[ The Daily Fungo: Detroit Tigers Baseball ] » Pennant Races

One Win Can Make Tigers’ 2006 Collapse Vanish from Our Memory

Mike McClary — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 05:36:26 +0000

Who knew?

The team I called “heartless” yesterday showed more than enough Wednesday night and, lo and behold, they are one win away from clinching the American League Central title. How often have you been able to say that?

For me, it’s been just four times — 1981, ’84, ’87 and ’06 — and in three of them they reached the postseason. I was in the Tiger Stadium bleachers, upper deck in center, the last time they won a division crown. (Who knew it could be 22 years, a marriage, two kids, three houses and four states before I’d get to see it again?)

So, what does 2009 have in store? Nothing certain, that much I know.

That is, I’m not certain a win is in the cards on Thursday. And it’s not the obligatory “this-thing-isn’t-over-yet” cliche when, deep down, you feel it’s a done deal.

Nope. The Twins have proven time and again they can cause heartbreak for the Tigers. And they’re pesky enough to do it again. Maybe.

But the Tigers have something to draw on here. Imagine this pre-game scenario tomorrow in the Tigers’ clubhouse: Players leftover from the 2006 squad — the ones who couldn’t get a single win in three tries against the pathetic Royals to clinch the Central, and lost it on the last day — will let the guys who weren’t there know precisely how much that memory still stings. And how they don’t want to feel it again, ever.

Forget what I said earlier. The Tigers will win the division in front of a matinee crowd on Thursday. Because the only way to end this the right way is to defeat the Twins at home — not in a one-game playoff next week in the Hefty Bag.

Though, it would be nice to celebrate in front of Ozzie Guillen.

Nah. Never mind. This thing’s over on Thursday.

I think.

Keep in mind: if the Tigers lose 8-0 on Thursday — at home — the “heartless” thing may come up again in this space.

Friday Morning Reality Check

Mike McClary — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 06:24:59 +0000

So What Did I Miss?

Mike McClary — Tue, 11 Sep 2007 05:19:41 +0000

When Greg Zaun‘s liner to left field deflected off the outstretched glove of Timo Perez, I turned off the TV.”Enough already,” I said, chasing my son around the couch. It was bed time and he wasn’t going down quietly.The Tigers, at least through eight innings certainly, appeared to be. You’ll have to win this one without me watching, boys. Click.I put both kids to bed and came out to my office. I was heading to the gym and grabbed my iPod and my phone. The latter had a text message from John Milton saying, That’s what I’m talking about!, or words to that effect. Naturally, I called him back and got the recap.As Ian says, it’s probably too late for this game to have any significance in the Tigers’ postseason hopes. But maybe not.And if it does go down in Tigers lore as the mother of all comebacks, I’ll see it over and over again on the championship DVD.Â

Monday Morning Reality Check

Mike McClary — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 15:27:26 +0000

Or, if you are feeling optimistic this morning:

Tonight’s Matchups That Matter

Mike McClary — Fri, 07 Sep 2007 17:15:27 +0000

American League Central StandingsCleveland: 81-59 .603Detroit: 75-65 .536 â€” 6 GBMinnesota: 69-71 .493 â€” 12 GB

â€¢â€¢â€¢Wild Card Standings New York: 78-62 .557Detroit: 75-65 .536 â€” 3 GBSeattle: 74-64 .536 â€” 3 GB

â€¢â€¢â€¢Tigers versus MarinersComerica Park – 7:05 p.m. ETJustin Verlander (15-5, 3.67 ERA) vs. Miguel Batista (13-10, 4.59 ERA)Preview Game Notes

â€¢â€¢â€¢Yankees versus RoyalsKauffman Stadium – 8:10 p.m. ETIan Kennedy (1-0, 1.29 ERA) vs. Gil Meche (7-12, 3.85 ERA)Preview Game Notes

â€¢â€¢â€¢Indians versus AngelsAngels Stadium â€” 10:05 p.m. ETJake Westbrook (5-8, 4.43 ERA) vs. John Lackey (16-8, 3.26 ERA)PreviewGame NotesÂ