Magglio Ordonez News: Pro Sports Daily

After rough start, Ordoñez nails .300 season

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October 5

Detroit Free Press

"Magglio Ordoñez is the first Tiger in more than 50 years -- since Harvey Kuenn in the 1950s -- to hit .300 in three straight seasons. "Nice," Ordoñez said, "especially for where I came from. It's huge." Where he came from: At the end of July, Ordoñez was hitting .258. Then he hit .348 in August. And since Sept. 1, he's hitting .441. Ordoñez clinched his .300 season Sunday when he went 4-for-4 and raised his average six points to .309."

Maggs a 'big-game player'

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October 5

Detroit News

"Magglio Ordonez gathered newspapers, showing a picture of him missing a fly ball in Saturday night's loss to the White Sox, and tossed them into the garbage prior to the game. Then he put together a 4-for-4 performance -- including his first home run since Aug. 16 -- in the Tigers' 5-3 victory in Game No. 162 on Sunday afternoon at Comerica Park. Ordonez is the Tigers' hottest hitter -- his hitting streak is at 12 games (22-for-44) entering Tuesday's one-game playoff with the Twins for the American League Central title. "Magglio's Magglio," Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson said. "A lot of people doubted him throughout the course of the whole season, just like they doubted us. He's ..."

Ilitch responsible for bringing Maggs back

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September 8

Detroit Free Press

"After the Tigers swept Tampa Bay on Sunday, I had a question for Magglio Ordoñez. "It's becoming pretty obvious you'll be back with the Tigers next season. How do you feel about that?" He replied without hesitation. "I'm really happy," Ordoñez said. "I want to be back next year, for sure. I'm real excited." For his return to Detroit next season, Ordoñez can thank anew the same man who personally orchestrated his arrival as a free agent: Tigers owner Mike Ilitch. Ilitch signed Ordoñez to a five-year deal that is guaranteed through this season. The contract stipulates that Ordoñez would stay with the Tigers next season -- with an $18-million salary -- if he were to play a prescribed amount ..."

$18M option for Ordoñez isn't worth the risk

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August 19

Detroit Free Press

columnist Drew Sharp

"The addition of Aubrey Huff confirms the Tigers' seriousness about winning now. He's not a star, merely a reliable veteran bat they'll camp in the fifth spot in the order and perhaps reintroduce this offensively bereft team to the concept of occasionally driving in runners in scoring position. Of course, he left five on base in his Tigers debut. He's officially a Tiger now. The Tigers had better win now. Barring an influx of common sense in the closing weeks, it looks like the Tigers will have an $18-million Magglio Ordoñez contractual albatross around their throats next year. That means relying even more on younger, cheaper players and hoping that the American League Central remains as ..."

$18M option for Ordoñez not worth the risk

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August 19

Detroit Free Press

columnist Drew Sharp

"The addition of Aubrey Huff confirms the Tigers' seriousness about winning now. He's not a star, merely a reliable veteran bat they'll camp in the fifth spot in the order and perhaps reintroduce this offensively bereft team to the concept of occasionally driving in runners in scoring position. Of course, he left five on base in his Tigers debut. He's officially a Tiger now. The Tigers had better win now. Barring an influx of common sense in the closing weeks, it looks like the Tigers will have an $18-million Magglio Ordoñez contractual albatross around their throats next year. That means relying even more on younger, cheaper players and hoping that the American League Central remains as ..."

This clunker would help Tigers cash in

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August 2

Washington Times

columnist Dan Daly

"Wouldn't it be great if Congress included sports in its Cash for Clunkers program? The Tigers, I've gotta believe, would be happy to trade in Magglio Ordonez for $4,500. ••• A physics professor and his team at the University of Tokyo have developed a robotic pitcher that, at some point in the not-too-distant future, might be able to do everything human hurlers do - only better. The mechanical moundsman doesn't have a name yet, but since it throws only 40 mph, I'd suggest... well, how do you say "Jamie Moyer" in Japanese? ••• Even in the early stages, the robopitcher is remarkably lifelike. For instance, it overheats if it has to work on less than four days' rest, it's reluctant to throw ..."

