roarof2006

Yanks win Igawa rights with $26M bid

2006-11-29T06:33:00.000-05:00

"The Yankees are a team with a lot of tradition," Igawa said at a news conference in Osaka. "They get a lot of media attention, like the Tigers do."

Huh? Can the Tigers accurately boast that they are "huge in Japan"?

It Wasn't Really Close, Was It?

2006-10-28T11:11:00.000-04:00

By Mike McClary, The Daily Fungo

Watching the on-field celebration at Busch Stadium and it definitely stings.

A magical season — one we didn't see coming — ends in a fashion we didn't see coming. Was it too much to ask to go from not-quite-worst to World Series? Maybe. But the Detroit Tigers owned the Central Division for most of the summer, they stunned the New York Yankees in the ALDS and then won the American League pennant.

Would we have taken that on Opening Day? You bet.

Still, when you reach the World Series you want to win. When your team is the overwhelming favorite to win that World Series, you expect to win.

Someday soon we'll think back to this season and this World Series and see it as the foundation for a terrific future. I'd like to think that this is the first of many postseason appearances and, eventually, World Series championships.

As much as we still think fondly of the 1984 team, they gave us just one (thrilling) championship and we clung to it.

Until this year.

I believe this team will produce more than a few championships. The future isn't merely bright — it's blindingly so.

Sure, it will be a while before we can even start to think about 2007. But when we do, at long last, we can realistically look forward to next year.

The Dream Season from out of nowhere was one for the ages. They just came up short.

Yep, it definitely stings.

Good Omens

2006-10-27T14:27:00.000-04:00

Yeah, stuff is looking grim right now. But there are a few good omens to be aware of, in case FOX didn't beat them into your head already.

1. The past two times the Tigers and Cardinals have met in the World Series, the winner of Game 4 has lost the Series.

2. In 1968, the Tigers lost Game 1, won Game 2, and lost Games 3 and 4 before coming back to win in seven games. Through four games, the Tigers have again followed this exact pattern.

3. If the Series goes to Game 7, and the Tigers rotation stays the same, Little Nate Robertson would start. He wears number 29 and is lefthanded. Know who else wore number 29 and was lefthanded? Mickey Lolich.

4. Our Tygs are always at their best when everyone says they're finished, that they can't do something. All year, their trademark has been amazing comebacks. It's time for a BIG one.

GO TIGERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Having Faith!!

2006-10-27T10:47:00.000-04:00

I know things don't look really great right now and maybe they won't make it, but whatever happens they have given fans one great ride this year. Now instead of 4.5 months without baseball, we'll have 3.5. There will be an American League pennant flying over the ballpark next spring and the very young team will be one year smarter.

Me? Well, I plan to watch three more games and see the Tigers go all the way this year. I'm going to be happy that we've have one hell of a team that is a team - not a bunch of individuals that earn unsightly large salaries. And I have nothing but good words for Jim Leyland and his staff.

GO TIGERS!!!!

Where did this come from?

2006-10-27T10:20:00.000-04:00

I heard many many many reasons why the Detroit Tigers would not win the ALDS, then why they couldn't win the ALCS, and not so much the Series. Looking back, I do not ever remember hearing that the Tigers would lose because of their bullpen. They also never mentioned the Tigers defense, or errors.

Here I am saying to you and everybody "This is not over"!! Maybe I am still trying to convince myself, maybe I am still baffled as to how we got in this jam!

The Tigers will be OK. I know this because:
We lost game 1 because of a couple of errors, and what I believe to have been a great game pitched by Reyes.
Our only win in game 2 is heavily over shadowed by you know what!
Game 3 was obviously not meant to be, because we couldn't buy a hit!
Game 4 last night was ours to lose, looked great early, and looked horrible late! chalk up a loss!
Tonight Game 5 can go 1 of 2 ways, We can win by playing baseball like we have played over 100 ball games this year, or like we have played this series filled with errors, no urgency, and overall boring ball play!

Come on now, the time is NOW if it ever was!!! Let's Go Tigers!!!!

Stunning… But True! Little Known Facts About Last Night's Rainout

2006-10-26T18:58:00.000-04:00

Last night's rainout of Game 4 of the World Series of Baseball (aka "The Fall Classic") has provided us with more astonishing and timeless lore to add to the seemingly already saturated annals of this fine pastime of ours. For instance:

Did you know?
- That the last manager of an MLB club to have smoked and entire carton of cigarettes during a World Series game in a National League park was way back in 1935, when Creighton "Uncle Grampy" Stubbs (NYG) smoked a full carton of cigarettes and ATE another during his teams victory over Pittsburgh to square the series at two. (Last time in an AL park - Clancy Schmancy, 1917, 1.22 cartons smoked, 0 eaten.)
- That I spent less money at the bar last night than I would have were the game to have been played?

Thanks to the Elias Sports Bureau for fact checkin' the smoking for me.

Bonderman. I've enjoyed watching him pitch in these playoffs more than anyone on the Tig.'s staff. Championships were what was in mind when he was swapped for Weaver, and now he is here and we are here, what, five years later?

optimism

2006-10-25T14:11:00.000-04:00

what ever happened to being optimistic, keeping the faith. everyone is freaking out and i think we will be fine...........and if not we can say we made it this far! i am proud of those boys no matter what. its the fair weathered fans and the bandwagon jumpers that seem to be doing nothing but complaining. GO TIGERS! win or lose you have support

Game 4 Prediction Thread

2006-10-24T23:16:00.000-04:00

Another must-win (I'm getting tired of these). Bonderman vs. Suppan this time. The Tigers need to get the bats working asap, and remember to display some patience at the plate.

Tigers 2, Cards 1.

There's Still A Game to Be Played, Right?

2006-10-24T14:30:00.000-04:00

Despite the fact that it's all but forgotten that the World Series does resume tonight, a fact obscured by the strained attention on Rogers' hand, the ball, LaRussa's perceived observance of the Code of Baseball Insiders, etc., it is true that there will be a game between the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals around 8:30 p.m. EST tonight. Don't believe the hype. We're still trying to win this thing.

Interesting Question Which, For More Than One Reason, As Far As I Can Think, We'd Rather Not Posed: In the event that the Tigers face elimination on Thursday night, does Leyland send Rogers to the hill, in St. Louis, amidst all of this crap? Just a question. It'd be, of course, Verlander's slot. Hmmmm… I think the answer has to be "Yes." Won't be an issue, though.

Enjoy the game tomorrow, Barry - this would've been my best shot at attendance too, and, well, crazier things have happened.

Todd Jones

2006-10-23T21:15:00.000-04:00

I'm posting this a bit late, but I figure it's a good story so better late than never. I went to Game 1 hoping to talk to Todd Jones, despite the fact that he told a reporter he wasn't even talking to family that day. He lied, big time!

