The 2010 version of Ty Wiggington looks a lot like the 2008 version, at least for a month

Ty Wiggington has had hot starts prior to 2010. Playing for the Rays in April 2006, Wiggington posted a .281 average with eight home runs, 24 RBI, and a .930 OPS. However, it was a hot August in 2008 that best prepared Wiggy for his current stay in Baltimore.

Wiggington had arguably his best-ever month at the dish for the Astros in August 2008: 28 games, .379 average, 12 home runs, 26 RBI, .394 OBP, 1.200 OPS. That occasion resembled what he's now experiencing as an Oriole in at least three ways.

Miguel Tejada was a teammate

In 2008, Wiggington played third base next to shortstop Miguel Tejada in Houston.Wiggington's now at second base (at least for the time being) with Tejada at third.

Think those guys ever imagined they'd reunite, playing different positions in Baltimore two seasons later? 


Constant lineup shifts were the norm

Wiggington is clearly not a creature of habit.

When asked which is his natural or preferred position on the field, baseball everyman Wigginton said: “I don't really have one. I just want to be in that batting order somewhere.”

Emphasis on somewhere.

During his torrid stretch with Houston in August 2008 Wiggington occupied seven different spots in the Astros' starting lineups. Think about that: seven different lineup spots in one month's time.

Wiggington batted first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, or seventh depending on the day. He also pinch hit for the pitcher twice in the nine spot. Wiggington most often batted second, ahead of Tejada, but he also served as protection behind Tejada in the five spot on occasion.

Dave Trembley has taken a page from then-Astros Manager Cecil Cooper's playbook. So far this season, Wiggington has batted second, third,  fifth, sixth, seventh, eighth, and ninth. Just like in Houston, that's seven different lineup spots in one month's time.

Rising to the Red Sox occasion

Wiggington officially proclaimed his status as a Red Sox killer over the weekend with his clutch hitting at Camden Yards. However, this is not new territory for Wiggington.

Consider his career numbers against Boston: 45 games, .303 average, 12 home runs, 24 RBI, .370 OBP, .963 OPS.

The home run and slugging numbers are the best he's posted against any opponent. His OPS split against the Red Sox relative to his total OPS is 142.

In 2008, the Astros faced the Red Sox twice in Interleague play, and Wiggington delivered with a 429 average, home run, RBI, .429, OBP, and 1.571 OPS.

Wiggington's home run came in the bottom of the eighth inning on June 28, 2008 and tied the game between the Astros and Red Sox. The Astros won by one run as part of a sweep of the Red Sox (two games rather than a glorious three-game sweep).

Sound familiar?

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