The Tigers should consider themselves extremely fortunate to advance to the LCS.
On paper, the Yankees were the far better team. Yes, I know; the games aren't played on paper. But a Yankee hit here, a walk there, someone getting on base with the bases loaded, a hit batter, a dinker off Fernando Valverde, and today the Tigers would be headed to their respective off-season homes.
Papa Shut 'Em Down, with a four run lead to protect in Game Two, gave up two runs, on two hits and two walks. In Game Three, with a one run lead, he walked two. For all this, he gets two saves and a hero's welcome next time he takes the Comerica mound. Against the Rangers, he might not be so lucky.
Billy Beane loved Nick Swisher, and wanted to draft him so bad because (points at Pete) "he gets on base."
In Game Five, with the Yankees down 3-2 in the seventh, sacks filled on three singles, two of which never left the infield, the mighty Casey struck out.
Although two innings remained; six outs with which to work some magic, the fan sensed the Yankees were through.
In the ninth, Valverde retired them in order; the last out being Alex Rodriguez, the best player who ever put on pinstripes (swinging strike three). The only team that matters, playing in the greatest city in America -- no other comes close -- in their billion dollar baseball palace, would not be playing for a 28th consecutive world championship.
HAHAHA YANKEES !!! (The fan loves that classic Jeterian facial expression, the one El Capitan wears when the Yankees are again eliminated from post season; that of a little boy who's just been told there's no Santa Claus.)
For the Tigers, there are several unlikely series MVPs. Delmon Young, who hit three homers. Magglio Ordonez, who went 5 for 11. Governor Inge, who went 3 for 7 and made all the plays at third. Donnie Kelly, who started Game Five and homered, made some fine plays at third and in the outfield, and led the Tigers with six hits.
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An elimination game is always someone's last game, and in this one, the guy might be Jorge Posada.
2011 was Posada's fifteenth full season with the Yankees. He and Mariano Rivera closing out games became a symbol of recent Yankee success.
Injuries limited him to 115 games this season, most of them as the designated hitter. He hit .235 with 14 homers. His foot speed and mobility behind the plate have faded.
Will there be room on the opening day roster next spring for a forty year old part-time DH who can't run?
Even the Yankee haters in the second floor baseball bunker hope there is.
Over those fifteen seasons, Jorge Posada has represented what, in these unsentimental times, is still called Yankee class. Play the game hard, and right, and stay out of trouble. Be a winner in ways the standings don't reflect.
We look forward to hearing "Jorgie juiced one!" a few more times in 2012, in games against teams chasing the Tigers.
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The Comerica Fan Experience: Maggie's company leased a suite, but we passed, on Game Two, the most nail-biting of Valverde's three saves. The beer truck driver would come by, we figured, take away our good, honest beer, and hand it out in the cheap seats where everyone knows the score, and who's pitching. And because the place is so loud. The fans, they're expected to make noise; but why does everything -- the PA, the between innings music, the crap between pitches -- have to be so LOUD?
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