Hopeful Spin on the Tigers

Alright, here we are, the "midway" point of the season, 7 games back, .500, and disappointing. But, hey, the season isn't over yet, right? .... RIGHT??!?!??!

So, here it is. My hopeful Tigers post.

2006 - you all remember it well. Especially about right now. The Tigers were enjoying the best record in baseball. They were sending 3 players to the All Star game, 2 of which were starters. Then came the awful month of August, where the Tigers slumped. Then came the even worse month of September, where we couldn't win a single game against the dreadful Royals, AT HOME. The Tigers barely backed into the playoffs. We all remember the final result, but the regular season, second half was nothing to write home about.

2007 - you might not remember it as well, but again the Tigers had the best record in the American League. They just finished off a 3 game sweep on the Red Sox, completely dominating them. This year the Tigers sent 5 All Stars with 3 starting! The Tigers had another disappointing second half, and unfortunately could not hold off the Indians and did not make the post season.

2008 - 47-47, losing 3 of their last 4 games to the Twins, at home. With a chance to gain 1 or 2 games back from the white sox, the Tigers could do nothing but remain at status quo. A disappointing end to a very disappointing season.

So, why am I giving you this history lesson. So you can compare and contrast the last 3 relevant seasons. 2 years in a row the Tigers went into the break with momentum and confidence. They came out of the break flat. This year, by contrast, the Tigers go in to the break looking pathetic and like nothing more than a .500 team.

Could the opposite result after the break happen? Maybe, here's my argument.

Now, a lot of this argument has to do with what I think could possibly be in their heads. But, heck, its a blog.

Alright, both years the Tigers were on top of the world and sending a great representation of players to the All Star Game. Maybe patting themselves on the back for how well their first half was. And as for the All Stars, probably got a nice ego proliferation.

This Time, nobody is going who really deserves it. Guillen is going, but probably doesn't feel all that honored, given the 1 player per team rule.

Magglio is playing for the White Caps, that has to be a nice reality check.

Plus, the team who was supposed to run away with the American League and score 1000 runs looks like an average team who will be playing Golf come October.

There certainly will be no patting themselves on the back this time.

Now, while I know the players will enjoy the rest and the days off, I think there will be a bit of a yearning to get back on the field and win some ball games. I think 3 days of nothing but thinking about a disappointing first half is exactly what these players need to get refocused on the task at hand: Be 7 games better than the White Sox.

I think to some degree this team has suffered from "Fat Cats" syndrome. Losing doesn't feel so bad when you see all those zero's at the end of that check. But, please, these are professional baseball players. They didn't work this hard at this crazy sport because all they wanted was money. They have pride too. Being a .500 baseball team and being an utter disappointment should drive them.

Should...

Can I prove that watching other players at the All Star game and thinking they should be there really lead to a complete turn around? No. Do I expect them to go on a 16-4 tear or something? Not really. But, all I am saying is that this time off and knowing how disappointing seven games back is SHOULD inspire them to win. It should especially motivate players like Edgar Rentaria and Gary Sheffield and even maybe Miguel Cabrera who are shell's of their former selves so far. Because lets be honest, all of them could be at this All Star game, if they played up to their expectations.

Lets be honest, the White Sox and the Twins aren't great teams, they are just good teams. The Tigers are a good team too, they just haven't shown how good they could be so far.

It really all depends on if they want it enough.

And sitting at home in third place during the all star game better make them want it real bad.


P.S.

In honor of the Put it in Stone Tradition, my picks for the All Star game are:

Home Run Derby Champ: Lance Berkman. Lefties should have an advantage at Yankee Stadium, and he has experience.

All Star Game winner: AL. Is there really a reason not to pick against them?

MVP: Ian Kinsler - I think it might be a nice breaking out party for this guy. He has been awesome this year and I wouldn't be surprised if he had 3 RBIs to help win this game for the AL.