October 2006 Archives
October 31, 2006
-
Flying the space shuttle requires perfect bug-free software. So they need perfect, bug-free management.
-
Bill Maher on how America can and must do better.
Simply shocking. Apparently, the victim here was asking George Allen why he spit on his first wife. George's thugs don't want to answer.
October 29, 2006
In an appropriate end to an otherwise pretty dismal week for the Detroit sports world, the Red Wings won last night to move into first place in the Central Division. Guess who they beat?
That's right, the St. Louis Blues. Take that, Missouri!
I was working on two Tigers-related posts for today. The first was about the importance of wearing my Tigers hat, even after they lost, just to show my appreciation and my pride. Only Joe beat me to it. Go read his piece. It's absolutely terrific.
The other item I've been working on for today is a rundown of all the memories of this team that I'll hold on to forever. It was a heck of a ride, and I wouldn't trade it for anything...except maybe 3 more wins. :)
Anyway, my list is below. Use the comments to Tiger memories of your own.
Listening to the entire Opening Day game at my desk.
Sharing this season with my dad, just like every season since I can remember.
Mike Maroth's Pitching. For two months before he was injured, he was absolutely terrific. I remember how it took the ball every 5th day in 2003 and ended up losing 21 games. Seeing him having such great success was a treat. Get well soon, Mr. Maroth.
Magglio's ALCS home run, Placido jumping around the bases, and Dan Dickerson's radio call. "The Tigers are going to the World Series!"
"I'm pretty excited." What else can you say after you hit the homer of your life?
Watching the Gum Time Game in a DC bar with all my buddies. They didn't beat the Yankees that day, but the comeback proved they could. We all know what happened in October.
The way Brandon Inge plays third base. He won Web Gem of the Year, you know.
Ernie Harwell announcing a playoff game from Comerica Tiger Stadium.
Kenny Rogers. All those zeros in the playoffs. Watching him turn into a hockey goalie on the mound. And the way he taught our young guns how to win.
Those young guns getting their first - but not their last - taste of playoff baseball. With JV, Bondy, Zoom Zoom, and Rodney, this team will be good for a good long time.
Craig Monroe's 9th-inning HR to beat the Yankees. Remember, this guy had 5 more homers in the playoffs. Just call him Medium Papi.
A 10 game division lead that proved, once and for all, that the roar was restored.
All the tears of joy. Honest to god tears of joy.
That 13-inning heartbreaker on the last day of the season. The best part was Kenny Rogers taking the ball just because he wanted to win so bad.
The first playoff celebration in Detroit in more than 20 years. Who can forget the unbridled joy of Kenny Rogers dousing a police officer with Champagne?
Zoom Zoom Zumaya striking out all those Yankee All-Stars at 103 mph.
Whatever Leyland said to Robertson that got him to strike out three A's in a row with the bases loaded.
The importance of Placido Polanco. He got hurt. We tanked. He didn't know if he could come back. He came back. He hit us into the World Series.
Trying to get the online radio to work on my Mac.
Those lifelong Tiger fan blues.
All the rally totems. Paws. The dish towel. My official Tiger Towel. My new hoodie. The whole mess of 'em.
Jim Leyland. The whole package, to be sure, but his explosion after the loss to Cleveland in April set the tone and turned the whole team around.
The vast anti-Tiger media conspiracy.
What makes Tiger fans Tiger fans.
Chris Shelton's April. For a while he was on pace to hit 108 home runs.
The 8 Tigers left from the 2003 team.
Jeremy Bonderman
Wilfredo Ledezma
Mike Maroth
Fernando Rodney
Jamie Walker
Brandon Inge
Omar Infante
Craig Monroe
Victory #82.
Jim Leyland bristling at the question.
The All Star Game. Kenny Rogers pitching to Pudge Rodriguez to start the game and whining about all the deserving Tigers who didn't make it.
Finally, I'll always remember going to the World Series. For whatever reason, none of my close friends or family could go, so I was the representative for a lot of people there: My dad, Joe, Jim, Tracy, my sister, Zak, Jen W., MacKenzie, Alan, Jen J., and all the other Michiganders I shared this season with.
