Detroit rocks my socks-- aka Tiger Talk

[csparks]

Maybe they'll win it in game 7 in time for a Christmas present for ya....:)

[super cool ski instructor]

Maybe they'll win it in game 7 in time for a Christmas present for ya....:)
:)) that's right!!!!

[iamredbeard]

Lets Go Tigers, Lets Go

[Angel]

Lets Go Tigers, Lets Go
inge batted in the tie ... brandon is hot tonight! http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/4/4_1_113.gif

[Angel]

eckstein used to be an anaheim angel ...

go-ahead rbi double in the 8th ...... http://smileys.smileycentral.com/cat/10/10_1_18.gif

[iamredbeard]

Angel, I want to say thanks for posting here.

[Chucky]

Bengals are tigers, too, you know.

[super cool ski instructor]

Tigers had some tough breaks last night.

I will admit that the Cards deserved to win games 1 and 3 because they outplayed us...that was not the case last night.

[Andrew Jackson]

Tigers had some tough breaks last night.

I will admit that the Cards deserved to win games 1 and 3 because they outplayed us...that was not the case last night.

i agree with that analysis--I guess former NL manager leyland forgot to work with the pitchers on fielding bunts and throwing? too much time in batting cage and working on double switches

[super cool ski instructor]

i agree with that analysis--I guess former NL manager leyland forgot to work with the pitchers on fielding bunts and throwing? too much time in batting cage and working on double switches
We have alot of inexperience in our bullpen. The young ones just need to check themselves a bit. They have been making too many errors. 4 of our errors have been the pitcher's fault.

[Andrew Jackson]

We have alot of inexperience in our bullpen. The young ones just need to check themselves a bit. They have been making too many errors. 4 of our errors have been the pitcher's fault.

i saw that on the pre game show. I watch those shows so i can better understand what is going on because i have very little baseball knowledge. caused a strain between Dad and I

[super cool ski instructor]

i saw that on the pre game show. I watch those shows so i can better understand what is going on because i have very little baseball knowledge. caused a strain between Dad and I
A strain?? Geez...it is only baseball ;)


(okay, that is the only time I will ever say 'it's only baseball')

[Andrew Jackson]

A strain?? Geez...it is only baseball ;)


(okay, that is the only time I will ever say 'it's only baseball')

ever see Field of Dreams? i went liberal hippie on my Pops

[super cool ski instructor]

ever see Field of Dreams? i went liberal hippie on my Pops
Interesting.....he probably laughed just thingk about the fact that you can't even get player' name right.........;) (Gunderson :twisted: )

[madasheck]

i agree with that analysis--I guess former NL manager leyland forgot to work with the pitchers on fielding bunts and throwing? too much time in batting cage and working on double switches

It's beginning to look like the experience of the Cardinals is making a big difference and the inexperience of the Tigers is hurting them. Hope this one lasts 7 games. Because I don't want baseball season to end! :(( :(( :(( :((

[Andrew Jackson]

Interesting.....he probably laughed just thingk about the fact that you can't even get player' name right.........;) (Gunderson :twisted: )

my Dad spanked me because i could spell Yazstremski until i was 10

[super cool ski instructor]

my Dad spanked me because i could spell Yazstremski until i was 10
you have so many issues man.....

[Andrew Jackson]

you have so many issues man.....

i need a woman

[super cool ski instructor]

i need a woman
I agree!!!!

[markd]

I agree!!!!
Sounds like you just volunteered.:cool:

[Andrew Jackson]

I agree!!!!

you have a quiet sister?

[super cool ski instructor]

you have a quiet sister?
depends...do you have a brother who doesn't wear pink glasses????

[Andrew Jackson]

depends...do you have a brother who doesn't wear pink glasses????

i have a sister. she is interested in same sex marriage

[super cool ski instructor]

i have a sister. she is interested in same sex marriage
I am ignoring you now!!!!!


I really liked the way that Leyland switched up the batting order. Pudge was effective in his new spot, but Polanco really needs to start showing up at the plate.

[csparks]

I am ignoring you now!!!!!


I really liked the way that Leyland switched up the batting order. Pudge was effective in his new spot, but Polanco really needs to start showing up at the plate.


...and Casey has been effective no matter where he bats....:) :whistle:

[super cool ski instructor]

...and Casey has been effective no matter where he bats....:) :whistle:
Okay...I am admitting right now that I was wrong about benching Casey. He has put up a stellar performance in the last 2 games.

[csparks]

Okay...I am admitting right now that I was wrong about benching Casey. He has put up a stellar performance in the last 2 games.

now that takes a REAL woman....:cool:

[super cool ski instructor]

now that takes a REAL woman....:cool:
and alot of effort. I am not a fan of admitting when I am wrong....

[csparks]

and alot of effort. I am not a fan of admitting when I am wrong....

I am though.......I mean a fan of admitting when YOU'RE wrong.:)

[super cool ski instructor]

I am though.......I mean a fan of admitting when YOU'RE wrong.:)
don't get used to it :cool:

[iamredbeard]

Tigers had some tough breaks last night.

I will admit that the Cards deserved to win games 1 and 3 because they outplayed us...that was not the case last night.


I take a different view. As mcuh as I would like to blame our loss on errors and say that we beat ourself, I won't take that temptation. St. Louis found a way to win. Champions find a way to win, champions find a way to overcome thier mistakes. We haven't done that in this series.

[csparks]

don't get used to it :cool:

I have to enjoy it while I can...after all you are the closest person to perfect on here......:liar:

[super cool ski instructor]

I take a different view. As mcuh as I would like to blame our loss on errors and say that we beat ourself, I won't take that temptation. St. Louis found a way to win. Champions find a way to win, champions find a way to overcome thier mistakes. We haven't done that in this series.
They would not have had as many chances to score if it weren't for us getting tough breaks. If you think they outplayed us...you are alone. Even on sportscenter the Cards were saying that they lucked out in this one.

[Andrew Jackson]

I have to enjoy it while I can...after all you are the closest person to perfect on here......:liar:
yet i get ignored?

[iamredbeard]

As bad as things look I head a couple good things on ESPN.

First, in the two previous times that these two teams played in the World Series whoever won game four lost the series. Second, the last two times St. Louis was ahead 3-1 in the World Series they ended up losing the series.

[super cool ski instructor]

As bad as things look I head a couple good things on ESPN.

First, in the two previous times that these two teams played in the World Series whoever won game four lost the series. Second, the last two times St. Louis was ahead 3-1 in the World Series they ended up losing the series.
As much as I hate those kind of statistics that sportscasters throw out there...I ma liking those two :razz:

[iamredbeard]

They would not have had as many chances to score if it weren't for us getting tough breaks. If you think they outplayed us...you are alone. Even on sportscenter the Cards were saying that they lucked out in this one.


I am not saying that they outplayed us. I am just saying that they found a way to win.

[csparks]

A good team takes advantage or its opponents mistakes....

4 errors by Tigers pitching in 4 games has equalled 5 unearned runs...the Cards are making the most of it. That's how it's done.

[super cool ski instructor]

A good team takes advantage or its opponents mistakes....

4 errors by Tigers pitching in 4 games has equalled 5 unearned runs...the Cards are making the most of it. That's how it's done.
Really? Because I didn't know how to play baseball...

All I am saying is that the Cards may have won, but it wasn't because they outplayed us.

[csparks]

Really? Because I didn't know how to play baseball...

All I am saying is that the Cards may have won, but it wasn't because they outplayed us.


