PREGAME: So here it is, win or go home or whatever other cliches you choose to use. I’m in a much better state of mind thanks to the counseling session that took place in the Game 4 Aftermath comments.
This preview is pretty thin. First, I’ve covered the Tigers starter Justin Verlander as well as Cards starter Jeff Weaver. Second, everyone understands the consequences. Third, I’m pressed for time at the moment. I do plan on giving the live-blog thing a shot tonight (just check in this spot). I’ve never done it for fear of jinxing the team. But really, I think we’re beyond that now.
The good news is it looks like the rain has stopped.
Detroit Lineup
CF – Granderson
LF – Monroe
SS – Guillen
RF – Ordonez
1B – Casey
C – Rodriguez
2B – Polanco
3B – Inge
P – Verlander
Cardinals Lineup
SS – Eckstein
RF – Duncan
1B – Pujols
CF – Edmonds
3B – Rolen
2B – Belliard
C – Molina
LF – Taguchi
P – Weaver
So pick your Tiger, and let’s enjoy this one tonight…whatever happens.
The Liveblog
PREGAME: Let’s get this going already. I’m settled in with my 5 year old Tiger fan. Not sure how long he’ll make it, but he doesn’t have school tomorrow. He’s sporting the 80’s style road jersey with Whitaker on the back (mine when I was a kid). I also dug out a Jeff Weaver bobblehead I had from his days as a Tiger. I’m not into destruction of stuff, so I just stuck him in the freezer. Irrational? Of course, but you know desperate times and all.
Bottom of 1st: Anybody else getting that Rick Ankiel feeling?
Well the no hitter is intact. Verlander threw 20 balls that inning. Yeah there were a couple borderline pitches, but Verlander did nothing to earn them. It’s got to get better from here right? Right?
After 2: Seriously now, McCarver spent 3 innings talking about Zumaya throwing to 3rd a couple games ago, and he’s saying Inge should have come home with a runner on third and 2 outs? There’s really no harm on the Inge play, just Eckstein getting an extra base. If he doesn’t get there, Eckstein is at 2nd anyways. I just hate that Molina and Eckstein are killing us.
Top of 3: Well, we hadn’t seen the baserunning error yet…
Bottom of 3: Sean Casey just ran down somebody. Really, why was Pujols running? La Russa makes mistakes too.
As painful as this game has been from a Tigers perspective. They are only down a run. It doesn’t seem like it, but the Tigers are very much in this game. And Verlander has really settled down.
Top of 4: Thank you Edmonds, Duncan, and Casey. What do you know, this is a whole new ball game.
Bottom of 4: Seriously, just bunt every single time against Detroit. The whole pitching staff has got it in their heads now.
That hurts. The Cardinals open the door for the Tigers, and the Tigers give it right back because a pitcher can’t throw a ball. And McCarver, did you see how deep Guillen was playing? He had no shot at Taguchi, and he took a look before throwing to first.
Middle of 5: A nice at-bat by Granderson giving Verlander a little extra time in the dugout. Unfortunately it was followed by Monroe who is all about the home run right now. He’s dead pull and dead upper cut. I’m not sure why they’re throwing him anything on the inside part of the plate – but it isn’t really hurting them either.
On another note – and there is bitterness involved in this – I hate Tony La Russa’s batting gloved hands. Why the batting gloves? It’s not like they are insulated. If your hands are cold, just wear regular gloves or put your hands in your pockets. Pet peeve of mine. It bothers me when Chuck Hernandez does it also.
Middle of 6: The Tigers are down to 9 outs. They caught a break (on a very well hit ball by the way) but Pudge was carved up easily. Sigh.
Bottom of 6: That squibber that Molina hit that fell in, have the Tigers had one of those cheapies the entire series? Meanwhile Verlander has really pitched great since that first inning. He hasn’t allowed a walk and the 5 hits he allowed were all singles. I wanted Rogers in this game, but Verlander’s pitching hasn’t been the problem. Now of course there is the argument that Rogers can actually field his position, but you can’t say he’d have been put in the same situations.
