Brandon Inge
Charles Brandon Inge ( INJ; born May 19, 1977) is a former American professional baseball third baseman and catcher. He played 12 seasons with the Detroit Tigers, one with the Oakland Athletics and one with the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). He bats and throws right-handed.
Sportswriter Jayson Stark described Inge as a "super-utility dervish." 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 defensive play of the year for a third baseman.
Early life
Inge played baseball at Brookville High School in Lynchburg, Virginia. He then attended Virginia Commonwealth University, where he played on the baseball team as a shortstop and relief pitcher. He was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 2nd round in the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.
Career
Detroit Tigers
Initially signed as a catcher, Inge struggled offensively in his first three seasons. After the Tigers signed free-agent Iván Rodríguez in 2004, Inge played in the outfield, catcher and at third base, batting .287 with 13 home runs that season.