Tigers trying to use Magglio Ordoñez, Carlos Guillen to spark offense

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July 29

Detroit Free Press

"The combined return of Magglio Ordoñez and Carlos Guillen continued Tuesday night. They started in the same game for the third time since Guillen's return Friday from the disabled list. It has been the supreme feat of the Tigers' season that -- despite a lot less production than was expected from Ordoñez and Guillen -- the team has been in first place since mid-May. (How subpar has the offense been at generating opportunities? The Tigers entered Tuesday 10th in the league in runs and had left the fewest runners on base of any American League team.) When Guillen returned Friday, it seemed that he and Ordoñez might, in a way, platoon. The switch-hitting Guillen can't start against ..."

Magglio Ordonez's grand slam powers Tigers victory

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July 22

Detroit News

"Get them back home and they're better. Get them back home and they're good. Get them back home -- and they win. The love-hate relationship of the Tigers continued Tuesday night with a 9-7 victory over the Seattle Mariners at Comerica Park. Not an easy triumph despite the seven-run lead the Tigers had after the second inning. Not easy despite Magglio Ordonez's grand slam, solo shots from Placido Polanco and Miguel Cabrera, plus Rick Porcello's first trip to victory lane since June 18. Not easy, most of all, because the Mariners also kept hitting home runs. But after scoring five runs in three games while getting swept in New York, the Tigers quickly got well with five runs in the first ..."

Got $5,000? Maggs' hair is up for sale

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June 26

Detroit Free Press

"Magglio Ordoñez's hair just keeps on giving. Not only has Maggs gone 3-for-8 with a home run and a couple of RBIs since he had it cut, those game-worn curly locks are up for auction on eBay with proceeds going to charity, as he promised Wednesday. It includes a skybox for a Tigers game and an autographed bat, but no one had come up with the $5,000 starting bid by Thursday evening. Even I don't miss hair that much. How much for Jim Leyland's mustache?"

Benching Ordoñez may benefit team and slumping OF

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June 22

Detroit Free Press

columnist Drew Sharp

"Jim Leyland left four voice messages for agent Scott Boras on Friday. He thought Boras unfairly attacked his integrity, publicly questioning the Tigers' motives for benching Boras' struggling client, Magglio Ordoñez, as more contractually motivated. Leyland burned like a Marlboro pursed between his lips when he read the story. Nobody assaults his character without a direct response. Leyland had ready a more telling, unfiltered comparison of Ordoñez's diminished power production this year from last season for Boras. But Boras didn't call him back until Saturday afternoon. The problem was that Leyland was a little busy then and didn't have his cell phone available. He was managing a game. ..."

Magglio Ordonez awaits decision on return

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June 22

Detroit News

"Tigers manager Jim Leyland still has not decided whether to start Tigers outfielder Magglio Ordonez on Tuesday against the Chicago Cubs at Comerica Park. He said he wants to think about it and figure out what is best for the ballclub and Ordonez. Leyland has sat Ordonez the last four games trying to clear his head and get out of a power slump that has seen him hit .273 and hit two home runs. Leyland said Ordonez has taken the time off well and the two joked around a bit Sunday before the Tigers' 3-2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. "I am going to take a day off to think a little longer on it," Leyland said. "I would like for it to be Tuesday, but I am not sure." Once Ordonez ..."

Magglio Ordonez might return to lineup Tuesday

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June 21

Detroit News

"Tigers manager Jim Leyland said Saturday that outfielder Magglio Ordonez might return to the lineup Tuesday against the Cubs, giving him five days of rest. Leyland said last week he wanted to give Ordonez, who is slumping, time off to clear his head. Leyland was not thrilled with comments from agent Scott Boras, who criticized the benching in a story in The Detroit News. "Scott Boras might be better off if he leaves Magglio Ordonez and myself to handle this instead of him, because Magglio Ordonez will be back in the lineup," Leyland told reporters before the game. "When you beat your head against the wall and continue to do it, sooner or later you say, 'You know what, this isn't working. ..."

