Julian H. Gonzalez/Detroit Free Press

With their 11-4 victory this afternoon over the Kansas City Royals, the Detroit Tigers clinched their first playoff spot in 19 years.

Now, there's still plenty of work to do to win the division (Magic Number: 6), the American League pennant, and the World Series. But for one day at least, it's a time to shake up a beer bottle and pour it over your head.

Three years ago, when the Tigers lost a record-setting 119 games, my buddy Joe and I used to demonstrate our never-say-die Tigers loyalty by saying "Go ahead...lose 'em all. We'll still be Tigers fans." Nothing could ever stop me from rooting for this team.

However, I'm pleased to report today, that it's a heckuva lot more fun to actually win them all.