Ryan Raburn, 2002 Bowman's Best Blue AU #159

Alright, I’ve put this off long enough…

Even though the Tigers came away with a game five win, it was evident that the boys were limping towards elimination. Through the entire series, the Tiger offense just wasn’t itself, depending on home runs and the elusive big inning.

Twelve pitches into game five, Texas would manufacture their first run… but Verlander would settle in (economically), for an “unavailable” Detroit bullpen. After scattering a couple solo shots, the Tigers stumbled upon a rally, stringing together a big sixth, which consisted of a natural cycle from their 2-5 slots. “Mr. Momentum” looked to be showing his face. And following a Ryan Raburn insurance dinger in the seventh, our long lost friend, “Hope”, was looking to join in. A determined Verlander did his thing, fending off the hungry bunch for as long as he could. With one out in the top of the eighth, Nelson Cruz crushed a triple digit fastball over the left field wall… bringing us all back to reality, as we watched “Momentum” and “Hope” start their ride into the sunset. Coke would close it out, allowing another run in the ninth… for an all-to-close 7-5 Tiger victory.

As it turned out, “Hope” would linger, up until the first couple of innings of game 6… but that sonofabitch, “Mr. Momentum”, would end up in the arms of Texas... I could have sworn I spotted him after the game, gettin’ a champagne shower in the Ranger clubhouse… all hugged up with Cruz’s caterpillar eyebrows and Ogando’s facial obtrusion.

 In his first postseason, Raburn batted .286, with 5 RBI’s, and 15 total bases in 9 games.

No doubt, injury and fatigue caught up with Tigers… it was uncomfortable to watch at times. Utility guys like Santiago, Kelly and Raburn stepped it up. Stars like Cabrera and Verlander didn’t disappoint. Martinez and Avila gritted through the pain. The front office moves of bringing in Fister and Young, proved to be genius. And Leyland and his staff stuck to their guns, going with what worked all year. In the end, I’m proud of the heart this team showed, throughout the season and into playoffs. Bless you boys!

Justin Verlander, 2005 Topps Gold FY #677 1785/2500

Prior to last night, I was positive that the thing I feared most about Nelson Cruz, was his three inch thick, perfectly tweezed eyebrows… WOW, was I WAY off?! I mean, I appreciate his bat and knack for knocking in runs, but this is getting a little re-goddam-diculous. Game four dagger – Cruz’s 11^th inning, three-run jack, was his eighteenth career (postseason) extra-base hit… tying him with Lou Gehrig. I don’t like it, but I’ve found new respect for the dude… ‘Nuff said.

Verlander is the quickest Tiger to notch 100 victories, since McLain in '69.

Even though things haven’t played out in the Tigers’ favor, it’s been a great series so far. And with JV on the mound for what is an elimination game, I don’t feel (as a fan) that our backs are against the wall. The tightness in my chest has subsided and all anxiety has left my body... remember, “yantra plus mantra equals tantra”, or something.

Miguel Cabrera, 2009 Upper Deck Goudey Mini Black Back #72 7/21

Since the Roar of ’84, we’ve endured 16 losing seasons – four of which consisted of 100+ losses. Detroit fans have been heartbroken and let down many times in recent decades. Yet, I cherish every single inning of Tiger baseball. The last few years, I’ve worn out several DVR devices… recording, pausing, rewinding, replaying, then replaying again… in slow motion – all Tiger games. Many friends and family members joke that baseball is my religion. It’s not funny guys… Don’t mock my religion!

I went into game three of the ALCS as a baseball fan hoping to just enjoy a nationally televised game in beautiful Comerica Park… It’s just my honest approach, as a humble Tiger fan who’s learned to stay grounded. But just after I slipped into a comfy pair of cry me a river sweatpants and tearfully notified the WHAAAmbulance of my impending trauma, the Central Division Champs showed up - crashing my pity party.

After just seven pitches, the Rangers had a 1-0 lead with runners at 1^st and 2^nd… but then Doug Fister started acting all Doug Fisterish, muffling a rowdy Texas lineup for the next 7 1/3. Then, the man who couldn’t hit water if he fell out of a boat, took the night off. In his place, Bizzaro AJax… some guy we haven’t seen in a while – refusing to strike out. And then re-affirming a career year, Jhonny whent yhard! And as all things are eventual, our batting champ followed by getting all Miggy with it – with the lumber and the leather.