Sorry....I thought you used the terminology "tough breaks" before.....must've been someone else.....:whistle:

[iamredbeard]

Really? Because I didn't know how to play baseball...

All I am saying is that the Cards may have won, but it wasn't because they outplayed us.


I'd agree that we outplayed them. I guess the NY series is still fresh in my mind and I kept hearing Yankee fans saying that Detroit didn't beat NY, but rather NY best NY and I am not going to go down that road. As much as I would like to say that Detroit lost the game because they choked, I am not going to say that. So I just say that St.Louis did what they had to do to win.

[basilisk]

The Tigers can cheat all they want. They'll still lose.

[super cool ski instructor]

I'd agree that we outplayed them. I guess the NY series is still fresh in my mind and I kept hearing Yankee fans saying that Detroit didn't beat NY, but rather NY best NY and I am not going to go down that road. As much as I would like to say that Detroit lost the game because they choked, I am not going to say that. So I just say that St.Louis did what they had to do to win.
I totally agree with you to an extent...I give the Cards total credit for winning games 1 and 3. They outplayed us, they were the better team. But last night is a different story, and it is a blatant different story. We actually have instances we can point to, that were tough breaks for us. The Yankees have none of them, and that is the difference. I am not just saying this because I can't come to terms with the fact that our team didn't play well, like the Yankees fans. Our team did well last night, we just had some tough breaks that allowed teh Cards to pull ahead.

And can Pudge please stop getting hit with the ball?? I am a girl, and I am in pain watching that!!!!

[iamredbeard]

I totally agree with you to an extent...I give the Cards total credit for winning games 1 and 3. They outplayed us, they were the better team. But last night is a different story, and it is a blatant different story. We actually have instances we can point to, that were tough breaks for us. The Yankees have none of them, and that is the difference. I am not just saying this because I can't come to terms with the fact that our team didn't play well, like the Yankees fans. Our team did well last night, we just had some tough breaks that allowed teh Cards to pull ahead.

And can Pudge please stop getting hit with the ball?? I am a girl, and I am in pain watching that!!!!


Yes we had some tough break, but winners find a way to overcome thier mistakes. That is all that I am saying.

I also have to mention that Kenny Rogers needs to teach our entire pitching staff "fielding 101".

[super cool ski instructor]

Yes we had some tough break, but winners find a way to overcome thier mistakes. That is all that I am saying.

I also have to mention that Kenny Rogers needs to teach our entire pitching staff "fielding 101".
No kidding!!!!!!!!!!!!

[iamredbeard]

I have said this before, but I want to say it again.

I am disapointed, but not really upset and how the Tigers have played. Why do I feel this way? Well unlike the Pistons and Red Wings, I didn't have high expection of my beloved Tigers. So basically I am just enjoying the ride and not getting to emotional about the success of their failure.

[super cool ski instructor]

I have said this before, but I want to say it again.

I am disapointed, but not really upset and how the Tigers have played. Why do I feel this way? Well unlike the Pistons and Red Wings, I didn't have high expection of my beloved Tigers. So basically I am just enjoying the ride and not getting to emotional about the success of their failure.
Even if they lose 15-0 tonight I will be proud of the team and proud to be a Tigers fan. Look at all that they have done this season?

[Andrew Jackson]

Even if they lose 15-0 tonight I will be proud of the team and proud to be a Tigers fan. Look at all that they have done this season?

i was proud to be on the Tiger bandwagon. They beat the Yankees.

[csparks]

Yes we had some tough break, but winners find a way to overcome thier mistakes. That is all that I am saying.

I also have to mention that Kenny Rogers needs to teach our entire pitching staff "fielding 101".

In exchange for fielding lessons they can teach him ways to hide the pine tar better.

[super cool ski instructor]

In exchange for fielding lessons they can teach him ways to hide the pine tar better.
go away Sparky!!!

[csparks]

go away Sparky!!!

you know you want me here.....somehow i knew you would respond to that one:cool:

[super cool ski instructor]

you know you want me here.....somehow i knew you would respond to that one:cool:
we don't like your kind around here!! This is for Tigers fans...........:)

[csparks]

we don't like your kind around here!! This is for Tigers fans...........:)

But I thought you said you had room for one more on the bandwagon.

[super cool ski instructor]

But I thought you said you had room for one more on the bandwagon.
but only if you say good things about my Tigers!!!!!!

[csparks]

but only if you say good things about my Tigers!!!!!!


That was a good thing. We don't want anyone to get caught again.

[super cool ski instructor]

That was a good thing. We don't want anyone to get caught again.
that was not a good thing!!! You are assuming that he had pine tar on his hand....and there was no proof of that!!!!

[csparks]

yeah it's raining here....how about there?

[super cool ski instructor]

yeah it's raining here....how about there?
hmmm............

[csparks]

hmmm............


what? looking for a window?

[super cool ski instructor]

what? looking for a window?
it's raining here......

[csparks]

I wish the temp would drop a little so it would just snow....I hate cold rain!

[super cool ski instructor]

I wish the temp would drop a little so it would just snow....I hate cold rain!
Nope...I would rather have cold rain...no fun to drive a Camaro in the snow

[Andrew Jackson]

Nope...I would rather have cold rain...no fun to drive a Camaro in the snow

or in the sunshine

[iamredbeard]

Nope...I would rather have cold rain...no fun to drive a Camaro in the snow

Wow, nice wheels.

[super cool ski instructor]

Wow, nice wheels.
nah...I hate it now. Getting rid of it ASAP!!!!!

[iamredbeard]

nah...I hate it now. Getting rid of it ASAP!!!!!


When I bought the car that I have right now I was looking at a Camero, but decided against it. I wasnted to get something sporty but still practical. Ended up going with an Alero.

[super cool ski instructor]

When I bought the car that I have right now I was looking at a Camero, but decided against it. I wasnted to get something sporty but still practical. Ended up going with an Alero.
Well considering the part of teh state you live in, and all the snow you get up there, a Camaro is definetly NOT practical...lol

[iamredbeard]

Well considering the part of teh state you live in, and all the snow you get up there, a Camaro is definetly NOT practical...lol


I bought the car when I was in your neck of the woods.

[super cool ski instructor]

I bought the car when I was in your neck of the woods.
well, it is not practical to have down here either!!!!

[iamredbeard]

well, it is not practical to have down here either!!!!


That was the conclusion that I came to as well. To complicate matter I was dating a girl who had a toddler and I decided that get the baby's car seat in and out of the car would just be way to much trouble.

[super cool ski instructor]

That was the conclusion that I came to as well. To complicate matter I was dating a girl who had a toddler and I decided that get the baby's car seat in and out of the car would just be way to much trouble.
Yes...way too much trouble!! I am thinking of a CTS, but part of me thinks it would be a good idea to get an SUV.

[Andrew Jackson]

Yes...way too much trouble!! I am thinking of a CTS, but part of me thinks it would be a good idea to get an SUV.

your kids would love it

[iamredbeard]

Yes...way too much trouble!! I am thinking of a CTS, but part of me thinks it would be a good idea to get an SUV.


Yeah, way to much trouble. She wasn't happy that I got the 2 door Alero, she wanted me to get a 4 door. It was a little inconvient moving it in and out, but really not that bad.

SUV's are nice, having a 4x4 in Michigan is always helpful. Unfortunately they get terrible gas mileage, but that is starting to change.

[super cool ski instructor]

Yeah, way to much trouble. She wasn't happy that I got the 2 door Alero, she wanted me to get a 4 door. It was a little inconvient moving it in and out, but really not that bad.