October 28, 2006
Look, the Tigers came within 3 wins of the World Series title. Oh, and I got to go see a game. I'm not about to be all sad and depressed.
Thank you Tigers for a magical, magical season. I'm bummed it didn't go better in the Series, but I'm sure many of you will be back again. I'm just excited to tag along for the ride.
So, hats off to the 2006 American League Champions. And "Go Tigers!" in 2007!
October 27, 2006
-
Nate Robertson's not ready for this to be over. Neither am I!
In his postgame press conference, Tigers manager Jim Leyland was asked if he was worried his young team would be too crushed by the losses to do their best in the next three games.
"No," he said.' Here's why:
A couple of times during the course of the year I walked into a real quiet clubhouse after we lost a game, and I said I must be in the wrong place, because winning teams don't do that. That's the sign of a losing team to me. I told them tonight, go about your business, turn the music on, get your food, talk to each other, and go home with your families, come back tomorrow. But I don't want to see anybody sitting around with their head down. To me that's the sign of a losing team, and we're not a losing team.DO NOT hang your heads, Tiger fans.' Our team is three wins away from a World Series title.' This is the most fun Detroit baseball fans have had in two decades!
DO NOT HANG YOUR HEADS.' We are NOT a losing team.
Yeah, losing tonight sucked. The offense finally showed some life, but no fewer than 3 screwy plays in the field gave the Cards the opening they needed to push through the winning runs.
But let me go through a couple of things. First, we've been here before. In 1968, the Tigers played the Cardinals in the World Series. After 4 games, the Tigers trailed 3-1. Tigers in 7.
Second, it's not like the Tigers are going to give up. We lost ONE HUNDRED AND NINETEEN GAMES in 2003 - a modern record - just 3 years ago. We didn't give up then. Playing in 4 World Series games - win or lose - had made for a pretty incredible week. We're not about to get all depressed and terrified.
Third, Verlander has had an extra day of rest. The last time that happened, he came out blazing at 100 mph. If we can win just the next game, that gets us back to Kenny Rogers pitching at Comerica. You gotta love that idea. And heck, if we can make it to Game 7, anything can happen. Anything.
Fourth, stranger things have happened.
Fifth, the bats picked up tonight. They're only going to get better and better.
I KNOW WE CAN WIN THIS. But it won't be easy. Gotta go out there, score some runs, make no mistakes, and win three more games.
Go get 'em Tigers!
October 26, 2006
Well, actually, Bob Seger sang "America, the Beautiful" and I thought it was terrific. I've got some great photos of the big flag in centerfield. Plus they did an F-18 flyover!
Seger's rendition is simple and powerful. I liked it a lot. Here's the YouTube.
Game 4 is tonight. Time to stop moping, score some runs, and win some games. Go Tigers!
-
Jack vs. the World. I bet on Jack.
-
These are the stingrays. Vote November 7.
It's time to stop moping, score some runs, and win some games.
Game 4 is tonight, weather permitting. Go Tigers!
October 25, 2006
-
The "next Barack Obama" is going to be the next governor of Massachusetts. Good news for Tracy.
After last night's tough loss, my Yankee-fan boss had this to say when she saw me wearing my Olde English D this morning:
"Pretty brave to be wearing that hat, eh?"
I looked her square in the eye.
"I've been a Tiger fan for decades. If I didn't take the hat off after they lost 119 games in 2003, I'm certainly not taking it off after one lousy loss in the World Series."
Game 4 is tonight. Jeremy Bonderman, a 19-game loser in '03 and one who knows what it's been like to climb all the way back is on the mound for the Tigers. He'll be ready to do his best.
Eat 'em up Tigers. Eat 'em up.
A lot will be made about Joel Zumaya's throwing error. Some have already said he flamed out on the biggest stage of his life.
Let's not forget he faced Albert Pujols, the scariest hitter alive, with the game on the line and induced a weak dribbler to the mound. Zoom Zoom is a huge part of this team and we'll need him to win.
I'm not worried about him. Game 4 is tonight.
Musings on my World Series experience while licking my wounds from tonight's game.
In some ways, I blame those of us in the stands for the Tigers Game 1 loss. Verlander didn't have his best stuff and I think maybe we were too timid to will him on to greatness. You see, we're still learning how to be great baseball fans again after a long, long winter of losing.
