Post by Fish Troll on Apr 30, 2007 21:42:47 GMT -5
Ordonez named AL Player of the Week
Tigers outfielder posts 1.095 slugging percentage
By Caleb Breakey / Special to MLB.com
The Tigers might have suffered some heart-breaking losses as of late, but the team sure is happy to see Magglio Ordonez find his stroke.
Ordonez was named winner of the Bank of America Presents the American League Player of the Week for his performance during the week ending April 29. It marks the seventh weekly award he has won in his career, and it's his first with the Tigers.
In 21 at-bats, Ordonez racked up 12 hits -- including five doubles, two home runs and 11 RBIs -- for a .571 average. He also scored seven runs and ended the week with 23 total bases, not to mention a 1.095 slugging percentage.
If that last number seems confusing, just know that several fantasy baseball team owners are smiling and playing Ordonez every day.
"I don't think I've had a start like this," Ordonez said. "I always started really slow and then started swinging the bat in the warm weather. We're still in April, but it's been a really good month."
The right fielder really broke loose against the Angels on April 23-24, when he went 6-for-7 with six runs scored, a homer and four RBIs. You would think that would be enough, right? Maybe take a quick break at the plate?
Hardly. Ordonez came back the next night and posted a 3-for-4 night against the White Sox, tacking on three more RBIs. Then the four-time All-Star concluded his torrid week with another homer against the Twins at Comerica Park.
"I feel good. I'm swinging at strikes, staying patient," Ordonez said. "Hopefully I keep doing what I'm doing so far. I'm trying to improve myself, get better and better. That's why I've been working hard."
Ordonez even roughed up Minnesota ace Johan Santana with a homer and a double when the Tigers took on the Twins. Manager Jim Leyland noticed how Ordonez gets the better of the reining American League Cy Young winner.
"He's swung the bat pretty well against [Santana]. For whatever reason, some guys just seem to match up better against guys," Leyland said. "We don't really have a lot of guys that have [had success against Santana], but nobody in the league has."
In recognition of Ordonez' performance, Tourneau, the world's largest watch store, gave Ordonez a luxury Swiss Tourneau watch.
Other candidates considered were Tampa Bay Devil Rays infielder B.J. Upton (.417, 10-for-24, .958 SLG, 4 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI); Minnesota Twins outfielder Torii Hunter (.400, 10-for-25, .840 SLG, 2 2B, 3 HR, 5 RBI); Texas Rangers designated hitter Sammy Sosa (.348, 8-for-23, .826 SLG, 2 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI); and Oakland Athletics pitcher Dan Haren (2-0, 1.88 ERA, 14.1 IP, 12 SO).
Caleb Breakey is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
Tigers outfielder posts 1.095 slugging percentage
By Caleb Breakey / Special to MLB.com
The Tigers might have suffered some heart-breaking losses as of late, but the team sure is happy to see Magglio Ordonez find his stroke.
Ordonez was named winner of the Bank of America Presents the American League Player of the Week for his performance during the week ending April 29. It marks the seventh weekly award he has won in his career, and it's his first with the Tigers.
In 21 at-bats, Ordonez racked up 12 hits -- including five doubles, two home runs and 11 RBIs -- for a .571 average. He also scored seven runs and ended the week with 23 total bases, not to mention a 1.095 slugging percentage.
If that last number seems confusing, just know that several fantasy baseball team owners are smiling and playing Ordonez every day.
"I don't think I've had a start like this," Ordonez said. "I always started really slow and then started swinging the bat in the warm weather. We're still in April, but it's been a really good month."
The right fielder really broke loose against the Angels on April 23-24, when he went 6-for-7 with six runs scored, a homer and four RBIs. You would think that would be enough, right? Maybe take a quick break at the plate?
Hardly. Ordonez came back the next night and posted a 3-for-4 night against the White Sox, tacking on three more RBIs. Then the four-time All-Star concluded his torrid week with another homer against the Twins at Comerica Park.
"I feel good. I'm swinging at strikes, staying patient," Ordonez said. "Hopefully I keep doing what I'm doing so far. I'm trying to improve myself, get better and better. That's why I've been working hard."
Ordonez even roughed up Minnesota ace Johan Santana with a homer and a double when the Tigers took on the Twins. Manager Jim Leyland noticed how Ordonez gets the better of the reining American League Cy Young winner.
"He's swung the bat pretty well against [Santana]. For whatever reason, some guys just seem to match up better against guys," Leyland said. "We don't really have a lot of guys that have [had success against Santana], but nobody in the league has."
In recognition of Ordonez' performance, Tourneau, the world's largest watch store, gave Ordonez a luxury Swiss Tourneau watch.
Other candidates considered were Tampa Bay Devil Rays infielder B.J. Upton (.417, 10-for-24, .958 SLG, 4 2B, 3 HR, 9 RBI); Minnesota Twins outfielder Torii Hunter (.400, 10-for-25, .840 SLG, 2 2B, 3 HR, 5 RBI); Texas Rangers designated hitter Sammy Sosa (.348, 8-for-23, .826 SLG, 2 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI); and Oakland Athletics pitcher Dan Haren (2-0, 1.88 ERA, 14.1 IP, 12 SO).
Caleb Breakey is a contributor to MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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