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The bats finally come alive

The bats finally come alive

October 14, 2011 | Detroit Free Press
Justin Verlander had thrown everything he had, his fastball, his change-up, his curve, his arm, his heart, his lungs, maybe a couple of kidneys. His engine was sputtering, pushed to the brink.And it was still the sixth inning. The infield came in. The crowd inhaled. Verlander, with the score tied, had just walked the No.9 batter on four pitches to load the bases. His pitch count was far north of 100. There was only one out. Most other pitchers would be done. Out of there. You actually could hear gulping across Comerica Park. Is this it? Does the season end here?
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Homeless fan still has his hand in the game

Homeless fan still has his hand in the game

October 9, 2011 | Detroit Free Press
There's a million stories in baseball. This one happened outside the stadium.It was almost 1 a.m. Tuesday, and I was leaving to go home after covering the Tigers-Yankees game. The Tigers had won, and in the distance near the late-closing bars you could hear car horns and some determined partyers, but for the most part, the area was empty, a few cops, a few stadium workers.I walked down a small street called Montcalm that feeds into Woodward Avenue. Ahead of me, I saw an older man standing by a light pole. He held a cup and a small piece of cardboard.
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So many scary moments

So many scary moments

October 7, 2011 | Detroit Free Press
NEW YORK - October ain't over.It takes a lot to stare down Yankee Stadium, but the Tigers just did it. It takes a lot to knock out CC Sabathia twice in a week, but the Tigers just did it. Doug Fister - not even with the team in late July - just did it. Delmon Young, who arrived even later than Fister, just did it. Don Kelly, who has seen more baseball stops than a Louisville Slugger shipping container, just did it.
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Who’da thunk this Game 5 last week?

Who’da thunk this Game 5 last week?

October 6, 2011 | Detroit Free Press
Hey, I just landed!" my friend says breathlessly. "Been on the moon! Got back in time for Game 5!"Welcome home, I say."I knew the series would go the distance! What did I miss? Can't wait for tonight. Final game! Tigers-Yankees! Verlander on the mound-"Nope."What do you mean? He's our best pitcher."I agree."Didn't he pitch Game 1?"Sort of."So why can't he pitch Game 5?"Because he also pitched Game 3."What? Was Leyland crazy?"No. But the weather was."Who's pitching then?"Doug Fister.
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