I've known Jonesy about four years, since he was with the Rockies, and I've liked him since he was a Tiger the first time. I met him first in San Francisco, when I was trying to get Gabe Kapler's autograph on a sketch. I have a sketchbook full of drawings of (mostly) old Tigers, and I was trying to get them all signed. Anyway, Kappy and Jonesy were both with the Rockies, and not only did Jonesy come over and chat, he got Kappy and also brought back three baseballs. Such a nice guy. I saw him again with the Marlins, when I was looking for an Easley sketch autograph. This time Jonesy hand carried the thing out to Easley, who was taking grounders at short. Jonesy crouched protectively in front of him while he signed it, then brought it back. He and Brian Moehler (yet another ex-Tyg) were both with the Marlins then, and they got me onto the bit of warning track by the rightfield bullpen for a picture!

This year, when Jonesy came back to the Tigers, I decided to finally sketch him, having felt lots of guilt about how nice he's been to me and how I never drew him because of his mustache. But I didn't get the sketch done in time for the Oakland series (during which Jonesy leapfrogged Mike Maroth as my favorite Tiger by taking me out on the field to meet most of the bullpen plus Curtis Granderson and Marcus Thames.) So Game 1 was my shot.

I got there early and saw Jonesy in rightfield, schmoozing with all the fans. I yelled his name and he came over near my part of the fence, though he didn't see me. I squeezed into the autograph crowd with my original sketch and a copy for Jonesy. At a lull, I finally got his attention.

When he recognized me, he got all happy and gave me a big hug. He was so gleeful that I finally did a sketch of him! He signed it, writing that this was the best he'd ever looked. He asked how I got tickets, where my Dad was, etc, just chatting away. I don't care how nervous he makes me in the ninth sometimes, I absolutely love Todd Jones. He handed the rolled up copy to a security guy with instructions to make sure it got back to his locker. I didn't stop shaking with excitement until about fifteen minutes later, haha.

Game 3 Prediction Thread

2006-10-23T20:59:00.000-04:00

Nate Robertson against Chris Carpenter. Carpenter was pummeled by the Tigers during interleague play, and though he's had two consecutive strong postseason games, I feel another pummeling coming on. Pudge gets hits and RBIs.

Tigers 8, Cards 4.

What say you?

Prom Week For Tigers, And Pimples Are Breaking Out

2006-10-23T12:43:00.000-04:00

This is prom week, and the Tigers look in the mirror and what to they see?

Ack! A pimple -- Curtis Granderson and his rusty gate of a swing. Gasp! More acne -- Pudge Rodriguez and his 0 for 19 slump. Yikes! Is that another blemish? Yes -- in the form of suspect hitting with RISP.

The Tigers have acne, and this is a bad week for it.

The fact that the team is tied with the Cardinals, 1-1, in the World Series, is encouraging, but the Tigers have exactly 24 hours to find their offense.

You're not going to win too many games leaving as many runners on base as the Tigers did in Game 2. Walks will haunt you defensively; leaving RISP will do the same offensively.

Unless you have Kenny Rogers pitching for you, that is.

Rogers' scoreless streak in the postseason now stands at 23 innings, and had he not been on the mound last night, a tied Series would not be a given this morning. At one point, the linescore read: Detroit, 3 runs, 10 hits; St. Louis, 0 runs, 1 hit. Yet the Cardinals were not going away, mainly because the Tigers didn't shoo them away. You see it all the time, in every team sport: Team A dominates for most of the game statistically, yet can't deliver the knockout punch. Team B gladly accepts the new life and steals the game at the end. Just ask the Arizona Cardinals after their Monday Night Meltdown against the Bears.

Granderson, who's done a marvelous job of cutting down his strikeout frequency in the postseason, has been a non-factor in Games 1 and 2. Same with Pudge, who is all messed up right now. But both are due, and if the law of averages is just that -- a law -- then let's hope it's still on the books, for the Tigers will not win three more games with Grandy and Pudgey gathering more collars than a lucky policeman.

The World Series is tied, but it feels like the Tigers are slightly behind. I still believe they'll win two of three in St. Louis, and finish it off at home in Game 6. But I'd sure feel better about that prediction if some folks would get off the schneide.

Huh!?

2006-10-23T09:09:00.000-04:00

The cloud I floated to work on after a GAME 2 win was quickly grounded when I walked in the door. A coworker called The Gambler a cheater. I wanted to punch him in the neck. Since I went right to bed after the game, I missed the next 6 hours of ESPN "smudgegate" coverage. Are you f*!#ing kidding me? ESPN kills me with this crap. Now I'm seeing stills from other playoff games and every little shadow on his palm might as well be dripping with pine tar. America has voiced their opinion and tagged Rogers as a cheater EVEN THOUGH...after he washed off the "dirt" he still looked like Christy Mathewson!

That said, isn't it good to have Casey back!

An Inning To Remember

2006-10-22T18:14:00.000-04:00

Well, my first World Series experience was fantastic. At first. I'll deal with the negatives off the top and shove those aside. Saturday was a bad game for our guys, and we all know it. I have my own doubts and feelings about what happened, but I've decided not to share those. This time of year is no time for negative mindset or doubts. The good guys just have to calm down a bit, and make Jeff Weaver work tonight - something they didn't do against Reyes - and I think they'll be fine. Reyes pitched a hell of a game, but his job was made much easier by some Detroit impatience at the plate. Kenny should give them a good chance to win, and if they do that, this series is back on track.

My experience on Saturday was incredible. I drove four hours to Windsor from Toronto, listening to as much Tiger talk as I could find. As soon as I got downtown, I could tell that Tiger Fever had spread across the border. "Welcome to Detroit" Tiger banners were on every streetlight, and storefronts were fairly obvious with their support. Tunnel buses were lined up, waiting to bring people to Comerica Park, and I was on one of them.

Had my second experience with a snarky border guard in two months. This guy saw fit to tell me I "got took" on the price of my ticket, for some reason. First of all, I don't think anyone has ever been "took," although some people may certainly have been "taken." Second, you're just pissy because you have to work through the game and you guys don't even have a TV. Jerk.

The Park is gorgeous. I know some people aren't crazy about it, but I think it looks great. The sunken design was a great idea. The walls don't tower above you, but rather invite you to come closer to have a look at where baseball lives. The former SkyDome (now Rogers Centre) in Toronto is a hideous warehouse by comparison. Being around thousands of excited Tiger fans was an experience I will not forget. I've never seen them play when it has really meant something, so it was quite a thrill to know that all of us were there for a reason.

The view from my seat was perfect - I'd rather be second row in the upper deck than 30 rows back at field level - and I was introduced to the people next to me within minutes of sitting down. When the pregame production began, the crowd was electric. There was even an ovation when the grounds crew revealed the World Series logos on the field. The last time I'd been part of a loud Tiger crowd was the last game at Tiger Stadium, so I was eager to scream my face off and swing my rally towel around. After the first inning, it looked like everything was going to work out well, and then we know what happened. What really surprised me was how quiet the crowd became after the Pujols homerun. We were only down by three, but people were dead in their seats. They seemed to recover a little in the 7th, but were shut down again when Pudge flew out to the warning track. We all kind of knew they were done at that point.