SUV's are nice, having a 4x4 in Michigan is always helpful. Unfortunately they get terrible gas mileage, but that is starting to change.
yeah...I have never been one to care too much about gas mileage though.

[Andrew Jackson]

yeah...I have never been one to care too much about gas mileage though.


Al Gore thanks you

[super cool ski instructor]

Al Gore thanks you
maybe I will name my SUV Al Gore....no...my SUV will have a heck of alot more personality than Al Gore.

[rosiegirl]

I hope Detroit wins tonight....

[Andrew Jackson]

maybe I will name my SUV Al Gore....no...my SUV will have a heck of alot more personality than Al Gore.

:snooty:

[iamredbeard]

yeah...I have never been one to care too much about gas mileage though.


Well hey, go for it then. If you don't mind have to fill your tank more often.

Don't take this as an encoragement to buy fuel inefficient automibiles, though.

[super cool ski instructor]

I hope Detroit wins tonight....
Thanks rosie....me too!!!!!!!!

[iamredbeard]

I hope Detroit wins tonight....


Hey Rosie, I thought of you last night when Casey hit his solo home run.

[Andrew Jackson]

Thanks rosie....me too!!!!!!!!

me too

[iamredbeard]

maybe I will name my SUV Al Gore....no...my SUV will have a heck of alot more personality than Al Gore.


Hey, thats not nice. :( It might be true, but it's still not nice. ;)

[super cool ski instructor]

Hey, thats not nice. :( It might be true, but it's still not nice. ;)
:)) I guess I should be more respectful...after all, we are all chatting on the internet that he did invent!!!!

[rosiegirl]

Is Casey back in?
I haven't seen the games this week.

[rosiegirl]

Hey Rosie, I thought of you last night when Casey hit his solo home run.

Ignore my last post.
I just saw this one!

[super cool ski instructor]

Is Casey back in?
I haven't seen the games this week.
Yep, he has been back since the start of the series., and doing well too!!!

[iamredbeard]

Is Casey back in?
I haven't seen the games this week.


Casey has played all 4 games. First two as a DH and then games 3 and 4 ant 1B. He did great yesterday. Hang on will find an article for you.

[rosiegirl]

Yep, he has been back since the start of the series., and doing well too!!!

he deserves it!:cool:

[iamredbeard]

Ignore my last post.
I just saw this one!


I could never ignore you or anything that you say. :D

[rosiegirl]

I could never ignore you or anything that you say. :D

Tell that to my husband!

ha ha j/k

[basilisk]

I could never ignore you or anything that you say. :DSuckup... :lol:

[iamredbeard]

Rosie, I couldn't finmd any articles that mentioned Casey, but he went 3 of 4, with 2 RBI's including one solo homerun.

[Angel]

Think thoughts of excellence, Tigers fans! http://s3.photobucket.com/albums/y95/tg1124/Spo/th_spo106.gif

[iamredbeard]

Even though we lost, I still enjoyed the ride. They far exceeded my expectations.

[Zanger]

Even though we lost, I still enjoyed the ride. They far exceeded my expectations.

Yea yea i hear you. Being a Red Sox fan, I'm no stranger to heartbreak.

[iamredbeard]

Yea yea i hear you. Being a Red Sox fan, I'm no stranger to heartbreak.

I'm really not heartbroken.

[super cool ski instructor]

I really couldn't be any prouder of my guys!!!



Good Job Boys and we will be looking forward to Spring!!!!!



And Pitchers.....work on Fielding Please!!!!


And Brandon Inge is still my Tiger!!!!


:cool:

[Zanger]

I'm really not heartbroken.

For a team like to Detroit to display such crappy fielding ability in the World Series after winning 6 in a row for the ALCS, you ought to be.

[iamredbeard]

For a team like to Detroit to display such crappy fielding ability in the World Series after winning 6 in a row for the ALCS, you ought to be.


The reason I am not is that they did far better this season than I could have hoped for.

[iamredbeard]

I really couldn't be any prouder of my guys!!!



Good Job Boys and we will be looking forward to Spring!!!!!



And Pitchers.....work on Fielding Please!!!!


And Brandon Inge is still my Tiger!!!!


:cool:


Well Inge has got to stop making so many errors.

[Zanger]

Well Inge has got to stop making so many errors.

I think the pitchers need to get their game together :D What is it, an error was made by a Tigers pitcher in every game? Hehehe.

[rosiegirl]

damn :(

[super cool ski instructor]

Well Inge has got to stop making so many errors.
:snooty: why don't you just knock me down and pee on me while you are at it :snooty:

[iamredbeard]

:snooty: why don't you just knock me down and pee on me while you are at it :snooty:


I am not knocking you down, just saying that Mr. Inge needs to stop making so many errors. He makes a lot of great plays, he just needs to make less mistakes.

[super cool ski instructor]

I am not knocking you down, just saying that Mr. Inge needs to stop making so many errors. He makes a lot of great plays, he just needs to make less mistakes.
It was his first season playing at 3rd base. I suspect this is something he will work on before next season.

[Fire Watch]

I think Inge was payed off.

[super cool ski instructor]

I think Inge was payed off.
:))

[iamredbeard]

It was his first season playing at 3rd base. I suspect this is something he will work on before next season.


Was it? I thought he went to third 3 years ago when Pudge came over.

[rosiegirl]

Dear Sean Casey,
Please come back to Cincinnati.
Rosiegirl loves you.

Thank you,
Ski

[iamredbeard]

Dear Sean Casey,
Please come back to Cincinnati.
Rosiegirl loves you.

Thank you,
Ski


Why did he leave Cinci? I know we got him from Pittsburgh for a minor league pitcher.

[super cool ski instructor]

Dear Sean Casey,
Please come back to Cincinnati.
Rosiegirl loves you.

Thank you,
Ski
:))
But we love him now too rosie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




And red...nope, this is Inge's first season at 3rd. He was going back and forth from SS and 1st before then, because those are the positions he played in college.

[rosiegirl]

Why did he leave Cinci? I know we got him from Pittsburgh for a minor league pitcher.

I have no idea why he was traded.

[super cool ski instructor]

Why did he leave Cinci? I know we got him from Pittsburgh for a minor league pitcher.
I thought he was traded because he was making 9 million, but at the time he was not performing the way Reds organization thought a 9 million dollar player should.

[iamredbeard]

:))
But we love him now too rosie!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




And red...nope, this is Inge's first season at 3rd. He was going back and forth from SS and 1st before then, because those are the positions he played in college.


Ok, I stand corrected once again :)

[super cool ski instructor]

Ok, I stand corrected once again :)
I know all things Inge :))

[iamredbeard]

Dear Sean Casey,
Please come back to Cincinnati.
Rosiegirl loves you.

Thank you,
Ski


Hate to break it to you, but I think he's going to be in Detroit for a while. I think shortly we will sign him to a long term deal.

[rosiegirl]

Hate to break it to you, but I think he's going to be in Detroit for a while. I think shortly we will sign him to a long term deal.

:(

[Andrew Jackson]

I thought he was traded because he was making 9 million, but at the time he was not performing the way Reds organization thought a 9 million dollar player should.


gee i have heard that somewhere before.:whistle:

[Andrew Jackson]

I know all things Inge :))

i find that disturbing

[super cool ski instructor]

i find that disturbing
jealous????????? :cool:

[Andrew Jackson]

jealous????????? :cool:

perhaps. but i find hero worship so adolescent

[super cool ski instructor]

perhaps. but i find hero worship so adolescent
sorry that we can't a'll be as grown up and mature as you AJ :rolleyes:

[Andrew Jackson]

sorry that we can't a'll be as grown up and mature as you AJ :rolleyes:

true story

[super cool ski instructor]

true story
;)

[Andrew Jackson]

shouldn't this thread shut down until spring training

[super cool ski instructor]

shouldn't this thread shut down until spring training
not while I still have a breath in my body!!!!!! :)

[Andrew Jackson]

not while I still have a breath in my body!!!!!! :)

:hand:

[super cool ski instructor]

:hand:
what's with the hand?

