May 24, 2021
We’ve still got a week to go in May, a month that has included four no-hitters, including two last week on back-to-back days the Tigers’ Spencer Turnbullagainst the Mariners on Tuesday, and then the Yankees’ Corey Kluberagainst the Rangers on Wednesday, plus two that were just two days apart earlier this month. That brings this year’s total to six no-hitters of the nine-inning variety, plus a seven-inning one by Madison Bumgarner that The Man doesn’t want you to count. Particularly because the major league batting average of .237 is in a virtual tie for the all-time low mark set in 1968, these remarkable achievements are threatening to lose some luster.
It s Time
Year 5 of the rebuild and signs are far from looking up. The 2021 Detroit Tigers are awful, but this is hardly a new thing given the way things have been in the past few years. That being said, I do not think this is going to change anytime soon either. This is why I am stating these are the reasons it is time to fire Al Avila.
1. Trades
Avila has been horrible when it comes to premier trades or star Tigers players. Think about the returns that the Tigers have seen for our superstars. Verlander, Martinez, Castellanos, all returns were underwhelming to say the least. Ironically his best trade was when he decided to trade his son and Justin Wilson to the Cubs. Candelario alone might have been worth the trade, however, one good trade does not excuse the fact that Al Avila has been swindled multiple times in the past 5 years when it comes to the trade market.
Jordan Zimmermann was a professional during five seasons as a Tiger, talking with reporters after outings good and bad, even when there were more of the latter. But as he looked back on his career in a video call with reporters Tuesday, a couple of hours after announcing his retirement,
Michigan Sports
May 12, 2021
The Detroit Tigers’ Jordan Zimmermann pitches against the Royals in Kansas City, Mo., on Sept. 27. (AP file photo)
By STEVE MEGARGEE
AP Sports Writer
MILWAUKEE Milwaukee pitcher Jordan Zimmermann retired Tuesday two appearances into his 13th season in the major leagues, ending a career in which the two-time All-Star pitched the Washington Nationals’ first no-hitter.
Zimmermann went 95-91 with a 4.07 ERA. He was an NL All-Star in 2013 and ’14 with the Nationals.
The 34-year-old right-hander from Auburndale, Wisconsin, made two relief appearances for his home-state team this season and had a 0-0 record with a 7.94 ERA.
“My mind was still in it, but my body wasn’t,” Zimmermann said Tuesday. “Living out of suitcases half the year. I felt like it was the right thing to do at this time, to call it a career. I’m happy to start the next chapter of my life.”