12/21/24
October 29, 2006
In a year of ups and downs: The Tigers gave baseball fans in Detroit a year to remember. No matter the lingering bitterness of the finish, they were a team that deserves to be cherished.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia to baseball at 08:18 PM - 15 comments
I'm not certain yet that the Tigers have all the tools to win it all in '07, but as long as they stay healthy they're going to be in the thick of it again. One or two more good arms in the bullpen, and some more experience to avoid the mistakes that were made in the Series, the sky can be the limit. I like what they're doing in Motown; they could be set up to win a lot over the next decade-plus.
posted by NerfballPro at 12:44 AM on October 30, 2006
I'm very proud of what the Tigers did this year. Now it's up to them to prove that this year wasn't a fluke. I'm happy to see Detroit with a little swagger in their step. It's been a long time!
posted by wingnut4life at 04:26 AM on October 30, 2006
They sure didn't impress me in the World Series. Yes, they looked good during the season but hobbled into the playoffs. I'll wager the Tigers don't make the playoffs next year. This team is toast.
posted by texasred at 04:48 AM on October 30, 2006
The World Series was good for the Tigers this year in that the young players got some experience in the playoff atmosphere. So instead of nervous mistakes next year should be a top team that shows it should truly be at the top.
posted by roberts at 05:19 AM on October 30, 2006
This team is toast. I would gladly trade the Tigers hopes and prospects of the upcoming season for those of the Rangers or Astros.
posted by mjkredliner at 07:52 AM on October 30, 2006
I'm not so sure this wasn't the fairytale season with the old school Grimm ending for Detroit this year. The Tigers had a lot of pieces fall into place rather quickly this year - and managed to avoid any horrendous injuries to the pitching staff. There are awesome teams in the AL - some didn't play as well, some played well and just missed the post-season, but I don't see a hell of a lot of them getting worse. Plus the Yankees are virtually guaranteed to get Zito (save some huge offer by the Angels or the like) and the Twins and White Sox seem like they'll be right back in the hunt. It'll be interesting to see just how good this Tigers team is next year.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 07:55 AM on October 30, 2006
POSITIVE: Watching the defeated Yankees sullenly leaving their dugout as the Tigers celebrated their playoff conquest, Derek Jeter, Joe Torre disappearing down the steps with glum faces. And then seeing the Yankees’ Johnny Damon standing on the dugout steps and applauding the Tigers as they celebrated on the infield. I didn't know Damon did that in the dugout. My respect level for him has been bumped up a few notches. That's classy as hell.
posted by evixir at 09:54 AM on October 30, 2006
The tigers were a great story this year, and should be next year, though it could as easily be for falling apart. the 2006 Detroit Tigers were the most mystifying team I ever have witnessed. I saw nothing in the article (nor from the team) to back this statement. Then again, I'm not even sure what that statement means. rogers maturity And I think that's wishful thinking.
posted by justgary at 10:16 AM on October 30, 2006
Nobody remembers who lost the World Series, let alone cherish them. The Tigers only redemption is getting back and winning. If you don't think so, just call up Joe Torre!
posted by americanleague at 12:05 PM on October 30, 2006
A great season with a poor ending in the Series, but still in my heart I think the Tigers have the solid core they need to be a contender, if not champion, for years to come. Considering where they were projected to finish by every "great" sports minds, they have nothing to hang their heads over. They're young and learning and once they learn enough they'll be a force to be reckoned with. That's all I've asked of the Tigers, that respect Not championship after championship. All I've ever want was what my dad asked for, that teams looking at their schedule, see they have the Tigers coming up and groan in dismay. That's enough.
posted by commander cody at 01:06 PM on October 30, 2006
the 2006 Detroit Tigers were the most mystifying team I ever have witnessed. I'm not sure if they were mystifying, but they were excellent at not preforming to expectations. At the start of the year everyone penciled them in to hover around .500. Instead they posses the best record in the league for the majority of the season. Then, when everybody in Detroit thinks the Central Division title is locked up, they blow it by getting swept by the freaking Royals. I'll admit I didn't give the Tigers much of a chance against the Yankees. I picked them in four, but that was just homerism speaking. But of course, when everyone gave up on them, the Tigers trounced the "best lineup ever." That was the 2006 Tigers right there. They pumped up the fans and had everybody thinking the World Series was a lock. Then, in a moment about as quick as it takes a pitcher to somehow throw the ball ten feet away from the third basemen, their season was over and the Cardinals were celebrating a World Series win. The 2006 Tigers, they won when they were supposed to lose, and they lost when they were supposed to win. The one comfort is that there were 30 other teams sitting home over last week, and one of those teams was not the Detroit Tigers.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 04:15 PM on October 30, 2006
As I stated in other columns. I live in St. Louis and naturally wanted to have St. Louis win. But, I predicted (and unfortunately bet) on the Tigers. My hat is off to the Tigers. Congrats to them for having done a great job in the A.L.. Don't know if it was nerves or over-confidence or what this year,but, I predict them a lot of success next year. (Hope that never cursed them) And if St. Louis doesn't make it to the World Series next year, I hope the Tigers get another chance.
posted by skeet0311 at 07:02 AM on October 31, 2006
The only downside I can see about the Tigers making it all the way to the playoffs/World Series is that if the Royals, Pirates, Devil Rays or Nationals start off the 2007 season at 8-1, we'll have to listen to WAY too many lazily-written sports articles about how they could be "the next Detroit Tigers".
posted by grum@work at 11:03 AM on October 31, 2006
I get sick just thinking about that.
posted by Ying Yang Mafia at 02:30 PM on October 31, 2006
True, plus they are a very young team - with the potential to get much better. The quality of their young pitchers, starters and relievers alike, is amazing. I predict they will be back to the series soon. And I doubt you'll see the nervous mistakes they made in this series in their next one.