I was incredibly happy for a little while before the game, and a short ways into it, but it's hard to shake off the disappointment when you see something like that live. I feel good about the series after coming home, and reading Gum Time. As long as I know the guys are relaxed, I feel good about their chances. Hopefully they - and all of us - can remember who they are and how they got there. I think we may be too quick to get down on the Tigers - likely because we're used to having our hopes crushed - and we need to recall the ALDS and get our heads up again. Our guys don't suck anymore. And they're not just going to start again.

I'll update this post with a few pics after game 2. Go get 'em, Gambler!

Mike

Game 2 Prediction Thread

2006-10-22T12:11:00.000-04:00

Kenny Rogers, who gets better with age, against former Tiger Jeff Weaver, who looks to have matured a bit himself. The Tigers need this win in a big way.

Tigers 3, Cards 2.

What say you?

I'm in.

2006-10-21T13:38:00.000-04:00

I just bought Game 4 tickets. Bonderman vs. Suppan. Lot's of potential history making could happen but I can't discuss for fear of a jinx (not Jenks). I wish I could party down with all of you down in MoTown but I'm out of vacation days and Busch Stadium is a helluva lot closer.

I promise to take lots of pics and post a few as I encourage everyone else to do. Post those pics. Even if you're not going to the game. Let's see you in that old Nokes jersey that's 2 sizes too small. This is all about a community of diehard Tig fans sharing their experiences.

Big thanks to everyone who has taken time to post. Tigers fans have to be some of the most literate and thoughtful folks in the northern hemisphere. Enjoy the game. Byb.

Game 1 Prediction Thread

2006-10-21T08:10:00.000-04:00

Verlander vs. Reyes? Reyes???? C'mon!!!!

Tigers 7, Cards 3.

Are we there yet?

2006-10-20T19:04:00.000-04:00

Are we there yet? A question we have all asked as kids sitting in the car waiting to arrive at what seems like, at the time, an unattainable destination. We waited and waited as the landscape we watched through our backseat window seemed to never change. We thought we would be in that backseat forever looking at the same drab, dull scenery. Much the same is our journey as Tiger fans these last 17 years. A long, painful journey with no end in sight. Along the way we have lost many of our traveling companions who finally could not take the monotony any more. But what's this in the distance? I can just barely make it out...it's our old friends holding a sign that says, "Tigers World Series or Bust!!" Well, shame on you for abandoning us, but climb on in. While it may be sweet for you when we get there, it will truly be heavenly for all of us who never left this long, long, LONG trip. We remember passing through such landmarks as Brumley At Short, Munson Behind the Plate, and a long 119 mile trek through a town just called simply 2003. So rejoice, kids, the time is here! Are we there yet? We sure are.

Sports Savior?

2006-10-20T09:40:00.000-04:00

I am not from Detroit, I live 3 hours West in the South West corner of Michigan. Some may say I have no business writing this, but its my feelings and it will help us think as we come into this highly anticipated weekend!

I used to live in Chicago, I have been known to call Chicago, my favorite place in the world(mainly because it is). I however also have my ties to Detroit, whether it is concerts, sports, or anything else the town has to offer. I have been to Joe Louis Arena, Cobo, Fox Theater, Comerica Park, Tigers Stadium, Ford Field, The Palace, The Silverdome, to name a few. I know The Palace and the Silver Dome are not in Detroit, but to me it counts!

How can a guy like me, whom got lost every time I went to Detroit become a guy who goes to Detroit every chance I get? Detroit to me is a mysterious town. I am 25 years old so I don't know Detroit any other way than it is now.

I ask myself can Detroit get out of this funk? The city has potential, I challenge anybody to dispute that. It is going to take money and time, but will it happen?

In the past 3 years Detroit has held an impressive list of Sporting events:

NBA Conference championship games in each of the last 3 years
NBA Finals 2 of the last 3 years
NBA Playoffs each year to get to the championship games.
Super Bowl
MLB All Star Game
2006 World Series
2006 MLB Playoff series

These must bring in a lot of money from outside the city. How can this not help? I have been downtown recently it is improving. The streets are getting better, it is getting cleaner. The problem remains with people though. The city needs to attract people and give them reasons to move to Detroit. Detroit is proving that sports cannot go at it alone. Detroit needs JOBS!! MICHIGAN needs JOBS!! With some good commercial jobs and offices coming into Detroit it could be one of the best places to live in the USA. Downtown with a good face lift could be spectacular. Aside from the ball parks, the only decent area is down by the waterfront!

Sorry to bother everybody, but this kind of bothers me!

Ticketb*stard

2006-10-19T14:30:00.000-04:00

Barry was good enough to ask me to contribute here, so here's a post on my own blog at www.thesomethingorothers.com detailing how I almost had two heart attacks while trying to get World Series tickets.

Monday - 09:59:57
Mike logs on to Ticketmaster.com to select tickets for game 2 of the World Series in Detroit.

10:00:02
Mike logs on to Ticketmaster.com with his laptop on another wireless network to select tickets for game 6 of the World Series

10:14:21
Mike is told he has a ticket for game 2. He is pleased, as his strategy of avoiding the rush for game 1 appears to have worked.

10:14:23
Mike selects email delivery to ensure he has his tickets.

10:14:25
Mike begins filling in his info. He has 60 seconds before his ticket is released. After entering his credit card info and muttering, "I can't believe this is happening," he finds that the "country" field under "billing info" is locked. Apparently, if you want your tickets emailed, you have to live in the United States. Quickly backtracking, Mike changes his delivery choice, then re-enters his credit card number, only to find that his session has timed out. Mike looks quickly to his laptop, and finds that his browser has lost his data and is no longer refreshing. Having lost his game 2 ticket, and any chance at a game 6 ticket, Mike hears a crack. He looks down to his hands to see that the remote to his office television has somehow been crushed to pieces.

10:26:00
All games are sold out.

10:26:30
Mike adds Ticketmaster to "The List"

Later that night, however, I was told about Stubhub by a friend, so I had a look. Not sure how, but I managed to find a nice Upper Deck club seat for not much of a markup. So, I'm going to game one. I'll blog the heck out of Saturday for anyone who cares to read.

Mike.

The Scene and Heard: ALCS Game 4

2006-10-18T16:58:00.000-04:00

First off, many thanks to Barry for asking me to contribute to The Roar of 2006 blog. Nothing like the community of Tigers fans and bloggers coming together online. Here's a post that originally appeared on my blog The Daily Fungo.

By Mike McClary — The Daily Fungo

Saturday's game, including the pre-game and the aftermath, was a celeb-fest, Detroit style. And then some.

