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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

Detroit ‘Sloppy Chops’ restaurateur\u00a0killed: What to know

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Detroit ‘Sloppy Chops’ restaurateur\u00a0killed: What to know


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Mourning continued and no suspects were in custody a week after the fatal shooting of Detroit restaurateur and nightlife figure Mikey “Mike B” Brown at the end of February.

Brown was the beloved figure behind the “Sloppy” brand of restaurants, and remembrances have been rolling in online since his death.

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Here’s what to know:

Shooting outside cocktail bar

“Mike B” Brown, 51, and two others were shot about 4:30 a.m. Feb. 28 in the area of 15789 Schaefer, police previously said.

The two others were found in front of the location, and Brown was found across the street, police said.

Police have asked those with information on the shooting to come forward.

There were no suspects in custody and no further updates in the case as of Monday, March 9, according to a statement from the Detroit Police Department.

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Updates on the conditions of the two other individuals shot were also not provided.

Who was Mikey ‘Mike B’ Brown?

Brown was a husband, a father of five and a restaurateur.

He opened Sloppy Chops Restaurant, a steakhouse, in 2020 on West McNichols off the Lodge Freeway and later opened a seafood restaurant called Sloppy Crab, which was renamed the Crab Sports Bar, on East Jefferson Avenue near the Renaissance Center. Brown previously had two clubs, as well.

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His downtown dining spot served as an answer to questions on offerings for Black diners in the city’s renaissance. His other “Sloppy” location showcased successful reach beyond downtown and into the city’s neighborhoods. Brown was also a cultural figure in not only the world of dining, but in the nightlife, the Free Press reported.

When are funeral services for Mikey ‘Mike B’ Brown?

A family hour was set for 9 a.m. March 13 and a funeral was set for 10 a.m. March 13, both at Triumph Church –North Campus at 15600 J.L. Hudson Drive in Southfield.

What’s been the fallout since Mike ‘Mike B’ Brown’s death?

Outside of the community hurt, there’s also been calls for a crackdown on establishments that stay open into early morning hours in residential areas, ClickOnDetroit reports.

How to report tips on Mikey ‘Mike B’ Brown’s shooting

Those with information tied to the triple shooting can contact the Detroit Police Department’s homicide unit at 313-596-2260 or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers at 1-800-Speak-Up or DetroitRewards.tv.

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Detroit Lions need backup QB as Kyle Allen to sign with Bills

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Detroit Lions need backup QB as Kyle Allen to sign with Bills


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The Detroit Lions will need to find a new backup quarterback. Kyle Allen, the 30-year-old ninth-year veteran, will reportedly sign with the Buffalo Bills for two years and $4.1 millions, according to ESPN, reuniting him with his former coordinator Joe Brady.

Allen, who came to the Motor City a year ago after inking a one-year deal, appeared in just three games and attempted two passes this past season as starter Jared Goff logged 98.5% of the team’s offensive snaps at quarterback.

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Allen’s greatest contribution came in the preseason, when he forced the organization to give up on its experiment with Hendon Hooker.

In the competition for the No. 2 job, Allen outperformed Hooker and made the former 2023 third-round pick expendable by bringing his stunted development into sharp relief. While Hooker struggled to move the offense when he was in command, Allen thrived in his four auditions, spearheading one productive drive after another for the Lions. He completed 79.5% of his attempts, throwing for 401 yards and five touchdowns with two interceptions. All the while, he exhibited a good understanding of the Lions’ timing-based passing game, giving management the confidence he could – if needed – relieve Goff in a pinch.

“I feel very comfortable with him,” Campbell said last August.

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But as it turned out, the Lions were never forced to call upon Allen. Goff, who hasn’t missed a start since Week 17 of the 2021 season, remained reliably present.

The Lions hope Goff’s iron-man streak will continue.

But if it for some reason ends, Allen is no longer there to replace him.

Contact Rainer Sabin at rsabin@freepress.com. Follow him @RainerSabin on X.



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Detroit water main break snarls travel on East Jefferson Monday morning

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Detroit water main break snarls travel on East Jefferson Monday morning


Vehicles travel through water collected near water main break in Detroit. 

A water main break in Detroit is causing headaches for drivers and sending water into the streets of one of the city’s east side neighborhoods.

The break involves a 42-inch pipeline at East Jefferson and Burns Drive.

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The breakage happened on Sunday, leaving only one lane open for each direction of travel.

Local perspective:

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A day after the breakage, water was still gathering on the road of Jefferson Avenue.

Video captured of the scene Monday morning showed vehicles driving through ponds of water. Construction equipment were on site along with traffic cones.

The backstory:

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This isn’t the only major disruption to water services in the region.

This weekend, a catastrophic breakage at 14 Mile near Drake impacted several Oakland County communities and thousands of residents.

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Novi and Walled Lake were among those hardest hit by the breakage, which included dramatic scenes of waves of water washing down the road, submerging vehicles.

The Source: FOX 2’s Charlie Langton and previous reporting were cited for this story. 

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