Is Jose Vavlerde done?

Yesterday, June 12, 2013, Jose Valverde was within one strike of closing out a Detroit Tigers 

victory over the Kansas City Royals. Then he pitched up a meatball to Lorenzo Cain who parked it in the stands to tie the game. The Royals would go on to win the game in the bottom of the 10th and Valverde had blown another save and fellow reliever Phil Coke ate the loss. All on a day when Justin Verlander pitched seven innings of 3 hit shutout ball.

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Max Scherzer wins, improves record to 9-0

Yesterday, June 11, 2013, Detroit Tigers pitcher Max Scherzer pitched a solid seven innings,

striking out six to improve his 2013 record to 9-0. Even if his manger (Jim Leyland) was not going to manage the America League squad in the coming All Star Game Max would be the favorite to start for his league. Since Leyland is managing the squad that possibility is a virtual lock. Scherzer is also the first Tigers starter to start a season 9-0 in 75 years.

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Will Jhonny Peralta be suspended?

The number one rule in sports, where Performance Enhancing Drugs are concerned, is where there is smoke there is almost certainly fire. The Miami area clinic Biogenesis is now at the center of a PED controversy that could lead to lengthy suspensions for 20 MLB players, including the Detroit Tigers starting short stop Jhonny Peralta. Tony Bosch, head of the clinic, is set to give MLB testimony as to what went on in his clinic and which players are implicated. Some media outlets are reporting that the Commissioners office may seek 100 game suspensions for the players involved.

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Detroit Tigers week in review: Week nine

This as not the best week in the history of the Detroit Tigers, and it was probably he worst week of the 2013

season thus far. Once again the Tigers have shown that annoying habit of the offense going to sleep. It happened last fall at the worst time and whatever the problem is it really needs to be addressed. Is it the lack of a clubhouse leader? Quite possibly. Is it a flaw in the lineup? Maybe. Is tit the failure of Alex Avila at the plate? Is is due to the struggling Victor Martinez? There are no easy answers here, but when we start to look at the splits it gets to look a little more ugly than it really is.

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My trip to Comerica Park

So, I am on a quest, a quest to visit all thirty MLB ballparks. I started with my hometown Detroit Tigers, and their 10-year-old facility Comerica Park. As a lifelong Tigers fan, and some who was at the Tiger Stadium hug way back in 1987, I do not want to like this park. I was a huge fan of the old lady on Michigan and Trumbull, but I have to say Comerica Park is a great place to see a ball game. Tigers fans can also see a game here on a reasonable budget.

I bought upper reserved tickets in section 338. My seat was section 338, row 15, seat 11. Pretty far up close to the top of the stadium. Yet I found the view of the game to be perfectly fine. My tickets had a face value of 14 bucks. I parked in a structure near Cobo Hall for five buck and rode the people mover over. All in all to get it the stadium I was right around 20 dollars. Since I, like most true Detroit guys, ate dinner at the famous Lafayette Coney Island before the game, it cost my right around 30 dollars to eat and attend the game.

I will say this; I only sat in my seat for a few innings during the mid part of the game. I spent the majority of my time on the Pepsi Porch in Right Field, and in the Jungle bar out there in between rain showers. I found both experiences to be truly great.

I do not think there is a bad seat in this park, and I have sat all over it including the press box and have found the actual baseball watching experience to be very enjoyable at each one of my seats. However, standing at the rail on the Pepsi Porch is by far my most beloved memory of Comerica Park. It is a great place to watch a baseball game and when I looked down at the Right field brick wall and saw Sparky Anderson’s #11 there, it made me feel right at home.

The Jungle bar is also a great place to get off your feet, watch the game on TV (dodge the rain as I did), and even indulge in a few adult beverages. I am a big fan of Labbatt Blue and that is what they serve there. Sure the beer prices are a little high, Barley pops go for 7.50 for a large there, but that is to be expected.

I spent the first two innings and last few innings wandering around the stadium itself. There are so many gift shops and food vendors that one never has to wait for food, beer, or Tigers gear. Even with a sell out crowd Comerica Park can service its customers with great efficiency. Again I find the prices for things quite elevated, but I suspect that is the case of each of the 29 other MLB ball parks. I will find out, as I will be traveling to Cleveland later this month to visit their stadium.

In the end I am very impressed with Comerica Park and all of the amities it offers Tigers fans. If you do not want to sit in your seat there are several places to hang out with other Tigers fan and simply enjoy being at the ballpark. A savvy Tigers fans can also see a game live on a reasonable budget, or indulge in the high end amities that normal folks like you and I often can not afford.

