Weighing in on 5 ways

In March I provided 5 simple ways the Tigers could be better/worse than 2006. Let's do a quick review.

For better, the 5 simple ways were:

1. Sheffield wears out pitchers. OUTCOME: After a slow April, he did, when healthy.

2. Maroth makes successful return from elbow surgery. OUTCOME: Successful enough to pitch, not enough to stay in Detroit.

3. Granderson blossoms into top leadoff man. OUTCOME: That, and more.

4. Bonderman ascends to ace status. OUTCOME: Maybe we meant to say Verlander?

5. Casey in clubhouse and lineup for full season. OUTCOME: Great presence, sporadic stick.

For worse, the 5 simple ways were:

1. Sheffield wears out welcome. OUTCOME: He did, but only in NY.

2. Rogers, Jones, Pudge, Casey, Mesa, Sheff all start to feel their age. OUTCOME: Mixed bag; Mesa didn't make it out of April and Rogers and Sheff battled injuries.

3. Inge and Monroe don’t come near duplicating 2006. OUTCOME: Monroe was sent out of town and Inge, for the most part, struggled with the bat.

4. Injuries. OUTCOME: Wounded included Kenny Rogers, Joel Zumaya, Fernando Rodney, Gary Sheffield, Nate Robertson, Jeremy Bonderman. Nuff said.

5. Leyland loses magic touch. OUTCOME: Kept banged up team with mediocre bullpen in race until final week.