Don't get me wrong. The crowd was ready to explode and go absolutely bonkers. We just never got the chance to until the 9th inning when Craig Monroe's homer sparked a possibly maybe possibly rally. Sure we didn't push any more runs across, but that's when I knew the crowd would be ready for game 2. Plus, Kenny wouldn't let us down.
However, in the World Series, you have to be proactive. The crowd has to set the tone the players feed off of, not the other way around. It's the little things: standing on every 2 strike count, willing Verlander to the K; waving those towels just to distract the opposing pitcher; never, ever yelling "down in front" at the rowdy kids in the front row. It's the playoffs. You have to be ready.
Tiger fans are learning. Look what happened in Game 2. It's just been a long time since we've had to do our part.
The good news is that the Tigers are building something for the long haul. This isn't the last time Verlander, Bonderman, and Zumaya will pitch in the postseason. Cameron Maybin and Curtis Granderson will anchor Tiger lineups for the next decade.
So the team is preparing its fan base. The Tiger Towels. Reviving historic traditions like the "Go Get 'Em Tigers" song and the "Eat 'Em Up Tigers, Eat 'Em Up!" chant. Giving even lefty specialist Jamie "Smoke on the" Walker a snappy nickname. Going to the games means something now.
These are the little things that will turn Tiger fans into Tiger Nation. You can consider the World Series our declaration of independence.
October 24, 2006
Tigers lose Game 3 5-0. Trail the Series 2-1.
Don't listen to the pundits. They'll go on and on about Zumaya's throwing error. They'll talk for days about Carpenter's pitching. The simple matter is that we're not hitting.
You can't score 5 runs in 3 World Series games and expect to win. It's really pretty simple.
Now, we need to win 3 of the next 4. Bondy, Verlander, Rogers, Robertson (if necessary). Sounds like a tall order, but with those kinds of arms, I know we can do it.
Down, but not out. Go Tigers!
-
Tiger fans - including even some go-go dancers - celebrating the 1968 title.
-
I get so cranky that spam cops always act so high and mighty. As the Times learns, there are always grey areas.
-
Cool how-to on embedding Flickr slideshows into the ol' blog. I'm going to try this with the world series pics.
October 23, 2006
Just so we're 100% clear -- I went to the World Series. At Comerica. Here's the proof.
Truer words have never been spoken.
No.
Did he have some gunk - probably some not particularly legal gunk - smeared on his hand?
Looks that way.
That sounds incongruous, but it's really not. For one thing, he actually pitched worse during the inning with the gunk (2 baserunners) than in the 7 without. Second, neither the umps, MLB, or the Cardinals seem eager to make a big deal about the event. If what Rogers was doing rose much above the level of crafty trickeration, you'd think at least one of those parties would be going nuts. Heck, I would guess even some of his Tiger teammates would be grumbling if he was somehow tainting their victory.
Here's what I think happened. These world class athletes all have a million superstitions and preparations they do just to feel comfortable. Heck, Moises Alou admitted to peeing on his hands a few years ago to harden them up when batting.
Think about it. Even my girlfriend lathers up with lotion every ten minutes just to sit at her desk at work. Batters wear batting gloves. It seems only natural that pitchers would rub up to make their hands feel right on the ball.
My guess is that Rogers uses a rub on his hands to make them feel right. The rules on foreign substances are there to prevent doctoring of the balls themselves, so absence any good evidence of THAT it seems like Kenny wasn't trying to blatantly cheat.
Besides, with a curveball like that, who needs to cheat? Go tigers!
October 22, 2006
Be steady, Tiger fans. Kenny Rogers was at his best yet and has righted the ship.
The game belonged to Rogers, who pitched 8 innings of 2-hit ball. He extended his post-season scoreless innings streak to 24, the third best all-time. His emotion practically willed seeing-eye singles into Bengal gloves.
At one point, Alan turned to me and said "The Cardinals hitters are scared. Kenny Rogers is growling at them."
Roar.
The series moves to St. Louis on Tuesday for 3 games. I think the Tigers really need to win at least 2 of them. Time to put it all on the line and play our hearts out.
GO TIGERS!
