OT: Verlander is Legend
The state of Michigan has a curious relationship with its professional sports stars. We've had our share of greats, but our loyalty to them has only a partial correlation to their raw athletic talent.
Many of our favorites are guys who are great team players with great work ethics. Big stars are good, and big achievements are important, but if you're humble and do your job and succeed Michigan will love you. The 2004 Pistons are a great example of this--no stars, but beloved by everybody.
We love Steve Yzerman. Not just because he was a brilliant player, but because he was the captain and he played hurt and he changed his game for the god of the team.
We love Al Kaline. Not the greatest player of his time, but a great player who stuck with the Tigers for his entire career and led them to a title.
We love Barry Sanders, who was saddled with bad teams but was transcendant as a runner and always humble.
Last night, the Tigers horribly choked away a series win in the ninth inning. After winning the first two games at home, Oakland had seized the momentum going into game 5 at home. It was awful, it was dispiriting, it was a nightmare.
It would be unbearable, but for the one man every Michigander knew could stop the bleeding: Justin Verlander.
On the road. Game five. Nine innings. No runs. Justin takes his place in the pantheon of all-time Michigan sports greats.
Verlander is legend.
October 12th, 2012 at 1:58 AM ^
Did the OT tag fool you? Were you expecting a thread about a different Verlander the same night he threw a complet game shut out to win the series? There are plenty of other sports team fans here (see my avatar for one example), but the majority are Detroit sports fans and would like to occasionally discuss their team.
October 12th, 2012 at 2:51 AM ^
I would like the same respect for the Brewers then. This blog happens to have many Brewer fans too. If you dont know, much of the U.P is dominated by packer/brewer fans.
October 12th, 2012 at 2:55 AM ^
Maybe some of those fans should make posts on the Board too. I personally would have no issue with that. I guess the ultimate decision on that comes from the mods
October 12th, 2012 at 2:55 AM ^
Double post
October 12th, 2012 at 3:00 AM ^
I made a post once, when the Brewers won the NL central last year (which is a rare accomplishment) which happened to get a lot of comments, but was deleted by the mods.
October 12th, 2012 at 3:06 AM ^
I was always told if I didn't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all. I
October 12th, 2012 at 3:07 AM ^
I will pass on the same advice however substitute intelligent for nice.
October 12th, 2012 at 6:11 AM ^
...and not fair. Get used to it.
Go Tigers!
October 12th, 2012 at 6:27 AM ^
The reality is, this blog has far more partisans from the State of Michigan than elsewhere, and as such, Detroit's pro teams will always get more coverage. Really, it would be more of an issue if the Lions and Pistons were also good. As it is, the Tigers are it this year, other than maybe the Red Wings, a bit.
October 12th, 2012 at 8:44 AM ^
Terrible argument. You can root against your homeland all you want. Feel free to cheer on Canada in the Olympics, as well -- perhaps that land is nearer to your heart. But don't expect the board to rally behind you. Gfg.
October 12th, 2012 at 12:38 PM ^
...I've got no problem with Brewers posts or any other off-topic posts but unfortunately a lot of other people in these parts are quite sensitive about such things.
October 12th, 2012 at 7:14 AM ^
As a yooper, I will agree that the UP (at least most of it ) leans heavily toward favoring the Packers. The same can't be said for the Brewers though. Not even close. The UP is solid Tiger country.
October 12th, 2012 at 9:38 AM ^
Honestly, I would be fine with Wisconsin taking the U.P. haha
October 12th, 2012 at 12:40 PM ^
...no! Not even if we get Toledo back in exchange.
October 12th, 2012 at 10:16 AM ^
Dominated by Brewers fans? Hardly, though i can't speak for the Western UP.
From Escanaba or Marquette east, we've got a lot of Packers fans (traitors) who are also fans of the Wings and the Tigers. Strange that they don't apply the "it's closer" logic outside of football, eh?
October 12th, 2012 at 1:49 AM ^
JV blew the doors off this game and I think it'll inspire the rest of the rotation. I guess we can only hope that's the case since we'll be leaning on the rest of the starters to keep us in contention with the ALCS.
Also, I was surprised to see Verlander hitting 97 (98?) in the 2nd inning when normally that's saved for later in the game. All's well that ends well.
Finally, I'm really glad to see one of the Bay Area teams out of the post season. I grew up in San Jose and it's comical to see people switching between Niners, Sharks, Giants, and now the A's. Whoever's hot gets a big old bandwagon.
October 12th, 2012 at 1:58 AM ^
something like 14 quality starts in their last 16 or 17 games. The starters have been excellent.
