Hear Them Roar: Detroit Tigers Are Going to the 2012 World Series
Last week on October 18, the Detroit Tigers wrapped up a four-game sweep of the New York Yankees in the American League Championships, officially making it to the World Series. They won game four with a score of 8-1, undoubtedly proving their dominance in the American League. Along with this prestigious accomplishment, they also won their eleventh American League pennant. The last time the Tigers won the World Series was in 1984. They returned again in 2006, but lost against the Saint Louis Cardinals.
Clarence Baldwin Jr., writing for bleacherreport.com, says that although he recalls “the Cardinals upset in 2006,” it is evident that “this Tigers team is constructed completely differently. Each of the four starters is capable of throwing a shutout now. The offense has enough balance to score. It seems like it is just Detroit’s time in 2012.” He is not the only one speculating a possible 2012 World Series championship for this strong, motivated team. Detroit boasts a strong pitching lineup, especially in the case of Miguel Cabrera, baseball’s first Triple Crown winner in forty-five years. In addition, manager Jim Leyland has a previous World Series win under his belt with the Florida Marlins, from the 1997 season. He began managing the Tigers in 2006, the year of their World Series loss. 2012 could be Leyland’s chance to snatch up a second World Series ring, not to mention the team’s chance to add yet another achievement to their ever-growing list.
The economic crisis that hit the entire nation in recent years had a harder-than-average impact on the Motor City, but it is obvious in 2012 that this city has bounced back. During the Thursday night win against the Yankees, “Detroit Rock City” blared throughout Comerica Park, and it was obvious that the people did not want to be anywhere else. This is more than a simple night at the baseball field; for those who received a few more punches than average during tough economic times, the roaring comeback of their beloved Tigers goes hand-in-hand with theirs. But although this team has come far, in the words of pitcher Phil Coke, there is still “one more step…we’ve got something else to do. We’re not done.”
I want to dedicate this article to my dad, Terry Wagner, who turned me into a Tigers fan. Go orange and blue!