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 [...]

ESPN highlights available here.

The Score: Twins 3 – Tigers 2, 10 innings

The Gist: Stop us if you heard this one: The Tigers had plenty of baserunners but a dearth of clutch hitters. Rick Porcello was lights-out for the Tigers over six-and-a-third innings but his offense made Nick Blackburn look like Bert Blyleven. And just [...]

The Tigers must be enjoying their last day off this season, albeit in Cleveland. While they rest up for the final two weeks, we’re left to root for the White Sox to wear down the Twins over the next three days. But even under these circumstances I cannot support an Ozzie Guillen/A.J. Pierzynski-led team.

Just [...]

*In 2008 we posted a recap after every game. We’ll resurrect them for the stretch run and, if necessary, the postseason.
ESPN highlights available here.

The Score: Tigers 6 – Twins 2

The Gist: The Tigers showed the doubters among us (including yours truly) that they can win when it counts. Fungo Favorite Nate Robertson was outstanding over [...]

Remember in Spring Training last year when Jim Leyland was concerned about some Tigers “taking off” at bats knowing that someone else in the powerful lineup would likely back them up?
Maybe that’s what plagues the 2009 Tigers. Except for the powerful lineup thing.
Other thoughts on the game:

Don Kelly did not lose this game for the [...]

On September 3, 2006, the Detroit Tigers were 4.5 games ahead of the Minnesota Twins. (And they had 13 more wins than they have today.)
Just sayin’.
Discuss.

So where does last night’s dust-up rank in the annals of Tigers bench clearers?
Hmm.
Well, it wasn’t as interesting as the 1980 Tigers/White Sox brawl (a.k.a. Cowens v. Farmer Grudge Match), nor as violent as Tigers/White Sox circa 2000. Here’s a refresher on that one:
Sixteen players, coaches and managers suspended. Nine others fined. [...]

COTO DE CAZA, Calif. — While the rest of the family watches the Christmas classic “The Godfather Part III”, thought I’d chime in with some Tigers thoughts on this crisp southern California evening:

I’m not above admitting that some (most?) of my Hall of Fame thinking as it relates to Tigers players is rooted deeply in [...]