Colt Keith looks to represent a “New Wave” of thinking

Growing up in the Detroit suburbs, I was always influenced by my older brother’s music choices. He varied widely in his tastes, from Mötley Crüe to the Pet Shop Boys. I would catch snippets of New Wave music on the radio amid the Top 40 hits.

For those unfamiliar with New Wave, Masterclass.com defines it as a broad subgenre of rock ‘n’ roll that combines elements of punk rock, mainstream pop music, art rock, synth-pop, funk and reggae.

I was born in the midst of the New Wave period, 1978-1982, but its roots can be traced to the mid-1970s. The exact origins depend on whom you ask. Andy Partridge of the band XTC once commented on the genre:

“I don’t want to be called ‘Punk’ — I want to name us before we are pigeonholed by someone else,” he said. “Well, what sort of music do we make? And once I’d seen the Sex Pistols on this video, I thought, ‘Well, it’s just Pop! You can’t call it anything else — it’s just Pop music.’ And that was the revelation. It is just Pop music — let’s call a spade a digging implement!” he laughed. “Let’s be honest about this. This is Pop, what we’re playing.”

So, with all that in mind, let’s dive into something a bit different: How does extending Colt Keith’s contract compare to a music genre that’s faded out but still leaves its mark?

This Must Be the Place For Change

One of the reactions at first among the Tigers fan base was, “Why not Spencer Torkelson, or Riley Greene?” It’s a fair question, but as Colt Keith said in his statement to the press:

“I couldn’t be more excited to reach this agreement, securing my place in this organization for years to come,” Keith said in a statement. “Since being drafted in 2020, all the coaches and staff have been invaluable in helping me and my teammates grow on and off the field. There’s a reason I felt strongly about making a long-term commitment to be here, and being surrounding by incredibly talented teammates and coaches in a big part of that.”

As reported by Evan Petzold of the Detroit Free Press, the Tigers approached Keith’s camp about a contract extension toward the end of December. While Scott Harris deserves credit for getting the extension signed, there is one aspect that cannot be overlooked. Keith was taken by Al Avila in the 2020 MLB Draft. And Avila represents the old guard of how talent was drafted and evaluated.

The Tigers’ fresh approach was further underscored by the hiring of Ryan Garko as Vice President of Player Development. Garko, known for his innovative and forward-thinking approach to player development, symbolizes a significant shift in the team’s strategy, mirroring the transformative and eclectic essence of New Wave music – a blend of the old and the new, creating a distinct and dynamic rhythm for the future of the team.

Players like Justice Bigbie are beginning to exhibit skills that suggest they’re on the brink of reaching the major leagues. This emergence echoes the innovative spirit of New Wave music, breaking from tradition while creating something fresh and vibrant. The development staff used data to identify what Keider Montero could be as a starting pitching, and he vastly improved over the last two seasons.

With a focus on homegrown talent, the Detroit Tigers are cultivating a core reminiscent of past World Series teams in Detroit, signaling a potential resurgence on the horizon, much like the unexpected rise of new genres in music history. No one expected four kids from the Rhode Island School of Design (Talking Heads) to capture the audiences from around the world.

Members of the 2018, 2019 and 2020 draft classes will make up 30 percent of the 40-man roster and some of the core players of the 2024 team: Mize, Meadows, Skubal, Greene, Lipcius, Kreidler, Carpenter, White, Brieske, Torkelson, Dingler, Keith. pic.twitter.com/v0KYScf2yH

— Evan Woodbery (@evanwoodbery) January 29, 2024

Echoes of New Wave: Not Every Prospect Becomes a Chart-Topper

On paper, the Colt Keith contract appears to benefit Detroit greatly. But he may be only the first hit when it comes to the new organizational philosophy of producing contributors on a regular basis. Some may stick around and be everyday regulars, while others may come up and be a one-hit wonder, having a stellar season or stretch before fading in the background.

So, let’s talk about The Vapors. These guys were the real deal in the New Wave scene back in the late ’70s. They hit it big with “Turning Japanese” in 1980, and everyone thought they were just getting started. That song was everywhere, and it totally screamed New Wave. It had this catchy tune that you just couldn’t get out of your head. People were saying The Vapors were going to be the next big thing, kind of like how some rookie players in baseball get hyped up as the future of the sport. For those who remember, former Tigers outfielder Brennan Boesch may come to mind.

But here’s the twist – just like some of those hotshot baseball prospects, The Vapors didn’t stick around at the top for long. They had all this potential, but things just didn’t pan out. It’s a classic story, really – both in music and baseball, where you get this flash of brilliance, and then poof, it’s gone. Kind of a crazy ass ride, isn’t it? Not to say that Colt Keith will head in that direction, but you get the idea.

From Outdated to Cutting Edge: The Tigers’ New Wave Transformation

New Wave music heavily relied on synthesizers and drum machines, influencing even bands like The J. Geils Band, Styx, and REO Speedwagon to incorporate its sounds. Listening to any Hall & Oates record from the ’70s, along with tracks from the aforementioned bands, reveals a clear shift towards the future. This transition is akin to the Detroit Tigers’ current strategy. The signing of Colt Keith signals more than just a new player; it suggests a fundamental change in how the team will be constructed in the future.

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