Charles Brandon Inge ( ; born May 19, 1977) is an American former professional
baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball games, bat-and-ball sport played between two team sport, teams of nine players each, taking turns batting (baseball), batting and Fielding (baseball), fielding. The game occurs over the course of several Pitch ...
third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball or softball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. In the Baseball scorekeep ...
and
catcher
Catcher is a position in baseball and softball. When a batter takes their turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the (home) umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. In addition to this primary duty, the catc ...
and currently a volunteer assistant coach for the
Michigan Wolverines baseball team. He played 12 seasons with the
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. One of the AL's eight chart ...
, one with the
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (frequently referred to as the Oakland A's) were an American Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Oakland, California from 1968 to 2024. The Athletics were a member club of the American League (AL) American League We ...
and one with the
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...
of
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
(MLB). He bats and throws
right-handed
In human biology, handedness is an individual's preferential use of one hand, known as the dominant hand, due to and causing it to be stronger, faster or more Fine motor skill, dextrous. The other hand, comparatively often the weaker, less dext ...
.
Sportswriter
Jayson Stark described Inge as a "super-utility
dervish
Dervish, Darvesh, or Darwīsh (from ) in Islam can refer broadly to members of a Sufi fraternity (''tariqah''), or more narrowly to a religious mendicant, who chose or accepted material poverty. The latter usage is found particularly in Persi ...
." In 2006, his diving stop and subsequent throw from his knees to put out
Gary Bennett in an
interleague game, on June 25 against the
St. Louis Cardinals earned him the
ESPN
ESPN (an initialism of their original name, which was the Entertainment and Sports Programming Network) is an American international basic cable sports channel owned by the Walt Disney Company (80% and operational control) and Hearst Commu ...
defensive play of the year for a third baseman.
Early life
Inge played baseball at
Brookville High School in
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city (United States), independent city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. First settled in 1757 by ferry owner and Abolitionism, abolitionist John Lynch (1740–1820), J ...
, also playing
American Legion Baseball
American Legion Baseball is a variety of amateur baseball played by 13-to-19-year-olds in fifty states in the U.S. and Canada. More than 3,500 teams participate each year. The American Legion Department of South Dakota established the program in 1 ...
. He was named Legion Baseball's 2010 Graduate of the Year. Brookville retired Inge's uniform number (7).
He then attended
Virginia Commonwealth University
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) is a Public university, public research university in Richmond, Virginia, United States. VCU was founded in 1838 as the medical department of Hampden–Sydney College, becoming the Medical College of Virgin ...
, where he played on the
baseball team as a
shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball positions, baseball or softball fielding position between second base, second and third base, which is considered to be among the Defensive spectrum, most demanding defensive positions. Historically, the ...
and
relief pitcher
In baseball and softball, a relief pitcher or reliever is a pitcher who pitches in the game after the starting pitcher or another relief pitcher has been removed from the game due to fatigue (medical), fatigue, injury, ineffectiveness, ejection ...
.
In 1997 he played
collegiate summer baseball
Collegiate summer baseball leagues are amateur baseball leagues in the United States and Canada featuring players who have attended at least one year of college and have at least one year of athletic eligibility remaining. Generally, they operat ...
in the
Cape Cod Baseball League
The Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL or Cape League) is a collegiate summer baseball wooden bat league located on Cape Cod in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. One of the nation's premier collegiate summer leagues, the league boasts over 1,000 forme ...
for the
Bourne Braves where he was named a league all-star. He was
drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 2nd round in the
1998 Major League Baseball Draft.
Career
Detroit Tigers
Inge began his professional career with the
Jamestown Jammers, of the Single–A
New York–Penn League. In 51 games, Inge batted .230.
His 8 homers, 10 doubles, and 29 RBI were all team–high totals.
Previously a shortstop, Inge became a catcher.
Inge was promoted to the
West Michigan Whitecaps
The West Michigan Whitecaps are a Minor League Baseball team of the Midwest League and the High-A affiliate of the Detroit Tigers. They are located in Comstock Park, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids, and play their home games at LMCU Ballpar ...
for the 1999 season, making 100 appearances. In June, Inge put together a
hitting streak
In baseball, a hitting streak is the number of consecutive official games in which a player appears and gets at least one base hit. According to the Official Baseball Rules, such a streak is not necessarily ended when a player has at least 1 pl ...
that lasted for 12 games.
For the season, he batted .244, with 9 homers and 46 runs batted in.
He also stole 15 bases, the highest single–season total for his entire baseball career.
Inge split the 2000 season between the Double–A
Jacksonville Suns and the Triple–A
Toledo Mud Hens. In 78 games with Jacksonville, he hit 6 homers, drove in 53 runs, and compiled a .258 batting average.
Inge saw action in 55 games with the Mud Hens, tallying 5 homers and 20 RBI, but only hitting for a .221 average.
Inge began 2001 in the majors, debuting as Detroit's starting catcher on opening day and throwing out a pair of
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team is named afte ...
baserunners in the game.
