Top Tigers: #84 Brandon Inge
By Blake VandeBunte • Dec 23rd, 2008 • Category: Brandon Inge, Top 100 Tigers- Rank: 84
- Name: Charles Brandon Inge
- Tigers Tenure: 2001-Present
- Awards: None
- Best Season: 2006. 2006 has been Inge’s best season and it’s not really close. Inge clubbed 27 homers and drove in 83 runs, all while playing Gold Glove caliber defense at third base. Inge also scored 83 runs and hit .253. Inge provided plenty of pop for the Tigers as his 27 homers indicate, however, he spent most of the season hitting at the very bottom of the Tigers lineup. He provided some protection for the bottom of the lineup and for Curtis Granderson up at the top. Inge tallied up 398 assists as well, breaking the all time record for a Tigers third baseman (Aurelio Rodriguez).
- Good Stuff: Inge has always been a great defensive player. He is quite often cited as the most athletic member of the Tigers. He began his career as a shortstop. The Tigers converted him to catcher. In his first few years with the Tigers he was good defensive catcher. He then made the move to 3B and put his quick feet and strong arm to work at that position. Inge has also spent some time in the outfield. Inge does have some pop in his bat and is always a threat to go deep if he’s seeing the ball well.
- Bad Stuff: He is a below average offensive player. His career OPS+ is only 84, and is a lock for at least 100 strike outs if he gets at least 400 at bats. Prior to the 2008 season Inge did a fair amount of pouting about his role with the club. In 2008 Inge posted an OPS+ of only 76, one of the worst marks in the American League. His defense provides some value, but if his bat gets much worse, he’s not worth starting.
- Place In Tigers History: Inge put up a great season in one of the most surprising seasons in franchise history (2006). Inge is a current fan favorite due to his strong work ethic and being the longest tenured Tiger. He is also one of the better defensive player in franchise history over at the hot corner.
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Blake VandeBunte is a posting fiend.
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I am surprised that you put Inge in the top 500 Tigers of all time. I thought you would have Ramon Santiago over him.
I like Inge because of his defense. I’m not sure I’d put him this high though. His offense is weak and he doesn’t quite have the longevity yet.
I was torn on Inge. When I had my original list I thought there is no way he would make my cut. He just hung in there. I ranked him this high because (so far) he has spent his entire career in Detroit. He’s terrific on defense, he’s moved all over the diamond since joining the organization and the fans (not me) love him.
Why dont you admit that you have a man crush on him?
Hey Blake, is Rob Fick going to be #83?
So what if he is? I believe he made an All Star Game.
What about Mike Maroth?
I can promise you that Maroth does not make an appearance on this list. He didn’t even crack the top 200.
Esh…taking a lot of heat for this one…
I can handle it.
Will you do a top 100 Whitecaps countdown?
Oh, also, above you say that Inge’s best season was 2006. But in a previous post you said his best season was 2004:
“Now before I get all crazy, I’d take any version of Brandon Inge over the 2008 model. Just wanted to get that out there. In 2006 Inge hit a career high 27 homers and drove in a career high 83 runs. If you want to just look at those “sexy” numbers then sure, 2006 was Inge’s top season. However, if you scratch the surface a bit more, many of his numbers in 2006 took a nose dive. Then I’m guessing that created a vicious cycle that gave us the Brandon Inge the Tigers are currently stuck with for the next few seasons. Inge got caught up in the world of homers and whatnot and lost his way. I want the 2004 version of Brandon Inge to show up in 2009.”
Get your story straight buddy
You jerk, Jackson. I recall saying that, and I do believe it. I think that 2006 is what many think is his best season because it included his best power numbers and it was just a great season for the club.