Are They Watching?

Do you think our Tigers are watching the World Series? In past years, I've heard mixed results from players who didn't make the playoffs. I remember Magglio Ordóñez saying he couldn't watch the 2005 World Series, because he had just left the Chicago White Sox, and they won it all the next season. He said something like it was the worst year of his life. Not to mention that the Tigers were awful (71-91, good for 4th place in the AL Central), and he had a hernia that year to boot.

It would be interesting to poll the wearers of the Old English D and find out whether they've been viewing playoff baseball. If not, what activities are taking up their evening leisure hours--Texas Hold 'Em and Guitar Hero? If yes, is it tough viewing, or are they rooting for friends, having parties, eating Doritos and talking about A-Rod?

Did they let go quickly and move on, because it's their job and whatnot, or was it a lingering pain that festered like mine did? Inquiring minds want to know.

I'm available for a World Series party, Tigers. Just in case you wanted to know.

Collective Exhale

I hope we're all using this last off-day of the season to catch up on some non-Tiger-related areas of our lives. However, I admit that most of my life is consumed by the Tigers and Tiger-related themes. See, I'm writing this post right now. I've read Tiger blogs today, along with the Tigers web site, and local newspapers' Tiger coverage. The phrase "get a life" does come to mind, but I shove it aside dismissively.

This weekend's series nearly became my undoing. After Saturday's wretched loss, I found myself near tears contemplating our season ending without the playoffs. Get a hold of yourself, woman!

Well, we got the win yesterday, behind unlikely starter Nate Robertson. I'd imagine he feels pretty satisfied right now, contributing in large part to a significant victory. It's a far cry from losing a spot in the rotation out of Spring Training, grousing about it openly to the media, and hearing cries for his outright release.

Will any of you be attending the 1984 anniversary celebration on September 28th?

Could you take a moment to share memories of that fabled season? If you're too young to remember it first-hand, tell us some stories that were told to you. You may have also watched some of the games as "classics." Tell us what you thought of the '84 squad.

I'll tell you this, I'll never forget Kirk Gibson and Sparky Anderson talking about how Goose Gossage didn't want to walk Gibby, and the glorious shot Gibby punished him with that day in Game 5. How Sparky's hand went to his mouth as he watched the ball get launched into the stands. How Dick Williams must have kicked his own tail quite literally for letting Gossage talk him out of that walk. Glory days.

Here's to having some glory days to savor from 2009.

Anniversary Blues

This year marks the 25^th anniversary of the 1984 World Series championship. There will be a reunion celebration at Comerica Park on September 28. However, it does not appear that it will come close to rivaling last year’s 40^th anniversary party for the 1968 championship. It was wonderful to see so many of the ’68 Tigers players turn out for the fiesta, taking turns getting interviewed in the booth each inning by Rod and Mario. They gave such a great retrospective at the season, the Series, their careers, etc.

Alas, not too many ’84 Tigers are even planning to make the trip here.

Some players have genuine conflicts, such as Alan Trammell (Cubs bench coach), Kirk Gibson (Diamondbacks bench coach), Howard Johnson (Mets batting coach), and Rusty Kuntz (Royals first base coach).

Tom Brookens, who is a minor league manager at Tigers AA affiliate at Erie, should be available, since the Seawolves’ season ends September 8.

Lou Whitaker, in a March 2009 interview with the Tom Gage of the Detroit News, says he probably won't make the trip, instead taping a message to be played on the big screen. Lou, how can you blow off such a glorious opportunity to celebrate the ’84 Series victory before adoring fans?

Guillermo Hernandez' health is very fragile.

Chet Lemon coaches two AAU teams, called Chet Lemon's Juice--how cool is that? Will he be too busy?

I'm hoping that Milt Wilcox will come, since he gets his hair cut in the area.

Aurelio Lopez was tragically killed in an auto accident back in 1992.

Lance Parrish has been fired twice by the Tigers organization, prompting Tom Gage to wonder whether he'll have any bad feelings to stop him from coming.

Darrell Evans manages the Canadian Victoria Seals, a team in the Golden Baseball League. Their season will be over by September 28, but...

A Tigers fan I chatted with at a game says he parties with Dave Rozema all the time, so presumably he'll be interested.

Larry Herndon is the batting coach for our Lakeland Flying Tigers. I'm hoping they'd let him get away for this, since they are affiliated with our organization and all, plus their season will be finished by that time.

Johnny Grubb coaches high school baseball at his own alma mater Meadowbrook High School in Richmond Virginia. That's a spring sport, so September 28 shouldn't pose a major conflict.

Marty Castillo's whereabouts are unknown. Maybe he'll resurface for the reunion with some good stories.

Dan Petry participates in a lot of Tigers stuff, so hopefully he'll be here with bells on.

Jack Morris is a broadcaster for the Minnesota Twins. We're playing the Twins on September 28, so he'll be here!

Well, we know one '84 Tiger will be on hand for sure. Rod Allen was on the 1984 Tigers roster, in case you didn't know.

So there you have it, a sad portrait of a reunion to be sure. I sincerely wish for a great celebration of a season engrained in the memories of so many fans.

Live in the Now

I don't want to be accused of wallowing in the past, reliving past victories, ignoring the here and now, which is Opening Day tomorrow!  However, I have to mention that over at Mlive.com, Steve Kornacki has a cool little "Where Is He Now" piece about Guillermo Hernandez.  He of the 1984 World Series Champion Tigers.  He of 1984 Cy Young and MVP fame.  It's nice to catch up with our one-time closer, who says he regularly went three innings for a save, and his arm never got tired.  On the contrary, he said it got even better as we went along, and "Sparky knew that."  He also still keeps up with the Tigers, and encourages this year's team to go out and get it.  Sadly, his health is not the best, though he's only 54 years old.  There's a companion piece about the Hernandez and the '84 season, also penned by Kornacki.  You've got to read it, because there's quite the anecdote about Hernandez choking on his wad of tobacco as he got mobbed after the final World Series out.

Anyway, enough of the past, and on to the future.  Opening Day arrives tomorrow.  Prognosticators are not generally looking kindly on our Tigers, and it's understandable.  There are quite a few question marks, mostly surrounding our pitching staff.  I'm right with everyone, wondering how the hurlers will perform, but I can't help but be optimistic when it comes to the wearers of the Old English D.  It's a new season, and we've improved our defense.  We've got a good lineup.  Soon, very soon, I'll be at the ballpark.  Bring on the 2009 season.  I'm tired of thinking about it, analyzing it, writing about it.  I'm ready for it to commence.  Will anyone else have a hard time getting to sleep tonight?