[Andrew Jackson]

what's with the hand?

i am saying hi!!!

[super cool ski instructor]

i am saying hi!!!
:)) sure AJ......

[Andrew Jackson]

:)) sure AJ......


:hug:

[super cool ski instructor]

:hug:
you wish!!!!! :razz:

[csparks]

.....as does everyone else....

[super cool ski instructor]

.....as does everyone else....
Morning Sparky!!!!!

[Andrew Jackson]

:hug:

"slow roast" the Ski girl

[csparks]

....sorry about Saturday night, ski.....

[super cool ski instructor]

....sorry about Saturday night, ski.....
:confused:

[super cool ski instructor]

"slow roast" the Ski girl
again....you wish AJ!!!!!

[Andrew Jackson]

again....you wish AJ!!!!!

you would like that for sure

[super cool ski instructor]

you would like that for sure
hmmm...probably not!!! :cool:

[Andrew Jackson]

hmmm...probably not!!! :cool:

"as long as i like it" is my motto

[super cool ski instructor]

"as long as i like it" is my motto
hmmm...that's nice AJ

[Andrew Jackson]

hmmm...that's nice AJ

predictable

[super cool ski instructor]

predictable
:rolleyes:

[Andrew Jackson]

I had a dream Tiger pitchers were fielding bunts and throwing the ball to me, but i couldn't catch any of them. The throws were all wild and i was feeling the stress.

[markd]

I had a dream Tiger pitchers were fielding bunts and throwing the ball to me, but i couldn't catch any of them. The throws were all wild and i was feeling the stress.
:razz:

[super cool ski instructor]

I had a dream Tiger pitchers were fielding bunts and throwing the ball to me, but i couldn't catch any of them. The throws were all wild and i was feeling the stress.
Go Fly a Kite AJ!!! :rolleyes:

[iamredbeard]

I want to thank you all for keeping this thread going.

[super cool ski instructor]

I want to thank you all for keeping this thread going.
I will NOT let it die!!!!!!!

[iamredbeard]

I will NOT let it die!!!!!!!


I'm going to keep tabs on their off-season moves and post links when I hear about them. Dombromski has made moves in the past after the season ends and this year will probally be the much of the same.

We must re-sign Casey.

[iamredbeard]

If the Tigers couldn't win it all, Jim Leyland and Dave Dombrowski can at least smile at the consolation prize.

For the first time in Dombrowski's long career as a general manager and Leyland's longer career as a manager, they have a chance to keep a World Series team intact and build on it. But it's not going to be as easy as making a signing or two and then looking forward to Spring Training.

Between two key free agents, a slew of arbitration cases and a lineup that could use one more bat, Detroit still has the makings of a busy offseason as one of four potential contenders in the American League Central. But instead of shopping lists and building blocks, the Tigers are as close to a finished product as they've been since 1984. And for the first time in several years, they don't have to go to the open market hoping to be taken seriously.

As much as losing the World Series to the Cardinals hurt, looking forward is the way many Tigers could keep their heads up.

"We've got plenty of good years ahead," righty reliever Joel Zumaya said. "Just like Jim Leyland said, and I would say, 'This is just the beginning of good years to come.'"

Zumaya is one of the few Tigers who can be left alone this winter. Like fellow rookie phenom Justin Verlander, Zumaya doesn't have any contract issues ahead. Most of the rest of the Tigers' young core, primarily the group that came up during the 119-loss season of 2003, is up for arbitration -- some for the second or third time, including Jeremy Bonderman, Craig Monroe and Brandon Inge.

Add in key first-time eligibles Nate Robertson and Fernando Rodney, and it pretty much ensures that the Tigers' payroll will take another significant step up next year. Beyond the arbitration process, however, the Tigers and Dombrowski will have to consider whether to break with their normal stance and sign any of them to long-term contracts, particularly Inge or Bonderman.

With five years of service time, Inge is eligible to become a free agent next year at a time when his bat is emerging and his reputation is building as the one of the game's top defensive third basemen. Moreover, the Tigers' top third-base prospect in their farm system is Kody Kirkland, who, despite 22 homers at Double-A Erie this year, hit a disappointing .217 with 157 strikeouts in 119 games.

Bonderman turned 24 on Saturday, the day after his fourth season in the big leagues ended. For all the disappointment that arose over two 6-0 leads that he couldn't hold over the final six weeks of the regular season, his three postseason starts were the best on the team by someone not named Kenny Rogers, and they reaffirmed his place among the game's bright young pitchers.

As Leyland said, Bonderman's a changeup away from becoming a "dynamite" pitcher, and the skipper thinks that could happen early next year. Given the price of pitching on the free-agent market, waiting too long to lock him up long term could be costly if the Tigers expect him to emerge.

The arbitration issues will probably be the last moves to be sorted out on the club. By then, the Tigers will have probably decided whether to re-sign Jamie Walker or Sean Casey. Both are free agents, and both have said they'd like to return, but it's not that simple.

Walker has been easy to deal with for the past few offseasons, avoiding arbitration with short-term contracts. But the 35-year-old has blossomed into one of the game's better left-handed specialists at a time when middle relievers have never been more valuable on the market. His 2.81 ERA was by far the lowest of his career, and he allowed a .238 average to left-handed hitters.

Casey is the more intriguing decision of the two. He struggled at times down the stretch after coming over from Pittsburgh at the July 31 non-waiver trade deadline, but he was one of the few Tigers to hit well in the World Series -- 9-for-17 with two doubles, two homers and five RBIs. His 17 total bases were the most by a Tiger in the World Series since Hank Greenberg.

He was in the last year of a deal that paid him $8.5 million this season. He can't expect to make nearly that much on the market, but at 32, it's not certain what he could draw.

"I guess we'll have to see what happens here," Casey said on Friday. "But I love it here in Detroit, I really do. I've really enjoyed my time here."

If the Tigers are going to add another slugger to their offense, as they're expected to try, first base might be the key to doing it, either by signing someone to play there or moving somewhere else there to make room. It was one potential route when the Tigers were looking at Alfonso Soriano and Carlos Lee on the trade market in July. The price was too high in both cases, but both will be free agents.

Another middle-of-the-order hitter is the one area where the Tigers figure to hit the market. And after this year, they expect to hit it with a little more momentum than past winters.

"I already saw it was a little easier this past winter with Rogers and [Todd] Jones," Dombrowski said. "At least we had some people that had an open mind about our situation that they didn't have in the past. I think as we go forward and the people see that the club is better, that we're drawing well, that we have a good young foundation, I think that will be helpful, at least in opening people's minds. I don't think there's any question about it."

Whichever moves the Tigers make, their core of young pitching is the key to staying on top. But if they needed any evidence to show that success can be fleeting, even for teams that improve from one season to the next, they don't have to look out of their division. The AL Central is the primary motivation for the Tigers, not to mention the Twins, White Sox and Indians, not to stand pat.

"It's going to be a challenge year in and year out," Dombrowski said. "That's why whatever happens this year, the experiences are good for you, but that's no real indication of what's going to happen next year.

