tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-297643832009-07-12T15:04:16.349-04:00Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.comBlogger446125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-19719314609330983452009-07-10T01:02:00.007-04:002009-07-11T16:29:41.579-04:00

Don't get me wrong. I think it's really good Tiger fans united and essentially put Brandon Inge into Tuesday's All Star Game.That's what the process of voting for the final spot is all about - the fans. And I think that's a good thing. Inge had a good enough first half that it is not a stretch in the least he is on the American League squad.And I like and admire the guy in many ways, too.But...I

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-42974227283690116812009-07-09T10:12:00.003-04:002009-07-09T14:42:50.917-04:00

It seems odd Toronto general manager J.P. Riccardi would come out and say Roy Halladay is on the trading block. But Riccardi is one of those "Moneyball" guys who tends to undervalue the meaning of top players in terms of salary.If there is any player the Blue Jays should pay, it is Halladay. He is the best pitcher - along with Boston’s Josh Beckett - in the strongest division in baseball. The

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-54499459393565893762009-07-08T13:36:00.003-04:002009-07-08T13:39:55.095-04:00

You don’t know, really, when a coach like John Kuester is hired whether it is the right decision or the wrong one.He has been around a long time as an assistant for some of the best coaches. Long ago, he was a pretty good player at North Carolina. He did play in the NBA.Maybe all Kuester has needed is the opportunity to prove he can be a successful NBA head coach. OK. From that standpoint, maybe

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-58291812907296680562009-07-07T07:40:00.005-04:002009-07-07T07:45:45.046-04:00

You get the feeling sometimes the Tigers are being held together by paste and glue. Particularly their bullpen.It sure appeared that way as they blew a lead during the late innings in a loss to the Royals Monday.Bad pitch selection in the eighth by Joel Zumaya, and the ninth by Fernando Rodney, led to the defeat. Don’t know why Zumaya and catcher Gerald Laird felt compelled to select a breaking

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-61583490581537007192009-07-06T13:30:00.003-04:002009-07-06T13:35:51.716-04:00

Steve McNair was a retired player, and albieit the timing was coincidental, but his murder is a reminder that this is the time of the year NFL teams fear most.It is between the end of the off season programs and the start of training camp. It usually about a six-week break when players tend to cut loose with what amounts to be about their only true free time of the off season.Thought McNair was a

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-1274385654988440262009-07-03T02:16:00.003-04:002009-07-03T19:17:38.381-04:00

The Tigers are 2.5 games up on the White Sox and three games ahead of the Minnesota Twins.This is an absolutely huge series from the standpoint the Tigers must not leave Minnesota after three games no longer in first place in the American League Central.If they do lose the lead, there will be a momentum shift that will be difficult to reverse. The best chance is obviously Saturday with Edwin

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-76823080382460099752009-07-02T01:40:00.002-04:002009-07-02T01:42:52.113-04:00

Anyway you look at it, the Pistons are a much better team now than before they agreed to terms with free agents Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva.Gordon is a hot and cold player. He is either exceptional or exceptionally mediocre. Little in-between. But you know those nights when he is really hot, Gordon is literally going to carry you to victory. The Pistons haven’t had a great streak scorer

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-24095314982374926102009-07-01T12:24:00.002-04:002009-07-01T12:30:39.907-04:00

People wonder why Doug Collins is potentially the Pistons’ next coach. His first stint here didn’t exactly end well.Here’s why he is being considered:- He emphasizes defense and his teams have performed very well defensively.- There has been an immediate improvement in record where he’s been before.- It’s sometimes forgotten he was the late Will Robinson’s best player at Illinois State, and just

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-23992382241236358262009-06-30T13:33:00.001-04:002009-06-30T13:34:22.990-04:00

I wasn’t impressed with Michael Curry as head coach of the Pistons. He didn’t do much schematically to make his team better. He didn’t have the ear of the players nor a charismatic personality, which is often necessary when coaching, particularly in the NBA. He had a losing record and his team was utterly embarrassed during the opening round of the playoffs by Cleveland.But it always comes back

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-39121202499073192142009-06-29T12:19:00.003-04:002009-06-29T12:21:13.050-04:00

The Red Wings’ goaltending situation is intriguing to say the least.Obviously, the salary cap, and their continuation of butting against its ceiling, has forced the Red Wings to move into a different direction when it comes to goalies. The idea now is to develop their own to eventually replace Chris Osgood, not sign veteran free agents.It wasn’t a surprise they didn’t re-sign Ty Conklin. He is

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-33676769929009358472009-06-26T11:12:00.006-04:002009-06-28T09:55:43.660-04:00

I don’t necessarily think the Pistons had a bad night at the NBA Draft. I’m just not sure there was a lot they could have done the way it was going to unfold. It’s just one of those drafts that is hit and mostly miss.What I do like about Austin Daye, the Pistons’ first-round pick, is that there is a good skill set to work with. He isn’t a project from the sense he is going to fumble the ball

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-41781880513748256362009-06-25T02:29:00.006-04:002009-06-25T15:16:39.595-04:00

Lets see, three games into the 2008 season, the Detroit Lions fire team president Matt Milen after seven-plus disaster years on the job.Owner William Clay Ford says nothing.The Lions compile an 0-16 record, the worst single season in National Football League history.Owner William Clay Ford says nothing.The Lions fire head coach Rod Marinelli.Owner William Clay Ford says nothing.Tennessee Titans

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-62833690453125555482009-06-24T02:45:00.002-04:002009-06-24T13:12:35.325-04:00

