Recent recap of Michigan sports;

– University of Michigan football team hasn’t defeated Ohio State since November 22, 2003.
– University of Michigan football team hasn’t defeated bowl opponent since January 1, 2003.
– Detroit Pistons get run over by LeBron James in Eastern Conference Finals.
– University of Michigan football team loses to Div 1-AA school Appalachian State, 34-32. Only ranked team ever to lose to 1-AA school.

So the state up north just desperately needs SOMETHING to cling to. To give them the sense that winning can still happen. They need a blanket to cuddle with, a victory to tell them that all is not lost forever.

Entering today, the Cleveland Indians led the Detroit Tigers by 5.5 games. Things are looking bleak for the defending AL Champions (who by the way, got spanked in the World Series, another painful memory). They’ve only won ONE series in their last 13 attempts, going 1-8-3 in that span.

But hope emerged today. By the time the Tigers started their game in Oakland, they knew that the Indians had lost to Chicago 8-0 and they had a chance to gain some ground and actually win a series. And so they sprung to life! By the middle of the 5th inning, their offense had pounded out 10 hits, and the Tigers had a 7-0 lead. Praise Jim Leyland, things are going to be OK after all!

Never mind.

By the time the Tigers could look down at their uniforms and realize that they play for a team located inside the Michigan border, the happiness was over.

Oakland scored two runs in the 5th inning, tacked on three more in the seventh, and knocked closer Todd Jones on his ass for two more in the 9th, erasing the 7-run deficit. The A’s scored their winning run in the 10th inning, shredding the last piece of dignity and pride in the Wolverine state.

So as we enjoy our own private schadenfreude, let’s all sing a little tune, shall we?

I feel better.