"If you had told me this year with what the White Sox did last year -- they had a very good club that won a world championship, they add a guy like Jim Thome in the wintertime, they added [Javier] Vazquez -- and they end up in a position where they didn't even make the postseason and they won 90-plus games, I'd have been the first one that would've been shocked. They had a good club. That shows you it's going to be a battle."
http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061029&content_id=1726935&vkey=ps2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=det

I don't feel stongly one way or the other about Jamie Walker, but I defintely want them to bring Sean Casey back.

[super cool ski instructor]

KEEP SEAN CASEY!!!!!!!!!

[iamredbeard]

ST. LOUIS -- The optimist in Jim Leyland sees one positive in the embarrassment his pitchers endured in the World Series: Come February, when he gathers the Detroit staff to work on bunt plays, pickoffs and comebackers, he won't hear any griping about what drudgery it is.

While Tigers owner Mike Ilitch must decide how much money he's willing to spend on offensive upgrades and David Dombrowski makes travel arrangements for the general managers meetings in Naples, Fla., Detroit's detail-oriented manager already has a plan in place for the Grapefruit League.

Leyland is going to ask the spring training grounds crew to wet down the area in front of home plate at Joker Marchant Stadium so his pitchers can practice fielding a wet ball. Then the sun will bake the dirt in front of home plate, and they'll do it dry.

"I'm sure that's something we're going to work on in the spring -- until dark," said starter Kenny Rogers.

The 2006 Tigers will be remembered as a team that made huge strides with grand gestures. The offense ranked 28th in the major leagues in walks and sixth in home runs. The rookie pitchers, Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya, threw fastballs at a 100-mph clip. And when the Tigers eliminated the Yankees and Athletics in the American League playoffs, it was with shutdown starting pitching reminiscent of the 2005 White Sox.

Rogers, reborn as an October marvel at age 41, threw 23 straight shutout innings in the postseason. When baseball writers weren't discussing whether he washes his hands with Lava or Ivory soap, they were comparing him to Christy Mathewson.

But once the Cardinals came along, the Tigers were buried under a pile of undotted I's and uncrossed T's. When center fielder Curtis Granderson wasn't slipping in pursuit of a David Eckstein fly ball, third baseman Brandon Inge was obstructing Scott Rolen on the bases. And whenever a Detroit pitcher picked up a groundball, patrons in the box seats instinctively went into duck-and-cover mode.

Detroit's pitchers were fine throwing the ball to home plate in the World Series. Their 3.00 ERA was the lowest by a Series loser since the 1996 Atlanta Braves posted a 2.33.

Making accurate throws to the bases proved to be a much bigger challenge. Detroit's pitchers made more errors in the World Series (five) than Cincinnati's staff did for the entire 2006 season. The Reds committed four.

The Tigers also became the first team since Tom Trebelhorn's 1990 Milwaukee Brewers to have a streak of five straight games with at least one error by a pitcher.

Verlander, Zumaya, Fernando Rodney and Todd Jones, say hello to Bill Wegman, Tony Fossas, Tom Edens and Paul Mirabella.

"If this doesn't show you that little things win championships, I don't know what does," Jones said. "We're good at the big things. We have to get better at the little things."

Soon enough, when the pain subsides and the Tigers are watching football or sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner, they'll appreciate just what they accomplished this season. Three years ago they were an industry joke with a 43-119 record. Then Dombrowski made a bunch of shrewd trades and free-agent signings, and the farm system churned out enough prospects to help produce a wild-card club.

The city was reinvigorated, and the Tigers learned firsthand what Al Kaline and Willie Horton keep telling them about Detroit's passion for baseball. The increased enthusiasm was manifested in an attendance spike of nearly 600,000 fans at Comerica Park.

The good news is, the core of the Detroit roster remains intact, which means more high-quality pitching in 2007. Verlander and Zumaya are budding stars, and Jeremy Bonderman just turned 24. Rogers and Jones are signed for another year, and Mike Maroth will be back from elbow surgery. Detroit also has several impressive prospects -- including hard-throwing Humberto Sanchez and No. 1 draft pick Andrew Miller -- in the pipeline.

The only free agents of note are lefty specialist Jamie Walker and first baseman Sean Casey, who was a force in the World Series with a .529 batting average. Casey made it plain after Friday's loss that he would like to remain in Detroit.

"This has been the best three months of my career, being here with the Detroit Tigers and being part of this team," Casey said. "It's a special bunch of guys and a special organization."

Casey could have used more help against St. Louis. Magglio Ordonez, who hit the walkoff homer against Oakland to clinch the American League pennant, went 2-for-19 against the Cardinals and had way too many throwaway at-bats. He was the quintessential nonentity.

Placido Polanco, the ALCS Most Valuable Player, went hitless in 17 at-bats and was robbed twice of hits by his best friend, Albert Pujols. His postgame mood ranged from philosophical to slightly peevish.

"Think about it for a second," Polanco said. "What can you do -- kill yourself? It's over. If I would have gone 20-for-20 ... it's not a big deal, man. I wanted to win and get a base hit, but more important, we're not here for me to have a great year. It's to win."

Maybe the Tigers lost their karma or their edge with a six-day layoff after the Oakland series. Or perhaps they just found their true level in the end. This was a team that began the season 76-36, then slogged its way to a 19-31 record the rest of the way.

The Tigers had their flaws -- most notably, a lack of patience and run-manufacturing ability at the plate -- and they simply didn't hit enough against the Cardinals to overcome their defensive lapses.

"You make your bed, and you lay in it," Jones said. "When you play like we did, it's probably a little easier to get over than if somebody gives up a walkoff home run in the seventh game, or you have a Bill Buckner-type situation."

Minnesota fell apart against Oakland, Oakland unraveled against Detroit, and the Tigers turned into a slapstick routine in cleats against St. Louis. As much as people will focus on Detroit losing to a club that won a mere 83 regular-season games, Jones doesn't think it's such a great mystery.

"It's actually pretty simple," he said. "If you don't make plays, you're going to lose, whether you're playing Little League teams or the junior varsity or the Yankees."

No one understands the importance of doing the little things better than Jim Leyland. And now he has all winter to find a solution.
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/playoffs2006/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2641380

Let's see what will happen when Dombromski and Leyland are actually able to keep a team together and build on their success. I have high expectations and expect us to be contenders for several years. I don't believe this was a fluke and that things will go back to how they were before.

[basilisk]

KEEP SEAN CASEY!!!!!!!!!Nah, send him away. Cincinnati wants him, I've heard.

[iamredbeard]

KEEP SEAN CASEY!!!!!!!!!


Saying things like that could get you into trouble with Rosie. ;)

[super cool ski instructor]

Nah, send him away. Cincinnati wants him, I've heard.
Sorry...Cinci was stupid to get rid of him on the first place.

[basilisk]

Sorry...Cinci was stupid to get rid of him on the first place.Yes, but a well placed source of mine tells me the fans want him back.

[iamredbeard]

Nah, send him away. Cincinnati wants him, I've heard.


Casey is a free agent so he can go where he wants to go. I think he'll want to stay here in Detroit.

[Andrew Jackson]

I'm going to keep tabs on their off-season moves and post links when I hear about them. Dombromski has made moves in the past after the season ends and this year will probally be the much of the same.

We must re-sign Casey.

****ing away 9 million on that player if resigned

[iamredbeard]

****ing away 9 million on that player if resigned

huh? I don't understand what your saying.

[super cool ski instructor]

huh? I don't understand what your saying.
neither does he....

[Andrew Jackson]

neither does he....

