The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League (Liga Venezolana de Beisbol Profesional, or LVBP) has a very similar format to the Dominican League (if you need a refresher, my Dominican wrap-up is here). The LVBP consists of eight teams: Aguilas del Zulia, Bravos de Margarita, Cardenales de Lara, Caribes de Anzoategui (the team that Magglio Ordoñez is part owner of), Leones del Caracas, Navegantes del Magallanes, Tiburones de la Guaira, and Tigres de Aragua. Their regular season is made up of 63 games from mid-October to the end of December (and like the Dominican league, there are no divisions, so it's a balanced schedule). The top five teams make the playoffs, which is a 16-game round robin. The top two teams after that play a best-of-seven final, and the champion goes on to play in the Caribbean Series. And like the Dominican league, there is a selection draft after each round (though this year's selection draft before the final was wrought with controversy, mostly involving an "old friend" of ours who recently signed with the Baltimore Orioles). Also, each team's roster consists of 34 players, which generally means that starting pitchers (and relievers, to a lesser extent) have a much shorter leash than they would in the United States. A good start from a pitcher would generally consist of 5-6 innings. A seven-inning start is unusual, and anything beyond that is extremely rare (I don't think there were any complete games this season; I know there was one last season, but that was because the starting pitcher threw a no-hitter).

More details and player analysis below the jump...

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Ed. note: Promoted to the front page. Nice wrap-up of Tigers players in the DR this winter. - allikazoo

As a lot of you are aware by now, I am no longer affiliated with Aerys Sports at this time. I am currently in the process of constructing a new website which I hope to have up and running before spring training starts. In the meantime, their loss is your gain, as I would really like to conclude my series on the players in the Tigers organization who played in the Dominican and Venezuelan winter leagues this offseason. And I'll start with the home country of the 2012 Caribbean Series champions: The Dominican Republic.

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A few days ago I stupidly answered the @WhosYourTiger trivia question correctly without paying attention to what the prize was, and I won tickets for Thursday's game against the Mets. This would be wonderful, except I have mandatory lab and can't go, but I don't want the tickets to go to waste (and I don't want the Tigers PR department to be mad at me). Is there anyone here that can and wants to go to this game? They're Pavilion seats and Justin Verlander is the scheduled starter. The only catch: The PR department didn't want to mail the tickets to me, so they're at the Will Call box. I'll try to call the box office and explain the situation (that I can't go and I'm giving the tickets to someone else), but I obviously can't guarantee that they'll believe me. At any rate, let me know if you're interested and we can exchange info via email. Thanks!

I know you guys have probably been expecting me to chime in on this all day, so here I am. I am creating this post not to debate the rationalization of this move, nor to analyze the return. It's too late for all that. I merely wish to use this thread to reminisce and bid farewell to a remarkable person who's had his share of ups and downs. A lot of this will be stuff I've already mentioned on my own blog, but I'll take the risk and share it with the wider BYB community, since a lot of you know how I feel.

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I know there was a FanPost about spring training shortly after the schedule was released, but it's long since buried and I can't find it. I was wondering if any BYBers are going to spring training anytime March 5-10. I'm about 90% sure I will be going, but that is the only week that I'm able to go. If anyone else is there when I am, I'd like to meet up at some point (and if there's anyone out there who is going but undecided as to the date, maybe I can persuade you). I know that several of you are going the week after, so maybe you guys can plan your own meetup on this thread, too. Also, I'd like this thread to be a place where spring training first-timers (like me) can ask questions about good times to arrive at the ballpark, best seats, and any other pieces of advice that the ST seasoned vets can provide.

I hear you guys have been eager for a new Venezuelan Mafia picture. I can't deliver that until spring training, when they get some glamor shots of Victor Martinez in an Olde English D, so for now I hope you enjoy this (Sorry, you'll have to click on the link. I can't seem to embed it). This is why I should never be allowed on Jib Jab. Yes, I am evil. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Feliz Navidad, mis amigos.

http://tigera2001.xanga.com/videos/70bcf1180868/

Great post here. If you don't check out the FanPosts, located on the right sidebar thing --> you're missing out. Check out Erin's blog, Tigers Amateur Analysis, if you haven't been reading it before. -Kurt

It goes without saying that the Tigers have had a problem with runners in scoring position. Last night's game involving stranding a leadoff triple exemplifies that. As of today, the Tigers as a team were hitting .270 overall and .276 with the bases empty, but only .251 with runners in scoring position. The only other team in the majors with such a huge difference in the two situations is the Baltimore Orioles (.261 with the bases empty vs. .241 with RISP). Now, there are a few teams with a dramatic split in the positive direction (the Rays, White Sox, Rangers, Marlins, and Diamondbacks all hit significantly better with RISP than with the bases empty), but generally most teams only have a difference of about five points at the highest.  Now, checking over every team's numbers, it looks as though hitting better with runners in scoring position does not necessarily correlate to being a good team, but right now the only team in a playoff spot with a negative split is the Yankees (.271 with the bases empty, .262 with runners in scoring position). All this raises the question: Why is there a difference in the first place? What is it about runners in scoring position that seemingly strikes fear in the hearts of Tigers? I am opening up this thread to your thoughts.

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Psychology is an element of the game that oftentimes goes overlooked by fans, possibly because it is really difficult to quantify. However, it does have an effect on performance because this is a game played by human beings, and teams know this. At the time of this book's publication (2007), twenty of the thirty Major League teams subscribed to results of one or several personality tests administered to amateur athletes around the country, and teams use these results in their scouting profiles (along with stats and talent evaluations, of course) on who to select come draft day. At any rate, I've become increasingly fascinated by the "mind game within the game," and so my interest was piqued when I came across this book. My review follows after the jump.

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My dad won tickets to the July 10th Mud Hens game at Fifth Third Field. I have an extra ticket, and I was wondering if any of the BYBers would be interested in joining me. The game is at 7:00 and we are in section 208, row B (club level; seating chart is here). In case this'll provide any additional incentive, it'll be Hawaiian Night at Fifth Third Field with a lei giveaway, and there are postgame fireworks. However, it is also Boy Scout Sleepover Night, which means there will be a lot of kids there, just so you know. At any rate, let me know if you are interested.

Because Fifth Third Field is in downtown Toledo, near where the 4th of July fireworks will be held, traffic will likely be severely congested around the entire downtown area (street closures, parking problems, etc). To avoid a lot of hassle, you might want to use the bus system's "Muddy Shuttle." Here's a link to more information. Those of you coming in from Michigan via I-75 would likely find the Alexis Road Meijer (aka St. Rt. 184) stop to be the most convenient. If you have any questions about the Toledo area, feel free to contact me or leave a question in this post.