On opening day, the Tigers looked invincible.
Then came the rest of the season, filled with so many ups and downs that some believers became doubters.
Then the past several games, the Tigers looked invincible again, particularly some players like Justin Verlander and the two playful sluggers Miguel Cabrera and Prince Fielder.
Ah, victory. The Tigers beat the Royals 6-3 on Monday, clinching the A.L. Central. Even when the reliever Jose Valverde came to finish it off the game, you didn't really feel too worried or nervous like many other times this season when the Tigers were ahead by a run or two in the ninth and you said, "Oh no, not Valverde."
What made this particularly notable was that the Detroit will return to post season play for the second year in a row, something that hasn't happened since 1934-35.
Invincible. Can that last? It won't be easy.
But for the moment, let's appreciate that they look like real champions. - A.L.
