I couldn't help but laugh Saturday night when Tigers' third baseman Brandon Inge had a home run and a ground-rule double in his first two at bats upon return to the major leagues.
His situation has become so personalized for a segment of the Tigers' fan base, that when he had initial success, it was like many simply did not want to hear about it, or witness it - even if they are diehard Tiger fans.
"Doesn't mean anything" was their battle cry. Many certainly didn't want any reminders about it on Twitter.
In a sense the decidedly anti-Inge segment - and it's certainly not a majority (most fans just didn't think Inge was playing well and have grown tired of his poor play, but are rooting for him) are right. Two hits off decidedly mediocre pitching doesn't mean Inge is the long-term solution to anything. The Tigers would have won that game anyway. Everybody was hitting.
But it did mean something in this regard.
Whether you love or hate Inge, it was a good story. Nobody should feel sorry for the guy. He has gotten a lot of acclaim and money through the years, and to his detractors it has not been unjustified.
However, Inge did take his medicine and go to the minor leagues. He did keep plugging away. He did get a call back to the major leagues. He did make the most of the opportunity Saturday.
What's wrong with that? Is it something to be angry about?
Tiger fans can only hope manager Jim Leyland doesn't overreact to this, and start playing Inge against right-handed pitching. My best best guess he won't. Wilson Betemit is hitting .309 against right-handers.
A stiffer test for Inge will be when the Tigers see solid pitching, which they inevitably will, probably sooner instead of later this week at Tampa Bay. And whether Inge is able to come through in that circumstance.

Brandon Inge has enough money to last a lifetime - and those of his children. He doesn't have to play baseball anymore. Maybe it's just he genuinely loves the game.
Anyway, by accepting the Tigers reassignment to Triple-A Toledo, he is keeping his career alive. He wasn't going to land anywhere else in the major leagues if he declined re-assignment, which most players in his spot do.
What I find interesting is there are a number of fans who strongly believe Inge will return to the Tigers. There are others who are disappointed the Tigers didn't just give him his outright release.
Toledo represents the perfect compromise. He can work on finding his batting stroke there. The Tigers have a lot of money invested in Inge. It would be worth it to them to give him a second chance - one that unlikely would come from another organization.
None of it will matter, though, if he can't hit.

It wasn't unexpected the Tigers re-signed third baseman Brandon Inge. He got two years with an option. Sounds about right. But what is the big secret about how much he is going to be paid?
Did the Tigers overpay to keep him? Or did Inge take a hometown discount?
I think Inge is an average regular player. He is solid defensively, although not the clone of Brooks Robinson or Mike Schmidt some of his overzealous supporters believe him to be. He has power offensively and does well as a hitter in stretches. although his slumps and low batting average are drawbacks.
It's also good to have a player who has been with the organization for more than a decade like Inge. The old English "D" on his shirt means something to him.
But what are they paying him? Whether it's a good signing or not depends in large degree on that.