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MLB Affiliate: Detroit Tigers
Years in IL: 39 Record: 2,472-2,877 Last Governors' Cup: 1967
2001 Finish: 65-79, fourth in West (-19.0)
Manager: Bruce Fields (2nd year) Career- 7 yrs. 467-379
Coaches: Jeff Jones (8th year); Leon Durham (2nd year)
Stadium: Fifth Third Field (10,000)
Projected Starters: 1B - Eric Munson; 2B - Adam Riggs/Craig Wilson; SS - Omar Infante; 3B - Jarrod Patterson/Brian Rios; C - Brandon Inge; LF - Chad Alexander/Ryan Jackson; CF - Andres Torres; RF - Chris Wakeland/Craig Monroe; DH.
Key Pitchers: Starters - RH Adam Bernero, RH Shane Loux, LH Mike Maroth, LH Tim Kalita, RH Brian Powell, RH Seth Greisinger (on injury rehab). Relievers - RH Oscar Henriquez, RH Shane Heams, RH Kris Keller, RH Terry Pearson, LH Eric Eckenstahler, RH Bill Simas.
Items of Interest: The biggest news in Toledo is the opening of the Hens' new ballpark, Fifth Third Field. The new downtown park replaces Skeldon Stadium, the converted race track that served as home for the Hens ever since the team rejoined the IL in 1965...The Mud Hens are looking for the team's first winning season since the 1995 team finished at .500, a span of six seasons...Each of the last eight seasons has seen a different team win the IL title...aren't the Hens due
Strengths of the club: The Mud Hens have a large number of key players from last year's Erie team that won the Eastern League's regular-season title, including Munson, Infante and Torres...The roster includes a number of players who have had success at the Triple-A level...The roster also has a number of players with experience playing a variety of different positions, giving manager Bruce Fields a great deal of flexibility...The pitching staff has a number of arms with Triple-A experience...The new ballpark is expected to give the team a boost, especially psychologically.
Weaknesses of the club: In recent seasons the Tigers have been hit hard by injuries, and a number of players who were expected to play for the Hens instead have spent a great deal of time in Detroit. For example, last year Ryan Jackson was expected to be a regular in the Toledo lineup; instead he played only nine games for the Hens and played the bulk of the season in Detroit...Uncertainty in the Detroit roster may cause moves that affect the Hens...If the Tigers fall out of the pennant race early, they may be tempted to call up some of the organization's top prospects to see how they fare in the majors...The Hens don't have much experience up the middle, especially with Infante (zero Triple-A games) at SS and Torres (zero games) in CF.