Related Links:

• Detroit Tigers news and notes
• Joshua Lobdell.com

Arizona Diamondbacks news and notes

Arizona Diamondbacks Links:

• 2011 Diamondbacks mid season review

Current Diamondbacks Staff:

• Home Field- Chase Field



• Owners- Ken Kendrick, Paul Schloss, and Jason Ellis



• General Manager- Kevin Towers



• Manager- Kirk Gibson



• Bench Coach- Alan Trammell



• Hitting Coach- Don Baylor



• Pitching Coach- Charles Nagy



• First Base Coach- Eric Young



• Third Base Coach- Matt Williams



• Bullpen Coach- Glenn Sherlock

Minor League Affliates:

• Triple A- Reno Aces



• Double A- Mobile Baybears



• Advanced A- Visalia Rawhide



• Short Season A- Yakima Bears



• Rookie- Missoula Osprey

Related Links:

• MTR Baseball



• Joshua Lobdell.com

Colorado Rockies news and notes

Colorado Rockies Links:

• 2011 Rockies mid season review

Current Rockies staff:

• Home Field- Coors Field



• Owners- Charlie and Dick Monfort



• General Manager- Dan O'Dowd



• Manager- Jim Tracy



• Bench Coach- Tom Runnels



• Hitting Coach- Carney Lansford



• Pitching Coach- Bob Apodaca



• First Base Coach- Glenallen Hill



• Third Base Coach- Rich Dauer



• Bullpen Coach- Jim Wright

Minor League Affliates:

• Triple A- Colorado Springs Sky Sox



• Double A- Tulsa Drillers



• Advanced A- Modesto Nuts



• Single A- Asheville Tourists



• Short Season A- Tri City Dust Devils



• Rookie- Casper Ghosts

Related Links:

• MTR Baseball



• Joshua Lobdell.com

Los Angeles Dodgers news and notes

Los Angeles Dodgers Links:

• 2011 Dodgers mid season review



• Dodgers lost first round of bankruptcy hearings



• What's next for the Dodgers



• Dodgers Mess

Current Dodgers Staff:

• Home Field- Dodger Stadium



• Owner- Frank McCourt



• General Manager- Ned Colletti



• Manager- Don Mattingly



• Bench Coach- Trey Hillman



• Hitting Coach- Dave Hansen



• Pitching Coach- Rick Honeycutt



• First Base Coach- Davey Lopez



• Third Base Coach- Tim Wallach



• Bullpen Coach- Ken Howell

Minor League Affliates:

• Triple A- Alburquerque Isotopes



• Double A- Chattanooga Lookouts



• Advanced A- Rancho Cucamongo Quakes



• Single A- Great Lakes Loons



• Rookie- Ogden Raptors

Related Links:

• MTR Baseball



• Joshua Lobdell.com
  

San Francisco Giants news and notes

San Francisco Giants Links:

• 2011 Giants mid season review

Current Giants Staff:

• Home Field- AT&T Park



• Owner- Bill Neukom Managing General partner, Ownership Group



• General Manager- Brian Sabean



• Manager- Bruce Bochy



• Bench Coach- Ron Wotus



• Hitting Coach- Hensley Meutens



• Pitching Coach- Dave Righetti



• First Base Coach- Roberto Kelly



• Third Base Coach- Tim Flannery



• Bullpen Coach- Mark Gardner

Minor League Affliates:

• Triple A- Fresno Grizzilies



• Double A- Richmond Flying Squirrels



• Advanced A- San Jose Giants



• Single A- Augusta Green Jackets



• Short Season A- Salem-Keizer Volcanoes

Related Links:

• MTR Baseball



• Joshua Lobdell.com

San Diego Padres news and notes

San Diego Padres Links:

• 2011 Padres mid season review

Current Padres Staff:

• Home Field- PETCO Park


• Owner- John Moores, Jeff Moorad (Managing Partner), Troy Aikman, and group


• General Manager- Jed Hoyer


• Manager- Bud Black


• Bench Coach- Rick Renteria


• Batting Coach- Randy Ready


• Pitching Coach- Darren Balsley


• First Base Coach- Dave Roberts


• Third Base Coach- Glenn Hoffman


• Bullpen Coach- David Akerfelds

Minor League Affliates:

• Triple A- Tucson Padres


• Double A- San Antonio Missions


• Advanced A- Lake Elsinore Storm


• Single A- Fort Wayne Tincaps


• Short Season A- Eugene Emeralds

Related Links:

