I have relatives who live in Michigan and they asked me if I was rooting for the Tigers against the Oakland A’s in the American League Champioship Series. Of course, there is no way I can be supporting the Motor City Kitties. In fact, it is galling to me to see the Tigers as the junior circuit’s representative in this year’s World Series. Here’s why I’m sickened by this development–
Since 1990, Detroit’s basketball team, the Pistons, has won three NBA titles. The first two by basically thugging their way to a title, stepping on the Cavaliers (in particular, Mark Price) to win the first won. Lest people forget, the Cavs and the "Bad Boys" were battling for Eastern Conference supremacy until Rick Mahorn intentionally elbowed Price in the head. The Cavs were never the same, and the Pistons won back to back crowns.
Detroit is called Hockeytown, USA, and the Red Wings won a few Stanley Cup titles (’96, ’97, and ’02) in the last ten years. In the years they didn’t win, they were viable contenders to skate with Lord Stanley’s chalice. The Lions stink on a regular basis which puts them on a par with our own Cleveland Browns, although the Motor City did have a team during that period of time, and they got to watch Barry Sanders run with the football, which at least meant the games were entertaining.
Now the Tigers are going to the World Series. This is a team that has been awful over the past 15 years, losing 119 games (one short of the 1962 Mets record for futility) as recently as 2003. This year, not only to they make the playoffs, they will be the favorites to win their first World Series since 1984. It’s just unbelievable and unfair. I agree with Browns’ GM Phil Savage’s attitude about the "woe is me" mentality which fuels Cleveland sports, but this is exactly why this attitude has developed.
The Indians went to the playoffs six times from 1995-2001, made the World Series twice, but couldn’t cash in. They faced pretty good teams in both fall classics. This year, Detroit qualifies and the National League may as well be the International League. It is very much inferior to the AL right now. So much so that the Tigers will be the choice against either the Mets or the Cardinals.
Another reason is we will all have to have about the genius of Jim Leyland if the Tigers pull it off. Leyland is a good manager, there is no question about that. But, much like Joe Torre when he managed the Mets and Cardinals, Leyland was no genius after the Marlins fire sale, nor was he real smart in Colorado. My point is managers need players, and although Leyland sent a tone that poor play would not be tolerated, he prospered greatly from the performances by free agent Kenny Rogers and rookie Justin Verlander. Without either of these pitchers, the Tigers are not in the playoffs, let alone the World Series.
The only optimistic thing I can think of at this point is LeBron and the Cavaliers start the regular season in a little over two weeks. That means Cleveland’s best chance at a championship is starting soon. At least we have that to look forward to.
MW
Cleveland Sports Perspective 