Declaring My AL Allegiance: Here We Go Tigers, Here We Go…

I bleed orange-and-blue in terms of my diamond allegiances. Mets orange-and-blue. It runs deep. DEEP. If you’re here, chances are you know this already. Beyond that group of not-so-lovable losers, I really don’t exhaust much energy rooting for anyone else — except for whomever is playing the Yanks (that’s a given). At the end of August, I declared my support of the Rockies in their pursuit of the NL pennant. Now, as I’m sure you’ve awaited with eager anticipation, I pledge my AL loyalties to…the Detroit Tigers.

Facing a pivotal series against the Twinkies (set to begin with a double-dip tomorrow after tonight’s rainout), the Tigers are the only team in a divisional race. Should they prevail, my allegiance shall go with them. Why, you may ask? Before you question, tell me who else is more deserving of the unaffiliated fan’s backing. The Sawx? Been there, done that. The Halos? OK, I like Scoiscia too. But…you ready for me to play the card? Do you want me to throw it? OK, you asked for it.

America, this is DEE-TROIT. This is a city in rough shape. I’ll spare the script, but let’s just say your average down-on-your-luck U.S. city doesn’t get a TIME magazine cover story, let alone a dedicated year-long series. My brother-in-law grew up outside Detroit and has shown and told me the tales that are sure to pepper TIME. It’s agonizing. No matter the reasons it shouldn’t have come to this.

Would a World Series turn around a downtown that likely needs decades not days to climb back to some semblance of its former self? Absolutely not. Could it lift some spirits for a short time? I’m guessing yes, and, hell, that’s a good enough reason for me to jump on the Tigers bandwagon. Besides, let’s be honest, the Lions may have won a game, but they’re still far from captivating anybody.

So, climb aboard the tourist fan bus to Motown. Need more reasons? Their manager is about as old-school as it gets – cussing, ripping butts in the dugout and calling out and sitting down players who dog it or show him up. Love Leyland. Love. Him. They’re also young, energetic and feisty (or some word like that). Curtis Granderson is another reason. Fun, hard-working player, better dude. Verlander. Cabrera is a beast. Always liked Inge (dig guys who can adequately play multiple positions). Oh yes, they also have a guy named Fu-Te Ni. I just learned this today. Cool, right? How could you not be convinced?

That’s all I have to say about that. Tigers-Rockies. Let’s see it. Count me in. Sure, the networks (and most casual fans) want no part of such a match-up. F em. If you’re a baseball fan, you’re going to watch the World Series. Unless, you’re a fan like me and the Phillies and Yanks play each other. In which case, I’ll catch everyone at spring training in 2010. So, like I said, here we go Tigers, here we go. Clap. Clap.