Keith Beauregard announced that he is leaving Detroit Tigers today after facing significant issue in the team….

CHICAGO — Andy Ibáñez was prepared, waiting, and observing when the Chicago White Sox had a left-handed reliever warming up in the bullpen.

Ibáñez had been focused on this moment, like a predator pursuing its prey. Though he seems mild-mannered and amiable, there’s a burning within. Even at the tiniest moments, his focus is evident. He was the only batter for the Detroit Tigers in spring training bullpens, following the ball but never swinging against live pitching. Once more, he was there during spring training games, imagining at-bats while standing on the dirt above the dugout and attempting to perfect his timing despite being scheduled to bat fifth in the next inning.

a first-season sweep
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – MARCH 31: On March 31, 2024, in Chicago, Illinois, Andy Ibanez, #77 of the Detroit Tigers, hits an RBI single in the ninth inning of a game at Guaranteed Rate Field against the Chicago White Sox. The White Sox were defeated 3-2 by the Tigers. (Image courtesy of Getty Images and Nuccio DiNuzzo)
Written by Cody Stavenhagen
31 March 2024
Chicago Andy Ibáñez was set, waiting and keeping an eye on a left-handed reliever that the Chicago White Sox had warmed up in the bullpen.

Ibáñez had been focused on this moment, like a predator pursuing its prey. Though he seems mild-mannered and amiable, there’s a burning within. Even at the tiniest moments, his focus is evident. He was the lone hitter left standing for the Detroit Tigers in the spring training bullpens monitoring the ball but never swinging when you go up against live pitchers. Once more, he was there during spring training games, imagining at-bats while standing on the dirt above the dugout and attempting to perfect his timing despite being scheduled to bat fifth in the next inning.

And there he was on Sunday at Guaranteed Rate Field, stepping up to the plate when the White Sox, behind with two outs in the ninth inning, brought in lefty Tim Hill. This was the match that Ibáñez and the Tigers had been looking forward to all day, and there was a runner in scoring position.

Tigers manager A.J. Hinch stated, “I think he’s looking forward to the lefties coming out and warming up more than anybody in the building.”

In fact, in the Ibáñez, the star of the Tigers’ pinch-hit-heavy world, has become the quintessential embodiment of HinchBall, HarrisBall, or whatever you want to name it. Ibáñez did not start on Sunday, but he was on the field for almost the entire game preparing for potential situations, watching films, consulting with hitting instructors, and practicing his trademark visualization techniques.

Ibáñez subsequently stated, via an interpreter, “I’ve been preparing for this opportunity since the beginning of the game.” “I am aware of my responsibilities within the team, and I am grateful that A.J. provided me with this chance.”

When the time finally arrived, Ibáñez, who faced left-handers with an OPS of.819 last year, hit a hard sinker low and another hard sinker in. He hit another sinker on the third pitch of the at-bat and forcefully sent the ball sailing toward left field. In the ninth, Matt Vierling scored a goal and circled third to give the Tigers a 3-2 lead. The pivotal point in the third game of the Tigers’ three-game sweep this weekend in Chicago was Ibáñez’s single and the game within the game it signified.