Top of 7: Nifty play by Pujols and Weaver. Polanco can’t buy a hit. And what the hell did Thames do to Leyland. Gomez. Why Why Why!
Bottom of 7: Really, a hit for Eckstein that is normally a routine play? What are the odds. At least Rodney had the good sense to pitch around Wilson to get to Pujols.
Well, another run. Tigers have 6 outs to get 2 back with the top of the order coming up.
On another note, did you notice how emphatically Pudge waved off Rodney on that tapper in front of the plate?
Bottom of 9: A good at bat by Ordonez resulting in an out (see how Wainwright fielded the position) and a good at-bat by Casey resulting in a double. McCarver questions the pinch running move, and I understand his reasoning, but if Leyland is regretting taking Casey out I can live with that.
Then a horrible check swing on a 2-0 pitch by Pudge. Oy.
Now as I type this Polanco has 2 strikes on him, my heart is pounding. Polanco gets a walk on a verrrrry close pitch. My goodness. Come on Brandon.
And that’s that. Brandon got him last night, too bad he couldn’t get him tonight.
Yeah, the comments today were very theraputic. Last night after the game I felt like throwing stuff around like Bonderman did in the dugout. My wife tried asking questions about the game and I told her I was too ticked off to talk about it and to cease and desist from further discussion.
My Tiger tonight is *drumroll please* . . . Justin Verlander. He pitches 5 solid innings of scoreless ball (and doesn’t commit any errors) and helps his cause with an RBI base hit. Tigers win 5-2.
Lets face it – if Verlander is not tonight’s Tiger our odds of winning are slim and none. No matter how many runs we manage to scrounge together if our pitchers cannot hold the dang lead our season ends this evening.
Oh and if it means anything to anyone (it doesn’t to me) the mustachioed t.v. detective formerly known as Magnum P.I. aka world’s biggest celebrity Tigers fan, Tom Selleck, is predicting a Tigers win tonight. I hope his guarantees are better than Rasheed’s and Roy Williams’.
Well, Tom can’t do any worse than the ‘Sheed and RW, can he?
My vote for hero du jour is Ordonez: He is due for a mediocre game, which will be good enough tonight. 3 for 5, HR, 2B and 4 RBI.
What do I win if I get it right? Will someone buy me a ticket to Game 7?
No, my hands will be decomposing before anyone has a chance to pry my ticket away, but come downtown and I’ll buy ya a beer before the game.
Jeff,
Sounds great, but I am going to have to witness the comeback from here in chilly Springfield, Missouri. My wife is in St Louis tonight/tomorrow for an unrelated issue, but hopefully she can bring the Tigers some good luck.
I vote for Mags, too. I think he comes through with a couple big hits–even if they’re only of the single variety.
Go Tigers!!!
I think our best chance is to jump to an early lead and just really pile on Weaver. I predict Tiger’s win in a blowout.
I like Maggs tonight too. He really looked like he was swinging good last night. He might be the key to the lineup getting it done.
Billfer – I’m a long time reader, first time poster so let me first thank you for all of your work on the blog. I’ve really enjoyed it all year long and thanks to all the other posters for the online camaraderie too.
My Tiger tonight is Pudge – he’s breaking out of his slump and now’s the time to put his veteran leadership to use.
That said, the rain has stopped, I’ve completed all my pregame rituals, the TV is muted, and as I type this, there’s a beautiful Colorado sunset and the whole sky is orange – I’ll take it as a sign!
Ok Here we go, heads up and heads in the game. Lets get after them early and often.
I heard when we win, Billfer will be singing the National Anthem at Comerica on Saturday.
It will be interesting to see how they handle this game and how ready they are to play.
