Here Come the Rangers

The city of Detroit can do without more heartbreak. Last night when the Tigers lost to the Rangers and were sent packing, there was none. Had the game been close, maybe. But this was an old fashioned pounding. The Tigers got clobbered. No shame, no heartbreak in that.


Really, there was no one to root against in this series. Certainly not Jim Leyland, the Tigers manager and the anti-Tony LaRussa. LaRussa makes a simple game complicated; Leyland makes a complicated game simple. He makes courageous decisions and sticks to them. He trusts his players and they know it. I’ve liked Jim Leyland since he managed the Pirates 20 years ago and the TV camera used to catch him sneaking a cigarette in the dugout.

And certainly not Brandon Inge, the longest tenured Tiger who struggled this season, was assigned to the Mud Hens, the AAA affiliate and, remarkably, accepted the assignment and worked his way back. You could see both determination and joy in his face as he played third base, made some plays and even popped a home run.

But the Rangers have their appeal as well. Despite being a long time Astros fan, and much to the chagrin of my sons, I like the Rangers too. When the Stros foolishly let Nolan Ryan go, the Rangers happily paid him what he was worth and he rewarded them with several no-hitters. I’ve liked them ever since. So Michael Young’s five RBI’s and Nelson Cruz’ power surge and fabulous throw are okay by me. Maybe this year they’ll go all the way.