Rough weekend, great year

(Photo By Detroit News)

I could have avoided the television and internet over the weekend and went on in complete bliss.  Saturday night was a big night for this fan, landlocked in Afghanistan and completely at the mercy of the American Forces Network for live/taped sports and ESPN.com and twitter for the latest scores and stats.  Not a good statistical day for the biggest game on the slate, Game 6 of the American League Championship Series.

But let’s focus on the positive. 

The Tigers lost and some may say lost big and you could expect that after the Rangers put up 15 runs.  I don’t buy it as a big loss, disappointed for sure but what a heck of a team.

You have to look at the body of work, regular season and the playoffs.  Do that and you can see why Jim Leyland said before game six that he couldn’t be prouder of any team he’s managed. 

This is one of the scrappiest teams I’ve seen since Jack Morris was king of that hill off Michigan and Trumble.  Sure, a similar group of Tigers made it to the World Series in 2006 and they also had a bit of a chip on their shoulder but I think the team was even surprised to be there to a certain extent.  They were certainly underdogs after backing into the playoffs and many outside Detroit probably felt their pummeling of the Yankees was a fluke. 

(Photo By Detroit Free Press)

The 2011 Tigers shouldn’t have surprised anyone, particularly after the second half they played, dominating everyone in the Central Division.  Going into the best-of-five with the Yankees the Tigers were expected to give the Bronx Bombers all they could handle and they out gritted them throughout.  Even against the Rangers, MVP candidate and Tiger Ace, Justin Verlander showed the kind of moxie and grit in game five of the ALCS that we haven’t seen from a Tiger ace in nearly a generation.  

Leyland was proud?  Shoot, this Tigers team gave the all of Michigan hopeful and bright, something to be proud of as everything outside of sports seems to be so terribly bleak.  What really sticks with me too is that the team seemed to understand the situation at home and played even harder.  You certainly got that sense from Jim Leyland after they clinched their playoff spot.  His post game comments were interrupted by the pure emotion of the moment, his pride in his players and his city and state. 

(Photo by Detroit News)

So it didn’t end after six games.  What the Tigers gave Detroit will last well into the winter, and while deficits continue to pace the bickering in Lansing and D.C., at least people will have something good to reflect on and look forward to as the boys tune up for what should be another solid run as a contender in 2012.

A rough day for this fan in Afghanistan but the promise of better days ahead with the Wings getting started and it should be a good season for the 5-1 Lions.  Praying for something good to get me through the winter.