves, THAT’S WHY. Even with Gerald Laird, the hitless former
Tiger now wearing the Atlanta “A” on his uniform, the Tigers beat ‘em by the
lopsided score of 2-1. The regular Tiger infield of Cabrera, Fielder, Peralta
and Infante all joined Laird in going hitless. Three cheers for Gerald, hey?

The snow outside my window was not impressed. It’s still bright white. Even if Jim Leyland
promised to play all of his regulars in his lineup today. Wow, Jim thanks a lot. That
made our day. Maybe, we’ll even get a hit.

Speaking of hits…it’s amazing to these long-in-tooth brain cells of mine to hear and read
about why the Tigers will be so improved this year over last. They offer up bushels of
reasons with only a few getting it right. Folks, his name is TERII (spelled with two I’s)
HUNTER and his presense in the former troublesome two hole will solve all kinds of Tiger
Woes. First off they will receive an over .300 bat, where before they were happy to get
a .250 stick. Secondly, they will receive a golden glove winner in R.F. , where before they
were lucky if their right fielder ever came within a thousand miles of a gold glove. This
is a big one…just ask Jim Leyland. Lastly, they receive a genuine Charity personality.
Terii Hunter is a beautiful human being! Add this type individual to an already club house
known around baseball as those “good guys wearing the English ‘D’ ” and you have a team put
together by the big hearted Mike Ilitch. In fact Ilitch see’s Hunter as that final part to
bring that illusive WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP back to the Motor City.

Now that’s great news. Now the snow is departing and I’m starting to imagine blue birds
and even Turtles Ernie, singing Halleluya, Halleluyay (could I posiibly miss spell that
word twice?) THE TIGERS ARE COMING, THE TIGERS ARE COMING….

posted by bobby on a frigid Michigan day , 2-23-13. But wait, THE TIGERS ARE COMING!

2013 TIGER’S SPRING TRAINING QUESTIONS???

bobby — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 16:21:14 +0000

The most important questions that the Tigers face going into Spring Training, 2013, are as follows:
1) Who will be the number five starter;
2) Who will be the left fielder;
3) Who will be the back up catcher;
4) Who will be the closer;
and 5) who will hold down the DP combo?

1) Rick Porcello might not make it out of Spring Training as a Tiger. He is a very sought after
pitcher in a possible trade. Dave Dombrowski is in a holding pattern right now just waiting
for the right deal. Meanwhile we see DREW SMYLY opening the season as the Tigers fifth starter.
2) There are four legitimate outfielders who ANDY DIRKS must beat out in left. They are: AVISAIL
GARCIA, BRENNAN BOESCH, QUINTON BERRY and NICK COSTELLANOS. Because he is a right handed hitter
Leyland will use GARCIA as a replacement for DIRKS in a R/L tandem. BOESCH and BERRY hitting
lefty will hurt their chances. However, 20 year old NICK CASTELLANOS is another story. The
Tigers are in no hurry to move the kid into Comerica Park, only to have him sit. We feel that
he should continue to gain valuable experience down in Toledo.
3) We see ALEX AVILA having a reborn 2011 season. With the pressure off as hitters 1-6 take care
of producing runs plus a successful surgery AVILA will be chomping at the bit coming out of
Florida with the switch hitting BRAYAN PENA serving as his back up.
4) The closer isn’t as big a question mark as most people think. BRUCE RONDON with his youth and
blinding fast ball will get a looooong look, after which the Tigers have Benoit, Albaqueque,
and Dotel to choose from…just in case.
5) Barring some unforseen misfortune the Tigers are set at the important defensive up-the-middle
second base combo of OMAR INFANTE and JHONNY PERALTA. INFANTE will dazzle many fans with his
solid defensive skills. We have always felt his quietness and humble approach to playing the
game has kept him in the back ground. Actually, the same can be said for PERALTA. So I guess
we can call these two OUR QUIET KEYSTONERS!
Conclusion…The important sixth(DIRKS), seventh(PERALTA), eighth(AVILA) and ninth(INFANTA) will all
get some needed offensive pressure removed by the BIG FIVE of JACKSON, HUNTER, CABRERA, FIELDER
and MARTINEZ. Sounds good to us….LET THE SEASON BEGIN!!

posted by bobby on Sunday, 2-10-13……GO TIGERS!

ENTER BRUCE RONDON…

bobby — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 19:06:41 +0000

The Tigers have high hopes for a 22 year old 6’3 265 pound youngster from Venzuela.
His name is BRUCE RONDON. The Tigers signed him as a 16 year old catcher, but soon
found out that he didn’t belong behind the plate…but, the big kid did own a
wicked fast ball. AL AVILA loves him and says that he’s the only pitcher that he’s
ever seen that throws “an easy 100 MPH fast ball.” He only has to strain when he
unleashes his 104-105 mph blazer! The Tigers are taking a huge gamble on
Rondo as they hope he can handle JOSE VALVERDE’S closing chores. BIG, HUGE is
more like it. There are those who see nothing but the dark side of the Tiger’s
big risk. Well, maybe so, but you can’t help but admire the Tiger’s chances. After
all there’s a few other pitchers named Benwoit, Albuquique and Valavenzia who also
throw high hard ones and one of them might end up as the Tiger’s closer.

However, heading into Spring Training it looks like the chips are all falling in the
direction of Venzuelia. May BRUCE RONDO prove to be the answer and may he throw
that “easy 100 mph” right past the bad guys with their nasty bats.

posted on 1-25-13 by bobby…

And, for the 2013 Defense we have:

bobby — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 16:06:59 +0000

Those so-called MLB experts who complained about the Tiger’s defense, LISTEN UP.

Behind the plate there were no complaints. Alex Avila is one of the few great MLB Catchers.

First Base, Prince Fielder is surprisingly agile and defends his area very well.

Second Base, a huge improvement in Omar Infante! No more Ryan Rayburn here. Now we have quality +++

Shortstop, Jhonny Peralta had Gold Glove numbers and performed exellently with his glove in the post-
season games opening many non-believer’s eyes.

Third Base, Miguel Cabrera just fooled the bejabbers out of all of those predicting his flop at the
hot corner. As the season wore on he was making Brooks Robinson type plays. Today MLB announced that
Miguel was chosen by his peers to wear the crown of the MLB’S GREATEST PLAYER IN BOTH LEAGUES. In
our eyes it’s his greatest award for his offense AND HIS DEFENSE.

Outfield, Austin Jackson, in our book is the best defensive outfielder in baseball. However, next
year at the corner outfield positions he will have the fleet Andy Dirks and Avisail Garcia. The three
of them will give the Tigers the best defensive outfield in MLB.

Conclusion: With Jackson, Dirks, Garcia, Infante and possibly Berry look for the team to steal bases.
Many of them.

So, as far as our 2013 defense is concerned…We rest our case.

Filed by Bobby on 11-6-12 The defense rests….