The subject refers to a message board thread that's existed on the Tigers' ESPN website since, roughly, 2001. I rarely frequent the ESPN message forum, instead opting for MLive, but I had a feeling the infamous thread would still feature prominently. This morning, as I clicked on "Boards" from the Tigers Team Page, staring back at me as the top thread was "Inge=HOF!!!"
Granted, Inge=HOF!!! is a retooling of the original Inge=HOF, and the first message on the current thread is "might as well start it up again" dated October 2, 2006 - likely the night after one of Brandon's errors in the World Series. For the record, HOF stands for "Hall of Fame."
Why would Brandon Inge inspire an eight year thread dedicated to his status as a Hall of Famer? The answer is both obvious and nebulous. This is a guy who burst onto the Tigers as a talented defensive catcher with a rocket arm. His bat needed some work, but he had a knack for clutch hits. Even during the dreaded '03 season, Brandon notched a key hit off Roger Clemens to thwart his 300th win. The addition of Pudge Rodriguez pushed Brandon out of the catcher spot, but he responded with decent power numbers as a third-baseman in '06 (.256BA, 29HR and 83RBI).
The aforementioned errors in the '06 World Series signalled a downward trend for poor Brandon. In '07, he hit .236, and then a disastrous .205 in '08 - a season where he spent much of the year below the .200 mark. Not many major leagues earn another invite back to the club after hitting .205, and Brandon Inge, despite such gifted physical tools, seemed destined for Bobby Higginson ignominy. The popularity of "Inge=HOF" surged to great new heights in '08. His travails were fodder for this now-dripping-with-irony HOF thread.
But the story does not end with a quiet dismissal from Dave Dombrowski. Brandon Inge did indeed receive another invite back to the big club. In '09, he was promised he wouldn't be shuffled back-and-forth from catcher to utility IF/OF. He would settle back as the regular 3rd baseman - a bitter pill for long-time fans to swallow. And then something shocking happened... Brandon began the season with a homerun - and not just a rinky-dink pop fly that narrowly reaches the seats. Brandon absolutely crushed the ball. Then he did it again in Game 2, in the 9th inning to tie the game. Then he did it AGAIN in Game 3. And that brings us to perhaps the crowning achievement in the career of Brandon Inge - yesterday's game against the Rangers.
Trailing 4-0 in the bottom of the 8th, Brandon Inge led off with an opposite field home run. That hit spurred a rally, and the Tigers would score 3 more runs to tie the score. After Gerald Laird struck out, Inge found himself at the plate yet again that inning, with the bases loaded and two outs. Brandon Inge - Mr. ".205" - screamed a liner right up the gut for a clutch two-run single.
Despite the lead, the Tigers still had to hold off the Rangers in the top of the 9th. The first batter bunted, trying to catch Brandon playing too deep at 3rd. The ball dribbled slowly up the 3rd base line, under the grasp of Fernando Rodney. Yet, like a bald eagle swooping down to catch a jumping salmon mid-flight, Brandon Inge bare-handed the grounder and whipped the throw to first to get the out. Late inning errors were Brandon's trademark, but not on this day. This was Brandon's Day. On April 12, 2009, Brandon Inge did equal Hall of Fame!
I'm still skeptical. Let's see what his numbers are in June or July. The thing is, you can never rest easy with that guy. Is he going to get a hit or is he going to hit into a double play? Equal chance of both if you ask me. Once he's a more consistent batter, then I'll believe he's turned a leaf. And thats why Ordonez is my Tiger. Sure, he's had his share of hitting into a double play or struck out...but his career avg is 312 and has 1098 RBIs.
ReplyDeleteBonus points for the use of stats.
ReplyDeleteNot that I like to critique, but on April 12, 2008, Brandon Inge batted 9th and was 1 for 2 with a walk in a 0-7 loss to the White Sox. It also marked Verlander's second loss of the season. April 12, 2009, however... ;)
ReplyDeleteI love it. What a great counter-point. A 0-7 loss to the White Sox. Not much has changed, has it? (date fixed, bee tee dubbs)
ReplyDeleteUh, no the reason INGE-HOF!!! is the second incarnarion of the original is because ESPN reformatted their messageboards in late September of '06, wiping clean EVERY thread that was posted on the Tigers' board, otherwise rhe original thread might still be there.
ReplyDeletebrandon inge is the equivalent of Chuck norris in baseball.
ReplyDelete