Brandon Inge
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
This article needs additional citations for verification. Please help improve this article by adding reliable references. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2008) |
| Brandon Inge | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Detroit Tigers — No. 15 | |
| Catcher, Third baseman | |
| Born: May 19, 1977 Lynchburg, Virginia |
|
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
| April 3, 2001 for the Detroit Tigers | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through 2008) |
|
| Batting average | .237 |
| Home runs | 96 |
| Runs batted in | 410 |
| Teams | |
|
|
Charles Brandon Inge [INJ] (born May 19, 1977, in Lynchburg, Virginia) is a Major League Baseball third baseman and catcher currently playing for the Detroit Tigers. He bats and throws right-handed.
Sportswriter Jayson Stark described Inge as a "super-utility dervish."[1] In 2006, his diving stop and subsequent throw from his knees to put out Gary Bennett in an interleague game, on June 25 against the St. Louis Cardinals earned him the ESPN defensive play of the year for a third baseman.[2]
He attended the Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was a shortstop and relief pitcher. Inge was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1998.
Initially assigned as a catcher, Inge struggled offensively in his first three seasons. After the Tigers signed free-agent Iván Rodríguez in 2004, Inge played in the outfield, catcher and at third base, batting .287 with 13 home runs that season.
He started 159 games at third base in 2005, leading all MLB third basemen in assists (378) and double plays (42).[3] In 2006, Inge exceeded his 2005 totals with 398 assists.[1] That number broke the Detroit Tigers single season record for assists by a 3rd basemen (previously 389 by Aurelio Rodriguez in 1974) and was only 14 short of the all time MLB record for assists by a third basemen (set by Graig Nettles in 1971). Only five third basemen (including Graig Nettles, Brooks Robinson, and Mike Schmidt) have collected more assists in a season than Inge.
In 2006, Inge showed a lot of power during the first half, his 17 home runs tied for the team lead, but batted for an average of only .221. His slugging percentage was .463 and he also placed third on the Tigers with 47 RBIs. After the All-Star Break, he raised his average to .253 and finished with 27 home runs.
On October 27, 2006, Inge was struck out by St. Louis Cardinals closer Adam Wainwright to end the Tigers season in Game 5 of the World Series and give the St. Louis Cardinals the championship, winning that game 4-2.
[edit] 2008 season
Inge became expendable at third base after the Tigers acquired Miguel Cabrera in a blockbuster trade with the Florida Marlins. Despite his intentions to stay in Detroit, Inge asked management to trade him to a team where he would have a chance to be an everyday player. However, a deal was never made, and the team stated that he would be used as a utility player for the 2008 season. Inge reported to spring training early with the pitchers and catchers. He was named the opening day center fielder after Curtis Granderson was placed on the disabled list.
With the absence of backup catcher Vance Wilson, Inge began alternating catching duties with 13-time Gold Glove winner Iván Rodríguez. On June 26, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list. On July 7, he made his rehab assignment in AAA Toledo. On July 10, he was activated from the DL.
Inge took over the catching position full time after Iván Rodríguez was traded to the New York Yankees on July 30, 2008.[4]
On September 27, Tigers manager Jim Leyland announced that he will move Inge back to third base for the 2009 season.[5]
[edit] References
- ^ Stark, Jayson (July 12, 2008). "Honoring the very best (and worst) of the first half". ESPN.com. Retrieved on 2008-07-14.
- ^ "Brandon Inge Diving Stop" (2006-06-25).
- ^ 2005 American League third basemen fielding statistics
- ^ "Yankees find their catcher for stretch, trade for Rodriguez". ESPN.com (July 30, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-07-30.
- ^ http://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2008/09/detroit_tigers_4_tampa_bay_ray.html
[edit] External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
- Inge donates $100k to University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital
|
|||||||||
