Brandon Inge is one of the most polarizing figures in Detroit history, joining the ranks of Dennis Rodman, Chris Osgood, Scott Mitchell and Joey Harrington. (Robin Buckson/Detroit News)
We call it playing "The Card."
On a slow news day on the "Valenti and Foster Show" on 97.1, there are two cards you can play for instant phone calls.
The Lions card because this is a football town.
The Brandon Inge card because people either love or hate him.
Inge is one of the most polarizing figures in Detroit history, joining the ranks of Dennis Rodman, Chris Osgood, Scott Mitchell and Joey Harrington.
Consider some of the times the phone lines lit up:
When Inge said in 2007 he was being pitched to like he was Babe Ruth.
When manager Jim Leyland said in January that Inge was "not the happiest camper" after being told he was being replaced at third by Miguel Cabrera, following the Prince Fielder signing.
When Detroit News staff writer Tom Gage wrote Thursday it was a mistake for Inge not to report early for spring camp.
With subjects like that, Inge can fill the lines for 2-3 hours.
But why are people so passionate about a career .235 hitter who hit .197 last season and has 1,183 strikeouts and 139 home runs in 11 seasons?
"A lightening rod for controversy," said Michael Robb, a Tigers fans from Redford. "His bat is the only issue. He has proven to be clutch at times, but a sub-par batting average obviously shows that those times are few and far between.
"Inge's biggest problem is hitting, and he needs to get with a private hitting coach or make a deal with the devil because if he could hit, then he would have no problems."
People obsessed
Inge plays with a sense of entitlement and confidence. That angers fans.
He is, however, committed to the community and a stand-up guy. Fans like that.
And they like the two 27-home run seasons and clutch playoff hits over the years.
What they don't like is the career average and double-play grounders with one out and runners on first and third.
"Never seen an athlete get so much support from a team, who has done so little," said Jason McWhorter of Wyandotte. "This ticks the die-hard fans off."
The other day, Inge was back in the news, and Valenti, my co-host, wasn't in the mood to talk about him.
"I am annoyed," Valenti said. "I don't think he is a good enough player to warrant this type of discussion, but there is a fascination with him.
"I think people are obsessed with what they think he can do and by what he can't do and it creates a war."
When the wars start, there are people on both sides.
And there are more anti-Inge people than before.
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