October 12th, 2012 at 8:22 AM ^
Saw this stat last night: "Tigers starters tossed 34.2 of the 45 innings during their ALDS series. They combined for 41 Ks and a 1.29 ERA" per https://twitter.com/jonmachota
October 12th, 2012 at 8:35 AM ^
Love it. Next thing you know he'll be talking about "PIN numbers" and "ATM machines"
October 12th, 2012 at 8:52 AM ^
that the quoted writer didn't do particularly well on his ACT test or SAT test in his youth?
October 12th, 2012 at 9:51 AM ^
My mother-in-law got mad last night because I called her out for saying "For your FYI..."
October 12th, 2012 at 10:11 PM ^
Let's go back to the part where you called out your mother-in-law
October 12th, 2012 at 2:51 AM ^
How many pitchers have a lower opponent BA as the game goes on? I always remember pitchers getting roughed up more the 2nd-3rd time through the lineup. I do agree he belongs near the top of the Detroit pantheon. 2 names I associate in that top group too that haven't been mentioned are Chauncey Billups and Calvin. Chauncey was the go to guy the year they one the title. He was the one you wanted to have the ball. Calvin showed what he was last year in a couple of those comebacks. TD catch in triple coverage vs Cowboys comes to mind.
October 12th, 2012 at 12:44 PM ^
But I'm having a hard time coming up with any Calvin of Detroit fame. Who are you talking about?
October 12th, 2012 at 3:14 AM ^
Verlander is nasty. Absolutely, 100%, no doubt about it. I'm an Indians fan, so I really had no vested interest in this series other than my inner division hatred of the Tigers. That said, I would have liked to see the A's get a real home field advantage in this series. Granted they got three games at home, but I think it would have been interesting to start the series across the Bay.
I don't want to sound like I'm griping, because I'm not. I think the same could go for the Reds to be honest. I guess I just think that playing at home to start a series is a HUGE benefit. The A's had to be mentally drained tonight. Having to sweep the Rangers to win the division and then heading on the road to start a series with Detroit as their "reward" would have sucked.
I guess I'm just bitter because the Bay Area fell in love with both the A's and Giants this postseason. The A's were an amazing story. I don't want to take anything away from JV, he's a freak of nature, but the odds seemed stacked against the A's.
Congrats to the Tigers, of course, but I think I may become an O's/Giants fan from here on out.
October 12th, 2012 at 3:26 AM ^
Cinci won both games in SF, and then had three home games to win their series. They choked the thing away. The A's made a valiant effort to rally, but JV is just unhittable when he's on. They had no chance.
October 12th, 2012 at 9:36 AM ^
That was pathetic. The point still stands, though. The format is garbage. No higher seed should EVER go down 2-0 in a series without even playing at home, simple as that. Thankfully, it sounds like this format will only be for one year.
October 12th, 2012 at 11:30 AM ^
This city is in a state of shock over the Reds' choke job. I've been telling all my coworkers that it's OK because the Tigers won and they can cheer for them now. Sadly, no one here cares.
October 12th, 2012 at 12:48 PM ^
...is a "real" home field advantage. And if the team was so drained then it's doubtful that the extra travel of a 2-2-1 arrangement would have helped them any.
October 12th, 2012 at 8:14 AM ^
Are you sure he's not a Leader? I can never remember how that works.
October 12th, 2012 at 8:20 AM ^
Will be the certified best pitcher of his generation (10 years).
And he is humble or at least he seems to be. The reason I hate Valverde is because he is exactly the opposite. Valverde is the dramatic, look at me, screaming and carrying on player I dislike on opposing teams. I mean look at AL AL, you see that kid carrying on? No. Does Benpoit do a little dance when he strikes a guy out? No. Just do your job. Collect your pay. Crack an occasional wise and I am ok with you as a Detroit athlete. The recipe isn't difficult.
October 12th, 2012 at 8:30 AM ^
Seconded times a jillion.
October 12th, 2012 at 9:49 AM ^
Love Valverde, love anybody who owns their mistakes and doesn't hideaway ,such as Coco Crisp after game 2, Jose Valverde after game 4, Denard Robinson after ND game.
Did you see Valverde chompin' on a big ol' victory cigar last night. Classic Valverde.
This is from the Central Division clincher; Still looking for one from last night. Cabby and Valverde with victory cigars. Need to see this twice more this postseason
October 12th, 2012 at 12:56 PM ^
Or is winning a division series really even worthy of the champagne treatment?
I can sort of understand it for clinching a division (especially if it's been a long time) and it can make sense too when clinching the League pennant (i.e. getting into the World Series) but for a normal playoff round it seems excessive.
