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It’s going to be a long season Charlie Brown
I think I know what it feels like to be Charlie Brown every time Lucy pulls the football away. You tell yourself not to believe it will be any different this time, yet somehow you let yourself think that this is the time it all comes together. Such is the life of a Tiger fan, at least during the Randy Smith era. You hear all spring how and why this year will be better, how they made some key acquisitions, how the problems in the clubhouse have been eliminated, how this team believes it will win, how last year was just bad luck because of injuries. And then some small part of you actually starts to belive that this team is different, and as opening day approaches you are actually looking forward to the season. You’re looking forward to when that first pitch is thrown, because at this point, the Tigers still have hope. They’re playing in a weak division, and after all look at what Minnesota (or some other team that was really bad the year before that suddenly got good) did last year, that could happen to us. Plus, the Tigers have an easy schedule the first month. That should help them get off to a fast start.
And now you actually allow yourself to believe that this team might have a shot to do something. You ignore the fact this happens every year, and you forget that you swore to yourself last May that you would ever be fooled again. You ignore the fact that the hot new prospects the Tigers are relying on wouldn’t even make most of the better teams in the league. You pretend that the defense won’t be a problem. You think that even though the bullpen doesn’t have a proven lefty, it really shouldn’t be a problem. You don’t acknowledge that your only true power hitter will begin the season on the disabled list with an injury that caused him to miss all of last year. You tell your coworkers that if x happens, and if y happens, and if …, not realizing that you have listed 14 different things that have to fall in to place. None of that matters, just throw the first pitch.
Now here you are on opening day, watching as the game unfolds. Detroit falls behind, but it’s still early and there’s nothing to worry about. You watch them claw there way back into the game and think – “See this team is different, that never would have happened last year.” You fully commit yourself to the team, this year is different. You start running up to kick the ball and…AAARRRRGHHH. The bullpen collapses, the other team gets an infield double and before you know it the game is out of reach. Lucy just pulled the ball away. Charlie Brown, you blockhead! What’s most frustrating is that you let yourself believe, especially when you knew better. Of course you vow never to let this happen again.
But then again they could turn it around, it was only one game…
Arrgggh!
Joe Sheehan’s AL Central predictions
Just like the AL East, the AL Central has two teams that aren’t going to have any impact on any races this season. The Tigers are a half-step ahead of the Royals right now, although both teams have a debilitating attraction to low-level, low-impact, mid-payroll free agents. The Royals still aren’t going anywhere until they get a management overhaul, while the Tigers at least have Dave Dombrowski in place to begin the ascent.
As Harwell prepares for retirement (mlive.com). Ernie the consumate class act on throwing out the first pitch during the Tampa Bay series:
“I told them I’d do it, but I really don’t want to,” Harwell said. “It’s nice and I understand it and you really can’t turn them down. I just hope they keep it to a minimum. I always thought the game belongs to the fans and not to the announcer. I’m just here to report the game.”
Mr. Harwell, I appreciate your humbleness but I have to respectfully disagree with you when you say, “I’m just here to report the game.” What you fail to realize is that for many fans, you are part of the game. You’ve transcended being an announcer simply reporting the facts. For many fans in Detroit, and the surrounding states (at least while WJR carried the games) you helped to define what baseball is. You embody everything that is good about baseball. You’ve given us first hand accounts of the best that baseball has to offer. So Mr. Harwell, if the game belongs to the fans, then let the fans celebrate everything you’ve done for the game and let them say Thank You.
Phil Garner is the worst manager in baseball (New York Post). And Randy Smith is the 4th worst GM.
More:Ken Rosenthal predicts Garner will make it through the season before getting fired “unless things get ugly this season”
Jose Lima: “I think we have a chance because to me, the Central Division is wide open. It’s not like it used to be before. I’m glad when people pick us last, though. That’s OK. I like surprises. I think we’re going to scare some people.”
Lima’s absolutely correct in saying the Central is wide open. I think that Minnesota should win the division, but beyond that it is anyone’s guess. The mediocrity of the Central should give all Tiger fans some hope – especially with the unbalanced schedule.
Lineup notes: Mike Rivera gets the start and catcher tonight, and Jacob Cruz will be starting in place of Robert Fick in right field. If Robert can play, he’ll DH tonight, otherwise Mitch Meluskey will play.
Congratulations to Joel who became a first time dad on Saturday morning at 9:11 Lima Time.
Tom Gage has a well written piece in the Detroit News.
Contract negotiations have ended for Fick. He was hoping to sign a two year deal. Also, he’s got a bum hamstring and will be limited to DHing on Tuesday.
Vegas’ over-under on the Tigers win total is 72.5. What’s your take? I’m predicting a 77 win season this year.