Who Will Win The Baseball World Series in 2009

As a very young boy of six years of age, I remember getting on the school bus in Algonac, Michigan to the absolute enthusiasm and joy of the older middle and high schoolers. The reason? The Detroit Tigers had beaten a very formidable St. Louis Cardinals team in a decisive game seven in Busch Stadium. I was happy but didn’t really totally comprehend it. Since then, the Tigers have won one world series (1984). Mostly I’ve been disappointed. Last year in fact, I thought they were going to win it all and even wrote an article on this blog thinking their latest blockbuster trade would put them over the top. So, after working on my wedding favors website, I decided to take a small break and write about my favorite baseball team and their chances this year.

The key to baseball is pitching and defense. Home runs will get the girls but it’s defense and the bullpen that will bring a championship. Last year, the Tigers didn’t have either and they suffered for it. In 2006, the Tigers went to the World Series but lost to the St. Louis Cardinals, exacting revenge no doubt for their loss in 1968. That year, the Tigers scored 822 runs. Last year, they scored 821. The difference between 2006 and 2008? The bullpen and starting pitching overall in 2006 was in the top three in baseball. In 2008, their pitching was in the bottom, finishing 12th in the American League.

This year, Adam Everett was acquired to man shortstop so as to give one more year of seasoning to Cale Iorg, a highly touted minor leaguer who will play 2009 in the minor leagues but will compete for the starting shortstop position in 2010. Everett is a terrific shortstop and will gobble up everything.

Last year, the Tigers were hit by a rash of injuries to key members of their pitching staff. Kenny Rogers, Jeremy Bonderman, Joel Zumaya and Todd Jones. Zumaya, Jones, and Bonderman were lost for the season due to their injuries. Rogers, who has since retired, was hurt for a couple of months as well. Under performing Nate Robertson and Dontrele Willis cost the Tigers at least 10 wins. Willis had to be sent to the minors to re-build his mechanics. Position fielders too suffered injuries. Designated hitter Gary Sheffield was hurting since the opening bell and only starting healing toward the end of the season. Centerfielder Curtis Granderson lost the first month of the season due to a broken finger.

There were also some bad decisions made concerning positioning. Brandon Inge started out as a catcher but ended up playing third, centerfield, left field and of course catcher. The Tigers tried to trade him but to no avail. Miguel Cabrera started the season at third and ended up at first. Carlos Guillen started the season at first but was moved to third so Carbrera could man first. Now, that is all behind the Tigers. This year, Inge, who is one of the best third baseman fielders in the league will be the third baseman. Guillen will man left field and Cabera is the first baseman. With the acquisition of Gerald Laird and Matt Treanor to be the starting and back up catchers, the Tigers defense is set.

If the Tigers live up to their potential and avoid injuries, they could surprise some people. Bonderman, Zumaya, Sheffield are all healed. Willis and Robertson look re-born. This could be the year for the Tigers.