Here's a random sampling:

Doug Hill, a regular contributor to the blog and podcast, reports that a mutual friend who works in the Ilitch organization saw two notable ex-Tigers in the stands on Saturday: Bobby Higginson and former team CEO John McHale. Apparently Higgy went unnoticed by his fellow spectators and McHale, curiously, was allowed back into the ballpark despite his flawed design work on the place.

Can you imagine what it must have been like for Higgy? A former toast of the town, as Doug put it, to anonymous soul looking for his seat? Before I heard this I was wondering what Tram and his coaching staff and guys like Higgy must have been thinking last night. Somewhere Gabe Alvarez is smiling, I'm sure.

Before the game Steve and I walked over to the Tigers dugout area. I wanted to see if I could connect with DFP guests Pedro Gomez of ESPN and Mario Impemba of FSN Detroit. As luck would have it, the two men were talking to each other when we got there and were close to the stands.

I waited for the right moment and called out to Gomez and Impemba. Surprisingly, they remembered me and — even cooler — they remarked to each other that they were both DFP guests. It went something like this: “You were on his podcast? I was on his podcast.” Outstanding, stuff. The security guard wouldn't let me down to the railing to talk to them despite Gomez telling him it was okay. Nevertheless, Gomez agreed to come back on the podcast. Now that's what I'm talkin' about.

Against my better judgment, I ventured out to the concourse to buy a dog and a Pepsi. The lines for the mens rooms were record-breaking. The fellas finally got to experience what it used to be like (and still might be for all I know) at Joe Louis Arena. Anyway, as I watched the Tigers bat in the fourth a large man in a mustard-colored sport coat (and shoes to match) stood next to me and catch a glimpse. It was Impemba's broadcast partner Rod Allen. Those shoes though. Man...

In other news, how great was it to see that at long last Fox fired Steve Lyons? He was awful and sophomoric. He tried to be funny all the time and never offered any worthwhile analysis. Word is that he lives in Scottsdale; maybe I can boo him in person soon.

As we walked to the car last night I was again amazed at how quickly knock-off/counterfeit merchandise can hit the streets. There was a guy selling AL Champions stuff (or maybe it was World Series, I couldn't make it out for sure) on a blanket spread across the sidewalk. Yes, people were buying.

Speaking of gear, I wanted to go to the big Tigers shop at the park but once we got there the line was clear out of the store and extended down the concourse. No thanks. I'll have to buy online.

Do you remember? Part 2

2006-10-17T13:32:00.000-04:00

There was much ado about Snoods and skipping around the bases in 06 but get a load of Marty Castillo fluttering like a sparrow. Tram looks hobbled as he makes his way to the party...as fast as his pirate legs can take him.

Do you remember? Part 1

2006-10-17T10:05:00.000-04:00

Showing the bat boy some love, that's just the kind of team we had. This Detroit Free Press shot made me think Gibby was riding a bull.

A Contribution from SE Wisconsin

2006-10-16T21:45:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Barry for the invite to participate.

I moved from Michigan to southeast Wisconsin in May 1984. In those pre-Internet days it was tough to follow the Tigers unless you could catch a clear signal from WJR or they were playing the White Sox on WGN cable.

The thing I remember most about that team is what reminds me so much of the 2006 team. There was a different hero every game, from the stars like Trammel, Whitaker, Gibson, and Morris to no-names like Rusty Kuntz, Johnny Grubb, and Ruppert Jones. They had such a team focus, and nobody was in it for their own glory or their own stats.

I credit Leyland so much for this attitude. That is one old-school baseball man in charge of this team, and he's a perfect fit for what they needed.

What a pleasure to anticipate the start of the Series! Hopefully we experience this build-up for many Octobers to come!

In Lieu of the Standard Playoff Layoff Coverage

2006-10-16T20:46:00.000-04:00

So now we wait. Of course, as we all know, the Detroit Tigers will play in their first World Series in nearly twenty years this coming weekend, and there will be plenty of ESPN commentary on how this layoff will either, a) crush momentum/render players' enthusiasm and focus weak/allow for a lot of time to let distractions set in, etc., or, b) give the team time to mend and rest/focus/prepare, etc. I am of the belief that neither of these things really matter to professional athletes because they are, after all, professionals - meaning that they already live and breathe their sport to a degree that we, as fans, cannot really comprehend or understand and that layoffs like this, or, on the other side of things, pressure packed travel days and gruelling schedules really have such little impact on their performance on the field, but serve more as fodder for the media, and for fans like us. Just be prepared to hear a lot of this talk in the coming days. For us, let's blog away……
A note about Trammell: Wasn't sure he was the best choice as manager, in fact, when it was announced that he'd assembled the 1984 Tigers as his staff it seemed a petty attempt to generate fan interest in Detroit for a waning and perenniallyy failing franchise. Publicity. Now, despite my love of him and the Tigers staff, I must admit that during his tenure I was constantly critical of his handling of his roster and his handling of the pitching staff. It always seemed to me that he wouldn't let the kids throw whenever they got within a hint of trouble, and it also seemed he was not putting his best lineup on the field when, in late 2005 when still sniffing the wildcard and hovering around that .500 mark he'd regularly pencil in what seemed to me the wrong choices, youth over experience. In any event, he was fired, something I wholeheartedly agreed with as it seemed to me that he was not going to make the right competitive decisions that would be needed to make this team a winner, something of which, even in the years directly following '03, I was convinced they were capable. This, of course, just comes from years and years of disappointment and losing, and I am now more than willing to concede that Tram and his staff were doing a good job of exercising what were likely directives from above to keep his young arms fresh and to give his young players needed major league experience - two things that I feel have paid off this year, and will continue to do so in the years to come. Think Liriano, Prior and Wood. Now think Bonderman, Maroth and Ledezma. Thanks, Tram. Nice work, and, it seems that you might have taken the fall for being cautious and preparing this team for the very near future.
A note about Dmitri Young: This is one guy who I really wish I could see taking his home-run trot around the bases in October - one of my favorite trots of all-time. He took a chance in coming to the baseball wasteland that was Detroit, embraced this city, boasted that he'd make everyone, one day, proud to sport that old English D, and defended Maroth in front of reporters when they were covering him after his 20th loss in '03. When he returned from the DL this summer he made an immediate impact, was on an RBI tear and seemed to step in at just the right time to make this team the one he'd hoped that he'd been the start of when he signed. On his first day back he gave us a big RBI and was greeted with screaming fans as he made his way back to the dugout at the end of the inning, stranded on base. Absolutely screaming for him. Beautiful. Then a really crappy "O-fer" followed and, well, he's gone. I miss his smile and his intensity. I understand that he'd become a distraction in the locker room following his return, enough to earn him his dismissal, but I still miss him and really feel like he deserved to be here, now. Thanks DY.

From heartbreak to elation

2006-10-16T16:44:00.000-04:00

The Detroit Tigers are my one true love. I have lived in NC my whole life and watched the Tigers on TV. When I was little my daddy bought a satellite dish so we could watch our beloved Tigers on PASS. PASS is how I first learned of Faygo. Now from time to time you can find it down here and it reminds me of my Tigers.

