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A Simple Question For Detroit Sports Fans
It just seems odd the Lions were getting these kudos for what seems to be an iffy draft, while the Red Wings were getting blasted in this town.
It seems odd that Ndamukong Suh was being anointed as the next great one with a celebration of his existence as an athlete in this town - before he even puts on a practice uniform. While, at the same time, a true icon in this town, and still a great player, Nicklas Lidstrom, was being unceremoniously bashed by many fans.
Let me ask you this:
Which team, 99 percent of the time, comes through for you?
Which team, 99 percent of the time, lets you down?
Yet, why was it like that for about a week?
Random Thoughts
- Austin Jackson is hitting .136 against left-handed pitchers, is striking four times more than he walks overall, but his batting his average is pretty high, so he must be doing a good job as a hitter, right? Not necessarily. A month from now, if Jackson doesn't improve his pitch recognition, his batting average will drop 100 points. Defensively, however, he has been better than anticipated.
- You have to take the bad with the good with Ryan Raburn. A key 3-run double Monday at Texas, a huge error Tuesday in Detroit against Minnesota. At least Johnny Damon usually catches the ball. The Tigers are more effective with Damon in left and Raburn at DH.
My Column in Wednesday's Oakland Press on the Red Wings
http://tinyurl.com/2fgmyjl
It seems odd that Ndamukong Suh was being anointed as the next great one with a celebration of his existence as an athlete in this town - before he even puts on a practice uniform. While, at the same time, a true icon in this town, and still a great player, Nicklas Lidstrom, was being unceremoniously bashed by many fans.
Let me ask you this:
Which team, 99 percent of the time, comes through for you?
Which team, 99 percent of the time, lets you down?
Yet, why was it like that for about a week?
Random Thoughts
- Austin Jackson is hitting .136 against left-handed pitchers, is striking four times more than he walks overall, but his batting his average is pretty high, so he must be doing a good job as a hitter, right? Not necessarily. A month from now, if Jackson doesn't improve his pitch recognition, his batting average will drop 100 points. Defensively, however, he has been better than anticipated.
- You have to take the bad with the good with Ryan Raburn. A key 3-run double Monday at Texas, a huge error Tuesday in Detroit against Minnesota. At least Johnny Damon usually catches the ball. The Tigers are more effective with Damon in left and Raburn at DH.
My Column in Wednesday's Oakland Press on the Red Wings
http://tinyurl.com/2fgmyjl
Labels: Nicklas Lidstrom Ndamukong Suh Austin Jackson Ryan Rabrun Johnny Damon
posted by Pat Caputo at
12:13 PM
8 Comments:
Pat,
I think the jury's still out on Jackson as a hitter. I believe he won't be great, but he also won't be horrible this year. He needs to improve on making contact. Although I like him, he worries me offensively because he has kind of a Craig Monroe-esque swing. He seems to do a good job cutting down with 2 strikes, though, and that is promising.
Defensively, I am very impressed. He takes excellent routes and gets great jumps, plus he has an outstanding arm. We haven't seen the Grandy-like highlight reel catch yet, but I think that's a matter of time. I believe he will soon be superior to Grandy defensively, but he is going to have a difficult time matching his offensive output.
As far as Raburn goes, you are spot on. It seems that he's prone to blunders all over the diamond. I wonder if that would improve with a full season of regular time at one position.
Travis
Book,
Detroit is so starved for a decent football team that anything that even smells like possible success is embraced with no questions asked. Yet Detroit is so used to having what is arguably the NHLs best franchise of the last fifteen years - that anything less than a Stanley Cup result is intollerable.
But I think you already know that.
With Santiago's performance to date - both offensively and defensively - I'm in no hurry to see Everett back in the line up.
Do you think maybe this year he has earned his way as an everyday player?
No arguments from me. Nick Lidstrom is a hockey god, imo. The best overall player we've had since Gordie Howe and Sawchuck, and the #1 reason for our success the past decade and a half.
Travis,
So far, so good for Jackson. Good start does mean a lot, but whether he will be able to sustain it is another question.
Caputo
Fred Brill,
Thing is, if you play Santiago too much, he will eventually get exposed.
Caputo
Michael C,
Agreed. I think he's been the Red Wings MVP for a long time.
Caputo
I don't but that Pat, Everett most exposed player on the team (a milion "indecent exposure" jokes come to mind) - what could possibly be exposed about Santiago that makes him weaker than Everrett.
Fred Brill,
If he played a full season, I'm not sure if Santiago would hit above .240. Hits well for short stretches. Play him when hot.
Caputo
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