Goodbye Grandy

Tiger fans Grandy is gone. Yankee Pinstripes? Are you kidding....did get some good pitching in return for Granderson and Jackson. what else is up Dombroski's sleeve?

Ernie and Bob

Last night was a glorious, yet sad day. On MLB Network last night Bob Costas sat down with Ernie Harwell and talked about his battle with Cancer at age 91 and his life in baseball. Ernie is truly a one of a kind man that loves God, lives for Jesus and is a friend to all that have listened to him over the years. Sad to hear him talk about this being his last World Series, and he hoped to make it to his birthday in January. But he was pretty sure he would not get to next baseball season. Tears were in my eyes as I listened. What a man. Married to Lulu for 68 years!

Back in 1996 in Lakeland our family got to meet Ernie and Lulu in the stands at Joker Marchant Stadium. What a thrill. My son got his autograph and was thrilled. The memories it brings. I remember listening to Ernie's last game and playing catch with Aaron in the backyard at the same time. Awesome, just awesome. The memories that will live for generations to come.

God Bless you Ernie! See you in heaven!

I Hate the Stankees!

Baseball season is over and the stinking Yankees won the championship. That is so tough to type. the best team money can buy. Let the Hot Stove season begin. I need to count the days till Rose and I get to Lakeland for some games! Can't wait to get some tickets! Man oh man I am having withdrawal symtoms! Who will the TIgers sign? Who will they let go? Let's get the party started.....

Michigan vs OSU? Who Cares! It's not baseball!

Where is Stinkin' Al Gore?

This weather stinks...period...end of discussion. Isn't October supposed to be a month in the low 60's. Harvest gets going....great outdoor weather. Walks in the woods. Football and above all else the MLB playoffs? I don't get it? Al Gore, I understand why you don't call it global warming anymore...but climate change. I think we are headed to an Ice Age! Crap, warm up please! Winter clothes in October? Rain, Rain and more RAIN!!!!!!!!!!!! Excuse me, but winter will be here soon enough. I need to go to FL and get some rays! Las Vegas anyone....So Cal? But not NWO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, it is the Yankees v Angels and Phils v Dodgers....I say Angels and Dodgers in the World Series. I have called it. It all begins tonight. Hey Twins....hope you like outdoor baseball next year....I am guessing they will finish 4th in the Central next year!

Praying for Indian Summer......

That's the Season

Let the Countdown to Lakeland begin.......

The 12 inning classic last night was what this whole season was about...shoulda, coulda, woulda. So close, but yet so far. Proves opening day is an important as the last game of the season. Proves that you must always be ready to play. Proves that you can take nothing for granted...even 3 up with 4 to play. Stupid Tigers! Is it Leylands fault...yes. Is it Miggy's fault...heck yes! Is it Maggs Fault...yes...Grandy's fault...yes...it was everyone's fault...expecially Lloyd McClendon. He must go. Replace him like Chuck Hernandez. I am not so sure I would not replace Jim Leyland is the right guy was available. Not sure who that would be...but.....

Did I waste my whole summer watching this team...maybe....but it was exciting, just turned out horribly. when the Tigers swept the Ray...I thought they were golden....but no they were not. Twins go 17-4 down the stretch and the Tigers choked...out and out choked....what can I say....

see ya in Lakeland......

Choke Job!

Stupid Tigers end the season today and they may as well put us Tiger fans out of our misery! THEY STINK! 3 up with 4 to play and now they are tied with the Twins. If they both win they go to the Dome for a game! May as well not go! The Tigers always lose there! Can the Royals win today?? Probably Not! Can the Tigers win today...only if Verlander throws a shutout and and the Tigers somehow score a run....horrible, just horrible!

By 5 this afternoon we will know what is next.....please don't go back to the Dome...even if you don't get in....Do I really want the Tigers to win????

detnews.com|Sports|Photogallery|Sports Photo Gallery - 1984 Tigers champions honored - The Detroit News Online

detnews.com|Sports|Photogallery|Sports Photo Gallery - 1984 Tigers champions honored - The Detroit News Online

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Here we GO!

Well, today starts a 4 games series with the Twins at Comerica Park. Really, the playoffs begin tonight. The Tigers are up 2 with 7 to play. Can they hang on? Can they win 3 of 4 from the Twins and end this? Can they get to the real playoffs? Will the Twins Jinx come into play? Will being on the cover of SI jinx the Tigers?? All these questions and more will be answered starting tonight at 7:05. Porcello and Verlander start it off. Win 2 and maybe just maybe the Twins will roll over. While I would rather be 2 games up than 2 games back, it is the Twins...Mauer, Cuddyear....and stinkin Punto....yeah stinkin Punto...

