Have to acknowledge a piece in the SF Chronicle by Bruce Jenkins: Differences give baseball its appeal . He talks about how players’ individual styles and idiosyncracies make the game more interesting. No actual mentions of Tigers, but two Reds players made his list of those on baseball’s personal behavior extremes.

Brian Giles vs. Austin Kearns: Picture a linebacker in a crouch, ready to strike. Call up those old Mike Singletary images. That’s Giles, in the veritable embodiment of his approach to the game. You’re not sure if he’s going to take a swing or catch the pitch in his teeth. Kearns’ hands are quiet, his body motionless, suggesting a cobra waiting to strike. And the beauty is, pitchers aren’t crazy about facing either one of them. …

Garret Anderson vs. Ryan Freel: Anderson never dives for a ball in the outfield, explaining that there’s no substitute for stand-up speed (when it comes to sliding headfirst into first base, he’s got a point). Freel is simply a madman. He’d rather dive than eat. It’s not a good day for the Cincinnati outfielder unless he’s crashed into two different walls, preferably requiring stitches and the insertion of metal plates.

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