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.

Go Blue-gers.

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.

My Detroit Tigers ringtone.

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.

"We are not a losing team."

Jim Leyland bristling at the question.

Olde English K's.

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.