*Health Update: Except for a lingering case of nervousness, I’ve just about shaken my bout of Nelson Cruz heroism.

Cabby is the tenth Tiger hitter to capture a batting crown.

With the Tigers’ obvious injury/offensive woes, Cabrera will need to be the superstar he is. He always seems loose in the field, and from the looks of last night, he's loosened at the dish.

Hopefully Porcello took close notes last night, and continues to pound hitters in and off the plate. With just two lefties in tonight's Rangers lineup, Rick just needs to stay cool and keep the ball down. I have confidence in his mound presence, as he proved in game 163 in ‘09. As long as Texas doesn't get to him early, I think he’ll ride the crowd… the locals don’t want to see Verlander in an elimination scenario, Thursday. If it ends on the road, it ends on the road, but let’s give the faithful something to beat their chests about.

Don Kelly, 2004 Bowman Chrome Gold Refractor #316 36/50

Since my last post, the Tigers managed to stave off the Yankees in yet another close contest. Fister pitched five strong innings, surrendering a tape measure blast to Cano as his only blemish. An amped-up Scherzer would follow, making his first-ever appearance outta the Detroit ‘pen. Max really reached back a few times, touching 98mph. Benoit would enter, impressively wiggling out of a seventh inning, bases loaded jam. After an eventless eighth, Valverde came in to shut the door. Girardi may have over-managed a bit, using seven pitchers, including C.C., who would surrender the eventual deciding run. Pre-game discussion(s) swirled around Leyland’s adamant choice to exclude Justin Verlander from the bullpen… further cementing his decision, by having JV throw his regular (exposed) side session. There were also media grumblings about his decision to start Kelly at third, possibly being a detriment on the corner. After the game, Leyland would be praised for his baseball savant-like tactics. Kelly’s solo shot in the first inning set the game’s mood… and in the later innings, after replacing Ordonez in right, the Yankees denied themselves of possible scoring opportunities, choosing not to challenge his arm. And after all the criticism about NOT allowing his ace to join the relief cause, “Albert Leyland Einstein” had a fresh Cy Young candidate ready start game 1 of the ALCS.

"Utility-man Extraordinaire"

 

Post game coverage revealed a not-so-crusty Jim Leyland, welling up over Kelly’s contribution:

"To have this moment in Yankee Stadium for Donnie Kelly -- you've got your stars, but to happen to a guy like this, "that's real special. Cabrera and all those are gonna have millions of memories, but this is one Donnie Kelly will have forever."

George Dauss, 1921 Exhibits #13

Well, the 2011 ALDS have definitely provided excitement for Detroit fans thus far… well, kinda. As the series heads back to New York for the series’ final game, I’m proud to say that my team hasn’t rolled-over… well, kinda. After getting blown out in part deux of a rain suspended game one, the Tigers executed the solid brand of baseball we’ve been treated to since the break… well, kinda. Besides Valverde’s gut churning, late inning “successes”, game two and three were… well… satisfying... kinda. Game four’s blowout wasn’t exactly unexpected. Even after being down 2-1, the Yankees were noticeably looser than the Tigers. A lot of guys seemed to be gripping at times – at the plate and on the mound. Game five starter, Doug Fister will try his luck (again) in the Bronx, as he takes the mound for just his thirteenth appearance as a Tiger.

Throughout the season, I can’t help but get caught-up in the hype of new releases and/or my team that’s currently on the field… needless to say, I’ve picked up too many Adam Everett and Gerald Laird cards in recent years. But my real passion is the vintage stuff.

Dauss' 223 wins are the most in Detroit's 111 year history.

George Dauss never saw the postseason in any of his 531 appearances as a Bengal. He was the rock during Detroit’s post George Mullin/”Wild” Bill Donovan era. He put up very respectable numbers for fruitless Hughie Jennings/Ty Cobb managed clubs.  But it wasn’t in vein… Hooks is among the leaders in almost every pitching category in franchise history.

