The 20 Year Cycle

It seems that it happens about every 20 years or so. Sure, there was the blip in the system when they made the 1972 and 1987 playoffs without going to the World Series, but the Detroit Tigers have won the Series about every 20 years at least since 1945. They beat the Cubs that year then for the first time in my lifetime, they won in 1968 and again in 1984. Figuring that they are due after more than a decade of udder futility, the Tigers are in the playoffs again this year. Of course, it appears that they are trying to give away first place, a position they have held since early May. Now that the Twins, who just happen to have eliminated them from the 1987 playoffs, have caught them.

Detroit only has to win three straight against a Kansas City team that they have dominated this season in order to maintain first place and a date with the Oakland, the team that beat them in the 1972 playoffs. Either way, the goal is to win first place and not have to face the Yankees during the first round.

The hope is that in a short series the Tigers pitching will prevail. They have been strong all season with a few down weeks. The team chemistry should return to early season levels with the return of Placido Polanco at second base. He was sorely missed during the late August/early September swoon.

So, let's win three and then head to the Playoffs with home field advantage at least for the first round and possibly the second round and World Series. Of course, the success they have had on the road this year means that maybe it would be better if....

Nahhh, let's not think about that.