What Should Tigers Fans Be Thankful For?

Thanksgiving is the time of year we take stock of what we’re thankful for: turkey, mashed potatoes, the ability to push aside old ladies at the store without guilt for an extra $5 in savings. And now that the Thanksgiving holiday is over, and we’re done trying to ignore the awkward cousins we’ve never really been friends with but we’re supposed to talk to, it’s time to think about what we as Tigers fans have to be thankful for.

Besides, it’s Monday morning and you have no interest in getting work done. Let’s extend that Thanksgiving holiday by a few more minutes!

So this is what I’m thankful for as a Tigers fan:

The Tigers

Oct 24, 2012; San Francisco, CA, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder (28, right) talks to third baseman Miguel Cabrera (24, left) during the seventh inning of game one of the 2012 World Series against the San Francisco Giants at AT

This is something you should be thankful for every year because…TIGERS BASEBALL.

Miguel Cabrera’s triple crown

Oct 27, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers third baseman Miguel Cabrera (middle) poses with a triple crown trophy with MLB former player Hank Aaron (left) and commissioner Bud Selig (right) before game three of the 2012 World Series against the San Francisco Giants at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Put aside all the debates about the American League MVP: you got to watch a hitter win the Triple Crown for the first time since Lyndon Johnson was president. And I only know this because I looked up who was president in 1967. On Wikipedia.

Mike Illitch

Feb. 9, 2012; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; NHL commissioner Gary Bettman (left), Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Illitch (center), and wife Marian Illitch during NHL press conference for the 2013 Winter Classic between Detroit Red Wings and Toronto Maple Leafs at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-US PRESSWIRE

Sure, most owners want to win. But none seem to do it with with as much vigor (and bad hair pieces) as Mr. I. Also, this doubles as something Red Wings fans can also be thankful for. Since the NHL is still in lockout mode, you have to rely on a baseball blog to point it out. You can resume your crying.

Dave Domrowski’s striped shirts

Nov 18, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers president Dave Dombrowski before the game against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-US PRESSWIRE

Seriously. Does he own anything other than striped shirts?

#AustinJacksonStrikesOut
This didn’t originate in 2012, and to Jackson’s credit he’s improved as a hitter, but it’s still my all-time favorite Tigers hashtag and it should be yours, too.

This Ryan Raburn gif

This Texas fan video bombing Shannon Hogan

Rod Allen

This is an old clip (has it really been 2 years? Yes…yes it has) but it captures everything to love about Rod Allen. Sure, he can be a homer (what team color analyst isn’t?) but the sheer excitement he displays during big plays is a joy. And some of his Allenisms are classic. Who would’ve thought a declarative statement related to seeing an individual would become so popular? We all see you Rod. We all see you.

This Twitter beef between @comericaseagull and @ATTseagull (click to read)

Torii Hunter’s new Christmas ornament
There is so much to like about this picture. Like the thought of Torii Hunter running up the stairs like an excited 5-year old to get his Tigers hat and stuffing it into the tree before taking the picture. Also, baseball hats are the new Christmas ornament.

(@ToriiHunter48)

So, what are you guys thankful for?

Photo illustration by H. Jose Bosch

Leyland photo: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports