Ordonez having MVP-type season to help keep Tigers afloat

Jun 12, 2007 - 5:03 PM By Cortez Strickland PA SportsTicker Staff Writer

The Detroit Tigers' pitching staff has taken some hits this season. Luckily for the Tigers, Magglio Ordonez is hitting back.

Despite having postseason star Kenny Rogers on the disabled list all season with a blood clot in his left arm and flamethrowing-phenom Joel Zumaya (dislocated finger) and dependable starter Nate Robertson (arm fatigue) recently joining him, the Tigers (36-26) are just one game behind the Cleveland Indians (37-25) for first place in the American League Central Division.

Despite a recent surge from Gary Sheffield, the main reason why Detroit has been able to keep pace is due to the outstanding start by Ordonez, who is having an MVP-type season.

A five-time All-Star whose career in Detroit got off to a disappointing start after he signed a five-year, $75 million deal, Ordonez is showing he is worth the money. The 33-year-old is leading the American League in batting (.367), doubles (30) and OPS (1.108), and is second in RBI (56), on-base percentage (.439) and slugging (.668).

"He's a very smart hitter," Detroit catcher Ivan Rodriguez said. "That's the Magglio that we've known for years and that's the reason that he's putting up those numbers. He's also in very great shape and when you put all of that together that's the reason that he's having the season that he's having right now."

His impressive start this season is a far cry better than his first campaign in the Motor City in 2005, when he was limited to just 82 games because of injuries.

Ordonez said he worked out this offseason at Perfect Competition in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where athletes, including Boston Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Anquan Boldin, have gone to get themselves in shape.

"I worked in the offseason at Perfect Competition, where all the football players train in Fort Lauderdale," Ordonez said. "I worked hard and I've kept working hard and I feel strong."

After making four American League All-Star teams during his first six full seasons with the Chicago White Sox in which he played nearly every day, Ordonez left the team for Detroit after an injury-plagued 2004. He was limited to just 52 games because of two knee injuries, the second requiring surgery.

The outfielder also underwent the knife in his first season for the Tigers for a sports hernia, holding him to 82 games and eight home runs.

However, the real Ordonez showed up last season, when he hit .298 with 24 home runs and 104 RBI to help the Tigers reach their first World Series since 1984. He became the first Detroit player to drive in 100 or more runs since 2000.

"He's a very consistent player with 100 RBI every year and 30 homers, and he's healthy," Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen said. "He knows the league and he's a great hitter that works hard. He knows what he's doing and he's got experience."

Ordonez is on pace this season to set career highs in just about every category, including doubles, where he has a chance to break the all-time record of 67 set by Earl Webb of the Boston Red Sox in 1931.

"It's probably luck more than anything else, but the most important thing is that I'm healthy," Ordonez said. "I've been working to be healthy, be strong and be available to play every day."

Hard work and health. Doesn't seem like much luck at all.