Todd Jones, 2008 Stadium Club Beam Team Autographs Black & White 35/99

At the close of every regular season, I enjoy spending time reflecting on the team(s) I’ve invested throughout 162 games. I’m not a “woulda, shoulda, coulda” type guy, so that’s why all this over-coverage of the Red Sox collapse and preceding fallout, absolutely disgusts me. When the Tigers lost game 163 in ’09, I of course was disappointed, but I appreciated the fact that my team was in the hunt during every single inning of that season. You’d think, with their recent successes and all those years of enduring “The Curse”, Boston faithfulls wouldn’t allow a down to the wire, nail-biter of a season, to get their pretty panties in such a tangled and twisted bunch. But I guess Big Papi, Pedroia, and company owe these crybabies much, much, more… or so ESPN suggests. We’ll just have to wait and see if the exile of Francona appeases the wolves.

So with the Tigers executing down the stretch, providing “extra” baseball for their fans to ingest, I decided to revisit a recently forgotten Tiger “great”.

In eight season with Detroit, Jones blew just 33 saves.

No, that’s not sarcasm… During his first tour with the club (’97-’01), he was a shimmer amongst thin talent, on a staff consisting of no real bright spots. And although we would regularly be taken on one of his patented “roller coaster” rides, he’d somehow manage the save. But it was his second go-round in Detroit, that his presence was really felt. In ’06, he was the veteran closer of a very “green” bullpen. With Zumaya and Rodney setting him up, Jones finished 56 contests, saving 37 for the AL Champs. The following summer, he would reach the 300 save plateau (200 as a Tiger). Towards the tail end of what was a frustrating ’08 Tiger season, “The Roller Coaster” hung it up.

While sporting the Old English “D”, Jones would finish 401 games for the Tigers, converting almost 87% of his save opportunities . His 235 saves are currently tops in Detroit history.

Phil Coke, 2011 Topps Black #391 09/60

The Tigers are amidst their longest winning streak in 77 years. While that ‘34 lineup was peppered with the Hall of Fame bats of Greenberg, Gehringer, Cochrane and Goslin, they also had a formidable pitching staff – Tommy Bridges and Schoolboy Rowe each amassed 20+ victories. And although these were obvious factors to the clubs success, the fortunes of their (unsung) bullpen can’t be overlooked… the same goes for today’s streaking Tigers.

As far as pitching goes, it’s pretty clear that Detroit wouldn’t be where they’re at without Verlander’s dominance, but the rest of the rotation haven’t disappointed either… even Penny has managed to pick up ten wins while eating up some important innings. So with the starters earning their keep, avoiding an over-worked 'pen, and the Skipper carefully picking the spots... middle-relief has been the difference for these 2011 Tigers. I’m not talking about the proven “anchor” of Benoit and Valverde, but the middle guys: Schlereth, Alburquerque, and Coke… and after a stint down in Toledo, Perry seems to have figured things out.

Phil Coke picked up the "W" in Detroit's 12th straight win.

Although it's worked in recent years with Jamie Walker, Bobby Seay and Fu-Te Ni, it looks like Leyland has strayed from the “lefty specialist” philosophy. Don't get me wrong, match-ups are always important, and there's no doubt that defensive positioning is huge... but it’s no coincidence (in my opinion) that immediately following Coke's return to the bullpen, things really started rolling for the Detroiters.

Rocky Bridges, 1960 Topps #22

Since the beginning, the “nickname” has been an integral piece of baseball culture. Every roster is filled with players who’ve been dubbed with a clubhouse handle… Maggs, Cabby, Sweet Lou, Bondo, Grandy, V-Mart, etc. But in recent years, very few of these affectionate monikers have actually translated onto to a baseball card. I know, the entire aforementioned are obvious plays on individuals’ actual names. Personally, I prefer true nicknames – not a cute, shortening of what can be found on a guy’s birth certificate. 
                                     

"Rocky Bridges looked like a ballplayer. In fact, he may have looked more like a ballplayer than any other ballplayer that ever lived."

The Great American Baseball Card Flipping, Trading & Bubble Gum Book - p. 103

Everett Lamar "Rocky" Bridges

While I don't know the origins of Mr. Bridges nickname, I can only guess that his manly, rugged exterior may have something to do with it.

The Tigers would carry two men named Rocky on their roster during the 1960 season. While Rocco "Rocky" Colavito was the clubs everyday right fielder, Bridges was used sparingly as a defensive replacement in only ten contests. Midsummer, Bridges was shipped to Cleveland with catcher "Red" Wilson in exchange for Hank Foiles. All three men involved in the deal are still accessible to the collecting community and are gracious signers.