Sometimes it isn’t necessarily winning games, but how you win them that breeds confidence.You can sense it is growing with the Tigers. Among the players. With their fans.A turning point was when Curtis Granderson made that great catch in Cleveland early in the season. The Tigers were at a crossroad at the time - and took the right path.Tuesday’s victory over the Cubs was particularly meaningful

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-22823745332632983152009-06-23T00:32:00.002-04:002009-06-23T00:34:35.488-04:00

Chris Chelios played in more winning games than any player in NHL history. When you really think about it, he is the greatest American hockey player of all time. But did he hold on for too long? I mean, there are going to be a lot of people who will only remember Chelios for what he was like late in his career. Still a good player, but not the terror he was when he was in his 20s and early

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-10225777544207560342009-06-22T12:06:00.003-04:002009-06-24T02:51:49.428-04:00

Scott Boras crossed a line the other day.Agents are supposed to have their clients best interests at heart and speak out on their behalf, but it stops when it comes to trying to fill out the lineup card.Tigers manager Jim Leyland was upset his integrity was questioned. How about the integrity of the game? Slumping players must be put into the game because Scott Boras wants his percentage from

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-78415498242719061252009-06-21T14:17:00.005-04:002009-06-21T14:22:47.245-04:00

Latest "Caputo and His Boss video" with sports editor Jeff Kuehn http://tinyurl.com/lklzvbMy Column in Sunday's Oakand Press about Michigan State beating Michigan in in-state recruiting, but that it may not mean that much http://tinyurl.com/loarua

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-21321094878839337272009-06-19T17:52:00.003-04:002009-06-19T18:18:24.678-04:00

I don't disagree with the Tigers extending manager Jim Leyland's contract, particularly at this critical time. I think two years, through the 2011 season, is the perfect length, too.The Tigers are in the middle of a pennant race. Leyland is trying to sort out some major issues, not the least of which is the Magglio Ordonez situation.It's one of those issues players tend to take sides. Leyland has

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-36426848823685241982009-06-19T01:26:00.003-04:002009-06-19T17:12:29.280-04:00

I was surprised by the "get the bum out of town" reaction we got to Magglio Ordonez’s benching while doing my radio show with Dennis Fithian before the Tigers’ game against St. Louis on Thursday.Ordonez hasn’t been playing well. There is an obvious decline in his power. His fielding has been below par. He is 35 years old, there is a $30 million option that kicks in on his contract if he starts

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-25506228573320176722009-06-18T04:51:00.005-04:002009-06-18T13:19:58.459-04:00

Matt Millen’s comments to Don Banks at SI.Com http://tinyurl.com/l3orxv crossed the line as far as I’m concerned.When he was the Lions’ team president, I screamed long and loud for him to be fired by owner William Clay Ford or to resign. I smelled a rat, from a football sense, from the very beginning. I didn’t necessarily think Millen was a bad guy, though. Always made a point of saying "hi" and

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-34782729856763649872009-06-17T10:57:00.002-04:002009-06-17T11:00:31.717-04:00

Who will take Dontrelle Willis’ spot in the rotation Saturday remains a mystery. There is no obvious answer. Brooks Brown pitched poorly in his start for Toledo Tuesday. Lucas French didn’t pitch well the previous night, either. The Tigers could start Zach Miner and call up a reliever if they release Willis, or if he accepts assignment in the minor leagues. But none of their high minor league

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-75366364479543729092009-06-16T05:39:00.004-04:002009-06-16T05:47:04.538-04:00

I don’t know if Bill Laimbeer is going to be a great NBA coach. I only know, based on his track record., that he would have a chance.He was a world champion as a player with the Pistons. He was a world champion as the head coach of the Shock.He might be a bit crusty for the task, but he is also a bright guy, who understands himself and adjusts.Michael Curry doesn’t have nearly the same

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-83137515006941389762009-06-15T02:43:00.003-04:002009-06-15T02:46:27.602-04:00

The Dontrelle Willis-Jeremy Bonderman situation is less than ideal, but not necessarily fatal for the Tigers’ chances of reaching the postseason.The key remains the health and prosperity of The Big Three in the starting rotation - Justin Verlander, Edwin Jackson and Rick Porcello. Mixing and matching the fourth and fifth spots often works.Like in 2006 when the Tigers had Verlander, Kenny Rogers

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-17044631468047000972009-06-13T16:38:00.006-04:002009-06-14T20:21:03.852-04:00

"Caputo and His Boss" video on Justin Verlander: http://tinyurl.com/mf22buMy column in Sunday's Oakland Press about how the Red Wings should forget about signing Hossa and go after either Jay Bouwmeester or Mike Kominsarekhttp://tinyurl.com/mrjccmMy column in Saturday's Oakland Press about the Red Wings' Game 7 loss:http://tinyurl.com/n6zvy3I do think the Red Wings were banged up even more than

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-62240876221851502752009-06-12T02:58:00.004-04:002009-06-12T12:34:41.346-04:00

Five reasons I think the Red Wings will beat the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Final tonight at Joe Louis Arena:1. Home ice advantage.The Red Wings have won the previous three games in Detroit by a combined score of 11-2. Pittsburgh is 1-5 at JLA in the last two years in the Final. The last line change is huge.2. The Red Wings have the better team. If you match the two teams up

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29764383.post-28456839823397956762009-06-11T02:25:00.004-04:002009-06-11T13:15:21.892-04:00

Justin Verlander has always been a special talent. The fastball in the high 90s and touching triple digits. The rare combination of size and athleticism (despite his height, very few pitchers have as quick feet on their pickoff move to first base). The instinctive feel for pitching. The sharp breaking ball and solid changeup.And he did win 35 games his first two full seasons in the major leagues.

Pat Caputohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05102662407927366439noreply@blogger.com9