End Of An Era

The Brandon Inge era in Detroit is over.

After this afternoon's 5-4 loss to the Mariners, the Tigers released the 34 year old Inge, former starting third baseman, one-time All-Star, now a utility man, the current senior Tiger who broke in twelve years ago as a backup catcher.

Not designated for assignment on his way to the minors and back to the Tigers, like last year. Released. Gone, just like that. (I got my wish again!) Toni Morrison will never have the opportunity to write a novel titled "How Brandon Inge Went To Toledo And Got His Groove Back."

Despite newspaper reports to the contrary, Your Baseball Blogger wonders if Inge asked for his release.

Designated would mean he'd stay in shape by playing every day at Toledo, or for someone else's Triple-A team until a big-league roster spot opened. Any team claiming him on waivers, or signing him to a minor league deal, would only have to pay him the major league minimum. The Tigers would cover the rest (5.5 million for 2012 and a 500K option for 2013).

And, after all, he loves the game. He could have collected his paychecks at home, but went to Toledo last year when no other team wanted him. Hang around, you never know what might happen, never know what other team might have a guy get hurt or go into a slump, and make the call. 

But even guys who love the game, unless they're Steve Carlton, know when it's time to go. Inge was hitting .100 -- 2 for 20 -- was less than sparkling in the field, and was lustily booed on opening day at Comerica. 

If he is through, he went 1 for 2 with a double in his last major league game, and that's not a bad way to go out.