My dad's favorite Tiger is Al Kaline. He has always told me stories about how great Kaline was and how much joy he brought to Detroit. It makes me happy to know he is still working with the organization.

My favorite Tiger is Alan Trammell. I cannot begin to describe the elation I felt when he was hired as manager and the complete and utter horror and disappointment I felt when he was let go. I felt like the entire world stopped. It was traumatic. But I knew that the Tigers would go on and I would have to too.

So they hired Jim Leyland. I didn't know what to think. Most often the though of how he took my hero's job came to mind. I was angry and confused. I knew that Tram wasn't winning, but I didn't blame it all on him. There were times when he should have made a different decision, but I wanted him to be the Tigers manager.

On Feb. 26, 2006 I was at a charity event hosted by the Carolina Hurricanes. One of my friends favorite players, Kevyn Adams, asked me if I liked the Tigers because he saw the Olde English D on my necklace. I told him how much I adored the team and how much they meant to me. Then he proceeded to tell me how he and his wife knew Jim Leyland and how excited he was to be managing the Tigers. That was the day I think I became more okay with Dombrowski's decision to fire Tram. I decided that I needed to move forward. The important thing is that the team wins.

After the playoff spot was clinched, and Leyland talked about Tram and his staff, I was a mess. I could not believe that he gave credit to Tram and his staff the way he did. He made me even more happy, if that was possible! I am thankful that we have Leyland. He has been a great manager for this team.

So, I went to my very first Spring Training. It was amazing. I only got to go to two games and it was during the WBC, but I loved every minute of it. I knew then, why I loved this team. They played hard and their work ethic was evident.

Every year I have told my friends that the Tigers will win the World Series. In most of the past years around June or July they would inform me that the Tigers were mathematically eliminated. So, I'd just tell them well...I guess we're getting ready for next year!

This June I was telling my friends that they better watch out for the Tigers. They were all convinced that their young pitching staff would collapse. I told them they were crazy. In September when the struggles started, the doubters were quick to point it out to me. I never stopped believing. Why should I?

And now, here we are. Less than a week from the World Series. It is amazing! I feel like I am still in shock. When the phone calls started after the ALDS, I was crying so hard I couldn't talk. When they started after the ALCS, I was in such shock I could barely talk. This is the best time to be a Tigers fan. After so much heartbreak, loving the team is finally paying off.

So this week will creep by. I tried to buy tickets to game 6, but ticketmaster was not cooperating. It was a disaster. The page kept not loading and I got tons of error messages. I am happy to watch the boys on TV. I wish them the best of luck. I hope they get lots of rest this week and are prepared for the World Series on Saturday. It's going to be awesome!

So let's hope that the Tigers give us what the Carolina Hurricanes already gave me this year, a world championship. Many of my friends from hockey games don't understand my love for baseball. They think I'm crazy when I say I would give up my hockey season tickets to go to the World Series in Detroit, but I know I'm not crazy. It's just that baseball is #1, and it always will be!

GO TIGERS!!!

2006-10-16T16:18:00.000-04:00

Just got my invitation to join the blog, and I'm always up for anything Tigers! I have a long and rather ridiculous story. But I'll do the short version: My mom gave me a stuffed tiger when I was six, my dad saw his opening to get me into baseball, introduced me to the Tigers, and that was it. Since then I've become progressively more and more obsessed with my beloved team, despite the fact that I am a native of the Bay Area. I am so devoted to the Tigers, in fact, that I now attend the University of Michigan in order to be closer to them (I'm a junior). Well, it's also the best school in the whole world, but I didn't figure that out until after I was here a little while.

This whole season has been amazing. All year, people I haven't talked to in a long time have been suddenly calling me up, just to talk about the Tygs. My friends and I do a little thing called Tiger Pride Day every year in Oakland, when the Tigers come to town, and this year we had our first Tiger Pride Day victory since 2002! That was the first year we did it. My dad got to go to the two ALCS games in Oakland, and reported that our favorite security guard, Big Nick, was secretly rooting for the Tigers. I've taped every single win they've gotten this postseason, which is a good thing because, horribly, I was unable to see the very end of Game 4. My dad (who loves baseball) pulled me into a theatre where we were supposed to see a play, away from the TV in the lobby. This, despite the ushers saying they'd have to hold the curtain because so many of the play-goers were clustered anxiously around the tube, and my mom (who HATES baseball, but adores the Tigers) telling him to leave me alone. Anyway, the usher told us the Tigers had won and we all went crazy, crying like babies and celebrating. And my phone started buzzing like crazy with all my friends watching back in California wanting to celebrate with me. I'm really glad we get a week to just enjoy this amazing feeling. And man, there's nothing like a surprising, winning team to keep your friends in touch! :)

roarof2006

2006-10-16T15:57:00.000-04:00

roarof2006

I was just invited as well. I've never really done much on the blogging thing, but I've been a Tigers fan for more years than most of ya'll have been alive, I dare say. I don't know a lot of stats, but I bleed blue and orange from late February till the end of the season.

This year is so amazing. I knew they would be better, but WOW! During June I was in Seattle for a couple of weeks visiting friends. Poor George, I'd almost yank the sports page from his hands to see what the Tigers did the previous night. I got to see them beat the Yankees in May this year. I told my baseball buddy that I wanted to boo the Yankees which was the basic reason I wanted to go. Great game, Great Tigers. Here's to winning the World Series!!!

Heart-pounding, gut-wrenching agony…

2006-10-16T15:53:00.000-04:00

…and that’s only in trying to get tickets.

So, World Series tickets went on sale to the public today. Did anybody else nearly break down in a fit of cursing and sobbing at Ticketmaster’s website this morning?

For the record, I am not a season ticket holder. I live 200+ miles away in Columbus Ohio and usually make it up to for about five or six games a season. Although I think nothing of spending seven hours in the car to see three hours of baseball, I have a hard time getting more games into my schedule. Still, I’ve been a Tigers fan for as long as I have loved baseball and stuck through them through a whole lot of disappointing seasons.

Not this year though. Not disappointing in the least.

Which makes it hard for fans like me who don’t have, or can’t have, season tickets. We have to rely on friends, family, strangers, well-wishers, brokers, dumb luck, or worst of all Ticketmaster to find our way into the gate.

I nearly had a coronary when I purchased my seats for ALDS Game 3. A pair came up just behind home dugout, on the third base side, when Ticketmaster asked me for a telephone number and then neglected to render a form field for said request. After much screaming, I lost those seats and ended up in SRO, which worked out rather well. We stood behind the left-field foul pole and watched Kenny pitch an amazing game.

ALCS was a different story. I don’t know if the bandwagon lacked the confidence in the Tigers, but I had no difficulty getting tickets behind home plate, upper deck for ALCS Game 3 and right center field for ALCS Game 4. Saturday night was and is indescribable. I have never experienced anything even remotely close to the joy and outright release of more than forty-thousand screaming fans.

