How long for Inge?
Just got off the phone with trainer Kevin Rand and he reiterated that Brandon Inge will be off his feet for the next six weeks because of his surgery on both knees.
Post-op plans dictate that Inge will be non-weight bearing for that length of time.
I can't think of another athlete - for that matter, I can't think of anyone - who'd be more uncomfortable than Inge with that kind of situation. Wheelchair, crutches, straight-legged casts? As active as Inge is, it will all drive him crazy.
Especially with two young sons running around the house.
This will be a huge test for Inge. He'll push the envelope, he'll no doubt try to accelerate his rehab. He'll do everything he can to get back on his feet sooner than predicted. That's just his nature - and that's OK, as long as he doesn't do anything to set himself back.
No doubt he'll be ready for spring training. February isn't just around the corner. But between now and then, it won't be easy for Inge.
A video game winter, I imagine.
Comments
| Jump to bottom |
How long for Inge?
What amazes me is how so many people talk about how horrible Brandon Inge is, yet he was 3rd on the team in home runs and 4th in total bases? If he is so terrible at the plate what about the guys below him? We know who #1 and #2 were Cabrera and Granderson... where is this Ordonez and Polanco and so on that make more than Inge? Sure he fell off a bit in the 2nd half, but he also had knee troubles. Sorry the man isn't a machine.
How long for Inge?
Something that I'll never understand is this towns obession with such a below average player. I too, would like to see what the tigers have planned for the future. Lots of fans understand that, I've NEVER EVER been a fan of this guy. Watching him swinging for fences night in and night out brings a new meaning to the phase "missing the ball by a country mile". Brandons has proved that he simply cannot produce at this major league level. He only brings to this team his defense. I'll admit Brandons defense is good. But not as good as many of his supporters claim. Inge boots and throws plenty of balls away.
I'll tell you what Brandon isn't a piece to the tigers world series puzzle. Nowadays, major league teams need some type of production out of every positions on the field.
How long for Inge?
Agreed. Much as I love Inge's competitive fire and skill in the field, where he undoubtedly makes pitchers' stats look better, he has been a serious liability at the plate for years. Aside from the .230 average and horrible second half, he led the team with 170 strikeouts. Last year it was particulary bad because he was part of a three-batter dead spot at the bottom of the lineup. Inge, Laird, Everett all hit under .240. You can have one or maybe two guys like that, but three in a row? That was where rallies went to die.
How long for Inge?
I'd be curious to know what backup plans the organization has for third base - because currently, I see nothing.... zilch.
Or do they anticipate that he will be capable of playing 96% of the innings at 3B once again in 2010?
How long for Inge?
Tom Gage- I had exactly the same thoughts as you regarding Brandon's rehab. No doubt that he'll want to attack his rehab assignment with every bit as much dedication and effort that he puts into his game. But I fear that he might also be so impatient that he gets too aggressive like he does so often at the plate, or on a play that he can't possibly make. It'll take some patience and discipline, but he's got lots of time to do this right, rather than fast.
I'd love to believe that Inge's second half problems can all be attributed to his knees, but his career history says otherwise. We know that he's capable of great half seasons. I don't know where the Tigers would have been without him in the lineup in the first half last year when the entire top of the order went AWOL, but I know where we were in the second half when he hit under .190 three months in a row, and it wasn't good.
2010 will be a contract year for Inge, as it is for many other Tigers. At the end of the last three seasons, I think that DD was wishing he hadn't signed Inge to a four year deal. If he can finally put together a full season like he had in the first half of 2005, 2006, or 2009, he might get to stick around a while. But better have a plan B in Lakeland this time around.
| Jump to top |
