ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 11: Austin Jackson #14 of the Detroit Tigers is congratulated by manager Jim Leyland #10 for hitting a home run in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on August 11, 2012 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)*** Local Caption ***Austin JacksonJim LeylandARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 11: Austin Jackson #14 of the Detroit Tigers is congratulated by manager Jim Leyland #10 for hitting a home run in the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington on August 11, 2012 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Rick Yeatts/Getty Images)
By: Pat Caputo
1. Jackson is not only by far the Tigers’ best fielder, but he plays a premier position, center field.
2. Jackson is the only Tigers’ regular with above-average speed. He is also their leadoff hitter, with an on-base percentage of .391, which ranks sixth in the American League.
3. Jackson’s two-run homer, when all seemed to be going wrong for the Tigers Tuesday night, might have turned around their season. They were down 2-0 at the time, and had lost seven in a row on the road. The Tigers won Tuesday and again on Wednesday. Also, The Tigers had just an 8-13 record when Jackson was on the disabled list earlier this season.