I took this photo of Rob Brantly last summer.  It’s a personal favorite.  I was going to have him sign it, but by the time I got around to getting a print, he was promoted to Lakeland.  Oh well.  It was a one shot take.  So many people let the shutter button fly and “cheat”.  I was quite proud of my timing.

Today is a great day.  Prince Fielder is a Detroit Tiger.  So cool.

I was perusing the authentic collectible area on the Tigers website and found this cork.  For $19.99 you too can own a piece of the Tigers clubhouse celebration from the 2011 ALDS.  Twenty bucks for authenticated champagne bottle cork?  Wow.  For $99.99 you can also buy the empty bottle too.

Thank you 2011 Detroit Tigers for an awesome season.

Today was a day that I wasn’t looking forward to happening, but knew it must come.  I always try to remember what I did before baseball season started, but never can.  The thing about baseball is that it’s nearly every single day for six months.  You get so used to it being on or available that it becomes routine.  Win or lose there’s always another game or a new series to start, but in October that isn’t the case.

I must say that I’m very proud of this ballclub.  They gave everything they had and fought valiantly.  Part of me would’ve liked six more wins and a World Series title.  That would finally put 1984 to rest.  However given the way that injury plagued this team, it was a miracle that they made it as far as they did.

I have so many memories of this team. I don’t know if I can list them all, but I’ll try some.

Verlander’s No-Hitter in May

Valverde breaking the Tigers single season save record

Inge with a walk-off homer and 360 as he touched home plate

Guillen posing after his homer and making Jered Weaver angry

Cabrera’s batting title

The double play to end the game keeping Valverde’s save streak going

Don Kelly’s hot foot

Sparks from Avila’s catchers mask

Beating the Yankees in a stressful ALDS in Yankee Stadium

Victor and Little Victor clubhouse celebration

Twelve wins in a row in September

Hitting for a cycle as team in consecutive ABs in the ALCS

I could go on but won’t.

As a season ticket holder for Tigers Midwest League Class A affiliate, I felt a connection that some may not have.  I got to see many of them when they were just starting out.  Seeing the success of Alex Avila, Brennan Boesch, Duane Below, Will Rhymes, Casper Wells, Scott Sizemore, Jacob Turner, Brayan Villarreal, Adam Wilk, and Andy Dirks made me very happy and proud.

I can’t help but think of some franchises World Series or failure belief. As a fan of a team that has struggled for relevance in the last twenty years, every playoff appearance, and division title is cause for celebration.  It should be enjoyed and cherished.  I hope I never become numb to those accomplishments, nor my fellow Tigers fans.  The things in this season will become the stuff of legend years from now, World Series or not.

So I guess I’ll spend the offseason moping, and pining for baseball.  The cool weather is already reminding that I have quite some time to endure before it starts again.  I can’t wait for the words “Pitchers and Catchers Report”, and “Lakeland” to be said.

Is it weird to miss Tigers baseball already?  Because I do.  I really do.

This Miguel Cabrera wallpaper is very cool.  You can get this and more at the Detroit Free Press.

This says enough for me.