I can't think of any other sport where teams break out into party just for winning a playoff round. In fact, I seem to recall instances where teams specifically didn't celebrate at all because it was just one more step on the path to the big goal.
October 12th, 2012 at 4:06 PM ^
I agree - it's a little strange. But then, baseball is weird in a lot of ways. Can you imagine a football coach wearing the team uniform on the sidelines?
October 12th, 2012 at 4:18 PM ^
I think it stems from how baseball was set up for so long. You had to win your league to get to the World Series. That was a HUGE deal. So they celebrated. Then they went to two divisions in each league with one more playoff round before the WS. It was still a HUGE deal to win your division and qualify for the playoffs. So they celebrated both winning the division and advancing to the WS. Then they went to the three division + wildcard format. People were just used to celebrating. So they did.
I do like it though. It's a quirky semi-modern tradition that makes baseball unique. Making the postseason is still sacred in baseball (even with the second wildcard) because unlike basketball and hockey, half the teams don't qualify for the playoffs.
October 12th, 2012 at 12:55 PM ^
2x post.
October 12th, 2012 at 8:22 AM ^
http://blue.odu.edu/ao/ia/insideodu/20121001/kudos1.php
Btw Verlander is going to be inducted into the ODU Hall of Fame tomorrow 8/13 as well...doubt he'll show up for it cause you know playoiffs!
October 12th, 2012 at 8:34 AM ^
Where he will join famous alumni such as Jimmy Carter! Oh, wait... no Jimmy never graduated... such as... ... ... Ben Bailey the host of Cash Cab!!!
*crickets*
October 12th, 2012 at 8:47 AM ^
He couldn't have been there very long, Wikipedia doesn't even mention it.
October 12th, 2012 at 8:56 AM ^
The ODU famous alumni page does
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Old_Dominion_University_alumni
The list is short, but distinguished (it's not really distinguished, just setting it up for the Top Gun joke)
So is my Johnson.
(There it is)
October 12th, 2012 at 9:01 AM ^
Under "Class Year" for Carter, it simply says "Attended". There's a Holiday Inn Express joke in here somewhere, but damn if I can come up with it.
October 12th, 2012 at 8:24 AM ^
performance by a pitcher last night I've seen. JV completely shut down the A's on their raucous home field. The guy is absolutely amazing. If we had 4 of him, we'd never have to watch Valverde again! Go Tigers!
October 12th, 2012 at 8:31 AM ^
World Series Champs, I can feel it. JV is gonna look good with that big fat ring! Go TIGERS!!!!!
October 12th, 2012 at 8:37 AM ^
JV took a huge step towards carving himself a place on the Detroit Sporting Legend Mount Rushmore with last night's performance. He's the best pitcher I've ever seen in a Tigers uniform, Jack Morris included.
October 12th, 2012 at 8:45 AM ^
But last night I had to stay up and watch most of this. Verlander is the rare type of talent where I'll get to tell my kids/grandkids that "I saw him pitch".
There aren't too many athletes who check that box for me (the biggest one being Jordan) but JV is one of them. I didn't care about the game (again, Cubs fan. Baseball ended in March this year) and I wasn't watching to see who won. I watched to see him pitch.
October 12th, 2012 at 8:52 AM ^
Watching the game last night as I was, that seemed to me to be one of the best nights to be a Tiger fan ever. This ALDS overall, Verlander's performance has been superb, but he more or less owned Oakland outright last night.
Between games 1 and 5, 2-0, 16 IP, 0.56 ERA with seven hits allowed, one run, five walks and best of all, twenty-two strikeouts (11 in both games). Thus far, an excellent postseason for JV and hopefully this gives us some momentum going into the ALCS.
October 12th, 2012 at 8:58 AM ^
We love Al Kaline. Not the greatest player of his time, but a great player who stuck with the Tigers for his entire career and led them to a title.
Al Kaline is "Mr. Tiger" and a legendary player to be sure, but he really didn't "stick" with the Tigers his entire career. With the Reserve Clause in place, no baseball player before the mid-70s had any choice as to what team they played for. Kaline was a Tiger for his whole career because he was a great baseball player and the organization had no reason to trade him or replace him.
This is not to say that Al doesn't belong on the mountaintop of Detroit Sports Legends, but it's moot to imply loyalty to an organization for any baseball player of that era.
October 12th, 2012 at 9:58 AM ^
Valid point; I think it burnishes his reputation that he was only ever a Tiger regardless of why, but you are correct.
October 12th, 2012 at 11:57 AM ^
Given Kaline's long history of activities with the organization following his playing career, including broadcasting, scouting, and advisement, it's safe to credit him with just as much loyalty to the Tigers as Yzerman to the Wings.