Steve
I’m from Pittsburgh so my primary connection to the Tigers is the Pirate alumni club that serves as the managerial and coaching staff. Yes last night hurt, but ask Andy what hurt really is, as he sat down in the middle of center field after a cripple beat them in game 7 of the 1992 NLCS. That’s why I’m looking forward to him getting this ring.
That aside, I backed the Tigers in 1968 as a freshman in college with a $5 bet with a loud mouthed Cards fan from Niles, Ohio. ($5 is not much by today’s standards, but a good paying summer job was about $1.80 an hour back then.) We doubled the bet when the Tigers were down 3-1, and the rest in history.
So let history repeat.
Steve, trust me, you don’t want to hear the National Anthem sang in the key of billfer.
I feel queasy.
Rob,
Take a tums and relax.
I should have bought a bigger bottle of tums.
WHEW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Talk about giving Leyland a heart attack.
look on the bright side: verlander is on a pace to throw 310 pitches. man, i’ll be the frist to say i’m wrong, but if you have a chance to pitch an 18 yr vet on FULL rest or a talented rookie who looks scared and tired, well, the choice seems obvious.
Six up, six down.
If they don’t start getting better swings, it won’t matter if Leyland started Satchel Paige tonight.
How Does Jeff Weaver look this good?
And ……. I know this is a stupid question but who is Rick Ankiel? I know that name from somewhere, but for the life of me I can not pull it.
Tigers in 7
Yes, but who do you pitch in Game 6? Verlander would come out scared and tired anyways. As it is, forty years from now, all we will remember is the “0 0” in the boxscore.
getting dominated by a pitcher who was released earlier in the year. good times. and a former tiger no less. this just in: bobby higginson just signed with the cards. he’s about to hit for the cycle.
Ankiel was a picther with the Cards about 2 or 3 years ago. He had tremendous control problems during his brief stint in the majors. He was sent down to the minors and converted to an outfielder. The last I heard he was playing for the Springfield Cardinals, their AA affiliate.
Nice play by Inge. Can you say gold glove?
i’d like to see the stats on the number of pitchers who throw 35 pitches in the first inning and then end up giving their team a quality start.
Ouch
UGH
McCarver is such an idiot! “He should have thrown home…” Yeah okay…
Its so ridiculous that McCarver keeps saying that Eckstein keeps producing….he had nothing to do with the throw ?!? Ugh is right.
Sorry for jinxing Inge.
As for Tim McCardinal, it looks like it is time once again to mute the TV and call up a radio play by play on the Net.
re: gold glove for inge. uh, no.
I can’t imagine a worse start to an elimination game…
Ohhhhh…Inge….
Could have scored on the Granderson hit. Ay ay ay…
Ankiel was a 20 year old in 2000 who fanned 194 in 175 innings with a ERA of 3.50. He made a start in the playoffs and suddenly had more balls hitting the backstop than the catchers mitt. He became incapable of throwing a strike and never made it back.
well, these guys are clearly choking. they’re all nice guys and a lovable team, but from their season-long aversion to on-base average to the bad baserunning and ridiculous errors, they’re clearly not world championship caliber. it’s the royals sweep all over again. i think somehow in the yankees series they were so clueless that they got hot. and the a’s, no one was paying attention to those first games. but now, it’s like, on the world stage, they’re going oh f–k, millions are watching.
This is torture.
and i can’t tell you how happy i would be to eat these words in two hours..
Granted, it seems terrible right now. But it is still just 1-0. Hard to believe, but true.
I dont think that will happen to Verlander, what happened to Ankiel., That eight day layoff has really bitten us, all the fielding and all the mental errors.
McCarver just said the experts are idiots. isn’t he suppposed to be an expert? Yea, he is an idiot.
Hey, something just went our way for once!
HAHA! Larusa is such a moron. Hit and runs with Edmonds swinging with 2 strikes and Pujols on first.
That was a gift.
Am i the only one that’s watching and thinking “well, as bad as it’s been, it’s only 1-0, we’re due to win one of these ugly ones”?
