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This Has To Rank With The Best
We have been lucky. The history of sports in Detroit and this state has been extraordinary. As such, we are not unfamiliar with huge moments and great triumphs by these teams.
The Red Wings have their three Stanley Cup titles since 1997, the Pistons their three NBA titles since 1989 and the Tigers have 1968 and 1984. Michigan won a college football national championship in 1997, while Michigan State basketball captured the NCAA title in 2000.
This version of the Tigers has not won the World Series. At least not yet. But I am not sure if they do not already rank with, or perhaps above, the most recent area championship teams.
It has to do with the improbability of what the Tigers have accomplished. They had a dozen straight losing seasons entering this one. They had not been the playoffs in 19 years. Nor won a pennant in 22 years. They ended last season a dysfunctional mess. It also has to do with the way the Tigers are getting this done. They beat the Yankees when virtually no one thought they could, swept Oakland in impressive fashion and clinched it on a dramatic walk-off home run by Magglio Ordonez. These Tigers have provided us with so many snapshots of what they are, expanding from 21-year-old Joel Zumaya to 41-year-old Kenny Rogers. They have taken us to such extremes, from the ups of the clinching a playoff spot, beating the Yankees and winning the American League Championship Series, to the downs of the final weekend of the regular season. But the Tigers have kept us on the edge of the seat, making the excitement of the chase seem as deliriously wonderful as winning the prize itself.
Random Thoughts
- The collision course Michigan is on with Ohio State is inevitable. I doubt either one of those teams will lose before the big showdown in Columbus. What an epic game it is going to be.
- Drew Sharp brought this thought up when I did a radio show with him and Marc Spindler on 1270, WXYT, The Sports Station on Sunday. But why not Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English as the next head coach at Michigan State? You have to love what he has done with the Wolverines defense.
- My starting pitching rotation for the World Series would be Kenny Rogers, Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson and Jeremy Bonderman.
- The Tigers crushed the Cardinals during interleague play. That included Justin Verlander beating the Cards ace, Chris Carpenter. Seems like the Tigers would be better off facing the Cardinals than the Mets in the World Series. From a tradition standpoint, I would rather the Tigers faced the Cardinals. Both the 1934 World Series and the 1968 World Series between the Cardinals and Tigers were classics. What do you think? Every 35 years, give or take a few years, the Tigers are destined to face the Cardinals in the Fall Classic?
The Red Wings have their three Stanley Cup titles since 1997, the Pistons their three NBA titles since 1989 and the Tigers have 1968 and 1984. Michigan won a college football national championship in 1997, while Michigan State basketball captured the NCAA title in 2000.
This version of the Tigers has not won the World Series. At least not yet. But I am not sure if they do not already rank with, or perhaps above, the most recent area championship teams.
It has to do with the improbability of what the Tigers have accomplished. They had a dozen straight losing seasons entering this one. They had not been the playoffs in 19 years. Nor won a pennant in 22 years. They ended last season a dysfunctional mess. It also has to do with the way the Tigers are getting this done. They beat the Yankees when virtually no one thought they could, swept Oakland in impressive fashion and clinched it on a dramatic walk-off home run by Magglio Ordonez. These Tigers have provided us with so many snapshots of what they are, expanding from 21-year-old Joel Zumaya to 41-year-old Kenny Rogers. They have taken us to such extremes, from the ups of the clinching a playoff spot, beating the Yankees and winning the American League Championship Series, to the downs of the final weekend of the regular season. But the Tigers have kept us on the edge of the seat, making the excitement of the chase seem as deliriously wonderful as winning the prize itself.
Random Thoughts
- The collision course Michigan is on with Ohio State is inevitable. I doubt either one of those teams will lose before the big showdown in Columbus. What an epic game it is going to be.
- Drew Sharp brought this thought up when I did a radio show with him and Marc Spindler on 1270, WXYT, The Sports Station on Sunday. But why not Michigan defensive coordinator Ron English as the next head coach at Michigan State? You have to love what he has done with the Wolverines defense.
- My starting pitching rotation for the World Series would be Kenny Rogers, Justin Verlander, Nate Robertson and Jeremy Bonderman.
- The Tigers crushed the Cardinals during interleague play. That included Justin Verlander beating the Cards ace, Chris Carpenter. Seems like the Tigers would be better off facing the Cardinals than the Mets in the World Series. From a tradition standpoint, I would rather the Tigers faced the Cardinals. Both the 1934 World Series and the 1968 World Series between the Cardinals and Tigers were classics. What do you think? Every 35 years, give or take a few years, the Tigers are destined to face the Cardinals in the Fall Classic?
posted by Pat Caputo at
2:38 PM
19 Comments:
Pat, a lot changes in two weeks, eh? I was at the Saturday night Kansas City game, and heard your rant after the game on the way home. I was right with you, questioning Leyland's strategy and very frustrated.
Now here we are in the World Series. What a difference two weeks can make!
Love your shows on WXYT and your blogs. (Saw you yesterday at Hockeytown broadcast before the game.) A night for the ages.
