The trade

When news reached me on Wednesday that the Tigers traded Prince Fielder for the Rangers' Ian Kinsler, I went through a progression of emotions.

9:00 PM- What?!  You gotta be kidding me.  Dom, you are the stupidest mind in all of baseball!  A first baseman for a second baseman?!  Getting rid of Prince, who we gave a huge contract and was the boy that came home to Detroit.  This is bananas.

9:05- Ian Kinsler is a baller.  I mean, just imagine the middle of the infield.  Iggy and Kinsler are two masters of fielding and are solid single-double hitters.  Kinsler isn't a power hitter, but it's a known fact that Comerica Park is NOT a home run park.  Omar's contract is up so this is a good transition.

9:10- Plus, Ian Kinsler is good looking.  In fact, he got second place in the Tigress's hottest men of the AL post for second basemen.

9:17- Miggy can move back to first base!  Not as much wear and tear on his body and give him a chance to do what he's really good at...hitting.

9:21- VMart can play first base when we play in a NL park while Miggy plays the occasional third.  That leaves his bat in the lineup.  In fact, he can move right behind Cabby and create a really effective one-two punch.

9:26- Prince was a disappointment during the playoffs.  It's probably best that he's leaving after his mediocre performance.  I'd hate for him to have been a stud and then got traded.  Oh man, my mind is on overload.  I need to go to bed.

7:16 AM Thursday- FOR SCHERZER!!!  The Tigers opened up some money to re-sign Scherzer!  That has to be part of Dom's master plan.  It HAS to be part of the master plan.

7:22- Holy cow, is Dom the smartest man in baseball?  It's entirely possible.  If Castellanos plays third (he'd have to earn it), then the only position that's unsure is left field.  That's pretty good!  Oh, and the bullpen of course, but Dom's got three full months to figure this out.

So, had I written a post right away, I probably would have pooh-poohed Dom's plan, but after careful reflection and talking to the most devoted fans at work, I've come around to Dom's madness.  There was only one person I talked to yesterday that was disappointed by the trade.  That means 9 out of 10 people in West Michigan approve.  That's almost as many dentists that suggest flossing.  It's just a good thing I got Baby Tigress a Verdiggity doll instead of the Princey Pie doll.  I'd hate for her to be out of vogue before she's out of the womb.

The big prize

Even though the elusive World Series ring escaped the boys from Detroit again, two Tiger players won some pretty prestigious awards all on their own.  First, Maxxy brought home the Cy Young for Detroit (again) even with his pit stains in full view.  Cabby also brought home his second MVP in a row.  As Sister Tigress noted, the other two guys, Davis and Trouty Mouth, were bridesmaids all along and were just happy to be there.

No need to sweat, Maxxy.  You had it in the bag.

While the individual awards are wonderful and well deserved, I can't help but feel a little empty inside this holiday season.  Tiger fans have waited a long twenty-nine years since their last World Series win.  2014 has to be the year the Series is dominated by Detroit once again.  Remember, Bring the Roar in 20-1-4 is already trending on Twitter and is being process for a registered trademark (every time someone says or tweets it, I'll receive a high five).  To secure another Word Series run, we need to bring in the big prize...a contract with Maximus Scherzer.

Take it to the Max has already declared from the top of the whale building that he wants to be a Tiger.  Who doesn't?  He doesn't want to pitch versus Sanchez or Verlander.  He doesn't want to face VMart and Cabby.  He wants to be on a proven playoff team with the key players returning.  To be real, Max was a big reason the Tigers had such success this year.  Without him, the road is more rocky.

Dig deep Mr. Illitch.  If this means I need to buy more Hot and Readys, I'm willing to make that sacrifice.  If that means the Red Wings never make the playoffs again, that's ok (hockey is for Canadians anyway).  Just sign For Scherzer and Bring the Roar in 20-1-4.

MANagers

Congratulations to Rad Brad Ausmus on securing the Tigers' manager position.  As I previous wrote, Dom took the risky option by selecting someone with little (like minuscule) managing experience.  Brad made a good point in his press conference on Sunday though.  It's not a rebuilding year for the Tigers.  By all accounts, the Tigers bring back most major players next year and are expected to make another payoff run.  Brad is inheriting an impressive team who has been coached by a veteran manager for the past seven years.  Only down side is that it seems old Geno is sticking around to "influence" the new manager.  Just keep him on the bench, Brad.  Don't let him go on the field again.