More about this, including World Series impressions and photos, over the next couple days.
October 21, 2006
-
Why is St. Louis in trouble? Because they're playing the Tigers, that's why! :)
A week ago, a Fox sideline reporter asked Magglio Ordonez how he felt after hitting a 3-run walk-off home run to send his team to the World Series. Magglio had a wide-eyed look of amazement and earnestly stated for the camera, "I'm pretty excited."
I think I know how he felt. I've been waiting for this pretty much my whole life, and tomorrow the wait will be over.
Justin Verlander - my favorite of the Tigers' starters - will be on the mound. I'll always remember seeing his major league debut last July 4th. Here's hoping for some more fireworks tomorrow night.
Anyway, the bags are packed and the stuffed tigers are ready to go. I'll have a full report on Sunday, complete with a ton of pictures.
I can't wait. I'm pretty excited.
Paws, The Very Ferocious Stuffed Tiger
Here it is. The definitive collection of rally totems I'm bringing to Game 1 of the 2006 World Series. Go Tigers!
October 20, 2006
Go Get 'Em Tigers (1.2 MB MP3)
It's funny. I had every intention of writing about cellphone ringtones
in a completely different context earlier this week. But now I can't be
stopped.
Now that the Tigers are in the World Series, every call into my cellphone, plays the Tigers' old-is-new-again fight song "Go Get 'Em Tigers."
Originally created for the 1968 championship run, this Jestons-style jingle has been resurrected for this year's October magic. And for just $2.99, it can be your ringtone too.
Or just download my MP3.
More Tigers nostalgia songs available at Gorilla vs. Bear.
Also - my final take on ringtones - too expensive, too complicated, and too incompatible with all the other music I already have. Apple, please make a cell phone so I can turn all my iTunes songs into ringtones with one click.
The K is for strikeout. It's backwards because he was just standing there like a house on the side of the road.
Why, printed out some Olde English K's, of course. The better to keep track of Verlander's mounting strikeout rate.
Now I need to remember to bring the tape. I think I'm just going to hand these to the guys sitting in the front row on Saturday.' Section 342 is going to be ready.
Per the Free Press:
All fans attending Game 1 on Saturday night will receive a white Tigers / World Series towel compliments of XM Satellite Radio.The two-week old dish towel will still attend Game 1 of the World Series. There are some things that are just important. And frankly, if necessary, he WILL make an appearance. But he was always just an emergency replacement for the real thing.
24 hours from now, I'll be waving a ridiculous homer hankie. Over my head like a mad man. I'll love every minute.
National Anthem: None
("HUH!?" you say? Read on.)
America the Beautiful: Bob Seger
(Sounds perfect.)
Ceremonial First Pitch: Al Kaline
Other First Pitch: Willie Horton
Other Other First Pitch: Mike Illitch
Little Kids Bringing the Balls to the Guys Throwing Out the Multiple First Pitches: Members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan
Dude Tagging Along With the Members of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan: Ernie Harwell
(I dunno. That seems like there's going to be a whole mess of people on the mound before the game. Whatevs. I'm in.)
All-Important Fan Giveaway / Team Rally Totem: Still unknown.
(Those sweet Olde English "D" Tiger Towels have been retired. This is why I'll be bringing my two week old dish towel. It's been a perfectly serviceable stand-in so far.)
Spirit of Detroit Statue: Bedecked
October 19, 2006
That is all.
-
If I die in Detroit this weekend, I want a Tigers casket.
-
The Democratic Plan: Higher Minumum Wage. More Student Aid. Cheaper Drugs. Sense in Iraq. Any questions?
October 18, 2006
Magglio's walk-off job. Fan's-eye view.
-
"[T]he 2006 Tigers lifted an economically and emotionally depressed region onto their shoulders and opened one skeptic's eyes to the realization that not everything had to make sense to add up correctly."
-
Right on schedule: the bad guys telling people it's illegal to vote.
October 17, 2006
In the midst of an overly-sentimentaal story about how much Detroit loves the Tigers - really, has there every been a World Series team not adored by young and old alike? - tigers.com nails it:
The old English "D" that adorns the Tigers cap, meanwhile, is a symbol for the city. Actor Tom Selleck donned the cap often years ago in the television series "Magnum P.I." So have Enimem and Kid Rock over the years. As the Tigers became the toast of baseball this summer, the "D" could be spotted in one city after another.Yet, it is not a fashion icon like some other teams' caps and logos. To wear it means some sort of connection to Detroit.