Cheers,
Danny
Pat,
If I haven't already told you - I think your the best - and now you're my hero for writing this blog while the Lions game is on yahhoo .. we beat .. Buffalo?(sarcasm),
I always bend to your expertise, but this time I think you're being premature (sorry).
There is a world series to play yet. I am still in a euphoric high - not sure it's real yet. Me, my wife, and our 4 and 5 year old daughters held hands and wished for Mags to hit that homer - and he did! - and we all squeeled like my 4 year old when he did.
But ...
If there are ever big moments in the playoffs, there are always - always bigger ones in the World Series. Lets not mark this as the biggest even in Detroit history - yet. They say a historian cannot comment on the times of his time because his objectivity is skewed.
I love ya man, but please - bigger moments than Mag's homer - game winning - bottom of the ninth - 2 out - 2 strike - homer are coming - I know they are!
God this is really great. Thanks for letting us Windsor peeps love this too!
PS. We need to get the palace anouncer at the home games scream "DE-TROIT BASE-BALL" just before announcing the home team!
Here we go!!!!
Mr. C. -- That 9 to 2 Vagas odds looks good now. I remember at work some of the guys that bet the horses with a local booky would scan the racing form and pick a looser. The next day they would say dam it i was thinking about betting that horse. I don't know anything about the two teams that are left but if tigers get the pitching they have a good chance to win it all. Who would have thought! They sure want it when you see some of vets with tears in their eyes. Let us hope they win it all it would be great for everyone. It may be Nr. I made lots of money and can improve on this team for a few more great seasons like we just enjoyed. (Palanco reminds me of Nellie Fox the way he hits up the middle.) Vinny
Danny,
It's been terrific as a columnist and a talk show host, both, to cover a pennant race again and postseason baseball. I have been there in recent years for the Pistons and Red Wings runs and that was terrific, too, but baseball is much bigger. It's a lot of work, but very fulfilling. This summer doing the postgame shows was a lot of fun. So many highs and lows people went through. I felt like I was either quelling people's excitement or talking them down from the ledge. There wasn't much inbetween. Thanks for reading and listening. I appreciate it.
Caputo
Windsorfred,
Mason would be great doing baseball...I hear you about the World Series. I don't necessarily disagree with you about it.
Caputo
Vinny,
I think you're right on about Polanco and Nellie Fox, although I believe Fox was a left-handed hitter. My older brother always talks about what a pesky hitter Nellie Fox was. Guess he was a real Tiger killer back in the day.
Caputo
Pat,
First of all, thanks for the great blog, the recent OP columns, and the commentary on WXYT. You are the MAN. Isn't is great to see Maggs clinch the deal, after having so much unwarranted criticism layed about him. Hats off to you for hanging with him, and reminding us of his value as our clean-up hitter; you have been vindicated, sir!
Yes, it would be great to see the Cardinals advance to face the Tigers again, but somehow, I don't see that in the cards; I believe it will be the Mets, and that favors the Tigers even more. Either way, Detroit is the team to beat, but that won't happen. I've always believed that Detroit would end up prevailing as the team of excellence this season, although at times, it's been hard to maintain that belief. I had it pegged as you had to begin with.... that we'd first face Oakland, and then the Yankees. No, it doesn't matter at this point, that we did them in reverse order, but it's significant that we did them both thoroughly, with a domination that was rather unbelievable and magical. In both cases, the Tigers got into the heads of both teams, and there wasn't really anything that they could do to avoid bowing to them. This is what awaits the winner of the NLCS, and before the first pitch, the Tigers will be in their heads too.
Against the Mets, I believe the rotation will begin leftie - leftie; the Mets can't hit left-handers. While it will be unlikely to see Leyland go to Ledezma in Game 3 for the start, I'm sure he will see much of the action out of the pen. Let me repeat this: the Mets can't hit left-handers! The Cards aren't much better, and their rotation would be more favorable to the Tigers, but, Detroit is destined to be the World Series Champions for 2006, no matter who which team they play.
While the Cards and Mets are burning up their bullpens, Joel Zumaya is getting right. This is my dream rotation for the World Series:
Robertson
Rogers
Verlander
Bonderman
Ledezma
Robertson
Rogers
Not this this is going to go 7, but just in case. I was wrong in this last series, thinking Detroit in 5, but I'm going to go Detroit in 6 for this one, just because, it will only be right to win this thing at home, and YES... Neifi Perez with the walk-off bunt / suicide squeeze play, ala Dick McAuliffe style! WHAT a STORY, HUH?!!
Garold,
The obvious choice to start Game 1 is Rogers, but there is also the line of thinking that "if it's not broke, then don't fix it." I wrote a column very critical of Leyland for starting Robertson in Game 1 of the ALCS and felt like he kind of got away with one there after Robertson pitched out of so many jams. But the one thing about Robertson is that he won't be afraid of the moment. It's just he doesn't seem to be as good a pitcher as Rogers and Verlander, and probably Bonderman.
