Detroit Free Press from Detroit, Michigan • 36

DETROIT FREE PRESS I WWW.FREEP.COM BASEBALL 10D MONDAY, JUNE 19, 2006 TIGERS CORNER Home games shaded Tigers just another club to Fielder SUN I WON 1 TUE I WED I THU I FRI SAT 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 Det.12, Mil. Mil. Mil. Stl. Stl.

CHC 3 8:05 8:05 2:05 7:05 7:05 FSN FSN FSN (h.20 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 Stl. Hou. Hou. Hou. Pit.

Pit. 1:05 7:05 7:05 1:05 7:05 7:05 FSN FSN FSN 1 Ch. 20 1 FSN By JOHN LOWE FREE PRESS SPOR15 WRITER i -rrr '( -A" rZ" 1 On deck: Brewers Series: Tigers at Milwaukee for three games, tonight through Wednesday. TVradio: Tonight 8:05, FSN, WXYT-AM (1270); Tuesday 8:05, FSN, WXYT; Wednesday 2:05, no TV, WXYT. Pitching: Tonight RH Jeremy Bonderman (6-4, 4.01 ERA) vs.

LH Doug Davis (4-4, 5.07); Tuesday RH Zach Miner (2-1, 2.65) vs. unannounced; Wednesday LH Nate Robertson (7-3, 3.43) vs. LH Chris Capuano i i JEFF ROBERSONAssociated Press Chris Shelton is the center of attention in the eighth inning after his second home run. The Tigers hit eight homers, tying a club record. Brandon Inge (two), Vance Wilson, Marcus Thames, Curtis Granderson and Carlos Guillen also connected.

TIGERS I Sweep with 8 HRs; 200 for Rogers i 1 From Page ID '-Hi Welcome to the club Kenny Rogers recorded his 200th victory Sunday against the Cubs. Current active pitchers with 200 or more victories: CHICAGO Cecil Fielder's son awaits the Tigers. Prince Fielder and the Brewers host the Tigers in a three-game series that begins tonight at Milwaukee's Miller Park. Prince Fielder is a rookie, and he isn't the 50-homer slugger or RBI champ his father was. But he usually hits fifth, and he has 13 homers and 39 RBIs.

Like his dad, Prince plays first base. Unlike his dad, he bats left-handed. He's six-feet tall and is listed at 260 pounds. Prince had grown quite a bit by the time he turned 12, which was during his dad's last season with the Tigers, in 1996. And one day at Tiger Stadium he showed his pre-teen strength.

He pulled the ball into the rightfield upper deck. "It was early batting practice, just me and a couple of people out there," Fielder told the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. "It surprised me a little bit because it was the first time I was hitting in the stadium. It was pretty cool. It felt all right.

I got lucky, I guess." Cecil's Tigers teammates are long gone from the club. Prince won't face anyone tonight whom he met in the clubhouse when his dad played in Detroit. Prince said that makes the Tigers "just another team" and that facing them won't be anything special. "It would probably be a little different if we were playing at their stadium," he said. THIRD PLACE With the game in a National League park and the DH not in use, catcher Vance Wilson batted third Sunday for what he said was the first time since junior college-.

With the pitcher in the batting order, manager Jim Leyland knew that if the game was close, he might insert a relief pitcher in the sixth, seventh or eighth spot postponing that pitcher's time at-bat as long as possible. Those are the places where Wilson usually hits. But Leyland was determined to rest Pudge Rodriguez. So he put Wilson far away from the bottom of the order, preventing any need to insert the pitcher in Wilson's spot that would have forced Rodriguez into the game. MR.

ROGERS: Kenny Rogers became the first Tiger to reach 10 wins this soon in the season Player (RL) W-L 341-172 ERA 3.12 Age 43 Rogers, 10-3, told his teammates that if they kept scoring runs as they did Sunday, he could win a few more. Curtis Granderson, who had doubled and tripled to start the first two games of the series, homered leading off Sunday. Carlos Guillen hit a first-inning homer for the second straight game. Shelton and Brandon Inge each hit two homers. Rogers pitched eight innings and allowed four hits and two runs, both solo homers.

Home runs drove in all 15 runs in the game. Jim Ley-land cited how the wind was blowing out. A moment later, the manager said of Rogers, "You can't say enough about what he's done for us." And then Leyland couldn't go on, because he had started to cry. Contact JOHN LOWE at 313-223-4053 or jlowefreepress.com. Greg Maddux (R) 40 325-195 3.05 Tom Glavtne (L) 40 285-186 3.45 Randy Johnson (L) 42 271-141 3.16 Mike Mussina (R) 37 232-130 3.63 David Wells (L) 43 227-144 4.07 Jamie Moyer(L) 43 209-158 4.13 Pedro Martinez (R) 34 203-87 2.73 Curt Schilling (R) 39 201-133 3.40 Kenny Rogers (L) 41 200-134 4.18 swept the three-game series with a 12-3 romp of the Cubs that ended as did the previous two games with many fans chanting, "Let's go, Tigers!" Nothing the Tigers could accomplish, this season could be more remarkable than what Rogers has accomplished.