GO TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Breathing Easier

Well, the Tigers are trying to shorten my life. What a week of baseball for the Tigs. Yesterday was a huge win for the Tigers as Nate Robertson came through. It has been a tough season for Nate and I am sure it has tried his faith, but the elbow surgery seems to have helped and the slider is back and Nate pitched really well yesterday. About 100 pitches and what a game it was. Who would have thought Nate would get to win such a big game.

Question? What was Don Kelly doing in the game Saturday night? He had not played at the Dome and as tough as it is to see the ball there, why not play someone out there for "defensive purposes" that has played out there? That loss is squarely on Leyland's shoulders in my mind. JV pitched his guts out again and comes up empty. I am guessing he feels a little snake bit.

Need to win 2 of 3 in these next 2 series on the road at Cleveland and Chicago. Then the last 6 at home. Can they win it? the next 2 weeks will tell the story......Go Tigers!!!

The Tigers are driving me crazy!!

Well, the weekend has you so high as a Tiger fan and Tues-Thurs put you 6 feet under! What a crazy last 3 games. Come on Tigers! Beat the stinkin Royals! Just as in '06 the Royals jump up and kick the Tigers around for 3 games. Magic Number is down to 18 because the Twins are not much good either. Now home for the Jays and the stinkin Royals again. Nate RObertson takes the hill tonight and I hope Nate keeps up the good work he has shown lately. It is good to see Nate coming back. The Lord has taken this believer down a crazy path the last couple of seasons and Nate's surgery on his elbow may have done the trick taking the mass out that they found. Let's hope so, they can use a healthy Nate Robertson the rest of the way.

The bats went silent for the most part in KC. The Pen was horrible and I wonder if Miner will see the hill the rest of the way? Only in a blow out if I am the manager! Come on Jim, don't let the guy pitch! Bring in Eddie Bonine first...anyone but Miner......okay okay...sour grapes but yesterday the TIgers score to go ahead 4-3 and Musing Miner gives up a dinger and the lead goes away just like that....DO NOT LET HIM PITCH......

The Whitehouse Campus of CedarCreek will be opening in less than a month. Lots of work to do and not much time to do it....Can't wait....

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Tigers go to KC tonight after a weekend that could have put them into the playoffs. After playing horrible on the road since June the Tigers made it 2 road series in a row with a Sweep of the Ray in Tampa! What great wins. Behind in every game, comebacks in every game including the walk off by Brandon Inge in the 9th inning on Sunday. A thing of beauty. Pitching continues to lead the way for the Tigers as the starters and the pen rack up victories, saves and holds! Could this be the year? Who knows. I am thinking they have a chance because of the pitching and defense. Not sure about the offense and if they can continue to improve, but they need to.

KC...the Tigers must beat them, no matter what, no stumbling, no reading of news clips...just wins. Currently on a 6 game win streak. Robertson will be in the rotation for the time being with Armando going to the pen to try and find himself. Was last year not a real sign of the Armando we know? Could a trade be in the works in the off-season? Can the Tigers get to the World Series and "win one" for Ernie Harwell. Such sad news to hear that Ernie has cancer. Please put Ernie and his wife Lulu in your prayers. Ernie is one of the best people on earth, period.

Go Tigers!!!!!!!!!!!

What a kick in the pants............

Ernie Harwell has cancer.....inoperable cancer. He is such a good man. A man of integrity. A man that Walks with Jesus and will be with Him when he goes on to meet his Savior. I think of the times I fell asleep listening to Ernie when the Tigers were playing on the West Coast. The time we got to meet him in Lakeland when the Kids were still in school. What a gentleman. Married to the same woman, Lulu for 68 years. I will miss the voice but it will live forever in my mind. I will cherish my "Ernie Harwell Audio Scrapbook" and will be able to listen to "that voice" forever.

Please pray for Ernie during these times. He would do the same for you.

Sept 1 and still in First Place

Well Tiger fans. Pinch yourself. The Tigers are still in first place by 3 1/2 games on Sept 1. Can they survive. Not if you read Lynn Hennings column in the Detroit News this morning! I kind of agree with him that the Twins are scary. They seem to have the Tigers number. The M & M boys and Cuddyer....Span....Crede....and Nathan to close it out. The Tigers need to keep winning and don't look in the rearview mirror. Get some hitting going and try to get WashedUp Washburn turned around. Can it happen? We can only hope!

