The Detroit Nine

Pitchers and catchers report in a few weeks and the city of Lakeland, Florida, will heat up. Many players won't be there long, though, before they have to get ready for the World Baseball Classic. The Tigers have 14 players participating in 2009. I don't remember how many Tigers participated in 2006, but I remember how the season went ... much better than three seasons prior. Until, that is, the pitchers forgot how to field their position.

A crazy season 2006, the Tigers started off with a big win by Kenny Rogers and some solid relief from a new kid named Joel Zumaya (not to mention the strong bat of Chris Shelton) in Kansas City, and never really looked back. Sure, they struggled in August and September, and backed in to the playoffs, but it was quite a ride.

The changes the team made during the off season should help the 2009 Tigers compete better. Truly, the Tigers do not need to have an all star at every single position. Players need to understand their roles and play the game.

Let's get out the bats and balls and get ready to play some ball!