Detroit Tigers Franchise's long wait is over


Magglio Ordonez

The Detroit Tigers manager possible starting pitchers and closer are shown in these 2006 file photos. They are: manager Jim Leyland, Jeremy Bonderman, closer Todd Jones, Nate Robertson, Kenny Rogers and Justin Verlander. The Tigers take on the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 1 of the Worlds Series on Saturday, Oct. 21, 2006 in Detroit.
Jim Leyland's lineup hunches paid off as Detroit won seven straight playoff games to reach the World Series. By wrapping up so quickly, the Tigers got a full week to rest.
Detroit lost its postseason opener to the heavily favored Yankees, then got on a roll. Its last six wins have all been by at least three runs. The Tigers swept Oakland in the AL Championship Series, finishing it off in style — Magglio Ordonez hit a bottom-of-the-ninth homer that sent Comerica Park into a frenzy.
Leyland ended a six-year retirement to take over as manager. From the first day of spring training, he demanded that his players expect to win, and they responded. The Tigers started out 5-0, had the best record in the majors for most of the year and earned their first postseason spot since 1987.
Detroit topped the majors in earned-run average (3.84) with a staff that brings the heat. Rookies Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya regularly hit 100 mph on the radar gun. Kenny Rogers emerged as an October star, pitching 15 scoreless innings against the Yankees and A's and allowing only seven hits. Before this year, he was 0-3 with an 8.85 ERA in nine postseason games.
The week off has helped first baseman/designated hitter Sean Casey (calf) and Zumaya (wrist) recover from injuries that hampered them in the ALCS.