This leads me to the World Series. Would I like to go? Absolutely. Can I afford it? No, not really. I already blew my Christmas money on ALDS and ALCS. I already have put about nine-hundred miles on my car in eight days. But it’s the World Series. The WORLD SERIES.

When news of a lottery circulated, I recruited about fifteen friends to enter on my behalf. Not a single person won. Does anyone know anybody who actually did win? By default, it was down to the public sale. At 10:00 AM on Monday, October 16, 2006, I and about a half million other Detroit Tigers fans went to Ticketmaster to ask - no beg - for tickets. I didn’t even want seats – I couldn’t afford them – all I wanted was another pair of standing room only.

Right off the bat, the website crashed and I received a “page cannot be displayed” error. When it finally loaded and I requested two SRO tickets, it clocked for several moments before telling me that there was a problem with my transaction. No matter how many times I clicked the retry button provided, I received the same error message. I re-started the browser and tried again and watch the progress bar slowly tell me that the page was loading. Another "page cannot be displayed." I frantically reloaded the page and was prompted for the security word. The browser timed out on the word. I finally entered the queue, with the timer at fifteen or more minutes. It slowly cycled down before the entire browser froze up at seven minutes. Cursing now, frustrated beyond reason, panic entered my mind and I mentally watched my lowly SRO tickets float away into nothingness.

Then the phone rang. It was a friend; a Cincinnati Reds fan who has held my hand during the scary parts of close games and is just hoping to live vicariously in the post-season; a very good man who happened to remember that tickets went on sale this morning. He called to tell me that Ticketmaster just rewarded his patience with two standing room only seats for Game 1 and did I want them. The sobbing began right there.

Through sheer dumb luck I will be at Game 1 of the 2006 World Series. Regardless of whether it is Mets or Cards, the game will be incredible. The World Series. The first live experience for me in the nearly thirty-years of my life and the first in more than twenty-years for Detroit. There is just a tiny, tiny part of me that wonders whether the tension, heart-ache, anticipation and agony that is involved in every one of these games will rival the drama experienced in just trying to purchase the tickets to the game.

Go Tigers!

2006-10-16T15:08:00.000-04:00

I was just invited to this blog by barry today, so I decided to check it out.

My background is not very deep. I am 25 years old live in Niles, MI, have lived in Niles all my life except for 1 year I lived in Chicago for school.

Been a Tigers fan for about 7 years, so it is actually just now starting to pay off! Where I live is pretty much Cubs country, so I am one of a small handful of Tigers fans that I know of in my area. The past couple of years have been extra painful since the one hundred and whatever loss year, we have been decent, but not healthy. I have been hopeful and hurt each of the past couple years.

My story is I have attended 2 Tigers vs. Yankees games at Comerica (once last year, and Game 4 of the ALDS this year) the Tigers have won both!

The game 4 experience was very intense, I was truly exhausted from yelling and spinning my arm off because of the rally towels!

Antici... pation

2006-10-16T13:22:00.000-04:00

Oh, the waiting. Now that we are in the World Series (really? did I just type that? the WORLD FREAKIN SERIES, y'all!), we need to wait to find out who our worthy opponent will be. I'm personally hoping for the Mets, for three reasons:

There's never been a Tigers/Mets matchup in the World Series,

Having the two teams that led their respective leagues most of the year meet would be very cool, and finally

It would be fun to defeat *both* New York teams. :)

Although, with regards to the Mets, I have some very fond memories of the '86 team - Gary Carter, Mookie Wilson, "Let's Go Mets!" and of course that game 6 win as the ball dribbled through Bill Buckner's legs. Man, that was sweet.

But that was then, this is now. No Mets love this year.

So we wait. And check the blogs and the news stories and the message boards. And try to get some work done, because starting next Saturday it will be ALL baseball ALL the time in my house.

Pass some of that time with this - if you haven't heard the song or seen the video yet, you're missing out on quite a Tiger treat.

Jeff Daniels' Lifelong Tiger Fan Blues Revisted:

Say trammellwhitaker 3xs backwards

2006-10-16T08:17:00.000-04:00

Playoff baseball can cripple a man, keeps him up late, drinking too much and oh! those crazy superstitions. For those of you that think the Tigers won the ALCS because of Leyland, Dombrowski, Polanco or Ordonez, I'm sorry but you are lost. Apparently they are all but pawns in the hands of the Gods of Baseball Superstition (GoBS).

My hero is Joan in Ann Arbor who has to stay in her kitchen while her husband watches the game in an adjoining den. She snuck a peek from around the corner once and Milton Bradley went yard. Stay put, Joan. Tigers fans are grateful.

I do my share. The last time I wore my old Tiger's cap, Robertson was getting lit up in the third at Yankee Stadium. It now hangs in solitude on a hook on our bathroom door. That cap has been replaced by one I picked up at a truck stop on my way to Memphis this past spring. It is dark blue and reads, "THIS IS MY HAT, EVERYTHING ELSE BELONGS TO MY WIFE". The GoBS must appreciate glib truck stop humor.

Is There Doom With No Zoom?

2006-10-12T20:14:00.000-04:00

They're dropping like flies in Detroit.

Detroit Lions: Guard Damien Woody -- gone for the season. Something the matter with his foot.

Guard Ross Verba -- hardly played this season. Hamstring problems.

Tackle Rex Tucker -- also mostly MIA.

Receiver Roy Williams -- missed most of the last game with a "stinger", that injury unique to football players.

Detroit Tigers: First baseman Sean Casey -- out for the rest of the ALCS. A calf muscle that has torn a little bit, but enough to cause problems.

Now pitcher Joel Zumaya. Zoom Zoom. The 21 year-old wonder. The thrower of 103 mph BB's. Out for a few days -- forearm/wrist trouble.

Zumaya was held out of last night's ALCS Game 2 because of soreness in the lower arm/wrist area. In hockey playoffs it would have been slyly called an "upper body injury." But in baseball, as in football, we work in specifics, or at least descriptive generalities. And Zumaya's injury is troublesome enough to render him out of action for at least Game 3. And with no more days off until Monday -- unless the Tigers sweep -- Zumaya may miss the next two or three games.

This is not insignificant. Zumaya gives manager Jim Leyland one of the game's most precious commodities: a guy who can practically give you a strikeout on demand in the 7th or 8th inning. The reason it would be absolute folly to make Joel Zumaya a closer is this: the outs Zoom Zoom gets are usually far more important and pressure-packed than those Todd Jones is asked to get. Zumaya usually enters the game with runners in scoring position and less than two outs. A situation that cries for a strikeout, or a pop up. And more often than not, Zumaya provides it, snuffing out a rally and ripping the heart out of the opponent in the process. He did it to the Yankees in Game 2 of the ALDS. In Yankee Stadium.

