This is the final installment in our series that looked back on the Tigers’ and Blue Jays’ epic fight for the 1987 American League East title.

American League East Standings: October 4, 1987

Team
Record
Pct.
GB

Detroit
97-64
.619
–

Toronto
96-65
.596
1

In the first six games one thing was constant: the team that scored first would go on to lose. The Blue Jays, with the [...]

As the Tigers and Twins square off for the biggest series of the year with the division title hanging in the balance, we continue our look back on the last great race in Tigers history: 1987 and the seven games against the Toronto Blue Jays. Today: Game 2.
Part 1 – October Surprise: Tigers and Jays [...]

Over the next week, we’ll watch the Tigers and Twins play head-to-head to decide the American League Central.

While this plays out, let’s look back at the final two weekends of the 1987 season when the Tigers and Blue Jays squared off for seven heart-pounding, one-run games that would ultimately decide the American League East [...]

I thought it was my birthday gift from the Indians — Carl Pavano starting? That’s gotta be a win waiting to happen, no? No. Not against this mirage of a first-place club.
Some birthday for me. Actually, yesterday was a fine day and I never let the Tigers’ performance impact my birthday mood.

Because there’s absolutely [...]

Happy Birthday to Frank Tanana who turns 56 today. Last year I wrote a two-part series on his 1987 stretch-run starts against Toronto. Here’s Part 1. And Part 2.

When it comes to topics like the death of Mark Fidrych, I tend to be reflective — and that usually means several hours (or even a day) can pass before I post something about it.
I’ll certainly have more on The Bird this week, but I will share my single memory of Fidrych and his magical [...]

I’m intrigued by this Kenny Rogers-may-return storyline. Based on his last few appearances in 2008 I can’t imagine there’s anything left in the tank. But then I watched the postseason and saw the Phillies’ Jamie Moyer get it done…more or less — against the Rays if not the Brewers or Dodgers.
This year, at 45, Moyer [...]

The last we saw of Frank Tanana (in this 1987/Frank’s-birthday-mini-mini-series, at least), he pitched brilliantly against the Blue Jays at Exhibition Stadium only to watch the bullpen blow the game and put the Tigers farther behind Toronto in the A.L. East race.
Tanana faced the Jays 10 days later, this time at Tiger Stadium, and with [...]