DETROIT – How many times in sports have we seen the build up, the hype. The anticipation to what everyone hopes will be a year of greatness.
We are seeing it again with the Detroit Tigers.
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The journey begins at 1:05 p.m. this Thursday at Comerica Park versus the Boston Red Sox. But just because there's hype doesn't mean there will be a payoff.
Health is the key to being in the World Series or just being .500.
Today, the Tigers are not ordinary. They have the potential to be extraordinary.
Their lineup reminds many of the Yankee teams of the 60s.
Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder will cause nightmares for Major League pitchers all season long. And Fielder's demeanor may be the touch that was needed.
The Tigers pitching staff, led by Justin Verlander, is another strength that some might overlook. Verlander was amazing last season in winning the MVP and Cy Young awards in the American League.
So, how do you take all this potential and all this build up and all this hype and make it successful? You put it in the hands of a 67-year-old man who doesn't take himself too seriously.
Jim Leyland has won it all before. That's what he's shooting for again.
So, baseball fans, enjoy this season.
This is a team that has been built to win now - not tomorrow, not next year - right now.
The journey is under way.