Tigers at Twinkies series thread

[The Black Hand]

How would a CF not be able to play a corner outfield spot?

I like how bad Berry got blasted before he came up compared to how he's played. I think Leyland has a sexual relationship with Kelly or something.

Did you see Cameron Maybin play left field? He looked worse than Elmon.

[pGekko]

Did you see Cameron Maybin play left field? He looked worse than Elmon.

No I didn't. But I guess I don't get what trait a center fielder would lack to play a corner spot.

[Lee Dog]

No I didn't. But I guess I don't get what trait a center fielder would lack to play a corner spot.

Throwing ability. Hitting.

[pGekko]

Throwing ability. Hitting.

? Why is your arm more important at a corner than center? And what does hitting have to do with anything?

[pGekko]

I'm just thinking back to fed, and we always stuck the worst guy in right.

[ChrisBrown]

? Why is your arm more important at a corner than center? And what does hitting have to do with anything?

Just the traditional way positions have been filled. Right-fielders are expected to have stronger arms so they can make the throw to third, and both corner outfielders are expected to hit at higher levels than a center fielder. Guys up the middle are expected to be strong defenders, and any offense they provide is a plus. Guys on the corners are expected to be strong offensively, and any defense they offer is a plus.

I don't think it really matters all that much in this case, as the Tigers are supposed to have offense at just about every position, and I don't think Berry is an everyday player anyway. I've only seen him for a few games, but I don't think he's a particularly good center fielder. His speed makes up for a lot of mistakes, but he almost misplayed that ball today into a certain loss. In his few games I've already seen him make bad reads and get turned around more than Jackson has all year. I wouldn't hesitate to put him in LF late in games though, or use him as a pinch runner when the Tigers are down a run.

[pGekko]

You have to factor in who you are replacing with him (occasionally)..............

I agree in a perfect world you have these idealistic measures of positions, but I'm talking reality. The guy could easily play a corner outfield position if necessary. I doubt anyone thinks he's a full time replacement.

[oldstyletom]

I would like to see Berry stick with the big club as...wait for it...a pinch runner!

Crazy, I know. When did this team last have a guy who they would stick in there as a pinch runner and then stay in the game as a defensive replacement (and just so my kid doesn't get annoyed when he reads this, G-Money doesn't count).

It would be nice to plug him onto the basepaths in the late innings and have the possibility of stealing second with two outs, running from 1st to 3rd on a single to the outfield, or scoring from 2nd on most singles to the outfield.

Come to think of it, it would be nice to have some specialists on the bench, too. But now I'm just dreaming...

[Scott37189]

That bunt by Kelly was sweet..

So was swinging at the (bad) first pitch and rolling into a DP in his previous AB