ESPN.com is reporting that Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland has announced that Magglio Ordonez will, from now on, will only start in right field against left-handed pitchers, while newly called up Clete Thomas will start against righties. This got me thinking: What has happened to Magglio Ordonez?
Here are his numbers on the year:
This is coming off a year in which he batted .317, slugged 21 home runs and knocked in 103 runs. So, again: What has happened to Magglio Ordonez?
Had he previously been taking performance enhancing drugs and is now off the stuff? I don’t accuse him of anything, and I doubt this to be the case, but anything is possible.
Is he injured and trying to hide it? Possibly.
My best guess: He’s aged. He’s 35 years old and, according to ESPN.com, is six feet tall, weighing 215 pounds. So he’s not just old, he’s out of shape. This isn’t a guy with the body of Mark McGwire in his heyday (however he obtained that body and strength is beside the point). Ordonez is not a bodybuilder. He’s an old man at the end of his career that has fallen off the workout wagon.
This is the only possible explanation—old age and poor health. Unless, of course, he is indeed injured. But we’re talking about a career .310 hitter with a career .512 slugging percentage. These dropoffs are staggering and hard to fathom.
I hope the guy pulls through I’ve always liked Mags. But if he is to resurrect his season, he’s got to get it done soon. Detroit is getting younger and younger. And the 35 year-old slugger might soon find himself without a job.
Filed under: Uncategorized | Tagged: Clete Thomas, Detroit, Jim Leyland, Magglio Ordonez, Tigers