On April 6, he got his first MLB base hit, a double against
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The club plays its ...
pitcher
Jim Parque
James Vo Parque ( ; born February 8, 1975) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. Parque played for the Chicago White Sox and Tampa Bay Devil Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB) from to .
Career Amateur career High school
Jim ...
.
On June 24, Inge sustained a dislocated left shoulder. He was put on the disabled list the next day and was out of action for a month before he was sent to the
Gulf Coast League Tigers for a brief rehab stint.
After three games with the GCL Tigers and four games with West Michigan, Inge joined Toledo on August 2 and he remained there until he was recalled by Detroit on September 1.
In 27 games with Toledo, Inge batted .289, with 2 homers, 11 doubles, and 15 runs batted in.
Inge appeared in 79 games with the Tigers, batting .180 and posting 11 doubles and 15 RBI.
Initially signed as a catcher, Inge struggled offensively in his first three seasons. After the Tigers signed free-agent
Iván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez Torres (born November 27, 1971), nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball catcher who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Texas Rangers (baseball), Texas Ran ...
in , Inge played in the outfield, catcher and at third base, batting .287 with 13 home runs that season.
He started 159 games at third base in , and led all AL third basemen in
error
An error (from the Latin , meaning 'to wander'Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “error (n.), Etymology,” September 2023, .) is an inaccurate or incorrect action, thought, or judgement.
In statistics, "error" refers to the difference between t ...
s (23),
assists (378) and
double play
In baseball and softball, a double play (denoted as DP in baseball statistics) is the act of making two outs during the same continuous play. Double plays can occur any time there is at least one baserunner and fewer than two outs.
In Major Le ...
s (42). In 2006, Inge exceeded his 2005 totals with 398 assists. That number broke the
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. One of the AL's eight chart ...
single season record for assists by a third baseman (previously 389 by
Aurelio Rodríguez in 1974) and was only 14 short of the all time MLB record for assists by a third baseman (set by
Graig Nettles
Graig Nettles (born August 20, 1944), nicknamed "Puff", is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman. During a 22-year baseball career, he played for the Minnesota Twins (1967–1969), Cleveland Indians (1970–1972), New York Yankee ...
in 1971). Only five third basemen (including
Graig Nettles
Graig Nettles (born August 20, 1944), nicknamed "Puff", is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman. During a 22-year baseball career, he played for the Minnesota Twins (1967–1969), Cleveland Indians (1970–1972), New York Yankee ...
,
Brooks Robinson
Brooks Calbert Robinson Jr. (May 18, 1937 – September 26, 2023) was an American baseball player who played his entire 23-year career in Major League Baseball as a third baseman for the Baltimore Orioles from 1955 to 1977. Nicknamed "Mr. Hoove ...
, and
Mike Schmidt
Michael Jack Schmidt (born September 27, 1949) is an American former professional baseball third baseman who spent his entire 18-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1972 to 1989. Schmidt was a 12-time Al ...
) have collected more assists in a season than Inge.
In 2006, Inge showed power during the first half, with his 17
home run
In baseball, a home run (abbreviated HR) is scored when the Baseball (ball), ball is hit in such a way that the batting (baseball), batter is able to circle the bases and reach home plate safe (baseball), safely in one play without any error ( ...
s tying for the team lead. His slugging percentage was .463 and he placed third on the Tigers with 47 RBIs. After the All-Star Break, he raised his season average from .221 to .253 and finished with a career-high 27
home run
In baseball, a home run (abbreviated HR) is scored when the Baseball (ball), ball is hit in such a way that the batting (baseball), batter is able to circle the bases and reach home plate safe (baseball), safely in one play without any error ( ...
s. On October 27, 2006, Inge struck out versus
St. Louis Cardinals pitcher
Adam Wainwright for the final out of the
2006 World Series.
Inge became expendable at third base after the Tigers acquired
Miguel Cabrera in a blockbuster trade with the
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. The team plays its home games at LoanDepot Park.
The ...
. Inge asked management to trade him to a team where he would have a chance to be an everyday player. However, a deal was never made, and the team stated that he would be used as a utility player for the 2008 season. Inge reported to spring training early with the pitchers and catchers. He was named the opening day
center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball and softball fielding position between left field and right field. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the ...
after
Curtis Granderson was placed on the disabled list.
With the absence of backup catcher
Vance Wilson, Inge filled this role for the 13-time
Gold Glove winner
Iván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez Torres (born November 27, 1971), nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball catcher who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Texas Rangers (baseball), Texas Ran ...
. Inge took over the catching position full-time after Rodríguez was traded to the
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
on July 30, 2008.
On September 27, Tigers manager
Jim Leyland announced that he would move Inge back to third base for the 2009 season.
Inge opened the
2009 season as the starting third baseman for the Tigers. He started the season by successfully reaching base 24 games in a row, the longest such streak for the Tigers since 1976. Through the first half of the 2009 season, Inge led the team in home runs with 21 and was named to the All-Star team.
