The Tigers and Yankees were rained out today and they’ll play a doubleheader tomorrow.  With that, here’s a few random thoughts.

I’m not sure who would be hungrier.  A player like Sean Casey who’s up there in age and has never won a championship, or a veteran like Ivan Rodriguez or Kenny Rogers who have tasted a World Series win and now might only have one last chance to relive it.  I really think Pudge is going to be the key down the stretch.  I can’t see him letting this team get down and in a lot of ways, I can see him almost being like another coach in the dugout.  That’s quite a difference from the antics that went on last year.  I’ll take it though.

The last time the Tigers were in first place in September was in 1988.  Following the September drama of 1987 and a nice first half, the Tigers had a four game lead on August 21, 1988.  One month later, on September 19, 1988, the Tigers were in fourth place and six games back of first place.  They went 6-21 during that stretch and while they made things close, a lot of their late wins came after the Red Sox had locked up the division.  The next season, they came just short of setting a franchise record for losses.  Food for thought for those people who felt we should sit tight at the trade deadline and plan for the future.

At the All Star Break, it looked like as many as five players would have a shot at thirty homeruns.  Now, it looks like nobody is going to get there.  Marcus Thames has the best shot but he probably won’t get the at bats to do it.  The Tigers do have a shot at having seven different players hit 20, although that’s assuming Chris Shelton gets some time in the lineup come September.

Big doubleheader tomorrow.  As Ernie Banks used to say, “Let’s play two.”

Permalink | Posted in 2006 Tigers