Detroit Tigers: The legend of Akil Baddoo

He makes Superman seem lame by comparison. He makes Chuck Norris look weak. He is the destroyer of baseballs, the conqueror of worlds, and the crusher of dreams. He is…Detroit Tigers outfielder Akil Baddoo.

Hyperbole aside, it is difficult to envision a better start to one’s major league career than what Baddoo has accomplished. He hit the first pitch he saw in a regular season game for a home run, kicking off his career with a literal bang. Then, in his second game, Baddoo belted a grand slam, furthering his legend.

Akil Baddoo becoming a Detroit Tigers legend

Baddoo kept the good times rolling on Tuesday. He entered the game as a pinch runner for Jonathan Schoop in the eighth inning, only to be erased on a double play. However, he made an impact in the bottom of the tenth, when the Twins made the mistake of intentionally walking Robbie Grossman with one out and a runner on third to get to the Tigers’ outfielder.

That was a mistake. Having the right handed Hansel Robles pitch to the left handed Baddoo was akin to throwing an injured seal to a shark. He ripped Robles’ 2-1 offering down the right field line for the game winning RBI, further adding to his burgeoning legacy.

There have been plenty of players who had a hot start to the season, only to fall back to earth in the following days. We remember when Tuffy Rhodes belted three homers on Opening Day, or when Carlos Delgado had an incredible power surge in his first two weeks in the majors.

Right now, Baddoo is on fire. He has carried over his momentum from spring training to the regular season, becoming an unlikely star in Detroit. However, pitchers will eventually adjust, forcing Baddoo to make his own adjustments to continue to be the star he appears to be right now. If that happens, then Batman may really be sleeping in Akil Baddoo pajamas.

Akil Baddoo has become a Detroit Tigers legend due to the impressive start of his career. Now he just has to keep that going.