Today is day that pitchers and catchers report. It is also the day that part time bloggers report.
Like many players, I am not reporting in the best shape of my life (that distinction apparently goes to Miguel Cabrera). Maybe I'm more like Joaquin Benoit (at least according to Kurt) and kind of pudgy (not to be confused with Pudgy, not that any of you would do that).
Of course expectations are sky high going into 2012. The Tigers have both Miguel Cabrera AND Prince Fielder. They have Justin Verlander. They have Jim Leyland. For that matter they have Mike Illitch and he wants to win. He wants the whole enchilada and he wants it this year. I heartily concur with that focus. These guys are in their prime. The supporting cast is quite good (Boesch, Young, Jackson, Fister).
There are questions which remain. Can Rick Porcello realize the potential everyone sees in him? Can Max Scherzer put it together this year? Can we find a 2nd baseman who will do the job? Who will pitch on the days that the starters don't make it out of the 4th or 5th inning? Can Valverde come close to repeating last year's excellence? Who will be the 5th starter? (Does it matter?)
We can explore all of this as it unfolds. I think this is going to be an amazing year. Yet, I remember the disaster of 2008. I remember thinking about getting World Series tickets at Opening Day (yes, I really did). That didn't work out so well did it?
The difference between 2008 and 2012 is pitching. This year the Tigers have it. That year they didn't.
Either way let's hang on for the ride and enjoy our summer. It starts tomorrow with the first work outs of the year!
