(Photos by the Detroit News)
Up until the awesome events of the past few weeks, the above images from the sacred year of 1984, pretty much capture everything I've ever known about the Detroit Tigers being a good, let alone great team. Granted I was only 7 years old, so that makes the memories even more fuzzy. How much of anything can anyone remember from back when they were 7 years old (especially when you're pushing 30)? I remember watching Jack Morris' no-hitter on TV against the White Sox on a Saturday afternoon in April of that year, and I remember bits and pieces of the playoffs and World Series from that year - mostly Kirk Gibson's clutch home runs, and the celebrations after they won it all. Oh and I also remember going to a game against the Blue Jays at Tiger Stadium that summer with my mom and dad, sitting in the left field upper deck, and seeing the old guy sitting next to my dad stand up to do the wave, only to have his pants fall down to his ankles (true story - I couldn't make that up if I tried).
Anyways its been a long time since the Tigers have had a team that has been good, and given me something to really cheer and be absolutely thrilled about. Seeing as how they've got a good thing going, I've noticed that I've suddenly become superstitious. I have a lucky t-shirt which, when I've worn it, the Tigers are 7-0. I didn't wear it for the first game of the Yankees series, and they lost. I didn't discover the luck that it brought until after the third game of the ALDS. I went up to Michigan specifically for the 3rd game which I was lucky to get tickets to (see previous post). I watched the 2nd game (the Tigers 1st win of the series)at my parents place where I was wearing my Old Navy American Flag t-shirt. When I went to bed that night, I threw the shirt on top of my suitcase and forgot about it. The next day as my brother and I were getting ready to head down to Lloyd's, I knew I needed to dress in layers, so I just picked up the t-shirt and wore it under my long-sleeved shirt. We went to the game, Kenny Rogers pitched the game of his life (at that time), and the Tigers shut out the Yankees. I proceeded to come back home to Virginia the next day, and got home in time for the 4th game. As I was cleaning out my suitcase I saw the shirt, and realized it was 2-0, so I figured "what the heck?", and I put it on before the game. Another game, another win. I've proceeded to wear it every game day since then, and as I said earlier, the Tigers are undefeated. I tried to tempt fate during the 2nd game against the A's. I had been wearing it all day. Sara and I were watching the game, the Tigers were up by a couple in the last inning, so we decided to go and watch the bottom of the 9th inning in bed. I took the shirt off, and Todd Jones managed to get a couple runners on base, with Frank Thomas (the winning run)coming up to bat. Realizing what was going on, I jumped up quick, put the shirt on...Frank lined out to centerfield to end the game.
Coincidence? I'm thinking no (I'm sure as heck not willing to find out either!)
Bless You Boys
Last 5 Songs I've Listened To:
Ruby Falls - Guster
The First Cut is the Deepest - Cat Stevens
Dancing in the Dark - Bruce Springsteen
Speak - Nickel Creek
King of Comedy - R.E.M.
