Charles Brandon Inge [INJ] (born May 19, 1977, in Lynchburg, Virginia) is a third baseman (converted from catcher) playing for the Detroit Tigers. He bats and throws right handed.
Though he is a decent hitter, Inge is best known for his excellent defense and strong arm. In 2006, his diving stop and subsequent throw from his knees earned him the ESPN defensive play of the year for a third baseman.
He attended the Virginia Commonwealth University, where he was a shortstop and relief pitcher. Inge was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in 1998.Initially assigned as a catcher, Inge struggled offensively in his first two seasons. After the Tigers signed free-agent Ivan Rodriguez in 2004, Inge played in the outfield and at third base, batting .287 with 13 home runs that season.
Inge has proved to be a 3rd basemen with remarkable range. He started 159 games at third base in 2005, leading all MLB third basemen in assists (378) and double plays (42). In 2006, Inge exceeded his 2005 totals with 398 assists. [1] That number broke the Detroit Tigers single season record for assists by a 3rd basemen (previously 389 by Aurelio Rodriguez in 1974) and was only 14 short of the all time MLB record for assists by a third basemen (set by Graig Nettles in 1971). Only five third basemen (including Graig Nettles, Brooks Robinson, and Mike Schmidt) have collected more assists in a season than Inge. His 2003 range factor of 3.44 was 60 points higher than the AL average for 3rd basemen.
In 2006, Inge showed a lot of power during the first half, placing second on the team with 17 home runs but batted for a poor average of only .221. His slugging percentage was .463 and he also placed second on the Tigers with 47 RBIs. After the All-Star Break, he raised his average to .251 and finished with 27 home runs.
On October 27, 2006, Inge was struck out by St. Louis Cardinals closer Adam Wainwright to end the Tigers season in game 5 of the World Series and give the St. Louis Cardinals the championship, winning that game 4-2.