Detroit Tigers

It's been a tough road for the Detroit Tigers this year. In fact, it's been a tough couple of years for the Detroit Tigers. Losing a seven-game lead in the last month of the season on a walk-off single to the Minnesota Twins was tough to accept.

Last Week: 3-3
This Week: at NYY (8/16-19); CLE (8/20-22)

So What Happened?

The Tigers began their new role as AL Central spoiler in grand style, taking two of three from the White Sox over the weekend, with both wins being of the come-from-behind variety.

There were also fireworks—and MMM doesn’t mean the kind spewed from the U.S. Cellular Field scoreboard after White Sox home runs.

It’s been about eight months and 114 games now.

Raise your hand if you’re over Curtis Granderson.

To those with arms unraised: what on earth are you waiting for?

Curtis Granderson, the smiling cherub now with the evil New York Yankees, isn’t coming back. So stop the pining.

Last Week: 2-5
This Week: TB (8/9-11); at CWS (8/13-15)

So What Happened?

The Tigers’ freefall down the chute of the AL Central continued in earnest last week.

Last Monday, MMM said that if the Tigers were still in this race, there was no time like the present to make their case for such consideration.

Earlier Today following the introduction of Mike Modano to the Red Wings, Mike Ilitch confirmed that both Dave Dombrowski and Jim Leyland will be back in 2011.

This might come as a disappointment to some but, at least in Dombrowski’s case I support the decision.

Without a doubt Dave Dombrowski has made his share of blunder, but do I need to remind you where this team was before he was brought on as Team President?

In case you have forgotten the Tigers, led by General Manager Randy Smith, were pitiful. 

See that guy in the picture? That's outfielder Magglio Ordonez. Do you know why he is sticking his tongue out at you? Because he is not on the field driving in runs. Because the Tigers look more deserving of a berth in a trash heap than in a pennant race.

Anyone out there have any faith that the Tigers are still in a pennant race?

I certainly hope not. If so, I'm sorry to burst your soap bubble, but allow me to disillusion you. The pipe dream you were in has expired, welcome back to reality.

It was a battle of the Big Daddies on Friday night at Fenway Park in Boston.

Detroit's animated closer Jose Valverde, or Papa Grande as he's known to Tigers fans, went head-to-head with Red Sox heavy-hitter David Ortiz, who is known as Big Papi in Beantown.

Imagine you are responsible to select an all-time starting rotation for the Detroit Tigers.  The pitchers you pick will form the Tigers all-time team and compete against the best of their competition.

Who would you select?  To whom would you give the ball to face off against Walter Johnson, Lefty Grove, Whitey Ford, Jim Palmer, and Roger Clemens?  Who would be your backup pitchers and relievers as well?

Is the baseball season really a marathon? Or, can injuries, poor play, and bad luck end your season in just a couple of weeks? The Detroit Tigers will be able to answer that question rather quickly.

After a mediocre first two months of the season, the Detroit Tigers scratched and clawed their way to the division lead on June 28. As the Minnesota Twins spun their wheels in first place, objects in their mirror were closer than they appeared. 

The Tigers made a trade Wednesday evening to acquire a Jhonny when they should have been trying to sell a Johnny. 

David Dombrowski may yet earn the other spelling of his name. 

The Tigers floundered yet again Wednesday night, falling yet again to the Tampa Bay Rays.

The loss puts the Tigers at 51-49, in third place in the American League Central, five games back of the Chicago White Sox.