Go Tigers....playoffs in '09....

Here we go again.............

Tigers, Tigers Tigers, they are something else. What team will show up today or tonight? Who knows? Will they ever hit the ball consistently? All I know is that they are 3.5 games up on the White Sox and 6.5 up on the Twins. 35 games to go and if they can continue to win at home, they shoudl be in good shape. We will see, and time will tell.

Pitching has been very good the Dombroski went and got a bat in Aubry Huff. so far he has not hit a lick, but who knows. In a week the rosters expand and we will see what happens. Can they do it? Can they make the playoffs? Can they have a miracle happen? Can they get hot at the end of the season? Lately it has been the opposite of that the last few years.

Can wait to see how it all plays out............GO TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What a Weekend

The Lord will not give us more than we can handle....but He did not say he would not take us to the edge...we just won't fall off. Things have been crazy since the last post. Mom says she went to Walmart to buy a gun to shoot her neighbor....she has been in the hospital and is now staying at our house....what a mess. she has lost it completely, or just has become so selfish, not quite sure where the truth is.....

Well, on the baseball side of life, the Tigers got 2 of 3 from the Twins...miracle of miracles...The stupid Twins got Carl Pavano...cy young winner if he only pitched against the Tigers. It is August 10 and the TIgers are in first place by 3 games. Big pennant race in the Central Division. Let's hope for the best against the Red Sox in Fenway.

Back from the 4th!!!!!!!!!

Man was it hard to get out of bed this morning. Even tho my Tigers are in first place after a horrible 3-6 road trip to Houston, St Louis and MN. Man I hate the Metro Dome. I am glad that will be gone after this year. Well, things are a bit slow and no one wants to work. Let's just cruise on the motorcycle and watch baseball. That is what summer is all about.

Right now things are going well. Jack and Jake just keep getting bigger and they are a blast. Actually Jake is spending the night with Grandpa and Grandma this Friday! Oh Boy....sounds like I might be sleeping in the basement! He is such a funny boy. Just got a video of him "driving the boat" that was good. Got a great Photos of Jack with his I love grandpa signs...awesome little guy.

Well a 6 game home stand and the TIgers have won the last 6 in a row at home! Keep it up Tigers! Royals and Indians in town this week

detnews.com|News|Metro|Photogallery|News Photo Gallery - Razing of Tiger Stadium nears end - The Detroit News Online

detnews.com|News|Metro|Photogallery|News Photo Gallery - Razing of Tiger Stadium nears end - The Detroit News Online

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Tigers, Tigers, Tigers

What a game last night! 6-3 lead in the bottom of the 9th and Fernando goes Fernando and walks the first 3 batters! Lyon comes in gives up a double and the score is tied! Geez! Miggy comes up in the 10th and hits bomb and Tigers fans go to bed happy. With Verlander and Jackson going the next 2 nights, it would be great to take 4 of 5 from the White Sox! Take that Manager Guillen! But let's see what happens tonight and see if they can score some runs.

Interleague play starts and I say there is too much of that. I would rather play the Red Sox or Yankees again myself. May 6 games, not like 20! Pitchers hitting is good and I like the pureness of a no DH game...but come on not so many games outside the American League.

Less than 2 weeks till a vacation on the motorcycle. We are ready to go. Rose is painting the inside of the house and it is a mess. I just stay in the barn. I told her she needs to be done before we leave!

TIger Stadium is a Goner!

They can't do it can they? Oh yes they can if this artcle is any indication.

http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090602/NEWS01/90602041&s=d&page=2#pluckcomments

I so hoped they would save part of the stadium for a mueseum, save the field for kids to have a sort of "Field of Dreams" for the Tigers of old. but no, nothing is preserved, nothing cherished these days. Just tear away anything that once stood for something grand. Can they tear down Wrigley Field? How about tearing down the Green Monster at Fenway? Anything is possible I guess. At least the Yankees, and I really do hate them, did it right with their new stadium making it look like old Yankee Stadium. If the Tigers would have brought anything to the new stadium...over hang in RF or the closeness of the field and upper deck....something, but no we have a ferris wheel and merry-go-round! Wow, what a sad day it is.....Tiger Stadium....Ghosts of Tigers past, The Bird, Charlie Gerhringer, Hank Greenburg, Norm Cash...Rest in Peace....