This is why I love the Tigers. Now, in my particular case, you have to substitute a broader sense of "Michigan" for a tight identification with "Detroit," but the concept is the same.
My dad and I listened to Ernie Harwell when I was 5 years old. We took Parks and Rec trips to Tiger Stadium in middle school. All my friends from "back home" wear their Tiger hats wherever they are.
Here's Joe wearing the Olde English D on top of the world.
The point is the Tigers mean some connection to the place I call home. It's a connection that will never be broken. And it's a connection that has never been stronger.
I printed out my itineraries and my game ticket today. I guarantee you that Section 342 will be ready for Game 1.
I'm ready to go home.
Today is my sister's birthday. To show her the love, I sent her a little something on iTunes and made some recommendations of stuff she might like. Ultimately, I'll leave it up to her, 'cause I'm cool like that. (I think she wants an audio book for her Balto-DC suburbs hell commute.)
But I thought the recommendations made a cool list. They're not quite my top 1, 2... 9 of 2006. It's more stuff I thought she'd like - more melody, more indie pop. But it's pretty close.
Here's what I wrote her:
Midlake, Trials of Van Occupanther* (very Iron and Wine -esque) The Elected, Sun, Sun Sun* (ft. Blake from Rilo Kiley) Band of Horses, Everything All the Time* Thermals, The Body, The Blood, The Machine The Hold Steady, Boys and Girls in America The Infadels, We Are Not... Thome Yorke, The Eraser (terrific, if you don't have it yet) The Twilight Singers, Powder Burns (the record Death Cab woould write if they were evil) Jenny Lewis and the Watson Twins, Rabbit Furcoat (but of course, you know all about that...)
The *'s are the things I think are most up your alley.The Thermals are loud and fast - so maybe not "melodic," but they're totally fun. You should totally check them out.
-
ESPN is predicting a COLOSSAL showdown in Columbus. I can't wait. Go Blue.
-
Leyland for governor.
October 16, 2006
I wrote the essay below in 2002 - four years ago and before it was kitschy to love the Detroit Tigers for setting in records for futility.
The subject is the height of any sports fan's dream: not only to be there when your team reaches the pinnacle, but to know you where there when they were at rock bottom, too. To know that you journeyed the whole way up with the team, the city, and the people you love.
Next week, win or lose, the Tigers will be on top of the world. I thought it was a good idea to remember where they came from. And to remember that I have always been a Tigers fan, and no matter what, I always always will be.
I love the Detroit Tigers and you should too.
July 2002
A month ago, the Detroit Red Wings won their 10th Stanley Cup. Simply put, they are the greatest hockey team ever assembled. Their victory parade attracted over a million Michiganders to downtown Detroit. You know it’s love if you’re willing to travel to Detroit for your team. You can bet your bottom dollar that I would have been at that parade if I hadn’t been in England at the time. I love those red bastards.
But so what? It’s easy to love the Red Wings. They win all the goddamn time. Even when they lose, they go down fighting a blood feud. For the record: I hate the Colorado Avalanche. They have a great collection of players - some of the best ever. Yzerman, Federov, Shanahan. The Detroit scouting staff, particularly those based in Europe, are the envy of the hockey universe. Lidstrom, Datsuyk, Fischer - all taken with late-round draft picks. Management has the know-how and the financial commitment to sign the best free agents. It’s no accident Hasek, Hull, and Robitaille took pay-cuts to play in Detroit. Scotty Bowman is the best coach ever. I mean, come on, people hide octopuses in their pants for every sellout home game. They’ve got more Stanley Cup banners than any other American team. The Detroit Red Wings are the cat’s pyjamas. They’ve got it all. What’s not to love? When do they ever put your faith in the team on the line? When do they ever ask for your support in the dark days? Rooting for the Detroit Red Wings is like Jim’s sister - easy.