He had never pitched when the Texas Rangers drafted him in the 39th round in 1982. The Rangers thought he had the arm to become a pitcher. When he began his pro career, he didn't know what it meant to pitch out of the stretch. After Sunday's game, teammates gave him a champagne toast in the clubhouse and gave him one of his jerseys. They all signed it, and it had a "200" affixed to it.

Rogers had postgame pictures taken outside the clubhouse with his wife and two children. "He reaches a milestone on Father's Day in Wrigley Field," said first baseman Chris Shelton. "Come on it's almost storybook." Joe Klein, a Rangers executive who envisioned Rogers as a pitcher, MARK BIALEKSpecial to the Free Press Prince Fielder, left, and Big Daddy Cecil sit in the dugout during a Class A Beloit game, when the Snappers played the Whitecaps at West Michigan. Prince played for Beloit in 2002-03. since Jack Morris and Dan Petry in 1984.

Rogers is the 105th pitcher with 200 victories. HOMERS GALORE: According to Elias Sports Bureau, the last time before Sunday that the Tigers hit three homers in the first inning was May 26, 1991, when Lou Whitaker, Fielder and Rob Deer went deep in the first inning at Tiger Stadium against Boston right-hander DanaKiecker. Thames took sole possession of the team lead in homers in the fifth when he hit his 14th. But Brandon Inge hit his 14th and 15th later to pass Thames. HAPPY DAYS: On the Tigers' latest day in first place, Leyland said: "I'm happy for Mr.

Ditch. I'm happy for the organization, because I know what a good organization it's been. I was part of it. It was one of the best organizations and (had) some of the best people in the history of the game. That's a thrill." mm has said, "Nobody, and I mean nobody, has come farther with his craft in sports than Kenny Rogers." Rogers was asked how far Sunday's success was from that day when he had to ask what it meant to pitch from the stretch.

"A long way," Rogers said. "I was below zero with knowledge and experience, and I had a lot of people help me along the way and teach me every aspect of this game." 1 1' Historic Detroit slugger wronged GIFT CERTIFICATES AVAILABLE TRY BEFORE YOU BUY FREE CUSTOM CLUB FITTING GROUP LESSONS AVAILABLE Carl's Has What You Really Wanted For Father's Day OPEN July 31 August 6 Get Your Buick Open Tickets At Carl's Colfland Any Day Tickets J( Only $25.00 Bloomfield Hills Plymouth at iJjfa'J ff Taylor Made r7 460 460cc Titanium Driver i with Movable Weight Technology. Plus FREE r7 Steel Fairway Wood or Rosette Callaway Golf Fusion FT-3 Strong carbon composite body and forged titanium face. FREE Fusion Fairway Cleveland Hi BORE The Shape of Distance is changing The ultimate high-launch low-spin driver. The most telling evidence came from researcher Steve DeHoff, who found this item in the Philadelphia Inquirer: "Sam Thompson proved not only that he is a good fielder but that he has not lost use of his right arm.

He threw out a runner at the plate and made two splendid line throws from extreme right field to third base." When I was in Cooper-stown last month, I found that same item in the Hall of Fame archives. Strangely enough, most references to Thompson's great throwing ability do not say which arm he used. Also, I discovered that in its extensive files, the Hall has no photos of Thompson with a glove. So, although there are family pleas, and evidence to the contrary, Thompson remains officially a left-handed thrower. Despite this unresolved question and Thompson's loss of his home run crown, the Detroit slugger was truly a superstar of baseball history.

Wood with purchase! Dual with Purchase 39999 Nike SasQuatch 460cc Driver, The biggest footprint in aseball record keepers have twice wronged Sam Thompson, the Detroit Wolverines super slugger in the 1880s and '90s. First, in 1921, Sam was officially recognized as the leader in career home runs when Babe Ruth surpassed him. That recognition was switched from Sam to Roger Connor because researchers restored 14 home runs from the Players League to Connor's total. Second, the Hall of Fame and all record books list Thompson as a left-handed throwing outfielder, but the Thompson family claims it has proof he threw right-handed. Of all Detroit Hall of Famers who were elected as players, Thompson reaches deepest into the past.

His lifetime average is .335 and he twice batted over 400. He collected 200 hits in three seasons, twice led the National League in homers and three times in RBIs. In RBIs per game, Thompson is the all-time best. He knocked in almost one run per game for his career. His mark was .926 better than Lou Gehrig, Hank Greenberg, Joe DiMaggio and Babe Ruth.

