The Final Dagger?

Kansas City Royals… never had a chance.

Chicago White Sox… left for dead long ago.

Minnesota Twins… pounded into submission.

The only thing left between the Cleveland Indians and the 2007 AL Central Division title is the nemesis that is the Detroit Tigers. The Browns and Lions used to battle it out in the 1950’s and 1960’s NFL when they were the most revered franchise in pro football. Ohio State and Michigan have been butting heads in the Big Ten for eons. The Cavs and Pistons is one of the NBA’s newest and feistiest rivalries today. It’s time to add the Indians and Tigers to the list.

This never has been a rivalry before because the Indians and Tigers have never been good at the same time. When the Tribe has flourished, the Motor City Kitties have floundered. When the Tigers have been strong the Erie Warriors have been weak. It’s taken over 100 year of the American League’s existence to finally get both franchises to be contenders at the same time.

I’ve always despised the Twins and hated the White Sox but the tigers have managed to piss me off this year. Maybe it’s calling for the stopwatch on Rafael Betancourt and then denying they had anything to do with it. Please, spare me the lame excuses. Maybe it’s alleged former ‘roid boy Pudge Rodriguez complaining about Travis Hafner standing on the back line of the batters box. Or maybe it’s the fact that they have hit over 10 Indians hitters this year, mostly during Tribe blow out wins, and the Indians have only hit 1. Maybe it’s just because Gary Sheffield is a total prick. I don’t know, but I just don’t like them.

But opportunity knocks. Three games. Four and a half game lead. Magic Number of 9. Jacobs Field. The pitching match-ups favor Detroit so the Tribe offense is going to have to step up. I’m looking at you Travis Hafner. The Tigers are hot, winners of 8 of their last 10, but the Indians have been in a groove as well. The Indians can wither put the Tigers out of their misery or create some indigestion for Tribe fans over the last week of the season.

It’s about time that the Detroit Tigers go swimming with the fishes… Uncle Eric you know what you and the boys have to do.