The Detroit Tigers are fighting to make the 2009 baseball playoffs. Miguel Cabrera, he of a $152.3 million contract, has also been fighting — with his wife.
According to reports, Cabrera was drunk and got into a fight with his wife over the weekend. His wife called 911 and he was taken to a police station. While there, Cabrera registered a 0.26 blood alcohol level — more than three times the legal driving limit of 0.08 in Michigan.
Dave Dombrowski, the general manager of the Tigers, picked up Cabrera at the police station. With Detroit desperately needing a win in their three-game …read more

The Texas Rangers have been officially eliminated from playoff contention. Early in the season, the Rangers surprised many with their quality play — especially considering the many young players on the roster. However, largely due to injuries and untimely slumps, the Rangers have sputtered to the finish line.
On Tuesday, they were officially eliminated after losing to the Los Angeles Angels by a final count of 5-2. Bobby Abreu homered in the first inning and the Angels never trailed again. Angels starter Sean O’Sullivan pitched five innings to improve his record on the season to 4-2.
With the Rangers out of the …read more

After the Minnesota Twins lost Justin Morneau for the season due to a back injury, the Twins appeared to be dead in the water. Not anymore. The Twins have won seven straight games after beating the Detroit Tigers again on Saturday.
Trailing 2-1 heading into the bottom of the eighth inning, the Twins got hot. Jason Kubel hit a two-run single to give the Twins the lead. Then Michael Cuddyer put the game away with a three run homer as Minnesota beat Detroit by a final count of 6-2.
With the win, the Twins are 76-72 and just two games behind the …read more

The Minnesota Twins have been trying desperately to catch the Detroit Tigers in the AL Central. Their chances of doing that took a big hit when Justin Morneau was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his lower back that will force him to sit out the next three months.
With Morneau out for the season, don’t expect the Twins to make the 2009 baseball playoffs. They are 5.5 games out with a record of 72-72. Save for a monumental collapse by the Tigers, the Twins will have to wait another season to make postseason noise.
On the season, Morneau finished with 30 …read more

C.C. Sabathia cost the New York Yankees a bundle of millions in the offseason. On Saturday, Sabathia showed the hometown fans why he is so valuable.
In a pitching duel against Justin Verlander, Sabathia was simply better and helped the Yankees win by a final score of 2-1. Sabathia pitched seven innings and gave up five hits and three walks while striking out four batters. His record on the season is now 9-6 and he lowered his ERA to 3.66.
Verlander was really good himself. In seven innings, he gave up seven hits, one walk and two earned runs. With the loss, …read more

To begin the 2009 baseball season, Dontrelle Willis was on the disabled list due to an anxiety disorder. The starting pitcher for the Detroit Tigers was able to return to the mound — and even had a few good outings — but now he’s back to where he started. The Tigers have once again placed him on the DL due to an anxiety disorder.
This is yet another setback for a 27-year-old pitcher who was once considered one of the best pitchers in the majors. In his second start this year, he threw 6.1 shutout innings in which he gave up …read more

Dontrelle Willis of the Detroit Tigers has had a tough time as of late. He’s struggled on the pitching mound in recent years and was sidelined prior to the 2009 baseball season after being diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. On Tuesday, Willis was able to turn back the clock — for at least one outing.
The former pitching phenom went 6.1 innings against the Texas Rangers and gave up only one hit and two walks while giving up no runs and striking out five batters. He threw exactly 100 pitches in his second start of the season. When he was replaced, …read more

Mark Fidrych, who earned the nickname “the Bird” during his playing career, was found dead on his farm. Initial reports indicate that the cause of death could very well be an accident.
Fidrych, who was 54 years old at the time of his death, played in an All-Star game for the Detroit Tigers and his eccentric ways immediately made him a fan favorite. Known for his curly hair and unique delivery, Fidrych took the league by storm as a rookie in 1976. Winning Rookie of the Year, the Tigers pitcher finished the season with a 2.34 ERA and a record …read more

Brandon Lyon, who had 26 saves for the Arizona Diamondbacks last season, signed a one-year deal to pitch for the Detroit Tigers in 2009. While he wasn’t guaranteed the closer role in Detroit, he will be given a chance to win that job.
Lyon’s contract calls for him to earn a base of $4.25 million with performance bonuses potentially bumping it up to around $5 million. The deal makes sense for both sides. If Lyon is able to win the closer role, he could become a free agent next offseason and cash in. For the Tigers, they are getting a solid …read more

-The Cleveland Indians signed Kerry Wood to a two-year contract. Wood will become the closer for the Indians. The contract is believed to be worth more than $20 million.
-The Kansas City Royals have signed Kyle Farnsworth to a two-year contract. Farnsworth, who split 2008 with the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees, joins a Royals bullpen which has been given a makeover this winter.
-The Detroit Tigers have traded Matt Joyce to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Edwin Jackson. Joyce will have a chance to start for the Rays in the outfield, while Jackson will likely be given …read more