Agent Boras not happy with Ordoñez's benching

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June 20

Detroit Free Press

"Although he admitted he hasn't spoken with anyone in the Tigers' organization, agent Scott Boras finds the timing of outfielder Magglio Ordoñez being sent to the bench troubling. He finds the timing curious because if Ordoñez reaches a certain number of plate appearances, his club option for next season becomes guaranteed. "He's been through situations like this before, and he didn't get benched then," Boras said late Friday night. Boras' comments came after Tigers manager Jim Leyland interrupted the news conference announcing his contract extension to say Ordoñez was not benched. Leyland said it's simply a matter of running out of ideas in trying to get Ordoñez's bat jump-started, and ..."

Agent defends Ordonez

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June 20

Detroit News

"All the players who figure in the Magglio Ordonez drama were on hand, or heard from, Friday on the second day of Ordonez's vacation from the starting lineup. Ordonez: He arrived at his locker in the Tigers clubhouse at 6 p.m., fresh from a workout and wearing a sweat-stained t-shirt. It was as much of a sweat as Ordonez would break Friday as the Tigers and Milwaukee Brewers prepared to play at Comerica Park. He is being benched by manager Jim Leyland in an attempt to let a star bogged down by a season-long slump find his old batting touch. "Yes, it's embarrassing," Ordonez said, saying that he would simply "prepare myself to play every day" while he waits for his once-fearsome bat to ..."

Tigers bench Magglio Ordoñez

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June 19

Detroit Free Press

"Magglio Ordonez, homerless in a career-high 38 straight games, is on the bench indefinitely. Manager Jim Leyland said he believes he's "tried everything" to get Ordoñez ignited. He has moved him around the batting order. He has given him days off. Ordoñez has taken extra hitting practice and studied tapes of his at-bats. Asked how long he would keep Ordoñez out of the lineup, Leyland said, "Indefinitely." He declined to elaborate, but said he might even withhold Ordoñez from pinch-hitting. "I'm going to get him away from it," Leyland said. "He's beating himself up. Just let him breathe a little bit and see what happens." Ordoñez has two homers, none since late April. He's hitting .273 but ..."

Tigers bench Magglio Ordonez

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June 19

Detroit News

"The Tigers have benched slumping right fielder Magglio Ordonez. They're not calling it that. Manager Jim Leyland is only saying, "I'm going to get him away from it." But when asked to elaborate how long Ordonez will be out of the starting lineup, Leyland replied, "indefinitely." Ryan Raburn was to start in right field Thursday night in the series finale against the Cardinals. Ordonez, 35, has been able to maintain a respectable .273 batting average, but it's been an empty number. He has driven in only six runs since his last multiple-RBI game May 15 and has only two home runs and 22 RBIs for the season. In a bases-loaded situation Wednesday night, in a game the Tigers lost 4-3, Ordonez ..."

Tigers should cut losses with Magglio Ordoñez

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June 7

Detroit Free Press

"The Tigers have a difficult decision approaching: What to do with struggling outfielder Magglio Ordoñez? There's little room for sentiment when a once proficient slugger wanes. The memories resonate as though they were yesterday -- the pennant-clinching home run in Game 4 against Oakland three years ago and the American League batting title the following season. Ordoñez remains one of the genuinely nice people in baseball, always equipped with a smile. But he's not getting the job done. His .357 slugging percentage entering Saturday was only 77 points higher than his .280 batting average. That's indicative of a No. 8 hitter who's batting third in the order. The season is one-third ..."

Ordonez feels better at plate

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June 1

Detroit News

"He was hitting .225 when it started, and is hitting .280 now that it's over. Magglio Ordonez's 16-game hitting streak, his longest since 2005, ended in the Tigers' 3-0 victory over the Baltimore Orioles on Sunday. "I'm feeling good, though," he said. "My rhythm's better." Better than in his first 27 games, that's for sure. In those 27, he hadn't yet doubled. Looking more like himself, he's doubled seven times since. He's not slugging much, no home runs during the streak, but at least he's finding holes he wasn't finding before. "Mac (hitting coach Lloyd McClendon) is right about Magglio," manager Jim Leyland said. "When he gets his hands up where they are supposed to be, he has a ..."