Rooting for the Detroit Tigers? Now that takes balls of steel. At the All-Star break, they are in last place in the American League. (Tampa Bay doesn’t count.) They’re like the Bad News Bears, only they never win and there aren’t any cute little kids for everyone to pull for. None of their players are any good. Their All-Star, Robert Fick, only made the team because every team gets one, but he didn’t deserve it. I’ve seen better talent scouts in my toilet. Tony Clark, Damion Easley, Juan Encarnarcion? All of them allegedly 5-tool stars in the making. All of them played dismally for the Tigers. Not only is management unwilling to spend any money to improve the team, it’s doubtful they could actually succeed if they tried. Randy Smith was a terrible GM. So they fired him and hired Dave Dombrowski, who promptly traded away their best player. No one goes to the games. They’ve been in the league for 100 years and won a grand total of 4 World Series. They are halfway through their eighth straight losing season.
But you know what? I love those orange and blue bastards. Every single one of them. When Robert Fick was introduced during the All-Star pregame, I went nuts. When he got a hit and scored the game-tying run, I nearly lost it and took a little victory lap around the apartment. I cry when they lose, but more importantly, I cry when they win. If they held a Detroit Tigers parade tomorrow in downtown Detroit about seven people would show up. You can bet your bottom dollar that I’d be one of them. And I’m willing to bet that same bottom dollar that the Tigers will win the World Series this October and every October for the next 100 years. That’s fanaticism. That’s loyalty.
Why do I love the Tigers? I think of it like this. Suppose you had a friend who, when the going got rough, always got going. When your girlfriend dumped you, he was never around. But, what’s that? You won the lottery? “Buddy! Long time no see! Let’s go out and hit the town.” What kind of friend is that? That’s no kind of friend I want to have. More importantly, that’s no kind of friend I want to be. The Tigers need me now. So I’m going to scream my head off for them. They’d do the same for me. It’s great basking in the warm glow and champagne taste of the Red Wings’ most recent Stanley Cup, but it’s 10 times sweeter knowing I was there in 1986 when they finished dead last, 10 wins behind everybody else. And you wonder why Detroiters set cars on fire when the Tigers win the championship.
What should you take from this? A couple of things. First, remember that team you loved as a kid, but couldn’t care less about now that they’ve stopped winning? Go buy a T-shirt and start cheering for them even harder. They’ve missed you. They need you. But there are bigger lessons, too. That friend going through a rough time right now? Call her up. Invite her out. She needs you too. And you’ll find that everyone loves finding out their life could be worse. They could be a Tigers fan.
October 15, 2006
to the 2006 American League Champion Detroit Tigers.
I've got tickets to Game 1 next Saturday in Detroit. I couldn't be more excited. Let's go Tigers!
Much more on this in the week to come.
(via Dad via TDTW)
October 12, 2006
-
You know you want to know what he thinks of...
October 11, 2006
-
Does clutch pitching exist? Yes. He's named Nate Robertson.
October 10, 2006
October 9, 2006
-
I love it. Losing to the Tigers will likely be why Joe Torre gets fired.
October 8, 2006
Go Blue-gers!
When Tigers-Yankees and Michigan-Michigan State compete head-to-head, there's only one thing to do: hook up two TVs. I was living the dream. Living the dream.
They both won. Big.
Last night, barely a dozen Yankee fans could be bothered to show up and thank their team for another first place finish and a summer full of good memories. That's from a city of 8 million people.
Sure, it's a different scene from the 45,000 people partying their socks off in Comerica Park last night, feeling the sweet, sweet sting of victory champagne in their eyes.
But that's not the important difference.
The important difference is that three years ago, 18,959 Tiger fans stood and cheered as the Tigers held a little mini-celebration when they won their final game of the season to avoid becoming the worst team of all-time. Yeah, the team was terrible. But they were still our team. And they still tried their butts off to finish with some pride.
So the Tiger fans went out and supported them.
That's the difference between Tiger fans and Yankee fans.
October 7, 2006
-
Nick Lidstrom, the new captain of the Detroit Red Wings. Congrats.
-
Zumaya: "I have a pretty decent fastball." Yeah, I'll say.
-
Zumaya: "I want to be intimidating." Accoridng to the NEW YORK newspaper, he already is.