No, Bilfer and Ben just said it… 🙂
All right Casey…go Pirate alumni
Stephen,
With all due respect, I think you can eat those words right now. The MLB season is a marathon. You don’t make it to the World Series on accident. If you make it there, you’re championship calliber. They certainly aren’t playing up to that calliber, but they do belong here.
Is this the little league world series?
Don’t the Cards have anyone else other than Duncan to play out there?
i didn’t say they didn’t belong, just that maybe a week to freak out abt playing in the world series has got into their heads and they’re playing scared.
Dear God, come on Verlander.
Doh!!!
This whole error streak by the pitchers is in their heads, no doubt. That’s the easiest throw there is in baseball…unbelievable.
Stephen, If you’re saying they are playing scared, then I guess Verlander just proved it…
Can anyone say something to make sense of this?
Jeff, i think the definition of choking is on display here. i’m sorry, i’ve been a tiger fan for 30 years and this really is the single worst played world series performance of my lifetime.
Please, just hold on to the stinking ball when you field it. I honestly cannot believe this!
Stephen, I agree. This is the worst played world series I’ve ever seen.
Radio guy said it best…”This is just hard to explain…”
It is definitely hard to listen to, I can’t imagine having to actually watch it…
I bet Leyland would be through about 1 pack of smokes per inning this game…he could probably light a smoke by just pressing it on his forehead…
With the strikeout/flyball pitching staff the Tigers have, they should be making the easy throw – to first, with Casey used to spearing errant throws. This didn’t help Rodney last night, but oh well.
Leyland’s bunt defense is putting his pitchers into positions that they can’t handle. This isn’t a generic Leyland-bash, but he’s done one specific thing very wrong this series.
Um. He should be pinch hitting for Verlander here.
As I’ve mentioned numerous times, I really don’t have a serious dog in this fight.
Therefore, from a non-biased baseball fan who is only here to watch a quality World Series, I write this in all sincerity: This is (by far) the worst WS performance I have ever seen.
This is historic bad, and by that I mean, decades from now people will remember how bad this defense has been. I know I will.
Yeah, regardless of who wins, the quality of this series ranks very low…it is like the Tigers won it all against the A’s and then came out to play some pick-up ball against the Cardinals before the Winter break…
Jason, I’ve got to disagree with you on the bunt defense aspect. That was the correct play in that situation. What makes it easier throwing to first, Rodney couldn’t do it?
The Cardinals shouldn’t even bunt towards the lines. Just right back at the pitcher.
i can’t disagree more. verlander’s play was something a pony league player should make. it’s not a tough play, they’re just gagging.
It’s the curse of the Pirates…this is the way the Pittsburgh club played all year
Well this certainly hasnt started off by giving us the idea that they are going into a “hot Streak”.
Think of this though, as bad as we have played we are still in the game. If we can get it going a little bit we are in.
Steve
That fan’s sign in the stands…”Hit it to the pitcher”.
That’s just messed up.
Is it actually possible that Granderson, Monroe, Magglio, Pudge, and Placido are COMBINED 9-83 in this series??
Shawn, that was funnie, we need a little laughter on this night. Maybe a new product you could market >> The Leyland-Lighter 😉
The Tigers are like the crazy hot girlfriend. You think you have no chance (2006 spring training). Then you suddenly have the best sex in your life sleeping. (76-36) Then, she goes a little crazy and says she slept with your best friend. (19-32) Then she apologizes, says she made a big mistake, wants to move in and buy a dog. (7-0 playoff run). Then she burns your house down. (world series performance).
This is going to be extremely hard to recover from. It’s only one run, but they are clearly shaken. I still reserve some hope for a miracle.
sorry about the typo. trying not to throw my computer against the wall
Stephen, Who would be the girl friend in the movie version?