:)) good one. Casey isn't worth 9 million for the stats. Find a 1b for 3 million and spend the rest trying to get A rod to replace the current 3b for the Tigers

[super cool ski instructor]

:)) good one. Casey isn't worth 9 million for the stats. Find a 1b for 3 million and spend the rest trying to get A rod to replace the current 3b for the Tigers
We would never want A-Rod, he's not even a real 3rd baseman, retard!!! He is a SS, and the only reason he played 3rd in NY was because the woman Jeter plays SS.

[iamredbeard]

:)) good one. Casey isn't worth 9 million for the stats. Find a 1b for 3 million and spend the rest trying to get A rod to replace the current 3b for the Tigers


Inge will be fine, he needs to work on his fielding, but I think he will be an asset to this team. As for whether or not Casey is worht 9 million well I suspect we will be able to sign him for less than that, but even if we don't, we should still re-sign him. He was our biggest bat in the World Series. It would make no sence not to try and re-sign him.

[iamredbeard]

We would never want A-Rod, he's not even a real 3rd baseman, retard!!! He is a SS, and the only reason he played 3rd in NY was because the woman Jeter plays SS.


I've been crtical of Inge's errors. Now why on earth would I want the only 3B in the AL who had more errors than Inge. :rolleyes:

[super cool ski instructor]

I've been crtical of Inge's errors. Now why on earth would I want the only 3B in the AL who had more errors than Inge. :rolleyes:
:)) :)) True Story!!!!!!!!!

[Andrew Jackson]

We would never want A-Rod, he's not even a real 3rd baseman, retard!!! He is a SS, and the only reason he played 3rd in NY was because the woman Jeter plays SS.

it is fine to disagree with me, but calling me names is beneath you

[super cool ski instructor]

it is fine to disagree with me, but calling me names is beneath you
I'm sorry dad....:neutral:

[Andrew Jackson]

it is fine to disagree with me, but calling me names is beneath you

not that being beneath you is all bad:razz:

[Andrew Jackson]

I'm sorry dad....:neutral:

getting back to the issue at hand, save the Casy money if he wants 9 million and get some more players. If Casy resigns for 4 million, then grab him and buy a Casey jersey to go with your Inge gear

[iamredbeard]

getting back to the issue at hand, save the Casy money if he wants 9 million and get some more players. If Casy resigns for 4 million, then grab him and buy a Casey jersey to go with your Inge gear


I don't know what he's asking for. I just know that he's a free agent and wants to re-sign with Detroit.

[super cool ski instructor]

not that being beneath you is all bad:razz:
:)) OMG...I just saw that!!!!!!!

[Andrew Jackson]

:)) OMG...I just saw that!!!!!!!

and is it good hottie?

[super cool ski instructor]

and is it good hottie?
I thought you wanted to get back to the topic?

[Andrew Jackson]

I thought you wanted to get back to the topic?

i need a woman.......Nomar is a free agent. he can play first against lefties

[super cool ski instructor]

i need a woman.......Nomar is a free agent. he can play first against lefties
as much as I love Nomar...I would rather keep Casey

[Andrew Jackson]

as much as I love Nomar...I would rather keep Casey

platoon them

[iamredbeard]

I am not ure SCSI wants to see Casey at first.

[iamredbeard]

as much as I love Nomar...I would rather keep Casey


Didn't you say that you wanted to see Guillen at first?

[Andrew Jackson]

Didn't you say that you wanted to see Guillen at first?

sounds like a plan......

[super cool ski instructor]

Didn't you say that you wanted to see Guillen at first?
Nope...that was only for the Play-offs when I wasn't sure if Casey was 100% better. I love Casey at first, and LOVE Guillen at SS!!!!!

[iamredbeard]

Nope...that was only for the Play-offs when I wasn't sure if Casey was 100% better. I love Casey at first, and LOVE Guillen at SS!!!!!


Ok, I stand corrected. I thought you wanted Guillen at 1B fulltime. I also think he is better at 3B.

I am pretty happy with our lineup. I don't want to see us make any changes to the fielding positions. We have a few players who can PH and DH. I think Stairs will continue to do well, maybe he could be the regular DH. Zof course I am also like Thames. The one position that I am most worried about is our closer. I would like to see us get a stronger closer than Jones. Our starting pitching and middle relieving is solid.

[super cool ski instructor]

Ok, I stand corrected. I thought you wanted Guillen at 1B fulltime. I also think he is better at 3B.

I am pretty happy with our lineup. I don't want to see us make any changes to the fielding positions. We have a few players who can PH and DH. I think Stairs will continue to do well, maybe he could be the regular DH. Zof course I am also like Thames. The one position that I am most worried about is our closer. I would like to see us get a stronger closer than Jones. Our starting pitching and middle relieving is solid.
I think that Jones will be good enough until they get Zumaya groomed to take over.

[iamredbeard]

i need a woman.......Nomar is a free agent. he can play first against lefties


Only reason I would like to see Nomar become a Tiger is that I really like Mia Hamm. She would look great with a Tiger hat on, she would be a great Tiger wife.

[Andrew Jackson]

Only reason I would like to see Nomar become a Tiger is that I really like Mia Hamm. She would look great with a Tiger hat on, she would be a great Tiger wife.

i like that thinking. She prolly looks 10 times better than Inge's hag

[iamredbeard]

I think that Jones will be good enough until they get Zumaya groomed to take over.


FSN keeping say that Zumaya is being groomed to be the closer. I would how long of a process they are looking for. I don't think he is ready yet. Are the thinking next season some time or are they thinking long term like a coupld seasons away. What can I say I am not a big fan of Jones, but it don't matter what I think. I am not the manager, Leyland is, and Leyland likes Jones.

[super cool ski instructor]

i like that thinking. She prolly looks 10 times better than Inge's hag
kiss my arse AJ!!!!!!!!!

[iamredbeard]

i like that thinking. She prolly looks 10 times better than Inge's hag


Don't talk about SCSI, like that!!!!!!

[iamredbeard]

If Mia Hamm became a Tiger wife I would send requests to Tiger marketing to have them make posters of her with a Tigers hat and Jersey.

[super cool ski instructor]

If Mia Hamm became a Tiger wife I would send requests to Tiger marketing to have them make posters of her with a Tigers hat and Jersey.
They don't do that with the Tigers wives now...why should they do it just because she is sort of famous?

[Andrew Jackson]

kiss my arse AJ!!!!!!!!!

yum

[Andrew Jackson]

If Mia Hamm became a Tiger wife I would send requests to Tiger marketing to have them make posters of her with a Tigers hat and Jersey.

and nothing on underneath

[super cool ski instructor]

and nothing on underneath
would you stop trying to turn this thread into some sick little fantasy that you have been harboring?

[iamredbeard]

They don't do that with the Tigers wives now...why should they do it just because she is sort of famous?

Why, cause she's a hottie, thats why.

[iamredbeard]

and nothing on underneath


Nah. that make her look like some bimbo.

[iamredbeard]

It don't matter anyways, Mia and Nomar arn't coming to Detroit. We don't have a spot for him on the team.

