Gold!

Congratulations to Placido Palanco and Pudge Rodriquez for winning Gold Glove awards for the 2007 season! Placido had an especially amazing year! No errors for the entire season - and hitting .350! Amazing! The Tigers are much better when he's in the lineup. I love watching Placido play because he's such a complete, disciplined player. He doesn't strike out a lot, he hits for average all over the field, he can jack one out when needed, and he's flawless in the field. The best part is that he's a true team player! Nice recognition for Pudge, too. Perhaps not his best year, but he's still very solid behind the plate. He calls a good game, and he does a great job blocking pitches in the dirt. The one area of his game that seems to be struggling a bit is throwing out runners on steal attempts. Even though his hitting is down, I'm very happy he's returning to the Tigers in 2008.

In reflecting on the 2007 season, it's amazing to think about some of the offensive accomplishments - Magglio and Curtis Granderson had phenomenal years! Placido was right there, too! If (my favorite restrospective word) the pitching had been just a bit better, they would have been right there at the end. Verlander looks primed to be the ace of the staff next year. Let's hope they can beef up the pitching staff around him - especially in Zumaya's absence (OUCH!). Francisco Cordero?