I AM a Right Wing Extremist!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well folks, I am here to tell you I am sick and tired of our Gov't being a part of our lives. I am willing to die for this cause. It happened once, it can happen again. This nation needs a large group of us, the silent majority, to stand up and kick some butt!!!! These idiots think we can't see what they are doing? Cap and Trade, tax increases, water tax, mileage tax, etc etc etc.

Fiat owns Chrysler? What a joke. I want to see Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, Chucky Schumer, and Barney Frank carpool in a Fiat! This is insane. I will not buy a Chrysler or GM product as long as the Gov't owns a part of the company. Ford, Toyota, or Honda is what I will buy. Something "American" made....Not Gov't made. Wake up America, before it is too late. Can't you see what is happening? Losing freedoms and Libertys right and left. Next we will to be told when and what to eat. What to drive. How much we can drive. How much water we can use. You get the pitcure. It is out of control. This New President and Congress make Bill Clinton look like a Right Wing Extremist!. I need to start selling "I AM A RIGHT WING EXTREMIST!!!!" bumper stickers. No wait, that would probably put me in a higher tax bracket!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I AM NOT PC!!!!

It is Earth day. In honor of this I will:
Turn on all the lights in the house!
Burn a tank of gasoline!
Flush twice after each visit to the bathroom!
Burn the paper!
Start a bonfire!
Pour used motor oil on the ground!
Cut down a tree!
Buy a new gas guzzling 4 wheel drive SUV!!! and Pickup truck!!!!!!!!!!!

Earth Day is a farce. People think we can change things. We can't! Global Warming is not provable! It is a theory, not provable. I am sick and tired of being GREEN! It is stupid. Do you know that if we used only recycled paper, we would be out of paper as a nation in 30 days. That comes from the Sustainaility Conference at Walmart! It is a joke...I am sick of tree huggers.

Okay enough of this...I do feel better.

Go buy and READ Mark Levin's book. "Liberty and Tyranny"

Time to go burn some gasoline!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh Happy Day!

What a great day this is! My son in law starts a new job Wednesday after 5 months of being unemployed without being able to get unemployment compensation. Awesome! Rose and I are so excited that he will be getting a paycheck soon! Things that we just take for granted most of the time. It has been a time of growth in their lives and a growth in their faith that God can take care of us and he does look after us in the time of need. Friends that have given them gift cards, diapers for Jack and food for the table. Saturday friends of their put up a new Storage Barn in the back yard. I know it was hard to accept this gift of love from friends at Cedarcreek, but it did happen and God was given the glory for it. What an awesome God we serve. People that give of themselves for those that are in need. Their old shed blew apart in a huge storm late last fall and the downer they felt as they did not know what would happen next. But God does answer prayer, maybe in His timeframe, but he does answer prayer!

The Tigers are on the West Coast tonight playing the Angels and they Tigers are playing well. They took 2 of 3 from a hot Mariners team and now go after the Angels. Pitching has been very good and getting better. Starters, bullpen, and hitters seem to all be on the same page and playing together. It appears that the pickup of Josh Anderson could be a great pickup by the Tigers. Time will tell how long Ramon Santiago stays hot and stays in the lineup at SS.

Go Tigers

Tigers, What else! 2

Well, the Tigers are on a roll and I am thinking '09 will be fine in Detroit. I have the bandwagon warmed up and getting ready to roll! Big comeback yesterday after being down 4-0 in the 8th inning and guess what the Tigers score 6 runs in the bottom of the 8th and Rodney comes in to slam the door! The Tigers are getting good pitching and timely hitting and have won 3 in a row and dare I say it, are in 1st place in the AL Central all alone at 4-3! How sweet it is! How about Brandon Inge. 3 more rbi's and another HR! 4 already! Cabrera? Is there a better hitter in the AL right now!

Worked all weekend out in the barn and doing some woodworking because it was just too stinkin cold to ride the Goldwing! When will the cold end? they are saying we will be in the 60's this weekend! IF so we are out of here.

Continue to pray for those out of work in this economy. God is good all the time, All the Time God is good!

Tigers, What else!

Well, one day into the season and it looked like '08 never ended. Same Tigers, same Verlander. Verlander overthrew, tried too hard, no time between pitches. He needs alittle Mark the Bird in him. Talk to the ball, deep breath, take a little time, walk around the mound. We will see how this turns out, only 1 game and 161 to go. But this could get ugly if last night was any sign of the future.