But the Tigers aren't going to go into the tank because Zumaya is lost to them for a weekend. The committee that would replace him -- Fernando Rodney, Jason Grilli, and Jamie Walker most notably -- are capable, if not as ostentatious as Zumaya. It's a loss, but one that can be absorbed. A 2-0 series lead makes it so, more so.

Hurry back, Zoom Zoom, but the fort will be held down without you. The way things are going now, Leyland could summon 63 year-old John Hiller and get some outs.

ALCS Game 2

2006-10-12T14:58:00.000-04:00

First off: Blessings to the Lidle family for their loss. Sobering. He just pitched on Saturday. Truly sad and bizarre news.

Second off: We spotted Nate's full mouth
(See Gum Time) in the fourth at which time I proceeded to empty an entire packet of Big League Chew into my mouth. It was grotesque. It took FOREVER for the gum to remotely resemble...well, gum. Syrup was roping off of my bottom lip. "Gum Time" was gag time...and then...something beautiful happened...Polanco singles, Mags singles, Pudge walks, Monroe singles, Gomez singles, Inge sac flies and I'm on my knees with my arms uplifted, praising the gum gods for their sticky, pink blessings.

Third off: In Jim We Trust. If he says, "Gomez" I say, "How High"

It is becoming more clear that Rodney is getting his primo stuff back, which may be an even bigger deal if Zoom is really having wrist trouble.

Tiger Perp?

2006-10-12T12:35:00.000-04:00

I haven't really gone that much into my history with the Tigs, I suppose because I wasn't sure how long this weblog would serve its function, as a playoff journal and such. It appears we are assured of at least 4 more games, consequently I can fluff up the content a little bit.

My family lived in Royal Oak, MI from about 1980 to 1985, from ages 6 to 12. As with all preadolescent boys in the Detroit area, baseball was my life. The magic that was 1984 was kind of lost on me because of my age and my inability to contextualize the experience. I do know I didn't miss a game if I could help it. Anyway, up until about mid season, 2006 I had vague recollections of Tigers experiences and foggy memories of the higher profile players from 84. As it became apparent that the Tigs were putting together something pretty special I began to dig. I unearthed all my old 84 Tigers memorablia. A box in the garage full of baseball cards, newspaper clippings, game programs, a Detroit Free Press yearbook, buttons, knick knacks and the crown jewel of the collection, a hand signed baseball of the entire 1985 team. I began scouring the web, checking old box scores triggering vivid memories of forgotten players, Barbaro Garbey, Johnny Grubb, HoJo, Mookie Wilson, Larry Herndon, names I hadn't heard (read) in 20 years. I remembered my little league number was 13 because I believed Lance Parrish hung the moon. So many players, small in the shadows of a very big sport but HUGE in the hearts of the handful of fans that got to witness that special run.

The similarities of then and now are undeniable. When this run is in the books I wonder how many people will remember the name Placido Polanco let alone Alexis Gomez. Probably not many, but I know a few people that will never forget.

I suppose in a lot of ways, I am a perpetrator. My leave of absence as a Tiger die-hard has spanned almost 20 years, unthinkable neglect at a time when a franchise needed support and patronage. This 2006 team is on a mission to reward all those faithful that never left their side, The ALDS celebration was evidence of that. I'd like to think they are beckoning for their prodigals to return home and in a manner of speaking, it's grrrreat to be back. I don't expect to be in Detroit when the 2006 banners go up at Comerica Park nor do I really deserve to be. I will be sitting quietly in my living room, welled up with tears and pride, thinking how good it is to be home again. Bless You Boys!

playoff beard

2006-10-11T16:27:00.000-04:00

The last day I shaved my face, The Tigers lost. They haven't lost a game since. The phenomenon of the playoff beard is more than I have time to understand or explain. There are entire websites dedicated to it which is nothing I want this site to resemble. I figure I might keep you posted as to what the aethetics of the situation are. (note: the droopy, tired, hungover eyes with samsonite luggage underneath - taint pretty)

ALCS Game 1

2006-10-11T14:59:00.000-04:00

I must admit I had never seen Zeet pitch before. Like Wang in ALDS game 1, I have alway admired the box scores but they don't tell you the half. Zito's curveball is nasty. It's up at your cap then the bottom drops out. At some point Pudge got 2 in a row for strikes and managed to stay discipined enough not to swing at a high change-up.

What can I say about Nate. Not perfect but OHHHH! that fourth inning was spectacular. Runners on 2nd and 3rd no outs. Not sure what Leyland said at the mound but striking out the next three is as good as it gets.

For those of us that were really aching for Inge to bust out of that post season slump, last night felt great. 3 for 3, a triple away from the cycle. Kudos B.I. for sparking the collapse of the leaning tower of Zito.

On a sober note - Sean Casey injured his calf last night which could echo loudly through the course of this series. I suggest you go to this thread for a great discussion on potential roster changes to fill the big hole left by the mighty Casey. For the record I'd prefer Infante at SS and Guillen at first. If we make it to the LCS and Casey is still out I would expect Shelton to be put on the active roster to play first.

head is humming

2006-10-09T18:57:00.000-04:00

Tom Petty said (sang), "the waiting is the hardest part" and I'm inclined to agree, in this particular situation. I may actually lose sleep tonight.

I have spent all day pouring over Oakland vs. Detroit stats.

(sidenote: I've created some new links to sites, most of which have some unique perspectives on the upcoming series...as opposed to the robot chipmunks on ESPN radio that are still calling Detroit 'the runt of the litter')

The emperical evidence points to...I have no clue. Detroit seems to have the slight statistical edge in most categories from a seasonal perspective...the only problemo, Detroit went into a fairly steady decline towards the end as opposed to the A's late season heat.

As the media execs roll their eyes and wonder, "what's the point" baseballs faithful get set to be rewarded with an ALCS that I predict will make history.

i finally found it.

2006-10-09T16:46:00.000-04:00

Look for Boy George's thumbs up and the generic footage of Magnum P.I.

for everything else, there's mastercard

2006-10-09T13:50:00.000-04:00

If you caught this one congrats, removed rather quickly because of copyright infringement. I'll recap. (paraphrased)

Having the greatest line up in the history of the game...$200 million

Going 5 for 5 in Game 1...$151,000 (I'm guessing here)

Rooting for the your MVP...$250

Losing (again) in the first round of the playoffs...priceless.

the odds.

2006-10-09T13:40:00.000-04:00

Bye, Yanks.

2006-10-08T11:21:00.000-04:00

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.

ALDS Game 3

2006-10-07T13:56:00.000-04:00

Some people like to watch alone. I can certainly understand why that would be, but I prefer company.

I imagine how great it would be to be in a bar full of Tiger fans. The high fives, chest bumps, hugs with people that understand how hard all of this has been until now. I suppose I have the next best thing in a wife and friends that rejoice and weep with me, even though the Detroit Tigers is not their team (or sport) of passion.

To KofE's point, there tends to be alot more Yankee haters than Tiger lovers...but... I'll take it. I'll take all the commradery I can get right now.

