Detroit — It’s enough to make a player wistful, nostalgic even.
Derek Holland, once upon a time, could ring a radar gun — 95 mph, 96, occasionally bump it to 97. And even now at age 34, he can still bring it in pretty firm (94-95 mph in his shorter bullpen stints). Which he can feel pretty good about, until he watches what comes out of 24-year-old Tarik Skubal’s left arm.
“He reminds me of myself when I was younger, throwing absolute cheddar balls,” Holland said with a grin. “I’m at 95 but he’s at 98-99.