[Andrew Jackson]

Nah. that make her look like some bimbo.

i fail to see the problem

[Andrew Jackson]

would you stop trying to turn this thread into some sick little fantasy that you have been harboring?

ok Ms. Inge

[super cool ski instructor]

ok Ms. Inge
On Mondays!!!
It's Ms. Polanco on Tuesday
Ms. Robertson on Wed.
Ms. Guillen on Thurs.
Ms. Verlander on Fri.
Ms. Pudge on Sat.
and on Sunday, I will rest!! :razz:

[Andrew Jackson]

On Mondays!!!
It's Ms. Polanco on Tuesday
Ms. Robertson on Wed.
Ms. Guillen on Thurs.
Ms. Verlander on Fri.
Ms. Pudge on Sat.
and on Sunday, I will rest!! :razz:

sunday would be Mrs. Leyland, that old cuss is on the hammock resting

[super cool ski instructor]

sunday would be Mrs. Leyland, that old cuss is on the hammock resting
OMg...I forgot Ms. Casey!!!

Ms. Casey on Sun!

[Andrew Jackson]

disturbing

[super cool ski instructor]

disturbing
:twisted:

[csparks]

OMg...I forgot Ms. Casey!!!

Ms. Casey on Sun!

HOW COULD YOU FORGET??!!

[super cool ski instructor]

HOW COULD YOU FORGET??!!
blonde moment!!!!

[Andrew Jackson]

blonde moment!!!!

oh?

[Andrew Jackson]

i voted for ordonez for MVP of Tigers on MLB.com

[super cool ski instructor]

i voted for ordonez for MVP of Tigers on MLB.com
Ordonez? Why?

[Andrew Jackson]

Ordonez? Why?

he played RF, just like me

[iamredbeard]

I didn't vote because Pudge was not there.

[Andrew Jackson]

I didn't vote because Pudge was not there.

i feel your pain

[iamredbeard]

he played RF, just like me


I thought you were a pitcher.

[Andrew Jackson]

I thought you were a pitcher.

i was until the rotator cuff was damaged. Now i play RF in an adult league. the 2nd baseman comes out real close to me for relays

[iamredbeard]

i feel your pain


I feel that way, cause I get him a good share of the success of our young pitchers. I would have also voted for Casey because he really showed up in the World Series, but he wasn't available either.

[Andrew Jackson]

I feel that way, cause I get him a good share of the success of our young pitchers. I would have also voted for Casey because he really showed up in the World Series, but he wasn't available either.
i couldn't agree more with the importance of the role of the catcher and a pitching staff.

[super cool ski instructor]

I feel that way, cause I get him a good share of the success of our young pitchers. I would have also voted for Casey because he really showed up in the World Series, but he wasn't available either.
I can't find where to vote...who can I vote for??

[iamredbeard]

i was until the rotator cuff was damaged. Now i play RF in an adult league. the 2nd baseman comes out real close to me for relays


Ahh, I see.

[Andrew Jackson]

I can't find where to vote...who can I vote for??

inge isn't on there

[iamredbeard]

I can't find where to vote...who can I vote for??


go to detroittigers.com. Choices are Ordonez, Guillen, Monroe, Granderson, and Rogers.

[csparks]

I'm not sure if Casey's .529 average in the World Series was good enough to qualify him....I know some posters who didn't want him in when they went to St. Louis....:razz:

[super cool ski instructor]

go to detroittigers.com. Choices are Ordonez, Guillen, Monroe, Granderson, and Rogers.
Wow...it's a tough choice between Rogers and Guillen!!!!!

[Andrew Jackson]

Wow...it's a tough choice between Rogers and Guillen!!!!!

and ordonez. gunderson nope

[iamredbeard]

I'm not sure if Casey's .529 average in the World Series was good enough to qualify him....I know some posters who didn't want him in when they went to St. Louis....:razz:


Take that up with SCSI.

[super cool ski instructor]

I'm not sure if Casey's .529 average in the World Series was good enough to qualify him....I know some posters who didn't want him in when they went to St. Louis....:razz:
Didn't I already say that I was wrong?????

[Andrew Jackson]

Didn't I already say that I was wrong?????

sign of the apocalypse

[iamredbeard]

Didn't I already say that I was wrong?????


Your never going to live that down. I suspect someone will hunt down that post and put that quote of you in thier signature box.

[super cool ski instructor]

Your never going to live that down. I suspect someone will hunt down that post and put that quote of you in thier signature box.
:))

[iamredbeard]

I'm not sure if Casey's .529 average in the World Series was good enough to qualify him....I know some posters who didn't want him in when they went to St. Louis....:razz:


If they don't re-sign Casey I am going to be almost as upset as when they fired Trammell.

[csparks]

Your never going to live that down. I suspect someone will hunt down that post and put that quote of you in thier signature box.

Great idea.....my research department is on it now!:razz:

[csparks]

Didn't I already say that I was wrong?????
Yes, but I love to hear it again and again....

[Andrew Jackson]

If they don't re-sign Casey I am going to be almost as upset as when they fired Trammell.

In Dombrowski we trust

[Andrew Jackson]

Yes, but I love to hear it again and again....

that reminds me....

[iamredbeard]

yes I know. I think they should bench him. Then put him back in if the series comes back home.

Bump for cspsarks. :D

[super cool ski instructor]

Bump for cspsarks. :D
Thanks red!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!

[iamredbeard]

Thanks red!!!!!!!!! LOL!!!!


No problem. :D

[csparks]

Bump for cspsarks. :D

Hey, thanks to the research dept.!

[iamredbeard]

DETROIT -- As bad as the weather turned in the Motor City on Saturday, with temperatures topping out in the low 40s and winds gusting up to 40 mph, the Tigers had been hoping to play some more baseball. Now that the World Series and their season are over, it felt even more like winter.

They returned from St. Louis in the early hours of Saturday morning without much fanfare. They didn't have a consolation party orchestrated, and the only plans for players over the coming days involved returning to Comerica Park on their own to pack their belongings and return to their respective homes.

"They could come over to my house and help me pack," closer Todd Jones joked after Friday's loss in Game 5.

Meanwhile, the traffic around Comerica Park on Saturday involved either equipment being packed up from what would've been Game 6 of the World Series or fans coming in for a high school football game across the street at Ford Field. By Sunday, what would've been an electric atmosphere for a Game 7 will instead be relative silence, with even the NFL's Detroit Lions on a bye week.

Yet around downtown, there were still some reminders of the magical run the Tigers had taken to the World Series with the city along for the ride. Among them, on the other side of Woodward Avenue, the marquee on both the Fox Theatre and State Theatre thanked the Tigers "for a great season."

More importantly, those who witnessed the magic won't soon forget how it unfolded, despite the disappointing end.

"It's pretty disappointing," said Fr. Steven Kelly, Rector at St. John's Episcopal Church next door to Comerica Park. "But soon after they lost [Friday] night, it kind of dawned on me: If you had told me last year that they would be in the World Series, I would've laughed. We really got two extra months [of games], because it's the first time in a while that the games in September meant something. I was more depressed about it last night at 12:30, and a bit more optimistic later looking forward to next year."

Like the theaters, Fr. Kelly changed his signs. Where his electronic board once read, "Pray for the Tigers," the sign reads, "Thank God for the Tigers."

Tigers fans around the country were going through similar mixed emotions. To get this far provided plenty of satisfaction in a campaign where simply a winning season would've made a lot of people happy. Yet to come so close to what would've been the franchise's first championship since 1984, only to fall three wins short, was for many a cruel surprise ending to this storybook plot.

It's ironic, since more than a few fans waited in fear of an eventual plummet after the Tigers rushed out to the best start in the Majors over the first couple months.

"As a lifelong Tiger fan, this was a dream season for me," local fan Jeff Machesky wrote in an e-mail. "Whether I was watching comeback victories on my TV during the summer or watching us roll over the Yankees and the A's from my seat in Comerica, I was sometimes almost near tears of joy. Kenny Rogers gave me so many postseason memories that will not be tarnished.

