After 16 pro seasons the Detroit Tigers reliever/closer Todd Jones has decided to hang up his cleats.

Todd Jones aka “Jonesy” has been bombarded by fans jeers and local media the past couple Tigers seasons - and perhaps his retirement comes a year later than it really should of. But a closers role is not an easy task. Coming into a ball game when it’s usually on the line is difficult enough – let alone during the injury riddled year Jones has endured during 2008.

The 40 year old Jones did manage to save more games for the Detroit Tigers than any other reliever in the clubs history!

Despite the rollercoaster ride Todd put Motown’s faithful fans through on many nights – particularly this past year, we feel he is well deserving of a standing ovation this coming weekend - as the Tigers close out their dismal 2008 campaign against the American League East Champion, Tampa Bay (Just say no to the Devil) Rays.

Tiger’s faithful didn’t have much to smile about in 2008 – but these guys appear to be having a terrific time at the ol’ ballpark!

NOTE: The fan on the right managed his fantasy baseball team to victory in WaiverSharks 1st annual Fantasy Baseball pool. Perhaps this explains his extra exuberance!?

Todd Jones won’t garner Hall of Fame candidacy – but he had a solid Major League Baseball career – anyone who knows him speaks of what a stand out guy he is who possesses a tremendous sense of humor - and he is an accomplished journalist as well.

Despite retiring from baseball we understand he will continue to write.

His web blog can be read here.

Not to mention – “Jonesy” is enshrined in our favorite rookie baseball card of all time!

We gotta hand it to the marketing strategists who work for the St. Paul Saints minor league baseball team.

They recently gave out 2500 bizarre promos that obviously poke fun at Senator Larry Craig and his dubious tap with the rest room police last year. For more on the zany, but effective Bobble-feet promotion, go to their website.

Sales for the item on Ebay Auctions have been brisk - selling for around $75 bucks and higher!

Considering the fact that a member of the Saints marketing team is Mike Veeck, son of legendary major league promoter Bill Veeck, and comedian Bill Murray is part-owner of the team – we can see how an idea like this came to fruition.

Tasteful idea or not - our stance - the promotion sold the little known minor league team out the night of the giveaway, and gained tremendous media attention.

Verdict: Great to see an organization step out of the box a bit, and induce some inventive ideas into a game that essentially has been the same for over a 100 years.

And we gotta admit, we wouldn’t mind one of these to put next to our Dwight!