When I got home from Italy, and my secretary told me that she had Detroit Tigers ALCS Game 5 tickets for me, I was stunned. Surprised and excited, I soon realized that I had a small moral quandry - the Tigs would have to lose a game in order for the ALCS series against the Oakland A's to force a Game 5.
Well, at the end of the first inning, it sure looked as if Sharon and I would be en route to Comerica Park on Sunday. Down 2-0, the Tigers would later go down 3-0 when Jay (no relation) Payton belted a solo home run.
Enter, Huston Street. The Oakland Closer did not earn his $400,000 salary last night. He gave up three runs and took the loss for the A's.
Magglio Ordonez made sure that Sharon and I would not be heading to the fifth game of the series today, by belting a 3-run homer that ended the game in the bottom of the 9th inning. He, unlike Street, earned every penny of his $16,000,000 salary. He may also get Little Ceasars pizza for life (Crazy Bread at a significant discount as well).
While the Mets and Cardinals face off this week, the Tigers pitchers can rest, the position players can also relax until Game 1 of the World Series this upcoming Saturday.
I just want to type this, because I still have a hard time believing it - The Detroit Tigers will be hosting Game 1 of the World Series this Saturday.
Wow, that is a wonderul sentence to behold.