"Did I have flashbacks of 2003 in the last couple of World Series games? Yes, I did ... but it was the World Series!"

Because it's the World Series, of course, local politicians will have to pay up on some friendly wagers. Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick is expected to send a gift package to St. Louis mayor Francis Slay next week that includes local treats such as Faygo and Vernor's soda, Better Made potato chips, Sanders hot fudge and some Avalon International breads. Eventually, he'll also be photographed wearing a Cardinals jersey.

But as nearly everyone pointed out, the bright side of at least getting to the World Series is that the offseason is four weeks shorter. The other change on Fr. Kelly's sign outside the church points out that Opening Day is April 2.
http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061028&content_id=1726736&vkey=ps2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=det

[super cool ski instructor]

Good Article red!!!!!

[iamredbeard]

Good Article red!!!!!


Thank you. I keep looking for info on Casey, but haven't found much. Most of what I have found talk about players that we are looking into to replace Casey. I keep hearing about interst in Soriano. I don't want Soriano on my Detroit Tigers.

[super cool ski instructor]

Thank you. I keep looking for info on Casey, but haven't found much. Most of what I have found talk about players that we are looking into to replace Casey. I keep hearing about interst in Soriano. I don't want Soriano on my Detroit Tigers.
NO SARIANO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[iamredbeard]

So are you planning on going to fantasy camp?

[super cool ski instructor]

So are you planning on going to fantasy camp?
Maybe...last year I got escorted out for unruley behavior :)) J/K

[iamredbeard]

Maybe...last year I got escorted out for unruley behavior :)) J/K

:D

I was just looking at the website, costs a pretty penny, but sounds like the experience of a lifetime.

[iamredbeard]

igers broadcasting legends George Kell, Al Kaline, Paul Carey and Harry Heilmann join current Tigers voices Jim Price and Mario Impemba on the ballot to help determine the finalists for the 2007 Ford C. Frick Award as part of the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

Online voting is under way and continues through November to select three of the 10 finalists for the award, given out annually for excellence in baseball broadcasting. From there, a panel that includes the living award-winners, among them Ernie Harwell, will select the most deserving candidate to be honored during the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies next summer.

Kell, Kaline and Heilmann are Hall of Fame members for their playing careers. Considering Kell's longevity behind the microphone and familiarity to generations of Tigers fans, it's easy to forget that he was the best third baseman in the American League from the World War II era well into the 1950s. A 10-time All-Star, he denied Ted Williams the AL Triple Crown in 1949 by squeaking past him for the batting title. He hit .306 for his career, which included nine .300 seasons.

Kell's broadcasting career began while he was still a player, as he joined Orioles broadcasts while he was injured in 1957. He returned to the Tigers in his second career in 1959 and broadcast all but one season through 1996.

Heilmann's broadcasting career began in 1934, when the Tigers had two different radio stations broadcasting their games, and he served as the radio voice for WXYZ-AM from 1934-50. He was also part of the Tigers' first television broadcast team beginning in 1947.

Kaline is better known nowadays as the Tigers legend who remains active in the front office as a special assistant to team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski. Before taking that role, however, he broadcast Tigers games for 26 years as a color commentator on television. He spent 21 of those seasons alongside Kell and two more with Harwell.

Price began his broadcasting career in 1993, when many of those legends were still on the air. He's now moving up the seniority list, having just completed his 14th season behind the microphone in Detroit, eight of them on the Tigers radio network.

Former Detroit broadcasters Jim Northrup, Larry Osterman and Rick Rizzs are also on the list of nearly 200 candidates. Northrup was the Tigers' cable voice for 10 years before his retirement in 1994. Eight of those years included working alongside Osterman, who spent 20 of his 25 seasons of broadcasting in Detroit.

Presented annually since 1978 for excellence in baseball broadcasting, the Ford C. Frick Award is given to an active or retired broadcaster with a minimum of 10 years of continuous Major League broadcast service with a ballclub, network or a combination of the two. Fans will have the opportunity to vote for up to three of the many broadcasters eligible for consideration for the 2007 Ford C. Frick Award. Bios of each candidate can be found at the Hall of Fame's official Web site. Fans are allowed to vote once daily. Results will be announced when voting concludes, though updates will not be provided during the voting. The fan selections, along with the full list of 10 finalists, will be announced on Dec. 6.

The voting electorate consists of 21 members, featuring 2006 Ford C. Frick Award winner Gene Elston and the other 14 living Frick Award winners: Harwell, Marty Brennaman, Herb Carneal, Joe Garagiola, Curt Gowdy, Jaime Jarrin, Milo Hamilton, Harry Kalas, Felo Ramirez, Vin Scully, Lon Simmons, Bob Uecker and Bob Wolff. Six historians and veteran media members are also part of the electorate, including Bob Costas (NBC), Barry Horn (Dallas Morning News), Stan Isaacs (formerly of New York's Newsday), Ted Patterson (historian), Curt Smith (historian) and Larry Stewart (Los Angeles Times).

Voters are asked to base their selections on the following criteria: longevity; continuity with a club; honors, including national assignments such as the World Series and All-Star Games; and popularity with fans. Paper ballots will be cast by voting members each January and the final results will be announced at the Hall of Fame's Web site in February. Each voter will cast ballots for three candidates, and the broadcaster with the most support will be named as that year's award-winner, and be honored the following summer at the annual induction ceremony in Cooperstown.
http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061030&content_id=1727925&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det

[iamredbeard]

Sean Casey, is a free agent. We all knew that this was happening, but now it's official.

NEW YORK -- Oakland's Barry Zito, who could be the most sought-after pitcher in this year's free-agent market, filed for free agency Tuesday.

Zito, a 28-year-old left-hander with a coveted, looping curveball, was 16-10 with a 3.83 ERA in 34 starts this season. He never missed a start because of injury in his first seven major league seasons with the Athletics, who acknowledged before the 2006 season they probably wouldn't be able to afford the 2002 AL Cy Young award winner once he became a free agent.

Greg Maddux, the four-time Cy Young Award winner traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers by the Chicago Cubs in July, also filed. Injured Dodgers closer Eric Gagne filed provisionally -- the team has a $12 million option with a $1 million buyout. Even if it is exercised, Gagne can void the option and receive a $250,000 buyout.

Also filing was Jeff Weaver, who won the fifth and final game of the World Series for the St. Louis Cardinals last Friday and Detroit first baseman Sean Casey, who hit .529 with two homers in the World Series.

New York Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams, who isn't sure whether he wants to play next year, was among 21 players who filed.

A total of 143 players have filed for free agency, and about 50 more are potentially eligible to file by the Nov. 11 deadline.

As expected, Jeff Bagwell's $18 million option was declined by the Houston Astros, who will give the injured 38-year-old first baseman a $7 million buyout to complete an $85 million, five-year contract. Bagwell missed last season because of an arthritic right shoulder, and the Astros tried to recoup about $15.6 million in insurance.

Zito, who won a career-high 23 games in '02, is likely to attract interest from the New York Yankees and Mets, the San Diego Padres and perhaps the Dodgers.

[super cool ski instructor]

We will see what happens....

[Andrew Jackson]

Sean Casey, is a free agent. We all knew that this was happening, but now it's official.

he will be a Dodger

[ALBOB2]

Maybe...last year I got escorted out for unruley behavior :)) J/K

Seems like that would be reason #1 for inviting you back.:mrgreen:

[iamredbeard]

he will be a Dodger


Man what's youur problem. Do you want to have both Rosie and SCSI out to get you?