Feb 22, 2023
Detroit sports bloggers and podcasters Greg Eno and Big Al Beaton are The Knee Jerks!
This week we welcomed back one of the oldest friends of the show, legendary broadcaster Bob Page. Now enjoying life in Florida, Bob spent decades working in TV, radio, and podcasting, both in Detroit and New York City.
We had a wide ranging discussion with Bob, covering the mass shooting at Michigan State and the fallout from another senseless tragedy, the state of the MSU basketball program and Tom Izzo, the Red Wings on the playoff bubble as they near the NHL trade deadline, Steve Yzerman's rebuild strategy, the contract status of Dylan Larkin and Tyler Bertuzzi, and losing the romance of baseball, amongst other topics.
In the second half of the show, Greg and Al talk Tigers and Pistons:
Tigers Owner Chris Ilitch is reportedly “changing the player experience” by investing in a new team plane, remodeling the clubhouse at Comerica Park, and trying to "improve every aspect of being a Tiger."
The Tigers are actually investing money at the lower levels, as they will have a minor league nutrition coordinator, with a nutritionist and two athletic trainers at each affiliate level.
President of Baseball Operations/GM Scott Harris met with the media for the first time this spring, and as usual, said quite a bit without actually saying anything.
We're still in the Harris honeymoon phase. If Al Avila had essentially punted on a season by saying, “We are going to play competitive baseball as deep into the season as we can," the fan base would have raised hell.
Harris' reasoning for not signing any position players best hold true. If it doesn't male sense to invest significant at-bats in veteran players who will not be a part of this team beyond 2023, then the likes of Johnathan Schoop better not get 400+ at-bats.
As part of a 4 team deal with the Warriors, Trail Blazers and Hawks, the Pistons moved on from Saddiq Bay at the NBA trade deadline. In the end, the team did not want to pay big money on a second contract for a replaceable, inconsistent 3 and D wing.
In return for Bey, GM Troy Weaver elected to take a swing at a low floor, high ceiling project big man in former 2nd overall pick James Wiseman.
Add Wiseman to GM Troy Weaver's growing pile of lottery pick reclamation projects. Though we're still waiting one to actually hit.
You should expect rebuilding teams to churn through young players. The core will constantly be in flux (not long ago the core was Bey, Grant and Stewart, now it's Cunningham, Ivey and Duren) and very few players will see it through the entire rebuild.
We also play the Birthday Game and name our respective Jerk of the Week!
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