Caputo
Thinkingman,
Delagdo and Beltran are a load and are left-handed hitters, which makes them even more dangerous at Comerica Park. I know the Cardinals have Pujols, but that left-handed thunder the Mets have could be a problem. Casey and Inge do handle themselves and their success well. But this team is pretty much like that throughout.
Caputo
2002 Red Wings
2004 Pistons
2006 Tigers
2008 Lions? What do ya think?
I Rule,
Casey said he was going to be ready, but I have this picture of him in my mind walking out with a bad limp during the introductions during Game 3 of the ALCS. So I am not so sure. I don't think they will mess with the postseason roster unless Casey or Zumaya can't go. Nobody is saying much about Zumaya, but the last time he had this he was OK after about a week.
Caputo
Anonymous,
I don't how to respond to that other than:
LOL, LOL and, well, LOL
Caputo
Pat,
What are the specific rules on changing a postseason roster for the World Series? In order to have Casey and Shelton on the roster, does Neifi have to have a hangnail, and an infielder can replace an infielder??? I can't find the actual rules anywhere. It's almost like asking a union official for a copy of the Union Constitution or Local By-laws!
Originally, I wanted to write responding to your comments about the rotation, but let's save that for later; it's time that some discussion surfaces about the positional reserves, to make this season all right.
You've stated in the past week that Chris Shelton hasn't hit a lick, since his recall. This is true. I ask you this though - has Neifi Perez hit any better, or is he a better defensive player at SS than Ramon Santiago or Carlos Guillen, or a better option at 3B than Brandon Inge? Is he better at 2B than Omar Infante? Have you noticed how abysmal Carlos Guillen has batted since moving to 1B; his bat has disappeared, after being our offensive leader before the move. Is he even better defensively at 1B than Shelton? Can any of us forget how hot Chris Shelton swings the bat in cold weather? What guarantee is there that Casey will be able to handle a starting position, with that blown-out calf?
While Dombrowski deserves a mountain of praise for putting a winner together, the trade for Neifi Perez has been a total disaster. It's time to fess up to that fact, and find a way to give us the best roster for the World Series, as this doesn't happen everyday.
Bottomline, there was a fear that sending Shelton down might destroy his confidence, and at a time when he was rebounding. Without the start that Shelton provided, the Tigers just might not be where they are today, but few remember that, and NOBODY comments on that fact. What's to say, that he's been struggling because he's been kicked aside? I'll say this much; Shelton has more of a chance of being a World Series MVP than Perez does; the cold weather doesn't phase him one bit, as he has demonstrated when this magical season had it's birth. I think it's ludicrous to think of Perez as a better 25th man than Chris Shelton.
We have a week layoff. Why is nobody talking about this? Detroit has a strong team, they are the World Series favorite, but why can't we come in with the BEST ROSTER possible??? The same case can be made for Mike Maroth, especially when you consider than BOTH the Mets and the Cardinals bat anemically against left-handers, and Zach Miner has yet to be used. I can't believe that Miner or GRILLI is a better option against either team we will face than Maroth, just because of leftie - leftie problems that it poses for either of them. C'mon... Delgado batted about .220 against them, and Beltran around .240. Not only do Chris Shelton and Mike Maroth deserve to be on the World Series roster; they are our best options.
This is going to be a long week. I'd appreciate hearing some discussion on what the fans think about these two taking their proper place on the roster. I don't understand risking what could be a lay-down loner! Help me here. Maybe I'm all wet about this, but the stats don't prove it out.
When the Tigers finish this, and win the World Series, I hope Dmitri Young is given his ring; afterall, he started the turn-around by being the first to sign here. He became a misfit here, but he sure tore it up when he returned earlier this summer, inspite of few supporters. I hope he's doing all right.
ENGLISH WILL BE LLOYD CARRS REPLACEMENT.
Themuhmeshow,
Why wouldn't English want to go MSU? The program is a sleeping giant. He is a young coach without any previous ties to U-M. And he could get into the head coaching loop quickly instead of being tagged as a defensive coordinator. Oh, and they will pay him a boatload of money in East Lansing.
Caputo
Garold,
They can't put on Casey and Shelton at the same time, unless there is another injury and it can't be a fake one. They would get in serious trouble if they tried to pull that one off. Shelton has hit so poorly lately, it seems like they don't want him on the playoff roster anyway.
Caputo
Themuhmeshow,
Why wouldn't English want to go MSU? The program is a sleeping giant. He is a young coach without any previous ties to U-M. And he could get into the head coaching loop quickly instead of being tagged as a defensive coordinator. Oh, and they will pay him a boatload of money in East Lansing.
Caputo
I Rule,
Maroth is a better pitcher than the other two by far, in my opinion, but like you say, he just isn't healthy.
Caputo
Hello Book,
I read your suggested rotation for the Series to the "Wizard of Woodward". He amazingly must be reading your blog because his only tweaking from your proposed starting rotation was the flip-flop of Verlander and Rogers.
Also, I wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed listening to you on 1270. I particularly loved the shows this past summer when you went wall-to-wall baseball. No Lions talk thank the Lord. No reason to switch stations.
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