Don't stare in his eyes too long.  You might get lost.

Congratulations also go out to Lloyd McClendon for earning the managing job in Seattle.  He has definitely made a name for himself being the hitting coach for the power Tigers.  It will be interesting to see what fresh faces Brad brings in to help manage his first year.  Ideally, Jeff Jones would continue to be the pitching coach to the best starting rotation in the AL and would help to rebuild the bullpen.  We'll see if Dom and Brad secure him before someone else snatches him up.

Halloween Edition

Well, its 8:30 the day before Halloween and if you're like me you are thinking, just what am I going to be for Halloween?!  You could go "Good Will Hunting" which a coworker suggested (I think he meant digging through the racks at Good Will, not going as Matt Damon from the late nineties).  Well, here are some quick and easy suggestions that can be thrown together to make a great costume and make you seem like an All Star.

Man with a huge smile on his face holding a sign that says "Will play baseball for food."  You'd be going as Bryan Pena of course!

Wear glasses with a brown lens and a blue lens with a Mizzou Tiger shirt on.  You'd be For Scherzer.

Wear pants that are two sizes too small, carry a bag of Taco Bell, and have Chicklets in the front of your mouth (you know I kid about the teeth).  You'd be Verdiggity.

Carry a cigarette, wear a gray comb as a mustache, and do the moonwalk.  You'd be Jim Leyland.

Sit in the corner of the room with a pillow shoved under your shirt and wave your arms at inappropriate moments.  You'd be Gene Lamont.

Wear a mop on your head, wear your Zubaz pants, and carry around a golf club for the upswing.  You'd be Prince Fielder.

Wear full protective gear but pay your friend to continue to hit you in various body parts with debris.  You'd be Alex Avila.

Carry around a tennis ball, golf ball, wiffle ball, basketball, baseball, football, and soccer ball.  You'd be Miguel Cabrera (get it? because he's a baller).

Wear a bandaid on your face and yellow colored contacts.  You'd be Benoit.

The possibilities are endless!  You could just always go as the best back up costume ever.  Wear every article of Tiger gear you have and go as a Detroit super fan AKA the Tigress.  For me, it's a lifestyle choice, for others, it's a costume.

Filling the void

This weekend I read three books.  That's right, in two and a half days, I read three books.  I miss Tiger baseball.  It's tough to fill the void but here's some things that help:

Books- Increase your knowledge for schooling your friends in trivia and general culture references.

Movies- Really school your friends on the pop culture thing.  Also get ready for award show season coming up by watching all the best movies of the year.

Other sports- Football is in full swing and I've heard that hockey might be on (I don't watch Canadian sports, except for curling).  Get the knowledge you'll need to make your Super Bowl bets this year and make your March Madness picks.

Friends- You know those people you've only seen while watching Tiger games?  Maybe it's time you sat down and played a little Monopoly or discussed the politics in the Middle East.  I bet your friends are pretty interesting people and not as irritating as when they are yelling at the TV every two minutes because of the umpires.

Family- You have a kid!  Remember?  Language and developmental growth are happening all the time and the children are our future (or so Whitney has told me).

Hobbies- You've neglected your model train collection and I think your ant farm is down a few hundred members.

The Tiger fans aren't the only ones trying to fill the void, though.  Dave Dom is trying to fill the manager void for the Tigers and three candidates have been interviewed.

Lloyd McClendon- He's the hitting coach and already knows the team and the staff.  He'd be the safe bet and the easiest transition.  If Dom isn't feeling adventurous, then he's the obvious choice.

Tim Wallach- He's the Dodger's third base coach, so he has experience in the playoffs.  He's also been a hitting coach and a manager in Triple A (which is nothing to sneeze at).  Could he be the answer?  He's going to need a warmer wardrobe, that's for sure.

Brad Ausmus- The day Smokes made his announcement, Brad's name immediately came up and I thought, yes please!  If you recall, he was on the original "Hottest men in Baseball" list.  He was a professional catcher, the smartest position on the field and attended Dartmouth (Ivy League people).  Unfortunately, he has no managing experience (unless you count managing the Israel team in the World Baseball Classic...which I'm not sure anyone does...sorry Israel).  Going from Smokes who may be the MOST experienced manager in MLB to someone with no experience might be too big of a shift.  This is the riskiest choice and may require Dom to borrow a bigger pair of balls.

