douglas@noscvax.UUCP (Douglas S. Dickerson) (05/29/85)
I'm not sure whether to be alarmed or pleasantly surprised by the number of rookies the Tigers are giving a chance to play. How many recent world championship teams have carried *six* rookies on their roster 41 games into the next season? Is it an act of desperation or faith in the quality of your young players? Sparky said during spring training that he had 10 minor-leaguers of major-league caliber and it appears that the injury to Dave Bergman and the poor play of Darrell Evans, Marty Castillo, Rusty Kuntz and others prompted an abnormally large callup. A quote from Peter Gammons in The Sporting News: "The Tigers brought up first baseman Mike Laga from Nashville and sent Dave Bergman there on rehabilitation. They planned to use Darrell Evans at third and as a DH for a couple of weeks before deciding on whether to eat his contract(!!!). That move came as no surprise, considerating the following quote attributed to Owner Tom Monaghan in Ozark Airlines magazine: 'The way free agency has worked out, free agents haven't done all that well, including our '84 pick-Darrell Evans. He batted only .230 and he costs $750,000 a year. What are you going to do with him? We've got some people in the farm system who can do better than that. You have to bring up *somebody* from the farm system even if the team's so good you don't have many holes.' The Tigers continued to offer Evans to the Phillies for what amounts to nothing, but Philadelphia scouts turned thumbs down on the deal, declaring that Evans can't get around on the fastball anymore." It appears the message has gotten through. Give the kids a chance to play! A comment or two on each of the rookies: Chris Pittaro 3B/2B (23) A switch-hitter originally slotted for 3B, Pittaro's defensive lapses and Tom Brookens' hot bat has put Brookens at third for the present. He also spells Whitaker at second as Sparky trys to keep Sweet Lou fresh for the second half. Just went on 15-day disabled list (5/29). Nelson Simmons OF/DH (22) A switch-hitter from San Diego's Hoover High School, Nelson was injured at the end of spring training but now is getting his ABs as DH vs. RH pitchers and occasional turns in LF. Jim Weaver OF (25) A left-handed batter drafted out of the Twins' organization (Toledo), Weaver would have to be returned to Minnesota if dropped from the 25-man roster. Al Sanchez DH (26) The Player of the Year of the Pacific Coast League last year(.318, 26 HR, 108 RBI) was obtained from the Giants for Roger Mason. The right-handed batter apparently has hands of brick but is getting his ABs. A bit of trivia: Sanchez was the player traded to the Giants for Dave Bergman so the Phillies could exchange Bergman and Hernandez for Wilson and Wockenfuss. Mike Laga 1B/DH (24) Another left-handed batting first baseman (Evans and Bergman make it a threesome), Laga had a 12-game hitting streak with Nashville when he was called up May 13. During the streak, he batted .460 with 6 homers and 21 RBIs. Bob Melvin C Batting .306 with 7 home runs and 17 RBIs at Nashville when called up May 25. Caught 2 of 3 games against Seattle, with Parrish moving to DH. Regular backup Marty Castillo batting .042. If Melvin catches on, Parrish may start taking turns at first base. -- Doug Dickerson UUCP !sdcsvax!noscvax!douglas MILNET douglas@nosc