Big Z's Key to Success: Tamales

No Guitar Hero as well, obviously.

Rock on Joel... Wait, actually don't.

Joel Zumaya, by all accounts, has been dominant throwing BP so far this spring training. To what does he credit his return to form? The doctors that surgically repaired his shoulder? Pitching coach Rick Knapp? An intense offseason conditioning and rehabilitation program? Nope, none of the above. Tamales are his muse apparently.

Only in baseball can an athlete (and I use that term loosely for a lot of baseball players) put on 40 pounds of pure fat and have the coach think this is a good thing.

"'I thought he lost too much [last year],' manager Jim Leyland has said."

I love you baseball.

Since when is The Detroit News going to Brandon Inge to assess pitching talent though?

"Brandon Inge, one of the hitters who faced Zumaya, called the session 'pretty dominating. He had an incredible curveball.'"

This Brandon Inge is still the one playing for the Tigers... right? The same guy who hit .205 last year and had 94 strikeouts in 347 at bats. No offense Binge, but I'll wait for the verdict on Zumaya until I hear it from someone a little more skilled at hitting the ball. I bet every curveball looks "incredible" to you.

This is Binge striking out. You will see it approximately 140 times next year.

Nonetheless, perhaps I am just a glutton for punishment but I am excited for the upcoming baseball season. The Tigers aren't expected to be great by any means, but just having baseball back always feels good. Plus Big Z is healthy again - let's just hope he can stay that way. Todd Jones is gone. I just hope Brandon Lyon can capture some of that magic he had at the beginning of last season with the Dbacks. Cabrera now has a full year under his belt at first base. Rick Porcello, the Tigers' 2007 1st round draft choice, is looking good and has a shot to make the team. Also, while the Tigers didn't make any huge moves in the offseason, neither did the rest of the AL Central. Okay, so the Twins got Joe Crede. The guy has missed 180 games in the last 2 seasons... let's temper our expectations here people.