It’s no surprise the Texas Rangers moved on to the World Series. The Detroit Tigers will head home to clean out their lockers, curl up on their favorite chairs and become spectators for the fall classic.
I wanted to wait a good 24 hours before writing this. I wanted to reflect on how this team won a division when everyone picked them not to. I did not want to write anything too negative about this team. They gave Detroiters some exciting nights of baseball in our field of dreams called Comerica Park.
I could sit and recap the players. I could give them a pass or fail grade, but why? We saw their play throughout the season, from the ups and downs to the dramatic 12 wins before they clinched in Oakland. During that stretch, they swept the Cleveland Indians and the Chicago White Sox. Would I say the postseason was a collapse? They lacked the drive I had seen all season from my view in the press box. Yet come postseason, they fought back to beat the New York Yankees in five games before the Rangers ended their season.
There was no more coal to shovel into the fire. The smoke was gone. There wasn’t even a puff left to muster another win and force a game seven in the American League Championship Series. Injuries and basic fundamentals were the downfall.
I’m proud to be a Tigers fan and report on my home team. I am looking forward to the offseason and watching Tigers GM Dave Dombrowski work his magic and patch some holes. I would dare say Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez may have played their last games in a Tigers uniform. Brennan Boesch is ready to be the everyday right fielder. Delmon Young will play left and his bat only helps improve the lineup. Second base will be a spot the Tigers will need to look at. Third base still is an issue. Wilson Betemit is not the answer, and although I think Brandon Inge deserves a spot on the roster, it may not be as an everyday player.
Tell me what you think the Tigers should do. Comment here, go to my facebook fan page (sports talk 60) or feel free to email me at sportstalk60@comcast.net. I will review the responses and the best ones will receive a Sportstalk 60 T-shirt, mailed right to you.
Please check out the other TTFB articles. Enjoy the series. Till next time.