First Lady Michelle Obama speaks out about gun control – First Lady Michelle Obama will be making a uncommon venture into politics. The First Lady will be giving a speech on gun violence, which plays a vital activist role during Presidents Obama’s second term. (more...) • Dearborn Heights Relay for Life coming up – Participants in the American Cancer Society’s 24 hour Relay for Life event are gearing up to fight against cancer at Crestwood High School’s football field, 1501 N. Beech Daly Road, on May 11. (more...) • Facebook makes changes to timeline once again – Facebook has made a change to its timeline once again. The change to the timeline was announced in March and was recently unveiled to Facebook users. Users profile page went from cluttered and hard to read, to simple and organized. (more...) • Student loan rates to increase – On July 1, the national rate on student loans is set to double from the current rate of 3.4%, to a new rate at 6.8%. (more...) • Caribou Coffee closes some Michigan locations – If you’re looking for a Caribou Coffee in Michigan after this April, you may be out of luck. (more...) • Habitat for Humanity to build 12 new homes in East Dearborn – For the first time in 26 years, Habitat for Humanity will reach outside of Detroit and into East Dearborn, where homes will be built for twelve lucky families whose dream to have a home will finally become reality. The city of Dearborn and ACCESS hav ... (more...) • Boston Marathon bombed, hundreds injured; federal officials assume terrorism – Tragedy struck the city of Boston during the Boston Marathon on Monday afternoon. (more...) • Hollywood films to be shot in Detroit bring jobs to Michigan – Detroit has big plans for the film industry coming late this spring. Just announced on Monday, April 1st from the Michigan Film Office is the film directed and written by actor, Ryan Gosling, “How to Catch a Monster” has been approved for a film ... (more...) • More News...

Inge: Love Him or Hate Him

Follow @TMJSports

Published April 10, 2012

(Photo courtesy of Keith Allison on Flickr)

BY SAMANTHA ELLIOTT, Editor-in-Chief

Brandon Inge. It’s a name that sends a good majority of Detroit sports fans into instant aggravation. It’s definitely a love-hate relationship both inside and outside the city limits.

I’m sure, since I’m writing this, everyone’s asking one question: What are my feelings on Brandon Inge. Whatever flack it causes, I’ll go ahead and say it. I’m a fan of Inge.

Do I think that he’s the absolute greatest player to ever swing a bat wearing the old English D? Absolutely not. Do I think that he’s helped the team over the past few years? Yes, I do.

I’m sure this will be met with anger from those of you who would have preferred the Tigers not re-sign him. The group who hates him seems to always be growing and I’m finding it hard to find fans to bond with. Maybe I’m crazy or maybe I just have a soft spot for those players that are generally hated by fans.

But isn’t there a reason that he’s still around? If he was truly that bad and the organization, who always seems so close to their salary cap, didn’t actually want him, wouldn’t he be gone? Doesn’t he, more often than not, come around in a cinch? When it’s really needed, such as in 2010, doesn’t he always find a way to shock everyone with a homerun? Doesn’t he always find a way to fly almost horizontal through the air and make an outstanding, diving catch?

I’m sure for every good thing he’s done for the team, Inge haters will find something bad that he did, and that’s fine. The fact of the matter is, he’s still with the team and we should all be focusing on one thing and one thing only; the one thing that we all have in common. The love of the Tigers and the want for the team to have a long season this year.

Although we’re just three games into the season, it’s looking to be a great one. The team went 3-0 against the Boston Red Sox this past week, scoring more runs in three games than any season since 1985.

For any worriers that Inge could cause problems in his new position, you don’t have to worry too much. He’s currently on the 15-day DL and not expected back until next weekend. Leyland has also claimed that Inge won’t be playing every game against left-handed batters. In that case, the position will be given to Ramon Santiago.

Inge, however, seems to be confident of himself.

“There’s not a spot on the field you can’t put me,” Inge said. “I can play short, I can play second, I can play third. Anywhere you want to put me, I can play.”

Love him or hate him, there’s one saying we can all agree upon. Go Tigers!