It’s playoff time and the Tigers are division champs. During spring training they said this club would finish 3rd or 4th, so here we are, facing off with the Yankees, in the first round.
Isn’t it sounding a little like 2006? I think this 2011 squad is a step up from our 2006 team, with many stars in the powerful lineup to the array of great pitching arms. Here’s hoping that this team can bring the championship trophy back to the “D”, although it’s a long way to go, with some good teams standing in their way.
We all should be proud of the way they’ve played this season. Go get ‘em boys … or should we say “Bless you Boys”.
As we head for the homestretch at the end of the season, and post season play is within reach for the Tigers, I would like to pose the question we hear on television daily … who’s your Tiger? I am going with Tiger relief pitcher Phil Coke. Why Phil, you ask? He’s not hitting .325, nor does he have 10 wins or 30 saves, but he is my Tiger, simply because I can see a different view of players than most fans. Phil does not pull any punches. Most players read off of a script and give you every answer as it’s written for them. Phil does not do that … he tells you like it is. He is one of the last guys off the field during batting practice because he is usually signing things for the fans. He reminds me of Todd Jones, with his smirk, some wise cracking, and being ready to play while giving his best when called into the game.
Drafted in the 26th round of the 2002 draft, Phil debuted with the Yankees on September 1st, 2008. He went to a World series with the Yankees and was involved in a three team trade in December 2009 bringing him to Detroit along with Austin Jackson. This year he was cast into the starting rotation with 14 starts, but his record does not reflect his pitching. Career wise he has a 14 and 17 record. Since rejoining the bullpen he has been instrumental in holding games for our closing staff, e.g., in Tampa, on August 23rd, he pitched two innings while fanning five batters.
Being part of the media allows me to talk to the players and ask some of those questions that sometimes cross lines. I respect the fact that Phil takes the time to answer my questions and school me on some baseball knowledge and is always straight with me. That’s why I choose Phil Coke as MY Tiger.
