2019 Turtle Ball Champions: Detroit Tigers
Oct 1, 2019 22:56:39 GMT
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Post by Baltimore Orioles (Vince) on Oct 1, 2019 22:56:39 GMT
2019 DETROIT TIGERS BRING HOME CHAMPIONSHIP TO MOTOR CITY
Tigers mob Paul Goldschmidt after third home-run to seal championship victory over the Chicago Cubs
As he rounded third towards home-plate, Paul Goldschmidt, who had just hit his third home-run of the week, was mobbed by his Detroit teammates with a Gatorade shower and a celebratory dog-pile. “Schmidty”, as he is jokingly referred to by his teammates, went deep off of Chicago Cubs pitcher Shane Bieber and pandemonium erupted at Comerica Bank stadium. The Detroit faithful knew that “Schmidty’s” huge home-run sealed the major league championship for their Tigers. “I’m on top of the world right now” Goldschmidt said to the Times after the game. “To bring home the gold for Detroit is what we wanted to do and I am happy we got the job done”. Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander, legendary pitchers in their own right, briefly embraced in front of the Detroit dugout and raised their fists to the raucous crowd. “It’s a special moment for sure” Verlander stated during the on field celebration to the Times. “When I got here late this season I knew this was a special group and I’m just happy that I was able to be a part of something special and win a championship with this group of guys”. Rookie sensation Eloy Jimenez uncorked his individual bottle of champagne as the championship celebration poured into Detroit’s clubhouse. When asked how it felt to win a championship as a rookie, Jimenez had a one word answer; “incredible”. When the general manager entered the clubhouse with the trophy, the team drenched the general manager and front office staff with champagne. With a plump uncut cigar in between his front teeth, long time veteran outfielder Nelson Cruz raised the trophy high above his head and danced about with his teammates. “For a poor kid from the DR, this feels like heaven man.” Cruz said elatedly. Detroit fans spilled out into the streets surrounding Comerica Bank stadium and a week long party which included a much deserved parade in the city of Detroit ensued.Tigers mob Paul Goldschmidt after third home-run to seal championship victory over the Chicago Cubs
The Detroit Tigers closely defeated the Chicago Cubs 6-5-1 in the first Turtle Ball League championship game and they needed every ounce of effort from their team to do so. The Tigers were beneficiaries of a hot offensive week from their trusty first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and veteran outfielder Nelson Cruz. Surprisingly, second baseman Astrubal Cabrera, who many thought would not see the field with Adalberto Mondesi on the team, stepped up in a huge way for the Tigers. Adalberto Mondesi was an early season trade addition for the Tigers and was seen as critical to how far the Tigers would go. When Mondesi went down with an untimely shoulder injury, Astrubal Cabrera answered the call and produced a memorable performance for the Tigers driving in six RBIs and batting .375 during the matchup. On the mound, the Tigers got exactly what they had hoped from Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer; championship excellence. Verlander and Scherzer combined for 22 strikeouts and a 3.6 ERA as they led the Detroit Tigers pitching staff to championship gold. Although Verlander and Scherzer were great during the championship matchup, Detroit knew with Yu Darvish unavailable they needed an added boost from the others on the mound to supplement the two legendary pitchers. Drew Pomeranz and Anibal Sanchez provided Detroit exactly what they needed as the two wily pitchers combined for 13 strikeouts and an ERA under 3. A concerted team effort up and down the lineup helped Detroit gain an edge over the Cubs to secure the first ever Turtle Ball championship.
With the 2019 Turtle Ball season ending, the question on the mind of every Turtle Ball Times readers is simple; how did the Detroit Tigers put together a winning team and win a championship? The Times has sought the answer to that very question. Shortly after the championship parade in downtown Detroit, the Times sat down with the general manager who put together the Tigers championship team together. We began our interview where the season began; the 2019 inaugural draft. Back in the spring, the Tigers held the 29th overall pick in the first round of the inaugural Turtle Ball draft. When questioned about selecting first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, the GM explained “Schmidty is a winner and that’s who we wanted to lead our team. We were targeting Eloy Jimenez in the minor league draft and we knew when he was called up, he would need a mentor to help his development and the team would need a veteran leader. Goldschmidt fit both of those needs”. In the first five rounds, the Tigers selected veteran pitchers Max Scherzer and Yu Darvish. “Max and Yu are two of the best pitchers in the league and we knew that having pitching as a solid foundation of your franchise can never be a bad way to start things off”. As much as the Tigers hit successfully on a few picks in the first ten rounds, there were more than a few picks that did not materialize. Dee Gordon (2B), Mark Trumbo (1B), David Robertson (RP), Jose Alverado (RP) to name a few picks were all selected within the first ten rounds and yet none of those players contributed at all to the Tigers championship run. “Look, sometimes you can do your research and you can do the math again and again but sometimes it doesn’t add up.” Detroit’s GM explained. “We thought we had done a solid job after the first ten rounds knowing that we had Yu and Max on the mound, Schmidty, Renato and Segura as our in-field core with Eloy on the way.” Ultimately, it would be several later round picks that would contribute greatly to the Tigers eventual championship. In the 13th round, Detroit selected Anibal Sanchez (SP). Then in the 14th round, Detroit selected Astrubal Cabrera (2B/SS) along with Drew Pomeranz (SP) in the 16th round. And finally, in the 24th round, Detroi selected Cameron Maybin (OF). All of the aforementioned late round picks put forth a critical effort which was key to the Tigers winning the inaugural Turtle Ball championship. “Veterans always show up when you need them most and we did our research on those guys and knew if the time came for them to step up we would call upon them to do just that” the GM said matter of fact.
