OT: Verlander is Legend

Submitted by stephenrjking on

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.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

October 12th, 2012 at 2:16 PM ^

I think you missed my point.  Nobody holds Yzerman's desire to GM against him, and nobody should.  The point was to rebut saveferris's point about the reserve clause tying Kaline to the Tigers for most of his career.  As in, yes, that's why Kaline was a Tiger for the entirety of his playing career, but it didn't have anything to with Kaline spending a very long post-playing career with the Tigers as well.

MichFan1997

October 12th, 2012 at 9:30 AM ^

Been a true blessing to have witnessed verlander live over 10 times now, including his dazling game 1 and two near no-hitters last year. Cherish every inning we get with him. He's one for the ages

saveferris

October 12th, 2012 at 10:02 AM ^

Verlander will be 30 years old when he starts the 2013 season.  He has 124 career wins, which puts him 26th among active MLB pitchers.  He has 232 career starts, which is by far the fewest among those pitchers ahead ranked around him.  He stays healthy, he's gong to be a first ballot choice for the HOF.

dlcase1708

October 12th, 2012 at 10:18 AM ^

It's rare that you get to see both the best pitcher and hitter in baseball, at the same time, on your team. How lucky we are as fans, and I plan to enjoy watching Verlander and Miggy suit up in the Old English D for a long time. 

Mabel Pines

October 12th, 2012 at 10:37 AM ^

Does anyone know why they don't line up and shake hands with the other team at the end of  series like in Bball or Hockey?  Even in Football, they seek people out and shake hands.  Just wondering...

French West Indian

October 12th, 2012 at 1:04 PM ^

..isn't hockey that only sport that formally lines up and shakes everyones hand (at least at the professional level)?  I don't think I've ever seen that in the NBA.  Hell, the Bad Boys walked off the court before the game was even finished against the Bulls one year.

In reply to by French West Indian

Mabel Pines

October 12th, 2012 at 1:42 PM ^

only college.  I know they line up in college.  Just seems like a nice thing to do (as said by a Mom who is always pointing out the nice things in sports...."Look Kids, Denard is Always smiling!  No matter what!")  Also strange that pro hockey does it, since that is the only sport where they punch each other in actual fights!!

DrunkOnHiggins

October 12th, 2012 at 10:43 AM ^

Verlander needs a WS ring. I hope it happens this year.

Rookie of the Year, Cy Young, MVP, 2 No Hitters, and WS Ring...that has a nice sound to it. And he's just getting started.

MaizeAndBlueWahoo

October 12th, 2012 at 2:28 PM ^

To the OPs point, this is why I'm thoroughly proud to be a Detroit fan and I wouldn't have it any other way.  I don't think we'd put up with a load of me-first shit the way they put up with "Manny being Manny" in Boston, or Kobe in LA, we've been fortunate not to have massive egos for owners like Jerry Jones or George Steinbrenner, and we don't take pride in acting like dicks like in Chicago or Philly.  Shut up and play and do it for the team and we'll love ya.  We'll even take on reclamation projects like Sheed or Todd Bertuzzi, as long as they prove themselves.

The result is a long line of stars who are just damn good people that you'd love for your kid to grow up and be just like them.  Come in here with your shitty attitude like Allen Iverson or Juan Gonzalez, and you won't exactly find a warm welcome.