-
We've been all Tigers over here all week, but there's another big Michigan sports event going on this week. Here's a little something to whet your appetite.
-
Nater Robertson pitched his heart out in Game 1. He chewed his heart out in Game 2. It worked.
-
Joining the circle of winning playoff teams is a bit like joining a church: Before you belong, you have to believe.
Kenny Rogers was simply masterful last night and the Tigers won 6-0. No gum necessary.
The Tigers have a chance to close out the series today with Jeremy Bonderman on the mound. I wouldn't have it any other way. Three years ago, Bondy lost 19 games for the worst Tigers team of all-time. Now, he has the chance to get the biggest Tigers win in my memory.
I'm so excited for this opportunity.
Plus, I've got a pack of gum. Just in case.
October 6, 2006
For the first time I can remember, the Detroit Tigers won a playoff game yesterday. And they did it the way the best teams do: by doing just a little bit more that the other guys in the biggest situations.
The Tigers pitching carried the day. Verlander started the game and had all his pitches working, but it still wasn't pretty. He loaded the bases in the first inning, but he struck out A-Rod to end the rally. Two more runners reached in the second, but he forced Derek Jeter into a fielder's choice.
Verlander didn't mow down every hitter, but he got the outs he needed to.
Joel Zumaya got all the outs he needed to, at the time the Tigers needed it the most. They had just taken the lead in the top of the 7th inning when they called Zoom Zoom out of the pen. Zumaya retired all 5 batters he faced. Jeter, A-Rod, and Giambi all on strikes.
The Tigers are the only team this playoffs who have evened their series, and the Yankees suddenly find themselves in a series they certain did not want.
Yeah, it's still going to be damn hard the rest of the way, but they won this game the way you're supposed to. All hell broke loose and they still found a way to win. They have to feel like they really can play with the Yankees now. They have to feel like they belong.
Game 3 is tonight in Detroit. Kenny Rogers is on the mound for the Tigers. Randy Johnson and his herniated disk for the Yanks.
I am so freaking excited. Now, I just have to remember to pick up some Big League Chew for tonight. It's Gum Time.
October 3, 2006
-
Netflix will award $1 million to anyone who can improve their recommendations by 10%. Such a great challenge project.
-
33. Joel Zumaya coming in with the bases loaded in a tie game in the bottom of the seventh to face Alex Rodriguez.
-
One man's reaction to the Lost season premiere. I can't wait any longer than 1 hour after the Tigers game tomorrow.
Yeah, the Tigers ran into a bumpy road the last 6 weeks of the season. Yeah, it sucked to lose out on the division title. But hold up a second.
This is a team that won 95 games. It took an astonishing comeback by the Twins to pass us, even after we played lousy for a month and a half. Do not sell this team short.
Jim Leyland said it best.
Remember, nothing of the last few weeks counts anymore. The only thing that counts tonight is Nate Robertson on the mound and the Tiger bats at the plate.Everybody thinks that we blew the division. I guess if you want to look at it that way, you can.
I look at it like we’re a team that won 71 games a year ago and won 95 games this year, and we’re in the playoffs. We’re going forward and we are here to play.
Yeah, it's going to be hard. It's Yankee Stadium in primetime. Against a lineup that's probably better than Murderer's Row. But winning the World Series is supposed to be hard. Remember: The hard is what makes it great.
We've still got Verlander and Bonderman and Zumaya and Rodney. Yeah, the pitching has struggled with the workload of the late-season grind. But if there's anything that can make you find every last ounce of your strength it's the chance to win it all. I'm pretty confident they'll be just fine.
We've still got Maggs and Guillen and Monroe (Medium Papi). We've still got Brandon Inge, the best third baseman in baseball. And we've still got Pudge Rodriguez, a guy who just doesn't know how to lose.
So, yeah, it'll be hard. Ain't no denying it. But do not sell this team short. They will be ready to play.
Usually in this space, I get all brash and cocky, making bold predictions and looking foolish once all is said is done. Not this time.
Tonight, I've got no crazy bravado. Just an appreciation for one heckuva a season and an anticipation for October possibilities. Now excuse me, I've got to go put my Tigers hat on and get ready to scream my head off.
October 1, 2006
Bring.
It.
On.