As every GM understands, in-season management of a franchise is crucial to postseason success. For the Tigers, their front office pulled off the right moves to put Detroit in the best position to win. Shockingly, the Tigers made no in-season free agency acquisitions and solely changed their team via the trade market. “We were confident in the group we had assembled in the draft but we were always open to hear offers and several offers peaked our interest.” the GM explained. One of those interesting offers was executed between Detroit and San Diego almost immediately after the draft involving a swap of Dee Gordon (2B), Jazz Chisholm (SS) and Luis Severino (SP) for Adalberto Mondesi (2B), Justin Verlander (SP) and Trevor Stephan (SP). “Any time a guy like Justin Verlander becomes available you pick up the phone and you try your best to go get him.” Detroit’s GM remarked. “Acquiring Justin and Adalberto (Mondesi) back in February laid the foundation for what ultimately happened”. Both Verlander and Mondesi were key for the Tigers championship season as they both put up elite numbers at their respective positions. A starting rotation that donned both Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer struck fear in the heart of nearly every team across the league as the regular season progressed. The Tigers were not done making moves after the Verlander acquisition. In March and April, the club acquired wily veterans Melky Cabrera (OF) and Ervin Santana (P). While productive in the past, both players failed to hit for the Tigers. “We appreciated the way Melky and Santana tried to give it a go but they just weren’t a part of the equation towards the end of the season.” Detroit’s GM remarked. Albeit the Melky Cabrera and Ervin Santana trades flopped, it would be three trade maneuvers over the summer that would prove crucial to the Tigers ultimate success. In June, the club traded for Yasmani Grandal (C) from the Arizona Diamondbacks. In July, the Tigers acquired Mark Canha (1B) from the Atlanta Braves. And in August, Detroit brought over Nelson Cruz from the Toronto Blue Jays. In all, the Tigers traded away Jose Alvarado (RP), Alex Avila (UT) and six prospects for Grandal, Canha and Cruz. “It was 100% worth it” Detroit’s GM opined. “There was need for each of those positions in our lineup and we felt each player was acquired for a fair price that helped us bolster our lineup”. In September, Grandal, Canha and Cruz were pivotal to Detroit’s postseason success.
Going into the 2019 postseason, the Detroit Tigers set out a starting lineup of Yasmani Grandal at catcher, Paul Goldschmidt at first base, Adalberto Mondesi at second, Renato Nunez at third, Jean Segura at short, Eloy Jimenez in left, Cameron Maybin in center, Nelson Cruz in right and Mark Canha as the utility man. Detroit’s starting rotation included Yu Darvish, Drew Pomeranz, Max Scherzer and Justin Verlander while the likes of Hector Neris, Anibal Sanchez and Tommy Kahnle pitched in relief. “Going into the playoffs, our confidence was through the roof and we told our guys if you play your part and stick to your role we are going to be a tough out”. A tough out they were as Detroit went on to secure the first Turtle Ball championship. The 2019 Detroit Tigers will be remembered as a complete team. At the draft, the Tigers hit on several draft picks which gave them a solid foundation both in their starting order and rotation. Most notably, it will be those fateful late round picks of Cabrera, Sanchez, Pomeranz and Maybin which Tigers fans will look back upon as absolute steals which produced a championship. During the regular season, the Tigers front office made a series of savvy moves which completed their lineup and ultimately won them a championship. Cruz, Canha and Grandal solidified an already stout lineup and took them the distance. If there is one lesson to be learned from the 2019 Tigers, it is that an opportunity to acquire talent should not be squandered. When Justin Verlander became available, the Tigers acted. When Nelson Cruz became available, the Tigers acted. Without hesitation, the Tigers made moves and assembled a squad of players who knew what their roles were and how they could ultimately succeed. When their championship banner is unveiled in the spring of 2020, the Tigers players and their front office can take a bow and be remembered as the savviest team of 2019 that won it all.