Tigers will put Magglio Ordoñez on bereavement list Monday

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May 18

Detroit Free Press

"Outfielder Magglio Ordonez will take a leave starting Monday to be with his wife while she undergoes a medical procedure. Leyland said Saturday that Ordoñez would miss Tuesday and Wednesday games against Texas and said Ordoñez might not return for the Thursday afternoon finale of the series. The Tigers are allowed to add a replacement to the roster and will do so either late Monday or early Tuesday."

Magglio Ordonez leaving Tigers to be with wife

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May 18

Detroit News

"Magglio Ordonez will miss at least the first two games of this week's series against the Texas Rangers as he attends to his wife, who is undergoing surgery. The Tigers right fielder will be placed on "bereavement leave," which will entitle the Tigers to call up a replacement player from the minors leagues. That player is not expected to be named until today or Tuesday, when the team begins its three-game series at Comerica Park. Ordonez, 35, had a double in three at-bats in Sunday's 11-7 victory over the A's and is batting .256, well beneath his .311 career average. But he has had four doubles in the past week after amassing only three extra-base hits during the first month of the ..."

Magglio Ordoñez's early numbers are alarming

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May 13

Detroit Free Press

columnist Michael Rosenberg

"It's early, OK? Let's start with that. It's early in this Tigers season, too early for rash judgments about Magglio Ordoñez. If the season were a day, you'd be throwing your alarm clock against a wall ... well, actually, it's not quite that early. It may be too early to bench or release Ordoñez , but it's not too early to wonder about him. Here are some of Ordoñez's numbers entering the Tigers' game in Minnesota Tuesday night: .241 batting average, 108 at-bats, three extra-base hits, sixth in the batting order, 35 years old. I mean, the numbers could be worse. His cholesterol level could be 500. But those numbers are disturbing. It's not too early to ask questions. And with Ordoñez in ..."

Ordoñez won't remain as DH, Leyland says

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May 7

Detroit Free Press

"If the Tigers and Chicago White Sox had not been rained out on Wednesday, Magglio Ordoñez would have been Detroit's designated hitter for a second consecutive game. But manager Jim Leyland insisted Wednesday afternoon that Ordoñez won't have the role on a permanent basis. "He's not the DH," Leyland said. "He's DH-ing. We don't have a DH. We've got about five of them." Leyland was prepared to have Ordoñez play rightfield on Wednesday, but hitting coach Lloyd McClendon suggested that Ordoñez, 35, take one more day to focus solely on his hitting. Two years removed from an American League batting title, Ordoñez is hitting .232 with two extra-base hits in 26 games. So, what's going on? Well, ..."

Four of the top five Tigers hitters are below average for April

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May 1

Detroit Free Press

"Carlos Guillen hit .230, Magglio Ordoñez batted .241, Placido Polanco hit .256 and Granderson checked in at .241. Among the top five hitters in the Opening Day lineup, only Miguel Cabrera has met or exceeded expectations so far. Yet, entering Thursday's games, the Tigers ranked in the middle of the American League -- seventh among 14 teams -- with a .265 batting average. More important, they are within a half-game of first place in the AL Central. "Looking at numbers, I'm like, 'Man,' " Granderson said. "We're still hanging in. That's what you need to do. It's almost like an injury. When guys go down, you have to find a way to pull it up. So far, the top of the lineup hasn't been where we ..."

Magglio Ordoñez starts slow, feels good

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April 12

Detroit Free Press

"Magglio Ordoñez has played in 26 games this year, including the World Baseball Classic, spring training and the first week of the regular season. And in his 85 at-bats, Ordoñez has one extra-base hit -- a double for Team Venezuela. Is that a cause for concern? Not yet. His final swing on Saturday resulted in a fly ball to the warning track in rightfield that might have been a home run in more hitter-friendly environs. "It's going to come," said Ordoñez, who has three RBIs this year. "Sooner or later, it's going to come. If you put pressure on yourself, you're not going to do it. "I feel good. I feel strong. My at-bats have been good." Ordoñez, after all, is hitting .304 after going 1-for-3 ..."

