Lou_Siffer

Right you are. Team TOUGHNESS has everything to do with fighting, so im not sure why some wouldnt consider these terms directly linked. Team toughness describes a team that may not have a big gun scrapper, but has multiple guys willing to drop the gloves to defend their teammates. I hate when people talk about team toughness and throw names like Franzen out there.

In my opinion, they ARE synonymous. When somebody asks you who the toughest team in the league is...you immediately think fighting dont you? Back in school days, when somebody talked about the toughest kid in the class...we're they talking about who could take the most beatings? Hell no, you're talking who could kick everyone's ass. The terms fighting and toughness have always been linked with me, and I assume many others. Unfortunately what gets confusing is people who use the word "toughness" when "grit" would probably be the more appropriate word for what theyre trying to say.

Just going by memory, but Maltby didnt actual get the takedown from what i recall. He went for Roberts' legs, but ended up taking some lefts to the top of the head before pulling him down with him.

So i guess you could say Tiki didnt pass Eli his torch!

Its stuff like that that tends to irritate me more than anything. All i can ask for is consistency from the ones saying we dont need any fighters. If that person is willing to say sticking up for teammates (definition: FIGHTING in defense of them) isnt necessary, more power to him. Obviously you and I dont agree with that thinking, but whatever, at least theyre consistent. But to say the Wings dont need any fighters and also say they protect each other is a direct contradiction. SWF- I'd be willing to bet anything you'll find more players who think fighting is important to the game than ones who dont think it is.

If anyone wants to argue that the Wings are tough enough, go ahead, i think you're wrong but its your opinion. But to go and say they protect their teammates is flat out bull, that is directly linked to fighting. Protecting your teammates does not include face washes, sorry. In a nutshell, if you're saying the Wings are tough enough and dont need any fighters, you're saying protection of teammates is not a necessary part of the game. You cant have it both ways...

Rumor has it that Omar Vizquel recently was claimed by somebody, but a deal was unable to be reached and he was pulled off waivers by the Giants. That rumored team was said to be the Tigers or Indians,..which in the Indians case, wouldve just been to block the Tigers from getting him. This couldve went down when the Tigers were a half game up...which wouldve given Cleveland first crack. Just thought it was something interesting to bring up. I dont know if its been mentioned yet, but Jack Wilson cleared waivers a while back. So thats still in the cards..

Even if the MLS became stocked with with international talent, I still dont think it would do much. A similar case can be made for the influx of european talent weve seen in the NHL, as that hasnt exactly been beneficial to increasing viewership. I would say its actually hurt it if anything. Its going to take the American team doing something very good in the World Cup to get people here to care and put soccer on the map. Right now, its just viewed as that sport we're no good at. For the MLS to really succeed, that has to change.

The reason Inge gets a pass over Monroe is because he's a 3B. Monroe is a left fielder, where Thames, Raburn, and Maybin all can play and outperform Craig. Thames would be the only guy who would be a defensive dropoff, but its not that big a deal. Inge on the other hand, plays good defense in a position where we really have nobody else to play. Not on the big league club or in the minors. Hessman? Hannahan? Thats no improvement, nor is Infante. I do like the decision of trying out Raburn at 3rd, as i brought up a couple days ago, but i wouldnt expect him to play without Santiago at SS at least for the first few games. If he can he play decent defensively there, then im definitely all for him taking the job. But we'll have to see as he's been primarily a 2nd baseman and outfielder.

I just have a hard time seeing the American public getting behind a sport where we arent even close to being the best at. Hockey is the closest thing you'll find, but Canada's our neighbor so its not the same thing at all. Watching the MLS, I would feel like im watching an Independent league baseball game or something. Or NFL Europe would be another good example. I could never watch that knowing the players are second rate talents and nothing but 4th stringers in the NFL. The only thing i can possibly see giving the MLS a big jumpstart is if the U.S. team were to make it to the finals of the next World Cup. That would certainly help legitimize the league. If im not mistaken, Beckham's not even the best player in England right? Isnt it that Wayne Rooney? (going off my limited FIFA '07 knowledge, England's my team on that )

I dont wanna come off as de-railing soccer, because i do watch the World Cup...but honestly i still wouldnt even think of watching the MLS. I think the Beckham stuff is pretty much a novelty that will wear off soon.

He never signed on with another team, and i dont even remember technically retiring either!! He put a little farewell Detroit thing in the paper and that was it....just disappeared off the face of the earth!

That shot off Clemens was, well.....a rocket! I like the number choice too! Where is ol' Higgy these days anyway, i swear, they should make a movie called Searching for Bobby Higginson considering the he way vanished!

And Cameron Maybin smokes one to center for his first HR! 2 for 2 in the game so far.

Well, Monroe is guaranteed to be done as a Tiger within the next 9 days. He'll either be traded, to someone like the Cubs would be my guess, or outright released. Monroe refused an assignment to Toledo, so those are the only two options left. One will happen, so he's gone. As for bringing him back next year, i dont see the point. Maybin - Granderson - Ordonez is the OF. Monroe was not going to be here next season anyway, he was a stop gap to Maybin's arrival.

I really wish Raburn was able to play shortstop. I wonder if they'd consider trying Brandon at short (a drafted SS)and Raburn at 3rd? Not talking about this season, but next. I'd like to see him get a shot at playing everyday.

You call up Maybin up now rather than later, because he is someone that can actually help you if you make the postseason. I'd rather him get rid of the jitters now than in September! Craig Monroe simply was not going to help this team, the loyalty for what he did last year had to end. At the very least, Maybin is guaranteed to be a great pinch runner if nothing else, if you think that means nothing, ask Boston about David Roberts! I firmly believe this is a sign that Jason Grilli is on the way out...very soon. Probably as soon as Zumaya is back. If theyre willing to do the right thing for the team and dump Monroe, theyre obviously at the point where theyll do the same to Grilli. Maybin's a centerfielder though, so playing in left will be an adjustment, but i expect it to be a fast one. He does look a little weird doesnt he? First thing i thought of was Buckwheat from the Little Rascals!

See, they shoudlve just listened to me months ago and called up Maybin and dumped Monroe! Peace out C-Mo! Im really looking forward to seeing Maybin, he's the real deal. He'll certainly get his share of strikeouts as he's had alot in the minors, like Granderson, so dont get too alarmed by them. I bet he ends up hitting around .300 for the rest of the season. The main thing this does is takes some of the pressure off the team for now, as now so much focus will be put on what Maybin can do. This is the kinda thing that can jumpstart the team to go on a run...great decision. You go with the best talent regardless of age, its what worked last season.

Nah,... im just a man of deep thought Im officially calling it, this game's over...Tigers win. I aint afraid of no jinx!!!

You know, seeing Ron Villone in the Yankees bullpen got me thinking. If you're in favor of seeing him enter the game, does that mean you're "pro-villone"? Why yes it does!

I cant say what his velocity has been the past couple starts, but as for tonight i think the drop can be attributed to the flu he's been battling.

One more to hold you over... Idrees Bashir Ike Reese Izell (?) Reese Now theyre just popping in my head left and right

Ian Woosnam (golfer) Ian Gold (you'll hate yourself for missing that one) Ismael Valdes (pitcher) Ian Baker-Finch (another golfer) Igor Grigorenko Igor Ulanov Igor Kravchuk Ivan Lendl (tennis)

And as Dick Vitale would probably say...Im a diaper dandy!