Detroit Tigers Links: Encouraging Al-Al’s fastball, Rudy York & no Detroit tears for the Metrodome

Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Tigers pitching coach Jeff Jones: Al Alburquerque should use fastball more – Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press

"“Sometimes when guys have a pitch as good as his slider is, they don’t want to throw anything but it,” [pitching coach Jeff Jones] said. “Because they know the majority of the time the hitters aren’t going to hit it.” But sliders, Jones noted, are harder to throw for strikes and harder on the arm. And if Alburquerque can utilize his mid-90’s fastball — he averaged 94.3 m.p.h. last season — more effectively, the “knockout slider” Jones talks about would become even more of a weapon. Batters with two strikes hit .104 against Alburquerque in 2013 with 70 strikeouts in 127 plate appearances, compared to .250 when ahead in the count."

Top Tigers Countdown #29: Rudy York – Rob Rogacki, Bless You Boys

"When the Tigers shifted Miguel Cabrera to third base in 2012 to make room for Prince Fielder, they weren’t breaking new ground. Back in the 1930s, the Tigers chose to ignore defense to fit another big bat into the lineup. Rudy York, a promising young slugger, was brought into the fold with Hall of Fame first baseman Hank Greenberg entrenched in the lineup. Fortunately, York’s bat did what it was meant to, and he anchored the Tigers’ lineup through the late 1930s and 1940s."

Good riddance! Watch Metrodome deflate for final time – Kirkland Crawford, Free Press

"It’s where the Tigers lost the first two games of the 1987 ALCS, and Game 163 in 2009. It’s where the Lions haven’t won since 1997 [MCB editor’s note–the Lions won there in 2011], including this season’s finale, ending the Jim Schwartz era. A house of horrors for two local pro sports teams has finally been laid to rest, sort of. Check out this video, and be our guest to celebrate a little too, as the Metrodome is deflated for the final time."