Magglio Ordoñez admits booing hurt him

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March 27

Detroit Free Press

"Magglio Ordoñez stepped to the plate at dusk Thursday, wearing the familiar Tigers uniform that had been tucked away since February. He was cheered warmly by a big crowd at Joker Marchant Stadium. Fans seemed happy to see him again. It was a much different reception from one he encountered the last time he played a game in Florida. Ordoñez was booed loudly by some Venezuelan-American fans in Miami during the second round of the recently completed World Baseball Classic. The jeers were in response to Ordoñez's support for Venezuelan President Hugo Chávez. Ordoñez had appeared in a television ad for Chávez's successful campaign to abolish presidential term limits. On Thursday afternoon, ..."

Magglio Ordonez booed by his own fans in WBC

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March 15

Detroit Free Press

"So I went to a baseball game, and a political demonstration broke out. This sort of thing tends to happen when flags are waving and tempers are flaring, as they were Saturday afternoon at Dolphin Stadium in the opener of this World Baseball Classic second round. Not saying Magglio Ordonez is unpopular with Venezuelans who have escaped Hugo Chavez's revolution, but here's a partial list of concepts his countrymen seem to like more these days, at least the folks that have moved to these parts. Corporate greed. Widespread hunger. Toenail fungus. "I don't know who's going to get the worse boos, you or me," Venezuelan manager Luis Sojo joked with his star left fielder before Saturday's 3-1 ..."

Tigers not actively shopping Ordonez

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November 16

MLB.com

"While the Tigers noted increased trade talks in recent days as baseball's free agency hunt heats up, their stance on their most speculated trade target remains the same. "We're not looking to trade Magglio [Ordonez]," team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski said. That isn't to say Ordonez is untouchable, Dombrowski cautioned, but he isn't being shopped. To that point, Dombrowski discussed the subject again Friday, when he spoke about the team's ticket prices on the upcoming season. "This kind of became a runaway train, to me," Dombrowski said. The issue is a touchy one in the Detroit area, where Ordonez and the long locks on his head have become one of the most recognizable sights ..."

If Magglio Ordoñez is dealt, best place would be Angels

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November 5

Detroit Free Press

"On Tuesday, agent Scott Boras downplayed the possibility that Magglio Ordoñez will be traded this off-season. He referenced the limited no-trade protection that would allow the Tigers' star rightfielder to block a trade to all but 10 clubs. Dave Dombrowski, the one man who knows the full extent of Ordoñez's availability/unavailability on the off-season trade market, is not going to say anything publicly about the matter. I do not know as much about this situation as Boras or Dombrowski. But here's how I view it: • I believe the Tigers will, reluctantly, listen to offers on Ordoñez this winter. • I also believe that it would be difficult for a deal to occur, for a variety of reasons: the ..."

Scott Boras: Tigers' Magglio Ordoñez won't be traded

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November 5

Detroit Free Press

"One central question of the Tigers' off-season is whether they will trade star outfielder Magglio Ordoñez as a way to fill multiple needs with a single deal. Scott Boras, Ordoñez's influential agent, said the 2007 American League batting champion was not going anywhere. "Magglio's a great, extraordinary hitter, and everybody wants him," Boras said Tuesday during the second day of the general managers' meetings. "It would be a big loss and a very difficult guy to replace. "I think it's very unlikely that Magglio would be moved. The fact is he has control over where he goes, for the most part." Boras was referring to Ordoñez's no-trade clause, which allows him to block deals to all but 10 ..."

Magglio Ordoñez to return tonight after being out since June

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July 17

Detroit Free Press

"The Tigers optioned Clete Thomas to Triple-A Toledo on Wednesday, clearing the way for star outfielder Magglio Ordoñez to return for tonight's series opener in Baltimore. Ordonez has not played since June 28 because of a pulled oblique muscle, and the Tigers are 7-7 without him. His absence was most evident in three one-run losses to Minnesota last week. The Tigers' offense was inconsistent throughout that series, and Ordonez's return could help revive the lineup. "Magglio is our (Albert) Pujols," manager Jim Leyland said Sunday. "Anytime you get those guys back, it's big.""

