Tigers gave us reason to be proud
Shaun Collins
Issue date: 11/6/06 Section: Opinion
- Page 1 of 1
This year the city of Detroit was treated a World Series, for the first time since 1984. Before this season started, hardly anyone could name at least five Tiger's players.
What most people will remember are the errors that cost the Tigers a legitimate shot at a World Championship, but what shouldn't be forgotten, are the magical season that was the 06 Tigers.
This season where we saw the Tigers race out to a 76-36, when they were projected to finish no better then fourth in their division. They had a ten game lead on their closest opponent, only to loose that lead and sneak into the playoffs as a wild card team.
They took on the Yankees and dethroned the evil empire, and made short work of the Oakland As, en route to their world series.
The city of Detroit had never been so vibrant in quite some time. People had not got this excited when the Pistons or Red Wings triumphed in 2004 and 2002 respectively.
It all came to screeching halt in a dreary day in St. Louis. A comedy of errors and a lack of hitting gave the title to the Cardinals in five games.
We should not feel down about the Tigers loosing.
This is the same team that lost 119 games in 2003.
This is the same team that hadn't had a winning season since 1993, or made the playoffs since 1987.
They put Detroit back on the baseball map. They gave us sports fans something to watch while the Lions stunk it up. Their amazing ride through adversity gave us hope.
They made us believe in baseball again, and by slaying the Yankees, they made us believe in the impossible.
The season maybe over but the dream is still alive. Names like Justin Verlander, Joel Zumya, Brandon Inge, Curtis Granderson etc, will not make us scratch are head.
These are the names we hope to see on opening day, in pursuit of that next title.
What most people will remember are the errors that cost the Tigers a legitimate shot at a World Championship, but what shouldn't be forgotten, are the magical season that was the 06 Tigers.
This season where we saw the Tigers race out to a 76-36, when they were projected to finish no better then fourth in their division. They had a ten game lead on their closest opponent, only to loose that lead and sneak into the playoffs as a wild card team.
They took on the Yankees and dethroned the evil empire, and made short work of the Oakland As, en route to their world series.
The city of Detroit had never been so vibrant in quite some time. People had not got this excited when the Pistons or Red Wings triumphed in 2004 and 2002 respectively.
It all came to screeching halt in a dreary day in St. Louis. A comedy of errors and a lack of hitting gave the title to the Cardinals in five games.
We should not feel down about the Tigers loosing.
This is the same team that lost 119 games in 2003.
This is the same team that hadn't had a winning season since 1993, or made the playoffs since 1987.
They put Detroit back on the baseball map. They gave us sports fans something to watch while the Lions stunk it up. Their amazing ride through adversity gave us hope.
They made us believe in baseball again, and by slaying the Yankees, they made us believe in the impossible.
The season maybe over but the dream is still alive. Names like Justin Verlander, Joel Zumya, Brandon Inge, Curtis Granderson etc, will not make us scratch are head.
These are the names we hope to see on opening day, in pursuit of that next title.
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