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Detroit Tigers’ Javier Báez builds on stolen-base streak while gaining momentum on offense

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Detroit Tigers’ Javier Báez builds on stolen-base streak while gaining momentum on offense


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Not only is Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez heating up on offense over the past week, he continues to provide elite defense and a perfect record on the basepaths.

The 31-year-old has five stolen bases in five attempts this season.

Even better, Báez has 18 consecutive steals without getting caught, dating back to the tail end of the 2022 season.

“His instincts are incredible,” manager A.J. Hinch said. “He picks up cues really early. He does study the guys. And he’s fearless. That combo will make him take maybe a few more chances than others, but he’s not unprepared. I think he has unique baseball acumen in general, and it comes out in instinctual plays.”

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The streak dates back to a third-inning steal Sept. 16, 2022, against the Chicago White Sox. Báez, now in his third of six seasons with the Tigers, owns the franchise’s second-longest streak since 2012.

On Opening Day, Báez was asked if he wants to steal more bases in 2024.

“I want to,” Báez said, “as long as I feel good and healthy, but you can’t steal first. You got to get to first. I mean, I stole first once.”

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As a team, the Tigers have stolen 12 bases in 12 attempts this season.

But that’s well behind several other franchises this season.

The Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals are tied atop the stolen-base leaderboard with 38. Two American League Central teams are in the top 10: the Kansas City Royals, with 22, and the Cleveland Guardians, with 19 steals. The Tigers, through, rank 19th in stolen bases.

“Base stealing in general has gone up through the roof with the pitch clock,” Hinch said, “and the evolution of best pitches, best shapes. We’re focused so much on the pitcher and what he’s throwing to the hitter. Over the years, the attention paid to base runners has diminished. My trust is all based on whether or not you’re prepared and whether or not your first step is good and you go at the right time with the combination pitcher-catcher, situation of the game.”

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Báez needs four more steals in a row to pass outfielder Quintin Berry’s streak of 21 in a row, the longest streak by a Tiger since 2012. Berry racked up those steals from May 25-Sept. 16, 2012; that season, he hit .258 with a .330 OBP in 94 games.

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Beyond stolen bases, Báez has been steady for the Tigers on defense. He is already worth plus-2 defensive runs saved in 2024. He has fixed his throwing accuracy when fielding routine ground balls, all while making the spectacular plays.

He is consistent on defense.

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And finally, Báez is starting to heat up on offense.

“I’m making adjustments,” Báez said after Thursday’s 9-7 win over the Texas Rangers. “I don’t know what to say. I’m just trying to do my timing and my swing, and if I do my timing and my swing and my plan, and I trust it, I just got to see the ball. It doesn’t matter who’s on the mound.”

In eight games since April 14, Báez is hitting .280 with three doubles, one home run, two walks and four strikeouts, spanning 27 plate appearances. He swung at 49.2% of pitches outside the strike zone in those eight games, an improvement from 51.6% in his first 11 games.

Chasing fewer pitches has resulted in more fastballs.

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And Báez’s swing as of recently has been on time for fastballs, which rarely happened last season.

“That’s what I mean about the plan,” Báez said. “I got a plan, the other team got a plan and the pitcher got a plan. Everything has got to match, and hopefully, it goes the way we want it.”

The improved production on offense is a small sample size, but what Báez has accomplished on the bases is nearly two years in the making. He had the 11th multi-steal game of his career in Sunday’s 6-1 win over the Minnesota Twins.

Báez is a veteran, but he still has above-average sprint speed and elite instincts.

“He’s just a good all-around baseball player,” Hinch said, “and I think that has been an underrated part of his impact throughout his whole career, not just the last couple of years with us, but dating back to the younger days.”

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Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold.

Listen to our weekly Tigers show “Days of Roar” every Monday afternoon on demand at freep.com, Apple, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts.





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Detroit, MI

Teen on moped hit by car after cruising through stop sign in Detroit

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Teen on moped hit by car after cruising through stop sign in Detroit


Photos by FOX 2 Photog Scott Federspiel

A 16-year-old moped driver was hospitalized after a crash on Detroit’s west side on Wednesday night.

The backstory:

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Detroit police say the teen disregarded a stop sign while going east on Vassar when he collided with a vehicle turning south on Outer Drive at about 9:30 p.m. 

Photos by FOX 2 Photog Scott Federspiel

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The boy was taken to a nearby hospital where he is listed in critical condition. The driver of the car, a woman in her 30s, was not injured.

The Source: Information for this report is from Detroit police.

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Chickens, geese found at vacant home after nonprofit reports them stolen

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Chickens, geese found at vacant home after nonprofit reports them stolen


Chickens and geese that went missing from a local nonprofit’s Detroit site were found in the backyard of a nearby home, the director of operations said Wednesday.

The Full Circle Foundation, a Grosse Point Park-based nonprofit, said more than a dozen chickens and geese were believed stolen from a chicken coop on Detroit’s east side that also features the Full Circle Edible Garden.

The nonprofit provides training and job opportunities for young people with special needs.

Neighbors who learned from news reports about the missing flock found the “chickens were being held in the backyard of a vacant home not far from the Full Circle Edible Garden,” said Stephanie DiVirgil, director of operations. She said Ribbon Farm 4-H owns the flock.

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“The homeowner was contacted, and she reached out to Full Circle to confirm,” said DiVirgil. “We were able to retrieve all of the chickens and geese that were found on the property, 19 in total.”

The foundation and Ribbon Farms 4-H are working to secure the site, including cameras, fencing and lights.

“We will likely start a fundraising campaign to have these items installed,” DiVirgil said. “We’ve gotten amazing support from the community, including offers to help pay for these additional security measures.”



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DPD investigating after human remains found in home on Detroit’s west side

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DPD investigating after human remains found in home on Detroit’s west side


DETROIT (WXYZ) — Human remains were found in a furnace of an home on Detroit’s west side, the Detroit Police Department tells us.

The remains was found by an individual working on the home in the 5200 block of S Clarendon just after 11 a.m.

Anyone with information can call 313-596-2260 or CrimeStoppers at 1-800-SpeakUp.

Stay with WXYZ.com for updates on this developing story.

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