The Athletic has an article about Brandon Inge and his path to UM
The article is likely paywalled, but it talks about how Inge became a volunteer assistant under Bakich. https://theathletic.com/2435865/2021/03/09/brandon-inge-michigan-baseball/ . (Hopefully, someone can turn this into a live link - I’m a bit of a troglodyte.) Among other things, it discusses how he came to the “job”, and his connections to the Carr family and Chad Carr.
I don't think people fully appreciate how elite Brandon Inge's defense was. Once the Tigers finally just let him play 3B for a few years, he was as good defensively as anyone has ever been really. His 2006 season ranks higher than any season Arenado has put up, though Arenado has shown elite D at 3B for longer, just because he got to start playing there at age 22 whereas Inge didn't move to 3B until he was 27.
That Inge put up elite defensive metrics at a place that wasn't even his primary position is rather remarkable. Dude was a hell of an athlete.
That was a fantastic article. Thanks for sharing that.
Plus he was clearly hit by the pitch in the 12th inning with the bases loaded in game 163 vs Twins in 2009.
http://familydealblog.com/8-worst-calls-in-detroit-sports-history/
ChalmersE, to link an article, click the 3d figure from the left in the horizontal menu above the Comments box. It's meant to look like a link.
Thank you! now, if I can just remember that for the next time I link.
It's not the defense, but the career .233 BA that sucks the life out of his stats. At least it's North of the Mendoza line.
I wrote this in the earlier post a couple months ago. I’m not a huge fan of him as a hitter and was as frustrated as anyone by his waves at outside breaking balls. But dude hit 152 home runs, was an All Star, played 12 yrs in the bigs on 3 teams, was a defensive whiz, a catcher earlier in his career, and was a stand up guy. Seems like he may have something to offer as a coach even if he whiffed a lot and had a .233 career average. I would've given my left nut for a baseball career like that. As long as he can teach and recruit he’s likely a great addition based on the knowledge he has from his long MLB career.
Yeah his BA stunk, but he had some power. His bat was clearly below average, but combined with his defense he was a plus player. He just wasn't a "star" because of his hitting. You can't really be a star 3B with a career OPS under 700.
Now, if he had been a SS and had that kind of plus defense, it would have been much better. I think he was naturally a SS at one point, but the Tigers were really into messing with people and their positions back then.
They are still messing with players. Torkelson should not be wasting time at 3B. Paredes should be a 2B.
From being around and involved in Mott things, Brandon and family have been awesome people. Great to have more high character people around M.
well, alot of Michigan wives will be happy.
I believe we have the obligatory mention of the link to 1931 Lou Gehrig.
With the Oakland A's, Inge had four four-RBI games in a five game period. He had two games with grand slams, and two games with three-run homers plus RBI singles. Chicago Tribune has nice write-up.
Stunning. Released by Detroit then puts himself in the books near Lou Gehrig.