Bilfer, I disagree with you – the odds that you or I make the play in those circumstances (on a slick, cold field under the glare) are about 50/50, and I play vintage baseball bare-handed.
Verlander, and Zumaya in Game 2, should have taken the easiest out possible – at first base.
if it’s the early 90s, it’s definitely jennifer jason leigh
Um…it’s still not completely over…is it?
Think about it…Mac and Lamont are losers, Van Slyke couldn’t hit when the chips were down. That kind of poop rubs off on players.
We are still in it. But I’m sorry….expecting this team to suddenly turn the switch on and play like a big league club is unrealistic. I’ll put my money on the trend they’ve established the last 5 games.
Even if we go ahead again, you can bet the Cards put the ball in play the following inning–and then something bad will happen.
I was thinking Jessica Alba
Joey – I don’t care if they turn it around or not. In a close game there is still a shot. I’ll take an ugly win. We’ve sure had enough ugly losses.
Stephen:
I wonder if your crazy hot girlfriend can hit Inge’s glove with a throw to 3rd base.
Actually, i think anne hathaway has a crazy side just waiting to be tapped into
Despite it all, we’re only down a run. Could easily be down 3 or 4 runs. Here’s hoping that breaking ball that got Pujols looking is a turning point.
I’ll take an ugly win. And I haven’t turned this fiasco off yet, so I’m holding out hope.
But I know you get my point Billfer.
I think that it has just taken Verlander 80 or so pitches to “settle in”
I love that the home plate ump is pissed at pujols…we’ll take anything that could help us in any way.
We need to get a few runs here.
This reminds me of the Red Wings in the playoffs the past few years: It seems like a bad dream but it is unfortunately too real.
Hey Duncan could start for us aHHHHHHHHHHHHHhhhhh
McCardinal actually had an insight on Duncan’s lack of glove in right field. Wow, glad I was sitting down.
Go Casey
I hate it when TIm McCarver is right, but I’ll take it.
could casey score on a single?
Duncan! Our 10th man! Woooooooooo!
Mike Pudge would have to hit it to Comarica for Casey to score
it is assuming pudge could hit it
Well we assumed wrong,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,
Stephen’s crazy hot girlfriend is starting to dump gas on the house.
Why is Pudge up there trying to pull the ball? He’s at his when he takes that outside pitch the opposite way, but here is is swinging for the fences. Which he’s been doing pretty much since game one of this series.
Can someone just knock me out already!
I really thought Pudge would come up big this series along with Maggs. Sucks reallly bad to be wrong.
Also..if it doesn’t cost too much, I wouldn’t mind resigning Casey at all. This guy is an all-around solid player.
That should read: He’s at his best when he takes that outside pitch the opposite way.
Sorry Joey, Cant knock you out you have 3 innings to go. Besides Dan is doing the post game wrap up with Tim McCarver
Mike, I think Casey did a good job to score on his home run earlier. That guy is hilarious to watch when he runs. I call him Baby Hughey…
Don’t you see Casey’s mobility as a problem? I mean you could DH him all year, but my knees hurt watching him run.
HAHA!
The Dan/McCarver postgame is killing me!
the crazy hot girlfriend is currently hunting down members of my extended family. seriously, i almost wish the cards would score 17 runs this inning.it is going to kill me in the 9th when ivan strikes out with the bases loaded. i already feel like ihave a brain anyuerism.
Casey can’t be any worse of a runner than DY. I suppose it would all depend on other 1B we could be in the market for. I don’t expect much from Shelton so I’d like to turn somewhere else.
Unfortunately the bottom 3rd is coming up here.
Think Thames will get a freaking shot here?
If Gomez or Neifi pinch-hit, I’m throwing my TV out the window.
You could move Pudge to first, but that leaves a hole at catcher to fill. IMO, Pudge’s value to the team at this point is catching, not hitting, so it might not be a good idea to move him.
somewhere, dmitri young and bobby higginson are sharing an 8-ball and laughing their asses off.
