Article: That's The Ticket: One Swing

[John Bonnes]

Did one Brain Dozier swing change everything? Yes it did.

 

On Friday, July 10^th, the Tigers were playing their second game of a four-game set versus the Minnesota Twins. The Tigers were in an unusual position - behind the Twins by a couple of games in the standings. But there was no way that was going to last. The Tigers had owned the Twins for four years and 2015 was more of the same; the Tigers had an 8-2 record against the Twins so far that season.And for eight innings, the script was followed. Ace Justin Verlander, who had just recently returned to the rotation, was masterful. Meanwhile, the Tigers chased Ervin Santana after just four innings. As a result, the Tigers entered the 9^th inning with a 6-1 lead. But the Twins rallied and capped their comeback with a Brian Dozier home run to left field. The Twins walked off 8-6 winners.

 

It was just one game, but to Twins fans it felt like the passing of a torch. The aging Tigers era was over. The youthful Twins era had begun.

 

I don’t know if that’s how it felt to Tigers fans, but since that moment, things have fallen apart for the Tigers. They lost the last two games of that series. Then they stumbled badly enough through the rest of July that General Manager Dave Dombrowski became a seller at the trade deadline, moving ace David Price to the Blue Jays and slugger Yoenis Cespedes to the Mets.

 

Then Dombrowski was fired. Now it looks like the Tigers manager, Brad Ausmus, will be fired at the end of the season. There are even rumors that former Twins manager Ron Gardenhire is the frontrunner to replace him. That’s what happens when a team implodes; the Tigers’ record since that fateful night is only 21-36.

 

So the Tigers visit Target Field this September with recent roles reversed. This year, they are trying to play the spoiler while the Twins are chasing a playoff spot. They’re still dangerous. Detroit is 8-5 versus the Twins this year, though it appears the Twins will miss Verlander in this series and their other top pitcher, Anibal Sanchez, is on the DL.

 

With an extended stretch of summer this week, there should be plenty of Twins fans watching the teams adopt their new roles. After all, who wouldn’t want to see that one swing that changes everything?

 

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[blairpaul715]

Myself and my sister and father are heading to the Twin Cities tomorrow for 2 Detroit games, 4th visit this season for me .........super excited we are in the hunt......................would have headed there today, but Dad has to stay home to watch the Vikings game ..................Love that we are in the hunt, and I ALWAYS use Ticketkingonline.com .........helps that i get a discount using dailydouble and that their is no fees

[ashbury]

Did one Brain Dozier

Bobby Heenan isn't going to take kindly to this trademark infringement.

 

http://johnnygoodtimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/bobbyheenan_display_image.jpg

[AlwaysinModeration]

John, you know that Dick Bremer should cite you when he uses your material.