The unsuspected stranger
Had better know the truth of wrong from right,
Cuz the eyes of a ranger are upon you,
Any wrong you do he's gonna see,
When you're in Texas look behind you,
Cuz that's where the rangers are gonna be

I have to admit I have a soft spot for this player who is the focus of our December Daily Double POTD.

Joe Inglett takes over at second base at the Rogers Centre September 7th after Aaron Hill takes off for Florida for the birth of his baby girl.  Inglett had started the game in right field.

Inglett drew a leadoff walk against the Twins Scott Baker in the first inning and came around to score on an Adam Lind double at the Rogers Centre September 10th.  Lyle Overbay waits to congratulate Inglett with the game's first run in a 3-2 Jays victory.

The 31 year-old Sacramento native was claimed off waivers by Texas this past Friday and that ends his three season tenure in Toronto.  Inglett began his major league career with Cleveland in 2006 and hit .282/.332/.383 in 64 games with eight doubles, three triples, two homers and 21 runs batted in.  He also stole five bases and was caught only once.  However, Inglett couldn't get out of AAA Buffalo in 2007 where he hit just .253 and he was put on waivers in early September  to make room for his future Las Vegas 51's teammate David Dellucci.   The Jays snapped him up on the waiver wire and he made his debut as a pinch runner September 21st against the New York Yankees.  Inglett wound up getting a single and stealing a base as the Jays pulled out a 5-4 win in 14 innings in the Bronx Zoo.   His Rogers Centre debut came in the season finale September 30th when he went 2-for-4, including a triple and two RBI.  He ended the season with a nice .600/.600/1.600 line in his five plate appearances with Toronto.

Inglett proved his versatility in 2008 by playing second, third, short and all the outfield positions.  He did play 15 games for AAA Syracuse but avoided an extended stay there not once, but twice because of last minute injuries.  Inglett got the majority of his playing time at second when Aaron Hill suffered a concussion in that fateful collision with David Eckstein in Oakland.  "Mighty Joe" played in 109 ballgames and was a .300 hitter for most of the season before finishing up with a .297/.355/.407 line.  He also collected 15 doubles, seven triples, three homers and 39 RBI.  Inglett was sixth in the American League in triples and was seventh in sacrifice hits with eight.

Unfortunately for Inglett, he was a victim of the number games in 2009.  With a healthy Aaron Hill, the acquisition of Kevin Millar and still having an option remaining on his contract, Inglett began the year at AAA Las Vegas.  He also suffered a hamstring injury there and that affected his play during a brief call up to Baseball North in May.   However, Inglett regained his form in Vegas where he hit .360/.422/.516 and won PCL Player of the Week honours in early July.  That helped him earn another call up to Toronto in August.   Inglett was demoted again before being called back up for good in September.  With the Jays, he hit .281/.347/.348 but only had four doubles and a triple while stealing three bases in four tries.

Inglett will have extra incentive to make the Texas Rangers opening day roster as the Jays are at the Ballpark in Arlington to kick off the 2010 season.  He also hopes to be around when the Rangers visit Toronto May 14-16 and September 6-9.  I hope the fans will applaud him when he makes his return.  He was the "infield version" of fan favourite Reed Johnson.  All the best to "Mighty Joe" and I hope he kicks ass like Chuck Norris!!