Neifi is gonna hit the game winning homer. Sorry, the Tigers’ bats caused me to fall asleep briefly…
Yeah, and they’re saving a gram or two for Weaver when he’s done in the locker-room tonight.
You know, Win or Loose, I will miss these guys when the season ends. My son and I saw them in spring training for a couple, saw 5 or so roadies and a one at comerica and had MLB extra innings this year and caught maybe 100 + of those, playoffs, plus hanging on the BLOG We have been living Tiger ball since March (not complaining) It will be like having your good favorite neighbor move.
These guys will have off Nov, Dec and January >> then will be back at it.
i jus threw threw up in my mouth.
HAHA…Inge is killing me with that hit.
Hey what moron GM is going to dish a multi-year to Weaver based off his “great” world series performance.
Good point, Steve. I also have to tip the cap to Bilfer for letting us have some fun during this season. For all you do, this Stroh’s for you.
Guys, the TV is gone, so I’m only going to be able to follow the game through your comments.
The thing is a heroic loss still hurts, the pistons losing to the lakers in 7 in 89, but at least they played bravely i.e. isiah scoring 18 in a quarter with a torn up ankle. it’s just hard to put your heart and soul into a team and see them choke like this.
Joey,
George the BOSS has cash
What kind of TV do you have, If you throw it out I may come get it if its a good one.
Steve
Dont you think the guys that just sang were a little high, are they missing the testosterone makers?
My cable went out briefly…who hit for Verlander??
did they have someplace to be?
The TV was a samsung. If you’d asked for it 3 minutes earlier I probably could have salvaged it for you. Thing is when I looked out my window and saw the TV still working with the Three Dookies singing GBA on it, I grabbed a bat, ran outside and finished the job.
philosophical question: does baseball provide more joy or more pain?
you may open your blue books…now.
This season…more joy.
Gomez PH, What did Thames do to Leyland, Very Surprised he did not hit,
Ridiculous. Where is Thames????
Joey C. is correct, Stephen. The Lions always bring pain.
When did Eckstein sell his soul?
Here’s another question:
Who had more errors and left more men on base in the World Series:
2006 Tigers or 1919 White Sox?
I would say JOY, JOY ,JOY the last few years we have been out of it by June 1st, this is fun
Joey, that’s the first time I’ve laughed all night. Thanks 🙂
Let’s look on the bright side:
2006 World Series results:
The Detroit Tigers defeat…..the Detroit Tigers!
We’re all trying Bix! This is too absurd to not laugh at a little.
How come Jamie Walker hasn’t been pitching?
How many of us can honestly say that they thought that the Tigers would be playing in the World Series this year? I don’t think that too many can say yes to that question. Is it going to sting if they don’t pull this off, yes. Most definitely. But hey, we got here. Which is more than 28 other teams can say, including the Red Sox and Yankees, etc.
You guys don’t want Casey full time. The idiot GM of the Pirates paid him $8 million and he was on the dl 1/3 of the time. He’s hopped up on something, cuz it took him 3 months to hit 2 HR’s for the Pirates. Decent as a fielder and singles hitter, but you need better than that from 1B
fast eddie…he has only played better because he is no longer depressed playing for the Pirates…
hey now… no way the lions can lose this week!
Hello one and all. UK Tigers fan calling…and frustrated.
In a way these games have become morbidly fascinating, a matter of waiting to see what else can possibly go wrong.
I will say this for McCarver, he’s in LOVE with Rodney.
i can stomach losing with honor. but this is like the french in 1940.
“i can stomach losing with honor. but this is like the french in 1940.”
The French had a resistance movement. I suppose Casey would represent that.
leyland is marshall petain, leader of vichy france. there is actually some resemblance.
We are still in it, a couple of hits and we turn the tide and go home for game 6 with the Gambler
Foul ball, and we breathe again.
Damn, damn, damn!
