Bye, Yanks.

Isn't this just a gosh darn relief? Did anybody think this could have happened? My brother-in-law predicted Tigers in 5...I thought he was being nice. Hopeful is more like it, because he is one of many AL fans that HATE the Yanks with passion unparalleled.

Admittedly, the Yankee hype bothered me. Talk of this being the greatest AL lineup to ever be assembled, Jeter MVP, A-rod slumping, Abreu died fo our sins and so on, and so on...got a little bit on my nerves. Vegas gave the Tigers 1-4 odds and experts were telling you to put you mortgage on the Yanks. All this, plus the sweep by the Royals last weekend messed with my head.

Game 1 broadcasters had the Yankees already winning the series. Phrases like "no matter what happens, the Tigers should be really proud of themselves for such a turn around" really hurt my already delicate baseball psyche.

When the script flipped towards the end of game 2 I could barely stand. I recalled the Red Sox miraculous 0-3 come from behind in the ALCS. I have often wondered what that felt like for the fans. To go from slim to none odds to bulldoze mode. Feels pretty f*ckin incredible.

So now we have what we should have had in the first round...The A's at home. Leyland mentioned adopting the Yankee's silent swagger. I choose to believe we have our own brand now, the swagger that makes a cop smile when you dump champagne on his head. I hope the Tigers can keep her goin. I could really get used to this winning thing.

Congratulations to the great people of Detroit and the fans like myself that long to be there with you. Bless you, Detroit. Bless you boys.