Obviously, last night was a ridiculous and unexpected gem that just might trump any single 1984 moment in my mind. Before you go crazy, please note that I was 10 yrs old in 1984 and may not have as vivid a recollection as some of you older fans. I will say it is up there with Gibby's 2 upper deckers.

I feel to go any further to describe last night would only reiterate what Mark from BlessYouBoys.com has already so eloquently penned.

Shades of Uncle Milty?

2006-10-07T10:53:00.000-04:00

You're invited

2006-10-06T18:24:00.000-04:00

to contribute as a guest blogger if you:

1. care at all for the premise upon which this website was built.
2. send me your email so I can give you an invitation (proper like)

I am hundreds of miles from Detroit and am eager to hear from other fans...transplanted or entrenched.

ALDS Game 2

2006-10-06T14:37:00.000-04:00

Wow. Thanks for the comments. Anon is one syllable short of a haiku (if you know what I mean). Kicker of Elves - scary-ass name but it means a great deal to hear what another fan is going through.

Of course I played hookie from work, yesterday. I headed down to a pizza joint to peep the game at lunchtime. A friend joined me but he quickly got distracted with some wine-tasting shindig at the next table.

I could gush about the Tigers pitching for pages but suffice it to say, they were spectack. Is it weird for me to say the Tigers' two best starters haven't even pitched yet?

I feel like we missed out on some scoring opps that would have made Jones breathe a little easier at the end but nonetheless, incredible win!

Now the motor city is promised at least 2 home playoff games and god knows they deserve it and so much more. Lets shut it down at home guys. Bless you, Detroit. Bless you, boys!

ALDS Game 1

2006-10-04T13:19:00.001-04:00

There was this kid on my school bus that doodled all over everything he had. It was apparent that he fancied himself quite the artist. Perhaps it was me trying to forge an identity at my new school. Perhaps it was just hubris, but I am quite certain that it was I who challenged HIM to a drawing contest on a Friday afternoon. We were to board the school bus Monday morning with 2 drawings in hand: Subject 1. an electric guitar or base rendered in dry media. Subject 2. a bicycle rendered in dry media. The drawings were to be juried by a supposed impartial group of classmates. I have vivid memories of the anguish that surrounded that weekend. The 8,000 sheets of balled up paper by the waste basket, sleeplessness, etc. Funny, I have no recollection of the results...which baits the question almost 20 years later, who won the freakin contest?

It's no surprise that I can't remember that one all-important detail. It seems that as a child, I was not all that preoccupied with winning, but more with pleasing people with my product. I'm guessing I lost. I'm guessing I made a good showing. I'm guessing my bike drawing depicted E.T. attached somewhere on the front of the bicycle. I'm guessing his guitar drawing looked like a pan of lasagna with a fret board and headstock handsomely attached.

I'm guessing when this ALDS series is in the books I will not remember Nate Robertson's collapse in the third inning of game 1, but I will never forget the way he gutted it out in the 4th and 5th to get his team back in it.

I am so proud to be a Tiger fan right now. Despite my previous rants, I want to make it clear that watching my favorite team in October is an experience that I didn't expect to have for many years to come and is truly indescribable.

Sorry, for the Sap. Last time, I promise. Tonight America will be officially introduced to Justin Verlander. 17-9. 3.63 ERA. Prepare to be awed. BYB!

Wow. Talk about counting chickens...

2006-10-02T08:28:00.000-04:00

I used to love to play Madden on my Playstation, years ago. My friend, Damien was so good at the game that I posed no real challenge but he would always give me a pretty good lead, just to rip my heart out with a giant come from behind take-away. It would alway make me physically ill. I could see him out of the corner of my eye, every big play, just watching my reaction. It was sadistic. It was immoral. F*CK HIM!

And F*CK THE TIGERS, A 20-win season is easier than this. I was rooting for the Astros just so there could have been a bigger "choke" story than the 2006 Tigers. Yesterday was a clinic on "20 ways to rip out the hearts of your die-hard fans". The game had everthing.

Bad - A blown 6 run lead.

Bad - Defensive errors in clutch situations.

Good - A clutch hit

Bad - by Matt Stairs who is not even post season eligible...whatever that means,

Great - 2 great scoreless innings by the best setup guy in the game,

Good - Ace comes in as a reliever,

Awful - Ace walks batter with bases loaded. AHHHHHHH!

What's worse than that? Watching the game on ESPN's Gamecast because the game isn't televised in your market. (For those of you not familiar, Gamecast is like seeing you favorite sport in PONG form)

I will pick up the pieces and prepare for Tuesday. Playing the Yanks assures me of one thing. Televised games. I hear this television thing is really amazing. They say it's like the choking is actually happening right in your living room...who knows? it just might be.

AL Central...going cheap.

2006-10-01T11:07:00.000-04:00

I was all smiles going into these last couple of games. Yankees had to face those nasty Jays. I knew the White Sox were going to take out ALL their aggression on the Twins. The Tigers were poised to steamroll the hapless Royals for the division crown and (fanfare please) THE BEST RECORD IN BASEBALL!

Tigers follow a script about as well as Robin Williams and these last few games have been almost as annoying. The Tigers are heading into the ALDS with a whimper and my only hope is homefield vs. Oakland, first round. It looks like the Twins will not be starting Santana, but Baker tonight vs. Vazquez which means that even if we lose tonight, with a Twin loss (which is likely) we will still lock the division and get that coveted Oakland matchup w/ homefield.

Here is the kick in the pants. I get to root for the Twins! The Twins in a five game series. Santana pitches game 1 and 5. We see him only once in the ALCS...that is if we beat Oakland of course...which as it looks right now, we couldn't beat the Royals in a best of five. Shut up and let me dream...It's all I have.

Publicide

2006-09-27T19:05:00.000-04:00

Nothing says "fire me" like this Kim Etheridge quote:

"Terrell has 25 million reasons why he should be alive"

Is this the person that controls his public image?

Yes, Kim.

You're right.

His money.

That's the key to self-worth.

Well as long as T.O. is in good hands then I'll move along...

...to baseball.

The Tigers win...and so does everybody else of consequence. That does me no good. If we all get really quiet we can hear choking noises coming from the gateway city. Possibly the biggest gag-job since...no. probably the biggest gag job.

There is no "win" in "Twins"

2006-09-26T10:09:00.000-04:00

Yes there is, cowboy...there is also an "in" meaning "in" the ALDS. It is bitter-sweet. I am pleased as punch to know I won't be seeing Ozzie Guillen's ass-face on my TV in October but a part of me is really sad the Red Sox couldn't get their shit together and edge out the injury-laden Twins for the Wild Card...actually, scratch that. Ideal scenario might be for the Twins to have lost 5 more games and the Sawx could have met them half way.

So now, Tigers have to stay hot, have to gap that lead margin and play Oakland with homefield. Grabbing the best record in the majors would be nice too.