7 Game winner Rogers continues to groom young Tiger pitchers as ace and counselor!

7 Game winner Rogers continues to groom young Tiger pitchers By Justin Mangan   For the first time since the days of Sparky Anderson the Detroit Tigers have

7 Game winner Rogers continues to groom young Tiger pitchers 

By Justin Mangan

  For the first time since the days of Sparky Anderson the Detroit Tigers have starting pitching. Pitching that is thriving amongst American League teams and now ranking within the league leaders. Part of this can be attributed to first year skipper Jim Leyland who has the team going out and playing hard everyday. But on the field, the Tigers newly acquired ace also known as “the Gambler,” Kenny Rogers seemingly has made a huge impact for the Detroit Tigers. The veteran lefty has American League teams baffled, as he has become the first pitcher to reach 7 wins. In an off-season deal that brought Rogers to Detroit included 2 years and 16 million dollars, once had fans worried that the 41-year-old didn’t have anything left. The deal now seems to be paying dividends, especially with the Tigers atop the Major Leagues in wins. 

  Aside Roger’s 3 all-star appearances, his 4 Gold Gloves, and his nearing of 200-career victory’s, the impact Rogers brings goes far beyond these numbers. Tiger’s pitchers, whom have waited their young careers to be taught by such a veteran, are now being groomed by Rogers’ wisdom on the mound. 

  Consider Tiger’s left Mike Maroth. A typical Tiger pitcher who had struggled in the past even reaching the 20 loss mark several years’ back. A mark not ventured by many pitchers. The soft throwing left-hander draws some comparisons to Rogers as they both have soft deliveries from the right-hand side of the rubber. During the 2005 off-season, Maroth tried to change up his pitching style. By moving to the far side of the rubber, the side closest to third base he felt his delivery would be more effective. However, he quickly abandoned this. With the arrival of Rogers, he suggested giving it another shot. Glancing at Maroth's statistics, which ranks amongst the top five in ERA, his advice clearly helped. "I didn't give it enough time (in 2005). I didn't have confidence in it. I didn't trust it," Maroth says of his adjustment on the mound. "Talking with Kenny gave me that confidence, that mindset that I needed to have to give it a chance." By moving to the right side of the rubber, the ball will appear to reach home plate faster and more effectively for left-handers. 

  Another Tiger’s lefty, Nate Robertson, also raves about having the new veteran on the staff. Rogers simply has the willingness and openness to teach as Robertson confronts him throughout games he pitches. "One of the biggest questions I approached him with was, 'When you're in a situation in a game when there's (a) threat of a big inning, guys in scoring position with less than two outs, what are you trying to do?' " Robertson said. He simply continues to teach, and it has paid off for the Tigers. But the words of wisdom don’t stop there. Rogers, who has also had success on the defensive side of the game, continued to rave the importance of fielding. 

  A lot of credit can be given to Rogers who earned his Major League leading 7 wins against the Twins during the Thursday day game. For not only did Rogers battle the Minnesota Twins, but his sickness as well. A feat that the 41-year old didn’t back down to but proved his diligence once again to the young Detroit Tigers starting pitching. 

  Look back on the Tigers from the past decade and you won’t see much success. In fact you won’t find many wins at all. If you look closer, more specifically at the Tigers starting rotation, you won’t find a guy like Kenny Rogers. A veteran ace that has had success throughout his whole career and who has brought fire to a ball club that has been woefully cold. The last decades include Tiger aces like Jason Johnson, Jeff Weaver, David Wells, Mike Moore, not exactly pitchers capable of changing a franchise or even carrying a team. However, I will add Wells did have success with the Tigers for a season, but only afterwards did we trade him away like many others who went on to have great careers. The Tigers have simply never taken the time to go out and find a veteran ace like Rogers, an acquisition that most fans looked at in disgust. But now the Tigers are the talk of baseball. And Rogers and the starting pitching are a main reason for it. For a deal that began with a 2-year deal, could end up paying dividends for years to come with the Tigers young pitchers.