Tigers Fever Spreads Through Metro Detroit
DETROIT (WWJ) - The gift shop at Comerica Park opened at 5 a.m. Tuesday to several fans who were eager to snag limited edition memorabilia after the Detroit Tigers clinched the AL Central title Monday night.
The Tigers, paced by MVP front-runner Miguel Cabrera, beat the Kansas City Royals 6-3 to clinch back-to-back division titles for the first time since the 1934-35 seasons.
Among the people catching playoff fever is Sydney Hunter, who was waiting at the ball park to buy a special edition back-to-back championship t-shirt.
"I was watching every bit of it and watched the replay also, I loved it just that much. It was great that they didn't have to depend on anyone but themselves and they deserve it. I'm looking forward to Miguel Cabrera getting the whole shot, he's going to get the triple crown," Hunter told WWJ's Ron Dewey.
Hunter said even if they don't win the World Series, winning the division for the second consecutive year makes this season special enough.
Ann Newton also made it a point to be downtown Detroit Tuesday morning to get her collectibles, dropping over $500. She thinks the team has what it takes to go all the way.
"Part of me had doubts but then I thought, if they continue to play small ball then they'll be great. And that's what they kept doing and they won. And that's how you win the game, is to play small ball," she said.
The Tigers (87-73) will have the worst record among AL division champions, which means they'll open the playoffs Saturday at home against the division winner with the second-best mark, the Associated Press reported.
After the game, Coach Jim Leyland got emotional while talking about the monumental win with Fox Sports Detroit.
"This is about the players, this about the three million people and probably a lot of them that couldn't afford to come that didn't show up but were with us in spirit every night, I thank you for that," he said.