Oh well, the good news is I will save $800 on World Series Tickets
Here we go, 4 run inning
“leyland is marshall petain, leader of vichy france. there is actually some resemblance.”
The UK pundits have pointed out his resemblance to a man recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. I don’t think I’ve seen him smile…not that there’s been much to smile about.
Pudge’s “STAY AWAY FROM THE BALL, FERNANDO” gesture was nice.
I’m convinced that was a planned, swinging bunt.
As painful as it is to see the errors from the pitchers, it really just irks me to hear McCarver and Buck talk about it – only we can make fun of our Tigers!
Now Jim Edmonds learns to catch.
Deeee-troit Bas-ket-ball!
I’m beginning to loathe the sight of Jeff Weaver.
How is Weaver doing this, this guy was once missed phone call from watching Gomer Pyle reruns all year. This is a bummer
Weaver would not even be here if his younger brother did not storm onto the scene this year.
Lets Go Redwings!
Bless you boys.
Not a one of us would’ve turned down “hey, the T’s are going to be in the WS this year” if offered it in spring training. Thanks to the whole team for a season I’ll never forget — travelling 2,200 miles to be at Game 1 with my pops and my wife = priceless.
Now, let’s pull this one out of our butts and make that last paragraph a moot point…
*** Sorry >> should be one missed phone call
I agree with Bix…….more memories than I ever imagined back in March. This was the Summer of the Tigers for sure…….
And I almost forgot to say — thanks billfer, for giving us all a home. You’ve been a great host 🙂
Where is Isringhausen when we need him?
Surprised they’re not letting Weaver try to finish it. Depressing as this is the bastard deserves the chance.
Too smart a move for Larusa.
Here we go.
Let’s go, fellas. One last chance for the season. Make sure you get in some good licks.
Nice move by Casey there flipping the kid the ball. He cant be feeling great right now but he thought enough to give the kid a ball.
Reach for your holy books (or in my case cigarettes).
“Misfortunes one can endure. But to suffer for one’s own faults – ah! – there is the sting of life.”
-Oscar Wilde
That said, come on Mr. Casey.
Vive la resistance!!!
Come on Pudge! One heave.
why do you pinch run for casey? I don’t get it: It isn’t like he is the tying or winning run…
That was very sad, A check swing chop shot from Pudge
Not even the luck is with us.
C’mon Placido.
Walk!
at least they are making it interesting
Thing’s is looking up here. The table’s set for Brandon Inge. At least he’s had a decent WS.
Not a good swing.
Or that one.
Good season boys. See ya next year.
This is tough to swallow.
Ouch.
Alright, bless you boys for an outstanding season. Let’s start a thread on what the roster will look like for next season,
Great season. Awful ending. Hopefully the former will trump the latter in my mind a few days from now.
I’m hurting…
But it was a great season. Too bad it had to end with us playing probably the worst ball we played all year.
Get ready for the offseason boys and girls! It’s going to be a doozy!
Hey great season, this was exciting this year and I agree,,,, Billfer thanks for hosting, I know we all had fun hanging together the last month or so.
Steve
Absolutely embarrassing performance in the World Series, losing to the worst winner of the Series in the over 100 year history of the contest. It was a fun season for once in a long long time, but this ending has been hideous. Like Kyle said, hopefully the memories will get better with time.
Must be payback for Mickey Lolich.
Sports fandom can be horribly cruel. A great season with an awful ending.
Joey do not sit in the car with it running or soil yourself, Spring training starts in 3 months
And where did this Women from Fox come from. I have never heard of her. She needs to go away (far)
Beaten by Weaver… my old favorite player from the Tony Clark years…. I’m gonna go vomit now.
Did Selig just call him Ecksteen?
Thank the gods for Britain’s new opening hours. I may have to get drunk soon.
yep, Do you think Ecksteen will trade the yellow in for blue?
I’ve never been so proud of a sports team in my entire life. I’ve grown up with the Pistons, Red Wings, Michigan Football, MSU basketball. But this summer was better than all of it combined.