Having received a record 11.8 million votes in the
Final Vote, Inge was selected to his first
All Star Game, joining teammates
Curtis Granderson,
Justin Verlander, and
Edwin Jackson on the
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the American League (AL), is the younger of two sports leagues, leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western L ...
squad. Inge participated in the
Home Run Derby
The Home Run Derby is an annual home run hitting competition in Major League Baseball (MLB) customarily held the day before the Major League Baseball All-Star Game, MLB All-Star Game, which places the contest on a Monday in July. In the context ...
and became the eighth player in the history of the Derby to not hit a single home run. He set career highs in games (161) and RBI (84) over the 2009 season, while matching his career high of 27 home runs.
Inge underwent surgery on both of his knees on November 3, 2009. He attended a strengthening and rehabilitation program during the winter. He made a full recovery in time to play midway through spring training, and started at third base on Opening Day of the 2010 season in Kansas City.
On July 19, 2010, Inge was hit on the left hand by a pitch. X-rays revealed a non-displaced fracture of the fifth
metacarpal
In human anatomy, the metacarpal bones or metacarpus, also known as the "palm bones", are the appendicular bones that form the intermediate part of the hand between the phalanges (fingers) and the carpal bones ( wrist bones), which articulate ...
. Doctors said it would take 4–6 weeks to heal, however he returned two weeks later.
On August 26, 2010, Inge achieved his 1,000th career hit against the
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team ...
.
On September 25, 2010, Inge set the Tigers franchise mark for strikeouts with 1,100. In the same game however, Inge had the game-winning hit in the 13th inning against the
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team is named afte ...
.
At the conclusion of the season, Tigers general manager
Dave Dombrowski announced plans to re-sign Inge to a multi-year contract.
Inge received the 2010
Marvin Miller Man of the Year Award, given by the
Major League Baseball Players Association
The Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) is the labor union representing all current Major League Baseball (MLB) and Minor League Baseball (MiLB) players. All players, managers, coaches, and athletic trainers who hold or have held ...
each year "to the player whose on-field performances and community outreach most inspire others to higher levels of achievement."
On June 3, 2011, Inge was placed on the 15-day disabled list with
mononucleosis. In 239 plate appearances with Detroit in 2011, he recorded a .177 batting average, before being designated for assignment on July 20. He was outrighted to Triple-A on July 26. In his return to the Tigers on August 20, Inge went 2-for-4, hitting a home run in his first at-bat and driving in two runs, en route to a 10–1 win over the second-place Cleveland Indians.
As of January 26, 2012, Inge had lost his starting third base job to
Miguel Cabrera who was moving back to the hot corner after the Tigers announced they had signed slugger
Prince Fielder to play 1st base. At the press conference announcing the Fielder signing, manager
Jim Leyland said that Inge "was not a happy camper". Leyland also said that Inge would be able to play second base for the Tigers, along with
Ramon Santiago, and
Ryan Raburn, but Inge was still thinking he should have a full-time job. Brandon continued to play second base with the others as Leyland said anyway. Brandon Inge was released by the Tigers following their game on April 26, 2012.
Oakland Athletics
Inge agreed to sign with the
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (frequently referred to as the Oakland A's) were an American Major League Baseball (MLB) team based in Oakland, California from 1968 to 2024. The Athletics were a member club of the American League (AL) American League We ...
on April 29, 2012, on a $5.5 million deal. The signing provided infield depth for Oakland, who lost
Scott Sizemore to a knee injury. He initially wore number 18, but switched to number 7 after a few games (his old #15 was worn by teammate
Seth Smith). In his first game against the Tigers a week later, Inge hit a
grand slam. On September 1, after dislocating his shoulder for the second time within a month, Inge was forced to undergo season ending shoulder surgery.
Pittsburgh Pirates
On February 12, 2013, Inge inked a minor-league deal with the
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...
. He started the 2013 season on the disabled list. On April 23, 2013, Inge was recalled from AAA. He was designated for assignment on July 23, 2013, and released seven days later.
Post-playing career
On January 29, 2021, Inge was named volunteer assistant coach for the
2021 Michigan Wolverines baseball team
1 (one, unit, unity) is a number, numeral, and glyph. It is the first and smallest positive integer of the infinite sequence of natural numbers. This fundamental property has led to its unique uses in other fields, ranging from science to sp ...
.
Personal life
Inge currently resides in
Michigan
Michigan ( ) is a peninsular U.S. state, state in the Great Lakes region, Great Lakes region of the Upper Midwest, Upper Midwestern United States. It shares water and land boundaries with Minnesota to the northwest, Wisconsin to the west, ...
. In August 2009, Inge received two tattoos, one on each forearm, on a West Coast road trip. The tattoos are the names of his sons, "Chase" and "Tyler".
Brandon Inge Sports New Tattoos
WJBK-TV August 26, 2009
References
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Inge, Brandon
1977 births
Living people
American people of Norwegian descent
Baseball players from Lynchburg, Virginia
Bourne Braves players
Detroit Tigers players
Gulf Coast Tigers players
Indianapolis Indians players
Jacksonville Suns players
Jamestown Jammers players
Major League Baseball third basemen
Michigan Wolverines baseball coaches
Oakland Athletics players
Pittsburgh Pirates players
Sacramento River Cats players
Toledo Mud Hens players
VCU Rams baseball players
West Michigan Whitecaps players