Lost in the Brandon Inge-Mania that went into the All Star Game was it being Curtis Granderson’s first appearance, too.
Given how important Granderson has been to the Tigers the last few years, and what a standup person he is in every way, he deserved more recognition in this town for the achievement. And it probably should have happened sooner.
So I guess that it made poetic justice his triple provided the impetus for the American League’s victory Tuesday. I thought it should have made him the game’s MVP.
Maybe it will jumpstart Granderson’s second half. He had his moments before the All Star break. His brilliant game-saving catch in Cleveland was a classic - and may have been the key play of the Tigers’ season thus far. His home run numbers are up. But he hasn’t legged out as many other type of extra base hits, nor been quite the same threat on the bases. Granderson has been hitting under .200 against left-handers - and that must improve.
Still, he is a terrific player - which the nation saw Tuesday.

Random Thoughts

- What is it with the Pistons? First Doug Collins and now Ben Wallace? I don’t care if he comes cheap and is at a position of need. He can’t play anymore, has no reason to be motivated and didn’t leave town in the first place on good terms. Don’t see the point.

- The Tigers should be very good deep into the future because Rick Porcello, Justin Verlander, Miguel Cabrera, Edwin Jackson and Granderson are all 28 or younger. That’s 20 percent of their current active roster. Now if Joel Zumaya can just get his act together - then it would be three starting pitchers, an infielder, an outfielder and a reliever. Quite a nucleus.

- The Phillies signing of Pedro Martinez might take them out of the Roy Halladay sweepstakes. I expect him to wind up with the Dodgers.