• MTR Baseball


• Joshua Lobdell.com

Pittsburgh Pirates news and notes

Pittsburgh Pirates Links:

• 2011 Pirates season in review


• 2011 Pirates mid season review

Current Pirates Staff:

• Home Field- PNC Park



• Owner- Robert Nutting (managing owner)



• General Manager- Neal Huntington



• Manager- Clint Hurdle



• Bench Coach- Jeff Banister



• Batting Coach- Gregg Ritchie



• Pitching Coach- Ray Searage



• First Base Coach- Luis Silverio



• Third Base Coach- Nick Leyva



• Bullpen Coach- Euclides Rojas

Minor League Affliates:

• Triple A- Indianapolis Indians



• Double A- Altoona Curve



• Advanced A- Bradenton Marauders



• Single A- West Virginia Power



• Short Season A- State College Spikes

Related Links:

• MTR Baseball



• Joshua Lobdell.com

Houston Astros news and notes

Houston Astros Links:

• 2011 Astros season in review


• 2011 Astros mid season review

Current Astros staff:

• Home Field- Minute Maid Park




• Owner- Drayton McLane




• General Manager- Ed Wade




• Manager- Brad Mills




• Bench Coach- Al Pedrique




• Batting Coach- Mike Barnett




• Pitching Coach- Doug Brocail




• First Base Coach- Bobby Meacham




• Third Base Coach- Dave Clark




• Bullpen Coach- Jamie Quirk

Minor League Affliates:

• Triple A- Oklahoma City Redhawks




• Double A- Corpus Christi Hooks




• Advanced A- Lancaster Jethawks




• Single A- Lexington Legends




• Short Season A- Tri-City Valleycats




• Rookie- Greeneville Astros

Related Links:

• MTR Baseball




• Joshua Lobdell.com

Milwaukee Brewers news and notes

Milwaukee Brewers Links:

• 2011 Brewers season in review
• 2011 Brewers mid season review

Current Brewers Staff:

• Home Field- Miller Park



• Owner- Mark Attanasio



• General Manager- Doug Melvin



• Manager- Ron Roenicke



• Bench Coach- Jerry Narron



• Batting Coach- Dale Sveum



• Pitching Coach- Rick Kranitz



• First Base Coach- Garth Lorg



• Third Base Coach- Ed Sedar



• Bullpen Coach- Stan Kyles

Minor League Affliates:

• Triple A- Nashville Sounds



• Double A- Huntsville Stars



• Advanced A- Brevard County Manatees



• Single A- Wisconsin Tiber Rattlers



• Rookie- Helena Brewers

Related Links:

• MTR Baseball



• Joshua Lobdell.com

Chicago Cubs news and notes

Chicago Cubs Links:

• 2011 Cubs season in review




• Hendry out as Cubs GM



• Cubs to retain their GM



• 2011 Cubs mid season review

Current Cubs Staff:

• Home Field- Wrigley Field






• Owner- Joe Ricketts Family Trust, Managed by Tom Ricketts






• General Manager- Jim Hendry






• Manager- Mike Quade






• Bench Coach- Pat Listach






• Batting Coach- Rudy Jaramillo






• Pitching Coach- Mark Riggins






• First Base Coach- Bob Dernier






• Third Base Coach- Ivan DeJesus






• Bullpen Coach- Lester Strode

Minor League Affliates:

• Triple A- Iowa Cubs






• Double A- Tennessee Smokies






• Advanced A- Daytona Cubs






• Single A- Peoria Chiefs






• Short Season A- Boise Hawks

Related Links:

• MTR Baseball






• Joshua Lobdell.com

Cincinnati Reds news and notes

Cincinnati Reds Links:

• 2011 Reds season in review

Current Reds Staff:

• Home Field- Great American Ball Park


• Owner- Bob Castellini


• General Manager- Walt Jocketty


• Manager- Dusty Baker


• Bench Coach- Chris Speier


• Batting Coach- Brook Jacoby


• Pitching Coach- Bryan Price


• First Base Coach- Billy Hatcher


• Third Base Coach- Mark Berry


• Bullpen Coach- Juan Lopez

Minor League Affliates:

• Triple A- Louisville Bats


• Double A- Carolina Mudcats


• Advanced A- Bakersfield Blaze


• Single A- Dayton Dragons


• Rookie- Billings Mustangs

Related Links:

• MTR Baseball


• Joshua Lobdell.com

St. Louis Cardinals news and notes

St. Louis Cardinals Links:

• 2011 Cardinals mid season review

Current Cardinals Staff:

