OFFICIAL Detroit Tigers playoff thread

Elvis · #1 (**permalink**) 09-23-06, 08:58 PM

The magic number for a wildcard spot is ONE.

One win by the Tigers, one loss by the White Sux, and the Tigers are in the playoffs for the first time since 1987!!!

The magic number for a division title over the Twins is SEVEN.

This is their first winning season since 1993. I've been suffering a LONG time.

TONIGHT'S GAME:

@ Kansas City. My Tigers' bats came alive in the first inning, as they took a 10-0 lead before the Royals even came to bat. That's the biggest ass-whooping I've ever witnessed.

It took the Royals two pitchers and over 70 pitches to get out of that jam.

It's now 15-0 in the bottom of the 8th.

**slk230mb** · #2 (**permalink**) 09-23-06, 09:35 PM

Congrats Elvis, Leyland really turned that team around. They've been fun to watch this summer. I'm a Mets fan, and watching them clinch and dethrone the Braves was quite enjoyable. Best of luck to the Tigers and I hope to see them in the World Series against the Mets.

nyyankeehater · #3 (**permalink**) 09-23-06, 11:06 PM

They are my adopted team for the playoffs as my boys are toast. If they were good enough for Magnum they are good enough for me. Love seeing new teams in the mix.

derrty_deville · #4 (**permalink**) 09-23-06, 11:22 PM

SInce 1993. The end of a rebuilding dynasty.

Where are the Twins at in all of this now?

Elvis · #5 (**permalink**) 09-24-06, 10:25 AM

The Twins, IMO, are the strongest team coming down the stretch.

Through the luck of the draw six of the Tigers' final nine games are against KC, three at home against Toronto. It should be easy for them to clinch the division title, but I don't look forward to playing the Twins again.

The Yankees are really tough too.

We don't know how good the Mets really are, since the rest of the NL has been weak this year. Another subway series is conceivable. I really enjoyed the last one.

I just hope my Tigers play to their potential. They've really sucked for the past month, but they got their 2nd baseman back last night. He was probably the key to the entire season and batting order.

Overall, though, against the Yankees, Twins, and WhiteSox the Tigers have a bad record.

Elvis · #6 (**permalink**) 09-24-06, 07:14 PM

Thanks to a 9-run second inning, the Tigers clinched at least a wild-card berth today.

Kicking ass and taking names--at least as far as the Royals are concerned.

Elvis · #7 (**permalink**) 09-26-06, 04:43 PM

Six games to go,

One game lead over Minnesota for division title.

Tied with the Yankmes for overall best record in the A.L.

The way it works out it's very unlikely that the Tigers will have to play the Twins in the first round.

noahsdad · #8 (**permalink**) 09-26-06, 09:31 PM

As a Tiger fan who still has his scrapbook from the '68 season, this has been a fun run. If they stay healthy, this team could get there. Even if they don't, next year they will be a rip roaring contender, and for several years to come!

Jim Leyland needs to run for Governor of Michigan.

Thanks Elvis for a great post!

CVP33 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-26-06, 09:38 PM

Ok. Tigers are in. Michigan beats Notre Dame. That's it. I'm buying a lottery ticket.

Kirk Gibson's 1984, fist pumping, limp home picture on the front page of the Detroit Free Press hangs in my office to this day.

Elvis · #10 (**permalink**) 09-26-06, 10:03 PM

Gibby didn't limp in '84.

You're thinking of when he played for the Dodgers in '88.

Must be really cool to have played for both Sparky and Lasorda, AND won a WS under each.

I still have a bunch of '68 stuff too, noahsdad.

Elvis · #11 (**permalink**) 09-26-06, 10:04 PM

UPDATE:

Tigers win

Twins win

Yanks win

no change in standings.

Five games remain.

CVP33 · #12 (**permalink**) 09-26-06, 10:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elvis

Gibby didn't limp in '84.

You're thinking of when he played for the Dodgers in '88.

Must be really cool to have played for both Sparky and Lasorda, AND won a WS under each.

I still have a bunch of '68 stuff too, noahsdad.

Actually you're half right. I'm thinking of his 3 run homerun off of Gossage in the eighth inning to beat the Padres. I have the front page of the Detroit Free Press when he hit that homer. One of two in game five.

Elvis · #13 (**permalink**) 09-26-06, 10:25 PM

I think one of the game 5 homers hit the roof of Tiger Stadium. There's video of Sparky in the dugout saying "he don't wanna pitch to you!"

noahsdad · #14 (**permalink**) 09-27-06, 02:21 PM

Actually my very favorite Tiger memory is going to the last game at the old stadium in 1999. We were three rows up from Governor Engler. Sat with Gibby outside before the game, saw Willie Horton, Al Kaline, Freehan, Tram, The Bird, Ernie Harwell, and so many others. Ron LeFlore showed up for the reunion and got arrested for back child support.

But the best moment by far was Robert Fick's (wearing Norm Cash's #25) grand slam home run off the roof in right field - the very last hit at The Corner.

What a night. Sure would be nice to start building some of those kind of memories at Comerica for the next generation.

Elvis · #15 (**permalink**) 09-27-06, 02:47 PM

I've heard that story about LeFlore. It's pretty funny but sad.

Ernie was in Memphis a few years ago for the AAA all-star game. I really wanted to go downtown and stalk him at the Peabody hotel and hopefully get a picture. I couldn't get off work.

I have a Tigers' shrine here in my office. There's an autographed picture of Ernie, a Harry Chiti mitt, a VERY old cap, and a bat autographed by Ernie. He wrote "Long Gone!" on it.

Harry Chiti had a brief career as a catcher for the Tigers in the early 60's. He's the only player who was ever traded for himself. In 1962 the Mets traded him to Cleveland for a player to be named later. At the end of the season, Harry became that player to be named later, went back to the Mets, then retired. Amazin'.

Incidentally, George Kell owns a Cadillac dealership a couple hours from here.