Division series celebrations a bit much?

Elemenopeo · October 8, 2006 2:32AM

Watching the A's and the Tigers celebrate their division series wins (didn't tune in for the Mets last night), I was a little surprised by how all-out the celebrations were. Both teams looked to me like they were celebrating a World Series victory rather than simply moving on to the next round of the playoffs.

I suppose I can understand the Tigers' antics to some degree for beating one of the best lineups ever assembled, but still... seems to me they should save a little for an actual championship of some kind.

Just curious what you all think...

MorrellMan · October 8, 2006 2:33AM

Cameras....action!

Stone193 · October 8, 2006 2:36AM

I'm not a fan of shaking up bottles of wine and spraying all over the world.

I'm thinking that the NBA did away with it and I think baseball should do the same.

On the other hand, I can understand why this happened.

The Tigers were the worst team in baseball a few seasons ago.

And, if you've followed the playoffs over the past 10-15 yrs, Oakland has choked more times than the Boston strangler!

They, IMO, deserved to "over-celebrate" this time. Now, if the evil empire had done it? Cause for pause?

mike

jayhawke · October 8, 2006 2:38AM

<< <i>I suppose I can understand the Tigers' antics to some degree for beating one of the best lineups ever assembled >>

Greatest lineups ever assembled? Are you kidding? This lineup didn't win anything. This lineup is better than the great Cardinal, Yankee, A's teams of the past, of course not. Now back to your question. A bit of overkill on part of the Tigers and A's.

Griffins · October 8, 2006 2:39AM

It was cool seeing the Tigers celebrate with their fans, but I kept thinking that they've got 8 more wins before the corks should pop.

Onlypsahockey · October 8, 2006 3:13AM

Knocking off the Evil Empire is a feat worth celebrating!

JMO, Bob C.

Stone193 · October 8, 2006 3:18AM

God, save the Queen!

ctsoxfan · October 8, 2006 3:22AM

<< <i>Knocking off the Evil Empire is a feat worth celebrating!

JMO, Bob C. >>

True, indeed. But, I think it's a valid point to note how crazy they went, when they haven't even made it to the WS yet. Save the champagne for the big one.

Axtell · October 8, 2006 3:24AM

As was mentioned, both teams had cause for celebration. The tigers, going from 119 losses to beating the $200 million payroll yankees is a lot like david slaying goliath...no one gave them a chance, and they did it.

Also, the A's, who had been 0 for their last 9 in winning a clinching playoff game, had reason as well.

They both will be ready for game one of the ALCS and eventual world series wins.

itzagoner · October 8, 2006 3:32AM

nice to see Major Leaguers behave like Pony Leaguers and whoop it up with their fans, that's what they get paid to do....no doubt, all winners have a right to be happy, and if nothing else, refute the notion that they are overpaid, nasty slobs

FRNAllStar · October 8, 2006 3:38AM

I think this is good for baseball. Just remember the Hometown fans of these teams. I'm sure a strong bond has been formed for these fans watching thier teams go beserk with celebrations.

I remember in 1995 as a mariners fan watching game 5 of the divisional against the yankees. I will never forget the look on Griffey's face when the team piled up on him on home plate.

GooD TimeS!

jdalymgd · October 8, 2006 4:11AM

Trust me. If you lived here in Detroit and put up with the crap we have had on the field since 1987, you would understand why the players went nuts.

Paul

detroitfan2 · October 8, 2006 4:18AM

I was at the Tigers game when they clinched. It was VERY cool to see the team take a victory lap and high five the fans. I will admit, in the back of my mind as I was going bananas, I was thinking to myself "this is only the ALDS".

But I think, as mentioned before, beating the Yankees had something to do with it. Personally, I don't think I'm going to be nearly as excited to go see them play the A's in the next round as I was to go and see them play the Yankees in the ALDS. It's not so much that it's the "hated" Yankees, it's more so that the Tigers were such a major underdog after the way the season ended.

Speaking of the end of the season, I think the Tigers' collapse had a great deal to do with the celebration following the ALDS. The city and players were expecting to celebrate 2 separate times last week (including once when they had a 5-0 lead), and it didn't happen. I think yesterday they were releasing some pent up energy and frustration.

Finally, I think the celebration that follows each round of advancement is a function of a team's expectation. As a fan of teams where nothing short of a championship is a failure (Red Wings and Pistons) and as a fan of a team where NOTHING was expected (Tigers), I can tell you that I personally was infinitely more excited when the Tigers clinched the stinking wildcard than I was when the Pistons advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals, and I'm guessing the teams felt the same way.

Stone193 · October 8, 2006 4:34AM

Good luck Detroitfan!

edit: I saw the one of the greatest WS in 1968!!!!

mike

RobMM77 · October 8, 2006 4:41AM

I was proud to see Detroit celebrate! I think it was more for the fans and the city than anything. It is nice to see the champions go to a team other than the Yankee's. Goes to say that you can't buy a championship team.........

NewJerseyMeatHook · October 8, 2006 9:47AM

Act like you've been there before . . . even if you haven't!

Like Barry Sanders' end zone dances. Pure class.

Being a huge Twins fan, I was a bit embarrassed to see Torii Hunter with the Speedo swimming goggles after winning the division. Then pee all over yourselves for three consecutive games against Oakland. Come on, now.

incugator · October 8, 2006 9:47AM

If a team winning a division series isn't supossed to celebrate, then we could have a serious discussion about NFL players celebrating after an 8 yard gain on 2nd and 12.

detroitfan2 · October 8, 2006 12:04PM

<<If a team winning a division series isn't supossed to celebrate, then we could have a serious discussion about NFL players celebrating after an 8 yard gain on 2nd and 12. >>

I guess that's the point exactly. I've seen many a college basketball player jump up on the scorer's table and wave a towel around in the air after a big REGULAR SEASON victory. That's kind of what the Tigers celebration reminded me of. Obviously I'm biased, but I saw the Tigers' "victory lap" as a special treat for the fans more than for the players. I was also sitting there thinking "you know, this is pretty cool, and it wouldn't be possible if we all rushed the field and tore up the sod" (not that we won't do that if somehow the Tigers win the whole thing).

Ripken · October 8, 2006 1:57PM

Sort of a nice touch by the Tigers to get their fans involved, but I agree. The wild champagne baths are WAY too over the top for a division series.

I can see it if you celebrate the end of a long regular season with a little bubbly (as Thurston Howell III called it), especially if you're not expected to win. I can also tolerate it when a pennant is won and there's a short party, and it's certainly no holds barred when you capture a Series.

But all you've done here is move on to the next round. Adding a wild card was a good thing for baseball but that extra round of playoffs has created this weirdness.

rbdjr1 · October 8, 2006 3:28PM

Detroit has been a strong team all year! The fact that Detroit "stubbed their toe" in the stretch run (to the Twins), but them seemed to come back to life, and then to KO the NY pinstripes, ..... do deserve to celebrate, and "op corks" with their Detroit fans.

Yes, go ahead "Pudge & Company" and pop all the corks u can. U guys deserve it. Jim Leland, did a fantastic job as Tigers' skipper, considering 118 Detroit losses just a couple of years ago!

Corks will "be-a-poppin' again" soon enough!

But will it be Southern California grapes, or some Northerm Michigan bubblie???

It should be a great series!

rd

edit: P.S. plus the Mets/Cards series "ain't too shabby" either (.....and more sparkling bubblie will flow, I personally luv to see it and I'm sure so do the local fans! They deserve it! And then, if they take it up another level, "pop those corks" again!).

Division series celebrations a bit much?

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