A flood of playoff memories rush over Justin Verlander any time he walks into Comerica Park, highlighted by Magglio Ordonez's walk-off home run to win the 2006 ALCS. A World Series win isn't one of them.
It's the only hole in his sparkling Tigers resume. Sitting in the visitors dugout at Comerica Park Monday afternoon with his Astros in town, Verlander said it still gnaws at him now and then.
"I felt bad. Mr. I put his heart and soul into this organization and did everything he possibly could to allow us to win a championship. Came close a couple times. That’s probably one of my biggest regrets, is not wining one for him," Verlander said.
The Tigers lost in the World Series to the Cardinals in 2006 and were swept by the Giants in 2012. They came up short in the ALCS against the Rangers in 2011 and the Red Sox in 2013. Their last trip to the playoffs came in 2014 when they were swept by the Orioles in the ALDS.
Verlander has a theory as to why they never got over the top.
"I think the reason was the time off between the two World Series," he said. "I think we had the talent to do it for many, many years. When it comes to the playoffs, it’s kind of a roll of the dice. It comes down to the hottest team at the right time. I think we were that team twice, and just got cooled off by the week layoff before the World Series both times. Sucks. It’s the name of the game."
As Tigers fan remember well, the team was sidelined for a full week between the ALCS and the World Series in 2006, and then six days in 2012. This was the cost of sweeping the ALCS when the NLCS went seven games. On both occasions, the Tigers were a step behind when the World Series began and never caught up.
"It’s probably the only sport that time off like that will hurt you. In every other sport I think it’s a benefit. In this one it is absolutely a negative," Verlander said.
On the flip side, said Verlander, it helped the Astros when they won the World Series in 2017 that they played a seven-game series versus the Yankees in the ALCS. .
"I kept saying that to the guys, like, 'We win this thing, we’re hot. We’re coming into the Worls Series playing good baseball, without time off.' That’s one thing I wish that could have changed in the past," Verlander said.
The Tigers have fallen on hard times since Verlander was traded midway through the 2017 season. In fact, the sports landscape in Detroit is pretty barren across the board, with the last playoff win among the four pro teams coming in 2013 -- the Tigers over the Red Sox in Game 4 of the ALCS.
To Verlander, the timing of this downturn is unfortunate.
"The city’s doing so much better and there’s not a great sports franchise. It’s kind of ironic," Verlander said. "We were so good for so long and a lot of teams were really good -- the Red Wings, the Pistons -- in my tenure here. To have the city rebound like it has been and not have a great sports franchise kind of sucks.
Asked if he had any advice for Cabrera, who missed most of last season with a ruptured biceps, about recovering from injuries, Verlander said, "What do you say to the guy? He's a future Hall of Famer.
"I asked him how he’s feeling, he said he’s starting to feel good and moving well. We’re all fans of the game. I watch Miggy from afar now, obviously, and saw him in spring and saw him early in the season. That guy is a special talent. He’ll be great, he knows that."
It's Verlander's second trip back to Comerica Park since being traded, with his first coming late last season. He said it's not any easier the second time around.
"I don’t think so. I think anytime I’m going to come back here, no matter how long it’s been or how many times, it will always be a pretty nerveracking experience. I spent so much time here and have so many memories here. It’s such a special place in my heart," he said. "It’ll always be interesting to come back here."