Just bad play was the rule for the night. Roy Halladay is the real deal and I wish he was the Tiger #1 starter. Lets see how Edwin Jackson does tonight. Everyone was hassling me this morning about how rotten the Tigers are. Hey, all they have to do is win 90 out of the next 161 and I will be happy..

Check back in a few weeks! Then we will see which Tiger team this is. Sparky always said you will know pretty well what you have after 40 games. I will take the 1984 start of 35-5....yeah right, I just don't want 0-7 again!

Go Tigers!

We're Back

Well, we are home. Not happy about it, but we are home. We are getting so used to being in Lakeland that we know how to get around. The Tigers I think will be okay this year. They should not finish last, but who knows. The #5 spot in the rotation is up for grabs. Porcello looks like he is in the lead for that position at this point. Too many guys are gone for the WBC. I am thinking Jim Leyland is not real happy watching Armando go about 65 pitches last night. I just hope no Tigers get hurt.

The crowds were much smaller and the hotels cheaper in Lakeland this year. Between the economy and how bad the Tigers were last year, I understand. We had fun meeting people and talking to many around the field and out shagging balls. We also learned of a few places to try as far as eating. If you like seafood here are 2 places. Harry's downtown Lakeland was great! And also the Country Catfish. The grilled grouper and clam strips are awesome! If you like strawberry sundaes and shortcake you need to take the short trip to Plant City to Parksdale Farms! WOW~ gained 5 pounds just looking at it.

More later, back to work

1 Week Away!

Guess what? One week from today at this very moment Rose and I will be speeding southbound on I-75 headed for a week of Spring Training in Lakeland! Can't wait to hear the bat hit the ball and smell the leather of the gloves! Man oh man. Baseball at last. Warm weather at last.

So far this spring word out of Lakeland is positive. Players seem to be healthy and as usual everything is right with the world in Feb/March. We will see when April hits! Starting pitching will be the whole deal. If they pitch, the Tigers should compete. IF they don't it will be another long summer. Can't wait to be sitting in the stands behind home plate. Hereing the chatter, eating a hot dog and having some peanuts!

Whistlestop for breakfast and Sonny's Real Pit BBQ for dinner! And Baseball in between. This year will be a 30 year celebration of sorts. Feb 17th marked Rose and I 's 30th anniversary....seems like only yesterday!

I will try and post from Lakeland, but then again who cares!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vacation is coming!

Well spring has given us a little glimpse the last couple of days. about 60 degrees yesterday and I got the Goldwing out for a little spin. It was good to get her out on the road for a few miles. We are in for cold weather again later in the week, but at least the snow is gone! Finally!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pitchers and Catchers report to Lakeland on Friday and Rose and I are not far behind! We will be leaving on the 27th of February for a week of baseball and the beach....Rose says too much baseball and not enough beach! Imagine that. Heck only 5 games! that is not much?? Morning till night, non-stop baseball, what more can she ask.

Next Tuesday is our 30th wedding anniversay. That does not seem possible. But Mandy is 28 and Aaron 27 with kids of their own. But it is nice vacationing just Rose and I. It is so good to just get to spend time with her and get to experience the excitement of Spring Training in Lakeland....I am sure that is what Rose would say. Really it is just getting away from the day to day rat race that is life. Spending time not listening for the phone or anything else for that matter. Just her and I having some down time.

Winter and More Winter!

Well, they talk about the dog days of summer?? These are the frozen dog days of winter. I can't remember the last time we were above freezing?? Weeks I think. Another sub zero night, buring lots of propane to be sure. What about the January thaw? Not anytime soon I do believe.

At least the Spring Training tickets got to the house and it gives a glimmer of hope for a warmer time and place in Lakeland. watching some baseball. Just spending time with Rose with no phones, no pets, no work, no nobody. Not sure how the WBC will impact who will be playing for the Tigers in Lakeland, but it will still be baseball. We are ready to head down there and get some sun and enjoy life and warmth.

Still thinking of taking the Motorcycle down that way to ride to the beach. Who knows? I just want to not be looking at snow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Spring Training on the Way!

Tickets are bought, room is booked! Now the waiting game begins! We are leaving Feb 27th and our first game is the 28th. 5 games at Joker Marchant. That is a good one to watch the games, In section 207 for all the games right behind home plate. Oh man, baseball and Sonnys Real BBQ! Don't get no better, Even Rose is excited I think.

Thinking about taking the bike....but not sure about that one. We will see what happens. Just ready to get out of the sub zero Ohio weather, this sucks! looking at -20 tonight....wow

Off to the Hot Stove on the MLB Network! Man I love that channel.