Ordoñez expected to rejoin active roster after the All-Star break

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July 13

Detroit Free Press

"Magglio OrdoÃ±ez may appear in a one-game injury rehabilitation assignment with the Class A West Michigan Whitecaps on Monday, Tigers manager Jim Leyland said today."

Ordonez's injury might have Star-tling effect on Tigers

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June 30

Detroit News

"Will he be an All-Star? And if he is, will his current injury affect his ability to play in the game? Magglio Ordonez went on the 15-day disabled list on Sunday because of a pulled oblique. He won't be able to play again for the Tigers, that means, until after the All-Star break. But he could be chosen by the players as an All-Star. What then? "Let Mother Nature take its course," Ordonez said, before not accompanying the Tigers to Minnesota and Seattle. "I'm thinking instead of not being able for a while to help my team win games." On Sunday, the Tigers started rookie Clete Thomas in right, and he responded with a pair of singles. There's more playing time in the offing for ..."

Ordonez placed on Tigers' disabled list

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June 30

Detroit News

"The Tigers are going to be without Magglio Ordonez for a while. Because of a pulled oblique, Ordonez was placed on the 15-day disabled list before Sunday's game. After leaving Saturday night's game because of the problem, he said he also experienced discomfort overnight -- so the Tigers didn't hesitate in making a move. They recalled outfielder Matt Joyce from Toledo."

Maggs leaves game with spasm

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June 29

Detroit Free Press

"Tigers rightfielder Magglio Ordonez left Saturday's game in the third with a spasm in the right side in his upper body, the club announced. Ordonez will be further examined Sunday. Manager Jim Leyland said earlier before tonight's game that Ordonez would rest Sunday, marking the first game this season he hasn't started. Ordonez left the game after he retreated slowly on Troy Tulowitzki's leadoff drive over his head in the third inning. Tulowitzki got a double. Ryan Raburn replaced Ordonez in right."

Sore back sidelines Ordonez

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June 29

Detroit News

"Tigers right fielder Magglio Ordonez left the game against the Colorado Rockies early in the third inning Saturday night just after Troy Tulowitzki doubled over his head in right field. Ordonez, who ran off the field, had a spasm in the right oblique and latissimus dorsi muscle and will be further evaluated Sunday. The latissimus dorsi -- or lat as it frequently is referred to -- is the large flat muscle in the back that extends from just under the armpit to the lumbar area. The oblique is a lateral abdominal muscle."

Maggs should be among few Tigers to make All-Star roster

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June 15

Detroit Free Press

"The Tigers had 11 previous All-Stars on their Opening Day roster. Three weeks from now, we will find out how many are still All-Stars. Detroit had five last year -- Carlos Guillen, Magglio Ordonez, Placido Polanco, Pudge Rodriguez and Justin Verlander -- in addition to manager Jim Leyland and the coaching staff. This season's delegation at Yankee Stadium on July 15 will be considerably smaller. For all their well-known players, the Tigers are in fourth place. The American League roster will probably reflect that."

Ordoñez isn't fooled by many of the top relievers

May 27

Detroit Free Press

"If you want to have a lifetime average well above .300, you've got to get hits off the tough pitchers sometimes. For Magglio Ordoñez, those times can be in the ninth inning or later. In compiling the .312 lifetime average he brought into Monday, Ordoñez has done superbly against some of the ace relievers whose job is to get saves. All these figures for Ordoñez's regular-season career are from STATS LLC and supplied by ESPN.com: • Ordoñez is 7-for-13 off the Yankees' Mariano Rivera. That's the Rivera who has more than 450 saves in the regular season and 34 more in the postseason. • Ordoñez is 3-for-4 off Kansas City's nasty Joakim Soria. • He's 4-for-5 off Cleveland's Joe ..."

Hit Parade! Ordoñez leads Tigers with 2 HRs, 6 RBIs

May 25

Detroit Free Press

"Magglio Ordoñez was 3-for-3 with two homers and six RBIs -- after four innings. On a night where every Detroit starter had at least one hit, Ordoñez was the star of stars when he tied a career high for RBIs in a game with six in the Tigers' 19-3 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. He finished 3-for-3 with a walk and four runs scored."