Playoffs? Playoffs?

Ok. I died a little last week. The Tigers traded Pudge for Kyle Farnsworth.......yes that Kyle Farnsworth. I wasn't even that sad to see Pudge go. Sure he represented the beginning of the turn around in Detroit - but he had become a problem in the clubhouse and has been immune to walks since 2006. It was a bit nostalgic to see him go, but I wish him well in the Bronx. But while I was on vacation last week I kept asking myself the same thing - what did I do to deserve Kyle Farnsworth?

I tried to sell myself on the trade. Maybe he can be the glue that holds the bullpen together down the stretch. Perhaps he will throw with a chip on his shoulder and have a dominant August and September. But I knew the truth, for I had seen this Kyle Farnsworth before.

And so all of my worst fears were realized last night, in what I think may be the worst Tigers loss ever for me personally. The whole season has been one huge disappointment from D-train missing the strike zone, to Bonderman getting hurt, to the Roller Coaster that is Todd Jones, and of course the addition of Farnsworth. Its been a tough year for Tigers fans, especially in a year when expectations were higher than ever. Sure, the Tigers have teased us, gotten us to believe that we are just one or two hot series away from turning this whole thing around. And then the Tigers got swept in Tampa making this current series with the White Sox, in this humble blogger's opinion, Leyland's last stand in 08'. Sweep the White Sox and there is hope again in Detroit - anything else and I think you can safely start making tee times for early October. I am so glad I didn't see this game, instead I saw the Dark Knight. I am sure my nighmares would have been much much worse if I had actually seen the game. Our hero, Farnsworth enters the game with a one run lead and promptly gives up a game-tying home run to Alexi Ramirez is who is 6'3" and 185 lbs (or 1/6th of Prince Fielder). By the way Farnsworth has appeared in 3 games for Detroit this year - 2 BS. Not to worry Tigers fans Fernando Rodney shakes off his recent troubles and throws 3 innings of scoreless relief allowing the Tigers to score twice in the top of the 14th on a Placido Polanco 2-run homer (apparently it was tiny second basemen hit big home runs night in Chicago - first 10 fans get their own Luis Castillo home run ball). And then comes the bottom of the 14th Joel Zumaya in to close the opening game of the series. He gets into trouble, but appears to get out by inducing a ground ball to Renteria with 1 out in the 14th. Edgar boots the ball, as Tigers fans everywhere wonder just how good Jair Jurrgens is going to be, and allows the inning to continue. Nick Swisher then hits a 3-run 2-out home run to send the Sox to a 10-8 win and send me straight for the Jack. As I drink to the high hopes of the 08' season I can almost year taps being played, every so softly. Well - there's always next year.