Awards Are Great But…

Come on Tigers fans. The Tigers are in the midst of a pennant race and I am beginning to wonder if anyone has noticed, or more appropriately, if anyone cares. Have we become too spoiled already? And if we have, why? The fact of the matter is the Tigers have only made the post-season twice in the previous six seasons. Tigers fans should be starved for another trip to the playoffs and this team has a good chance to deliver.

September 24, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera (24) scores a run during the sixth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

I will say fans have been showing up to the ball park in good numbers. So in theory, the support seems to be there. Yet, I still can’t get away from the undercurrent of disgust that emanates from Tigers fans when talking about the 2012 team. Conversations around the internet and pubs everywhere in the Detroit and surrounding areas, tends to lean towards what the Tigers aren’t instead of what they are.

Yes, they are frustrating. And yes, I have taken my shots at Tigers players or management from time to time. When I want to turn my frown upside down, I just thank God that we aren’t the Pittsburgh Pirates, or watch one of Rod Allen‘s commercials. His acting is that good.

In other words it could be worse…

The newest trend with Tigers fans is a little disturbing to me as well. That of course is the intense focus on the MVP race. Mike Trout vs. Miguel Cabrera. It’s going to be a tight race no doubt. It’s largely going to depend on how much the voters like running the bases and defense, two things that Cabrera can’t compete with Mike Trout on the same level with. Cabrera is clearly finishing the stretch run strong though, and is potentially turning a close race in his favor, when just a month ago it was clearly Mike Trout’s to lose.

However it turns out, I must say I am a little surprised to which the MVP award has dominated the talk in the Detroit and even national media. Instead of scoreboard watching, Tigers fans are Miggy and Trout box score watching. I don’t want to shock anyone here, but personally, I could care less if Miguel Cabrera wins the MVP award. Not because I don’t want him to, but because in the grand scheme of things, it’s just not that important. Certainly nothing for Tigers fans to get worked up over.

If given the choice of the Tigers making the playoffs or Miguel winning the MVP, I am taking the playoffs every time. It’s the name on the front of the jersey I root for, not the back.

I can’t fault Tigers fans for the passion though. And maybe that’s where all this derives from. I’ve always told fans of other teams, there is no group of fans that superstars should ever want to play for other than Detroit fans. Great Detroit players are icons beyond belief in this town. Just ask Steve Yzerman, Joe Dumars, and Barry Sanders. Detroit fans are ferocious in protecting their own. That’s probably how it should be.

I just wanted to remind Tigers fans that no matter how frustrating this team has been, they are on the verge of making the post-season for a second year in a row.

Once the Tigers are in, anything can happen. That is something we all should be rooting for.