Ryan Raburn Sends Message to D4L With Two Homers: Get Off My Back

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Ryan Raburn Sends Message to D4L With Two Homers: Get Off My Back

Written by Bob Biscigliano

Saturday, 22 August 2009 00:53

raburn stare

I blamed a loss on Ryan Raburn last Sunday when I probably should not have. Yes, he made three errors, two of them at the most inopportune times, but Detroit's hitters were 0-16 with RISP. It never should have come to Raburn in the 10th inning, but it did.

I'll admit, I'm not too fond of Ryan Raburn in general. Never have been. Therefore, when he screws up I'm more than ready to attack. But he's on the Tigers and when someone is helping the team, I notice that as much as anything/anyone else. Right now, Ryan Raburn is due a little bit of respect from Bobby B.

After Friday night's game, in which he had two solo home runs in the first three innings, Raburn is hitting .364, has 4 HR, and a .400 OBP since July 29. Albeit he's only accumlated 44 at bats since then, it's still impressive. In fact, it's the best BA on the Tigers since July 29 of all Tigers hitters who have at least 44 at bats. The next best is Magglio Ordonez who is rocking a .339 BA since July 29 in 58 ABs.

For the season, Raburn is hitting .273 with 10 HRs, and 34 RBIs. That's all in just 187 at bats, which is a career high for him. Assume there was enough season left to get him 550 ABs (roughly an average for a full season's worth of ABs), his prorated numbers would be .273 BA, 29 HRs, and 100 RBIs. Not too bad for a guy who's making near the league minimum at $410,000.

Maybe I've been unfair toward Raburn. He's definitely exceeding expectations and, actually, is a great value guy for the Tigers. He's producing when given the opportunity to and at a very cheap price. What more could Jim Leyland and Dave Dombrowski possibly ask from this guy?

Yes, as fans we expect the very best from every player on the field representing our favorite team. However, there are other variables that need to be considered outside of whether or not the player is putting up gaudy numbers at the plate or fielding a ball cleanly every time (Raburn is the king of bobbling fly balls, but for the most part, he makes the plays). I hate on Raburn for not being very good, but I think I need to swallow my pride here:

(gulp) Ryan Raburn ain't all that bad (gulp).

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Capital League Baseball says Go Tigers!!!!!!!
written by Chris Howler Hakim, August 22, 2009

I am pleasantly surprised and happy to see Ryan Raburn add to the Tigers lineup offensively, but what I am not happy about is that I tried to get a try out for the Tigers in 2007 by writing a letter to Tigers management, and requesting a try-out with the team, and getting a letter back saying there are try-outs going on , and I can try out as long as I'm between the ages of 16-25. However, through this set back, God has given me a vision to start a new brand of baseball in America with the help of many called Capital League Baseball with 3-4 women mandatory on a roster with a salary cap of each player making no more than 500,000 dollars a year; and the goal of the league to help end starvation in America - where unfortunately kids and people are dying on the average of every 3-7 seconds. Please check out my website at: www.myspace.com/drummingbaseballchief and follow us on Twitter.com under the "handle" CLBcomingsoon as well. The goal for the start of the league is the spring of 2012. We need funding/sponsors/players/ideas for team names/umpires/all aspects of starting a new league/ and the main thing we need to get going first is the teams in every capital city in America besides Alaska and Hawaii, and even in Montreal and Toronto Canada. Please e-mail me for questions/comments or ideas at: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it '> This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Yours Truly,Thanks! and Go TIGERS!! All they way!!!
Chris "Howler" Hakim

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written by toasterhands, August 22, 2009

I think it's safe to say Raburn has shown he's a capable major leaguer as long as he's not trotted out to third base. His bat could come in handy come October, God willing.