DETROIT (WWJ) — Last fall and winter Lions fandom reached an all-time high across Metro Detroit as the team finally broke through and won their first playoff game in three decades.
For most of the summer it looked as if Detroit sports fans would be running full-speed into the new football season as the Tigers found themselves 10 games out of the Wild Card race, with their chances of making the playoffs sitting just above 0% on Aug. 10.
But since then, the Tigers have become the hottest team in baseball, having put together a 31-11 record, including a sixth straight win on Friday night that officially clinched a postseason berth. They've arguably become the best story in all of sports right now — not that fans around these parts aren’t excited about a 2-1 start with Monday Night Football on deck.
Friday's win assures the club of a Wild Card spot, meaning the Tigers will be playing playoff baseball for the first time since 2014.
And the fans have been soaking it all in. Just after Thursday afternoon’s thrilling come-from-behind win to sweep the Rays, WWJ Newsradio 950’s Tim Pamplin reported from outside Comerica Park that fans were “dancing in the streets.”
“No one’s going anywhere. They’re just hanging around and soaking this up,” he said as fans flooded Brush Street near the giant tiger statue. “This crowd is lit.”
“This is just remarkable and it is so good for the city. Bring on that Wild Card. Let’s just catch that. It’s awesome and it’s great to be here,” one woman said.
“They’re wonderful, they’re young, they’re exciting and they’re ready to go. Great day to come down here, skip school, skip work, come to the game,” another fan said.
On Friday morning WWJ’s Charlie Langton spoke to fans around Metro Detroit about the growing excitement as the Tigers prepared to clinch Friday night and the Lions gear up for Monday Night Football against the Seahawks at Ford Field.
“They’re the real deal. Pitching’s on point, they’re the real deal. They’re fun to watch right now,” said Jordan Hall of Dundee.
But which team is he more excited about right now?
“I’m a big Lions guy, I love Dan Campbell, but the Tigers are fun right now. It’s fun to have meaningful games in September,” he said.
John Hill, a Detroiter, told Langton this hot streak from the Tigers has made him a new fan — and he’s betting on them to reach the World Series.
“They’re in the playoffs already, I think so. They’ve made it this far, so I feel like they can make it to the World Series. And I’m rooting for them, all the way,” he said, noting he has a $25 bet on them to reach the Fall Classic.
As for Colleen, the manager at the Apple Fritter Donut Shop in Ferndale, she told Langton one of the Tigers has been a frequent customer all season.
“There is a Tiger that comes in here all season, him and his family. They order a bunch of donuts from us and bring it to the rest of the bullpen,” she said.
While she wouldn’t divulge his name, she gave fans a pretty good hint of who it is.
“He’s on fire right now, he could possibly win the Cy Young and set a lot more records here in the near future,” she said.
That, of course, is Tarik Skubal, who is in the running to win the MLB Triple Crown, leading the league in wins, ERA and strikeouts. Skubal would be in line to start Sunday, but the Tigers are planning to hold off so he can start Game 1 of the Wild Card Series.
Tickets are largely sold out for all three games at Comerica Park this weekend, with prices soaring on the secondary market. Tickets are coming at a premium for Monday Night Football, as well. Deputy Mayor Todd Bettison told WWJ he's expecting a huge crowd, despite it being a school night.
"The overall economic impact for the city is just phenomenal," he said.