These guys, helped make this past summer the most exciting one I’ve ever had. I went to over 20 games this year, and the won most of them. I was there for walk off shots, I was there for gems. I was there for the two ALDS games against the Yanks. I will never forget dan dickersons call when mags hit the shot. I’ll never forget being there for our only World Series win.
I was at the last game at Tiger Stadium, the first at Comerica. Those pale in comparison to what I’ve seen this year.
I was born in ’86. Too young for 84. A year old for 87. Seven for 93.
No matter what happened in these last games, this team brought baseball back to Detroit and I’ll never forget that. Ever.
Look at it this way. StL has had to go to post-season 5 times in the last 7 years (7 in the last 11) to finally get a World Series ring. Talk about dismal.
Unfortunately for the Tigers, their division isn’t the NL Central. So their going to have to suck it up and buzz.
If it makes anybody feel better (and it doesn’t me), the Cardinals won in 34 we won in 35, the Cardinals won in 44 we won in 45, the Cardinals won in 67 we won in 68, the Cardinals won in 82 we won in 84…..so that means either 2007 or 2008 the Tigers should be winning it.
Hey Bobber!
I wouldn’t call 7 out of 11 dismal. Dismal is a cheating #1 starting pitcher to chicken to play to keep his team in the series. That’s dismal!
Touche CF.
Like I said, thank God for the NL Central.
Cards fan, shouldn’t you be celebrating? I can’t imagine being to concerned what was written on Cardinal boards if the Tigers had won. Congrats either way, enjoy it.
If the tigers can keep the current pitching staff together for the next decade, Tiger fans are going to enjoy lots of wins and hopefully a championship or two or more. Disappointing ending this year; but this is the beginning of a very promising future. Their are no better fans than Detroit Tiger fans.
The part of me that is Tiger fan would like to join in thanking them for the unexpected joy they gave us this summer.
The part of me that is baseball fan is forced to say that’s the worst display of baseball fundamentals I’ve ever seen in my life.
Tigers were the worst team over the last 50 games to ever make the world series and provided the worst performance by a team in a world series ever. sometimes, i think the 100 loss seasons were better.
Here’s to the best team from the best league. That 83 win team can never top coming out on top of the Angels, Red Sox, White Sox, Twins, Yankees and A’s.
I completely agree with Stephen, even after a night of reflecting on it, this team completely embarrassed the city of Detroit on the biggest stage in the sport. A humiliating way to lose. Losing isn’t bad when you at least can lose like a man.
For what it’s worth, World Series experience going into this series:
TIGERS
Pudge (6 games, Fla)
Rogers (1 game, NYY)
ST LOUIS
Eckstein (7 games, Ana)
Spiezio (7 games, Ana)
Encarnacion (6 games, Fla)
Edmonds (4 games, StL)
Rolen (4 games, StL)
Pujols (4 games, StL)
Looper (4 games, Fla)
Molina (3 games, StL)
Taguchi (2 games, StL)
Weaver (1 game, NYY)
Suppan (1 game, StL)
Hey Bobber, with all due respect, I wouldn’t call 7 post-season appearances dismal. What Tigers fan wouldn’t trade our last 11 years for St Louis’s? And Cards Fan–can we PLEASE quit with the cheater talk? Your team played great, ours played lousy, and Rogers was pretty much our only bright spot. You can afford to be generous.
Sorry, Anne, certainly what team and its fans wouldn’t trade their eye teeth for 7 post-season appearances in 11 years? (Okay, except for them!)
My point was, simply, that finally winning a world series after 6 whiffs is, well, batting 0.147.
I think their cumulative WS experience alone worked to their advantage. But hey, they still won, and that’s the name of the game. Congratulations to Busch’s finest!
I love all the Cards fans running to Tiger blogs to gloat or call the Tigers cheaters. Mildly amusing…