MLB

MLB Fans React To Detroit Tigers Clinching AL Wild Card Spot, Sealing Improbable Playoff Appearance

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Jeff Hawkins
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Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on Get to know Jeff Hawkins better

Sports Editor

Published28 Sep 2024

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Detroit Tigers reliever Jason Foley released the final pitch Friday night, resulting in a fly ball to right-center field. Both center fielder Parker Meadows and right fielder Wenceel Perez wanted to claim the playoff-clinching out. The MLB teammates tracked the ball with their gloves at the ready. They called for it and reached out to grab the soft liner. The two youngsters collided, but Perez rose with the prize. 

The underdog Tigers defeated the history making Chicago White Sox, 4-1, to seal an improbable AL Wild Card berth. The White Sox (39-121), meanwhile, established a modern-day record for losses in a season. 

The Tigers (86-74), who were sellers at the trade deadline, rallied by going 31-11 since Aug. 11. It was their best 42-game stretch since 2011.  

“This team is pretty dangerous,” Tigers president of baseball operations Scott Harris said, as reported by The Associated Press. “We got a chance to make some noise in October, and we’re going to keep fighting for for the opportunity.” 

The Tigers, who had a 0.2 percent chance to make the playoffs 47 days ago, have not qualified for the postseason since 2014. 

X (Twitter) s responded to the Tigers’ postseason-clinching out before 44,435 fans at Comerica Park on Friday night. The crowd at Little Caesars Arena watching the Detroit Red Wings take on the Chicago Blackhawks in an NHL preseason game enjoyed the moment, too … 

As the Tigers’ skipper A.J. Hinch said: “Special teams do special things …” 

Through four innings, White Sox starter Garrett Crochet stifled the Tigers’ offense, utilizing a sinker to six strikeouts. One franchise bright spot, Crochet’s season ended with a 3.58 earned-run average. …   

With Crochet pulled after 62 pitches, Jared Shuster struggled to throw strikes, walking three batters and surrendering two fifth-inning runs. Shuster’s wildness helped the Tigers’ Jake Rogers break a scoreless tie … 

Meadows, who scored the eventual game-winning run on Matt Vierling’s sacrifice fly, laughed off his final-out effort … 

At least one White Sox player will Friday night pleasantly … 

With one out in the bottom of the seventh inning, Fraser Ellard intentionally walked Vierling and next-batter Riley Greene delivered a first-pitch double off the center-field wall, scoring Andy Ibanez for a 3-1, seventh-inning lead. Vierling closed out the scoring on a wild pitch … 

Sparking a long-delayed, state-wide celebration, Tigers reliever Jason Foley earned his 28th save … 

Final score: Tigers 4, White Sox 1 … 

The emotion was felt from the broadcast booth … 

How improbable was the Tigers making the playoffs? Last month, they were 33-1 longshots to qualify for the postseason, according to ESPN BET. In early September, the Tigers carried 500-1 odds to capture the World Series title. Their odds have improved a bit. On Friday, they were listed as 30-1 favorites to win their first championship since 1984 … 

Who is going to start for the Tigers on Saturday? The first pitch is at 1:05 p.m. Think anyone in the locker room late Friday night cared? … 

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Author photo
Jeff Hawkins
Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on Get to know Jeff Hawkins better

Author photo
Jeff Hawkins Sports Editor

Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry, in both print and digital media. He ed the Sportscasting team in 2021 following a decade of freelancing. He spent his early career as a reporter for various newspapers in Illinois, New York, Florida, North Carolina, and Michigan, with a particular emphasis as a beat reporter for the Chicago Blackhawks. Jeff earned his bachelor's degree in journalism from Oakland University. Over the course of his career he earned several sports writing awards, including two national awards from the Associated Press Sports Editors for column writing and news reporting. One of the five prized columns included a commentary on All posts by Jeff Hawkins