My Halloween Treat

BY SCOTT MORGANROTH

As painful as it was to watch the Detroit Tigers get swept 4-0 in the World Series by the San Francisco Giants, there was a tremendous amount of gratification as to what transpired in the American League Championship Series (ALCS).

Detroit swept the New York Yankees 4-0 and living in an area where there are many Big Apple transplants, I couldn't be happier!

That was my early Halloween Treat being able to rub it in to these Cocky New Yorkers! They cheer you when things go great and hammer you when things go badly.

Even as I work with New Yorkers in this job market or lack there of it, I can't stomach there overall demeanor. Every time a team of mine wins, victory is always sweet!

When I was a resident of Arizona in 2001, while the rest of the country jumped on the Yankees bandwagon after 9/11, I was glad that the Diamondbacks defeated the Yankees 4-3 in the World Series. I wear my Diamondbacks golf shirts proudly.

But the Detroit Tigers have had the Yankees number in recent years.

These two teams made a blockbuster trade that New Yorkers thought would lead them to another World Series title when former Tigers center fielder Curtis Granderson landed in the Bronx, but  the Yankees haven't returned to the "Fall Classic" since their last World Series Championship in 2009.

As I look at the history of these two franchises, it's absolutely mind boggling when you digest these facts.

As a franchise, the New York Yankees All-Time Record is 9010-6581 with 27 World Championships, 40 American League Pennants and 51 Playoff Appearances from 1913-2012.

The franchise dates back to the New York Highlanders 1903-1912 (734-759) and the Baltimore Orioles 1901-1902 (118-153). The overall record for all three teams is 9862-7493. But the Yankees are the franchise with all of the post-season accomplishments.

The Detroit Tigers record from  1901-2012 is 8828-8578 with four World Championships, 11 American League Pennants and 14 Playoff Appearances.

The biggest debate amongst baseball purists is who was the greatest player of all-time?

The best way to answer this question dates back to 1936.

In the Baseball Hall of Fame's Inaugural Class, Detroit's Ty Cobb was the first player to ever be inducted with a vote of 98.23%. New York's Babe Ruth was tied as second player at 95.13% along with Pittsburgh's Honus Wagner.

The Tigers own the best record in baseball in their post-season history against the Yankees with a 10-3 mark. In each of their three meetings the Yankees were the No.1 seed.

In 2006, the fourth seeded Tigers won the ALDS 3-1. In 2011, the third seeded Tigers ousted the Yankees 3-2 in the ALDS while in 2012 Detroit earned a trip to the World Series by sweeping the Yankees 4-0 in the ALCS once again as the third seed.

Going into the post-season, New York won the regular season series 6-4, but as we all know, that didn't do them any good in October. Even though Delmon Young's days as a Tiger are over, he certainly was a Yankees killer in October.

Young did most of his damage against the Yankees, and now owns a Tigers record that figures to never be broken with eight post-season homers. It's hard to believe that the Tigers have been around since 1901 and Young owns this record.

But since he is a free agent, the Yankees can take the "If you can't beat em, join em approach and sign Young." With New York's home run friendly ball park, Young can certainly post powerful numbers.

The last time the Yankees were knocked out in the post-season in consecutive years by the same team was by the New York Giants, who won back-to-back World Series in 1921-1922.

Oh yes, those Giants, who seem to place World Series pain on anybody they face. First the Yankees and now the Tigers.

But my Halloween Treat is now Detroit fans have seen the last of Jose Valverde since his dismal performance in the opening game of the ALCS which nearly cost the Tigers a win.

Finally, I have an off-season to wear the Tigers Old English "D" much to the dismay of Yankees fans in South Florida. I guess the World Series loss is a small consolation compared to the big picture in "New York City South."

While Detroit came up short in the World Series, to draw over 3 Million fans in a battered economy shows what great fans the Metro Area has.

I'll never back down from this comment. I've been to a lot of sports towns over the years and Detroit is undoubtedly one of the best, and should be proud that they appreciate a great work ethic in addition to being grateful to winning teams.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at scottsports33@aol.com.

Zumaya Vs Fidrych

BY SCOTT MORGANROTH

On February 25, 2012, former Detroit Tigers right-handed reliever Joel Zumaya experienced pain in his elbow after throwing 13 pitches in live batting practice for the Minnesota Twins.

He tore the Ulnar Collateral Ligament in his elbow likely requiring Tommy John Surgery, therefore, ending his 2012 season before it started.

On January 15, 2012, he agreed to a one-year contract worth $800,000--1.7 Million based on possible incentives. Now he is guaranteed to earn $400,000.

After hearing this news, it's sad because he'll always be known for his 100 plus miles-per-hour fast balls. He was a major part of the Tigers run to reach the 2006 World Series appearing in 62 games, 83.1 innings, 97 strikeouts, a 6-3 record with a 1.94 ERA.

In five years, Zumaya has a 13-12 record with a 3.05 ERA in 209.2 innings with 210 strikeouts in 171 games.

I really hope we haven't seen the last of the 27-year old. Careers have been revitalized because of Tommy John Surgery.

Although former Tigers pitcher Frank Tanana never had Tommy John Surgery, he was a left-handed flame-thrower, who re-invented himself by becoming a crafty finesse pitcher that had a 21-year career record of 240-236.

Thirty-years before Zumaya was thrilling fans with his power, Mark "The Bird" Fidrych captured the national spotlight by packing Tiger Stadium in 1976. The Baseball World gravitated to watching him talk to the ball, in addition to his numerous mound antics.

Fidrych was selected to the American League All-Star Team and started the game. He finished the season with a 19-9 record with a 2.34 ERA with 24 complete games in 250.1 innings. He won the American League Rookie of the Year.

He was a two-time All-Star and finished his five-year career with a 29-19 record, 3.10 ERA and 170 strikeouts all with the Tigers.

Fidrych's injury problems began in 1977 when he tore the cartilage in his knee fooling around in the outfield during spring training. He would later hurt his arm against the Baltimore Orioles, that would ultimately be diagnosed as a torn rotator cuff.

If there is a tale of two pitchers that were so different but so similar, then this is it. One was a 100 mph fire-baller while the other was an inning eater.

Nowadays, pitchers would be lucky to complete 24-games in a career, yet these days, it's common to see 100 mph hurlers.

In either case, these two had "Dead Arms" which shortened their careers. Each started and ended their five-year careers sporting the "Old English D" in the Motor City.

Fidrych died April 13, 2009 at the age of 54 which is 27 or half of Zumaya's age. Fidrych was killed working on his truck outside his home in Northborough, Massachusetts. It's hard to believe that it's been nearly three years since Fidrych passed away.

Zumaya can only hope his career does resume. Hopefully, he won't die at a young age.

It's so sad to see a pair of young hurlers with so much potential fail to reach and sustain superstar status. Yet, they both experienced the big stage with Zumaya in the 2006 World Series and Fidrych in the 1976 All-Star Game.

What a difference 30-years makes and hopefully there is a continuation of the Zumaya Story.

Scott Morganroth can be reached at scottsports33@aol.com.