• Home Field- Busch Stadium III



• Owners- William Dewitt Jr., Fred Hanser



• General Manager- John Mozeliak



• Manager- Tony La Russa



• Bench Coach- John Pettini



• Batting Coach- Mark McGwire



• Pitching Coach- Dave Duncan



• First Base Coach- Dave McKay



• Third Base Coach- Jose Oquendo



• Bullpen Coach- Derek Lilliquist

Minor League Affliates:

• Triple A- Memphis Redbirds



• Dobule A- Springfield Cardinals



• Advanced A- Palm Beach Cardinals



• Single A- Quad City River Bandits



• Short Season A- Batavia Muckdogs



• Rookie- Johnson City Cardinals

Related Links:

• MTR Baseball



• Joshua Lobdell.com

Washington Nationals news and notes

Washington Nationals Links:

• 2011 Nationals mid season review

Current Nationals Staff:

• Home Field- Nationals Park



• Owner- Ted Lerner



• General Manager- Mike Rizzo



• Manager- Davey Johnson



• Bench Coach- Pat Corrales



• Batting Coach- Rick Eckstein



• Pitching Coach- Steve McCatty



• First Base Coach- Trent Jewett



• Third Base Coach- Bo Porter



• Bullpen Coach- Jim Lett

Minor League Affliates:

• Triple A- Syracuse Chiefs



• Double A- Harrisburgh Senators



• Advanced A- Potomac Nationals



• Single A- Hagerstown Suns



• Single A Short Season- Auburn Doubledays

Related Links:

• MTR Baseball



• Joshua Lobdell.com

Miami Marlins news and notes

Miami Marlins Links:

• Are the Marlins serious free agent contenders?
• Marlins debut new logo, uniforms
• Can the Marlins increase their attendance?
• 2011 Marlins season in review
• 2011 Marlins mid season review

Current Marlins Staff:

• Home Field- Sun Life Stadium



• Owner- Jeff Loria



• General Manager- Michael Hill



• Manager- Ozzie Guillen



• Bench Coach- Brandon Hyde



• Batting Coach- Eduardo Perez



• Pitching Coach- Randy St. Claire



• First Base Coach- Perry Hill



• Third Base Coach- Joey Espada



• Bullpen Coach- Reid Cornelius

Minor League Affliates:

• Triple A- New Orleans Zephyrs



• Double A- Jacksonville Suns



• Advacned A- Jupiter Hammerheads



• Single A- Greensboro Grasshoppers



• Single A Short Season- Jamestown Jammers

Related Links:

• MTR Baseball



• Joshua Lobdell.com

Philadelphia Phillies news and notes

Philadelphia Phillies Links:

2011 Phillies season in review

2011 Phillies mid season review

Current Phillies Staff:

• Home Field- Citizens Bank Park



• Owners- David Montgomery, Giles Limited Partnership (Bill Giles), Claire S. Betz, Tri-Play Associates (William C. Buck), Double Play Inc. (John S. Middleton)



• General Manger- Ruben Amaro Jr.



• Manager- Charlie Manuel



• Bench Coach- Pete Mackanin



• Batting Coach- Greg Gross



• Pitching Coach- Rich Dubee



• First Base Coach- Sam Perlozzo



• Third Base Coach- Juan Samuel



• Bullpen Coach- Jesus Tiamo

Minor League Affliates:

• Triple A- Lehigh Valley Ironpigs



• Double A- Reading Phillies



• Advance A- Clearwater Threshers



• Single A- Lakewood Blueclaws



• Single A Short Season- Williamsport Crosscutters

Related Links:

• MTR Baseball



• Joshua Lobdell.com

Atlanta Braves news and notes

Atlanta Braves Links:

• 2011 Braves season in review
• 2011 Braves mid season review

Current Braves Staff:

• Home Field- Turner Field



• Owner- Liberty Media/John Malone



• General Manager- Frank Wren



• Manager- Fredi Gonzales



• Bench Coach- Carlos Tosca



• Batting Coach- Larry Parrish



• Pitching Coach- Roger McDowell



• First Base Coach- Terry Pendleton



• Third Base Coach- Brin Snitker



• Bullpen Coach- Eddie Perez



• Coach- Alan Butts

Minor League Affliates:

• Triple A- Gwinnett Braves



• Double A- Mississippi Braves



• Advanced A- Lynchburgh Hillcats



• Single A- Rome Braves



• Rookie- Danville Braves

Related Links:

• MTR Baseball



• Joshua Lobdell.com