No Kool-Aid required: Tigers look to be for real
By the Heckler
I promised myself I wouldn’t do it. Nope, no way. Not here. Not the Heckler. This was not going to be a blog simply about the Detroit Tigers, and more specifically, me being a slappy for my favorite team, continually overlooking the negative to remain a never-say-
die fan.
At all times, the Hecker has tried to include other teams and players into the topics at hand, encompassing all of Major League Baseball in the process (and thereby, attempting to attract a wider fan base).
We have talked about Barry Bonds. We have chatted about Roger Clemens. We have even talked a bit about Eric Gagne. Steroids, salary caps, Keith Hernandez, Florida Marlins ex-pitchers, the doughnut burger, Jackie Robinson – all have been batted around as fodder for the Heckler thus far (a month into his first season).
But as the season has progressed, a funny thing happened on the way to the Tigers finishing in their (of late) usual standing in their division, specifically, near the bottom: First, they won a few games early. Then, they followed by having a bad start to a home stand – and the luster of a good first road trip faded - but just slightly. Same old Tigers, some said. But those teams didn’t have Jim Leyland – new manager – who quickly ripped his team, saying the Tiger habits of old were not going to be a part of this new Tigers team.
And soon, as in the next series – they started winning again, followed by a few wins after that, followed by a few more wins, and then even a couple more, even after you thought they’d throw a few consecutive losses in there (you know, just to keep their fans grounded).
And then they went and won again: 12-3 overall since Leyland’s outburst.
Good Lord man! As Popeye likes to say, “Thats alls I can stands and I can’t stands no more!” The Detroit Tigers stand today as a team with an 19-9 record – yes – those Detroit Tigers. My Detroit Tigers. Say it loud, “I’m a Tigers fan and proud!”
Okay . . . so maybe the term slappy ain’t that far off, but I’m no dummy – the Heckler can read a calendar, too. It’s early. But it has been a long time since decent baseball has been in the offing in Metro Detroit. One month or not, this team looks like they should have a decent year, and that’s a start. Let’s not even dredge up the horrific numbers they have posted since . . . well, let’s leave it at a long time.
This year is a new year. And as a team, they have hit an incredible 44 home runs thus far (tied for first place in all of baseball with the Milwaukee Brewers) and were batting .283, good for fifth in the American League (and all of baseball, for that matter) entering play tonight.
Even more impressive however, has been their pitching. Before rattling off some stats, I will ask you this – what team do you think has the lowest in the game right now? To quote another icon from yesteryear, this time Secret Agent Maxwell Smart (sorry, the Heckler is showing his age a tad), “Would you believe the Detroit Tigers?” That’s right – to the tune of a miniscule 3.09 team ERA, again, going into tonight’s game against the Angels (which they also won, 2-1).
Heck, the Hecker remembers well the days not-so long ago when guys like Brad Havens would give up three runs in one inning and still get a pathetic, “And what a job by Havens!” plaudit from former announcer Rick Rizz. Talk about your slappies.
Yes sir, the roll continues. Alexis Gomez played the hero tonight with a clutch hit in the eighth inning, on route to another Tigers victory. Next up - more Tiger hysteria! Stay tuned to Baseball Big Mouth. Thanks for dropping by! As always, comments welcome and encouraged. The Kool-Aid is fresh - grab a cup and sit a spell!