Rick Renteria- Current bench coach for the Padres (which is where Brad also works), he's rumored to be next in line to interview.  He has extensive experience in the minors and has been a coach in the majors for the past three years.  I feel like he'd connect with the Latino players and bring over fifteen years of experience as a manager and coach (even the minors counts) to the team.

We'll see who Dom chooses, with help from his "special assistants" I'm sure.  You choose wisely as well, Tigress faithful.  Our time is valuable and come April, you'll have to devote it to the Tigers again.

Quitting the Smokes

I heard at 11:50, a mere twenty minutes after Leyland made his announcement.  Somehow, three people at my work already knew.  News travels fast when it rocks a state.  If you are clueless as to what I'm talking about, then I really can't help you.  You have to help yourself.

There was a lot of talk on social media about Leyland stepping down.  People said, he turned around the organization.  Some said it was Ilitch spending money and Smokes just happen to be the man to manage the money.  People always complained about how Smokes managed the games, an American League manager who used a National League style.

Managers with Leyland's experience don't come around very often and Detroit was lucky to have him.  Period.  You can say what you want about his style but his players respected him and his coaching staff worked well with him.  That's half the battle right there.  Players didn't talk back to Smokes (no one ever said "you got to be kidding me" to Smokes...remember Lackey in Game 3?).

More than anything, Leyland was solid entertainment.  You couldn't understand him in most interviews and he didn't flinch at putting reporters in their place.  He was majestic when he argued with umpires, and I cheered for him to get the toss.  He cried at will, hugged every player after a big win, and did the moonwalk to celebrate.  He was likable, unlike Ozzie Guillen, but not dry as toast like Bob Melvin.  He managed the biggest players in the game.

Smokes apologized to the fans for not bringing home a World Series victory.  No need to apologize, Smokes.  You gave this city two World Series appearances and three consecutive division championships.  You took us back from 2003 when times were dismal to a time when it was cool to wear the old English D.  So thank you, Jim.  I'm pleased you are staying with the organization.  I hope you get to be "special assistant" like Kaline and just get to smoke and eat popcorn all day.  You deserve such a dream job after what you've given us.

The hangover

Waking up this morning, I was still feeling the hangover of the end of another Tiger season.  I kept dreaming about plays last night and thinking that the games would still keep coming.  No such luck, dreams.  Boston advances to the World Series after one of the best turn-arounds from a previous year in MLB history.  Meanwhile, Tiger fans are left to over-analyze every play and decision for the next 5 months.

Rather than sit here and re-hash every play, I'd like to just acknowledge all of the wonderful things that happened during the playoffs.  It's more productive and brings some positive endorphins, which just make me feel better.

The starting rotation for the Tigers is sick.  Scherzer was Mr. Consistency this year and deserves the Cy Young award.  Verlander proved that his "off year" is better than 95% of pitchers in MLB.  He also showed that he could be the new Mr. October with his clutch performances in the playoffs, particularly game 5 versus the A's.  Sanchez showed that even though he was the number 3 starter, he still has the ability to make major leaguers look like amateurs.   Even though no one talked about Dougie Fresh, he still got the job done, mostly thanks to something that was lacking this postseason...run support.

Austin Jackson's miraculous turn around after being moved in the rotation to a spot with seemingly less pressure.  His bat finally came alive and he played with more confidence.  If only we could have written "8" next to everyone's name in the lineup.

Jhonny Peralta's return to the game in the face of critics.  He was the fire the Tigers needed and brought life to the Tiger lineup.  He served his time, acknowledged his mistake, and then came back to do his job.  Good luck as a free agent.  There are many teams that would be lucky to have you.

Victor Martinez's comeback year after missing the postseason last year.  He started out slow, but there was no hotter hitter down the stretch.  He also provided the hits when they mattered and played with a desire to win that out shined everyone else in the dugout.

Jose Iglesias for getting recognized for his defense, but also for not just being an easy out (see Drew on Boston).  He's a guy that I hope will grow with the Tigers and win many gold gloves in his tenure with the Tigers.  I hope he sticks to his craft and hones his ability to hit singles and bunts.  The home run isn't for everyone and knowing your strengths is half the battle in the majors.

Good season Tigers.  I would have loved to purchase snow pants and cheer my brains out on Thursday, but it just wasn't meant to be.  Time for a little R&R, then back to the gym to be in better condition for next year.  Bring the Roar in 20-1-4 (it's already trending on Twitter).