Of the two controversies concerning Thompson, it is Ping C5 New internal weighting for a lower CG giving lower spin rate and Greater distance. MacGregof MACTEC NVC2 Cup Face 360 technology! The entire face is the sweet spot. Maximum distance on off center hits. golf. Wider, taller sweet spot for greater launch angle and distance.

ERNIE HARWELL easier to understand the home run issue. The Players League, which lasted only one year (1890), was long considered a minor league. When the experts gave it big-league status, Thompson lost his home run crown. The stranger quirk is this: Despite his fame and baseball's proclivity for minutiae, nobody knows with which arm Thompson threw. The family insists he threw right-handed.

Thompson will be honored Saturday with an historical marker at his hometown, Danville, Ind. The ceremony marks the 100th anniversary of Thompson's final big-league game when the Tigers pressed him into a comeback at the age of 46. The Thompson family will be represented by Sam's great nephews: Don, Chuck and Keith Thompson. Don Thompson told me: "My dad, Lawrence Thompson, hunted and fished with Sam, and always said Sam hunted and fished 299.99 ik.t NEW AT CARL'S! if Mizuno MX-900 Forged Irons Unsurpassed Forgiveness, Easy Launch Maximum Playabilityl Men's 8 Iron set with Dynamic Cold Shafts 899.99 Taylormade Rescue Dual Now moveable weight Technology in a Hybrid! 51 Odyssey White Steel 2 Ball SRT Putter with Saturn Ring Technology 1 83. "9 Under Armour Apparel Now At Both Locations! man AMaur pi ftfliBilimilrM Introducing The Carl's Golfland Junior Links Golf Camp at St.

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SPACE IS LIMITED! CALL 734-354-9274 FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO RESERVE A SPOT FOR VOURJUNIOR GOLFER! Cal State Fullerton wins in the 9th BLOOMFIELD HILLS 248-335-8095 734-354-9274 TYPE CROUP OF DAYS DATE CLASSES PLYMOUTH TYPE ADULT BEGINNER COLLEGE BASEBALL ADULT Bbt.lNNER THU WED 062906 070506 6:00 PM BO70SD6E 4 FREE PRESS NEWS SERVICES ADULT I071006E 4 INTERMEDIATE I07IB06D 4 MftW 071006 071806 1 0,00 AM ADULT INTERMEDIATE GROUP OF DAYS DATE TIME i CLASSES I SB062906E 4 THU 062906 6:00 PM i SBO71006E 4 MW 071006 SIO62206E 4 THURS 062206 I SI071106D 4 TUES 071106 NOON SJ070B06M 4 SAT 072006 SJ071006M 4 MW 071006 SPO7O606O 2 THURS 070606 10:00 AM SP072106E 2 WED 072106 8:00 PM SS062806E 1 WED 062806 I JUNIOR i J060206A 4 J070D06M 4 TTH 067006 SAT 070806 JUNIOR PUTTING P062106E 2 WED 062106 PUTTINfl PO72S06E 2 TUES 072506 8:00 PM "JIIINU 9 PrrcHINO S062W6D 2 THURS 062906 NOON PITCHING 8tCHIIPING S071106E 2 TUES 071106 8:00 PM CHIPPING said. "That's the worst hop I've ever seen." Brandon Tripp followed Vanderhook's hit with an RBI single that fell in front of left-fielder Jeff Kindel, making it 7-5. "Nothing I've ever experienced or been involved with has been as crazy as that, or exciting as that," Titans coach George Horton said. NORTH CAROLINA 2, CLEMSON0: Robert Woodard threw a three-hitter to help North Carolina beat top-seeded Clemson. Reid Fronk and Josh Horton had consecutive doubles In the third inning to provide the only offense that the Tar Heels would need.

"I'm just happy to come through for the team," the senior catcher said. "It wasn't the best hit, but I'll take it." With Georgia Tech leading, 5-4, and an out away from advancing, Blake Davis singled, Brett Pill doubled and Danny Dorn was intentionally walked by closer Matt Wieters. Vanderhook slapped Wieters' first pitch up the middle. Shortstop Michael Fisher charged to his left but couldn't handle the slow-bouncing ball, which took a bad hop and rolled away as two runs scored. "It looked like a routiner," second baseman Mike Trapani 1 i IT1I mum.

umi iiMiinianB.il muiwlUMMMimi I tysn pppp OMAHA, Neb. Cory Van-derhook took one swing the entire game for Cal State Fuller-ton. He sent the ball bouncing 90 feet away more than enough to prevent the Titans from making a lonely trip home. Vanderhook's two-run, pinch-hit infield single keyed Cal State Fullerton's ninth-inning comeback, and the Titans eliminated Georgia Tech with a 7-5 victory at the College World Series on Sunday. The Titans play Clcmson on Tuesday.

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