One Day in May ...

I had a conversation in mid-May with a couple of friends who will remain nameless. Shane and Steve, you might remember that it went something like this:

“Yeah, the Tigers won’t last; they won’t make it to the playoffs. They don’t have the pitching to make it that far.”

I didn’t say a whole lot in that conversation because, well, I thought there was probably some truth in that statement. I mean, when you pin all your hopes on “The Gambler” and pray for the rest of a vastly inexperienced staff to pick up the pieces after that, you’re asking quite a bit.

The rest of the conversation went something like, “Yeah, if the Jays staff can stay healthy, especially Halladay and Burnett, then we’ve got a good shot.” But alas, healthy they were not. Again.

So, contrary to the early season prognastications – yes, I said prognastications – one pitching staff, along with a young and determined team that has sucked dirty canal water for the past 20 years, has stepped up to the plate (literally and figuratively) and has shown what they’re made of. The other team, as we know, has not.

I feel pretty justified in my new-found exuberance – yes, I said exuberance – since all Tiger fans across the globe, or at least across Michigan and southern Ontario, have waited a long time for anything to cheer about.

Yes, we blew a 10 game lead in the last half of the season and blew chunks on winning our division. And yes, we’ll probably get swept in the first round by the Yankees. But the reality is … wait for it … here it comes … WE’RE GOIN’ TO THE PLAYOFFS!

So, while we’re still playing in October, we wish John Gibbons and Ted Lilly all the best in their extended kiss-and-make-up session, which would probably be enhanced by some consultation from Shea Hillenbrand. And maybe someone could get an oversized Kleenex for JP Riccardi to wipe that giant nose of his. It’s a good thing he didn’t make any moves at the trade deadline, eh?

I’ve never been a big fan of “The Gambler,” but this season, he’s given me every reason to cheer. So cheer, I will. After all, there’ll be time enough for counting when the dealin’s done.

GO TIGERS!