Feature: Harwell's 1984

It's a dark period in Michigan's history. Jobs are being shipped to Eastasia. The city's politicians are doubleplusungood. There's not much hope in the town of Detroit ... until the first pitch at Comerica Park.

Harwell's 1984 -- named in honor of the legendary Detroit Tigers broadcaster and their last World Series victory -- is a periodical examination of the Tigers by a foolish, foolish man determined to continue watching them. Big Brother is always watching Joel Zumaya go on the disabled list, we have always been at war with the Cleveland Indians, and the thought police are out back havin' a smoke.

If they win the World Series this year, no, the feature will not become "Impemba's 2009." That would be silly.

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• Wow! Armando Galarraga Pitches Perfect Game!

  It's the 21st in history, but the best defensive play was Galarraga covering first to beat the runner by a half step.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Jun 02, 2010

• Dontrelle's Leavin' On A Jet Train

  His time in Detroit is over. It's bittersweet, but not necessarily the end of the Dontrelle Willis story.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on May 30, 2010

• Miguel Cabrera's Opposite Field Madness

  He has power to all fields and gets it done in the ninth. Somehow this guy doesn't get enough credit.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on May 29, 2010

• Danny Worthwhile

  With a sudden void at second base, Triple-A unknown commodity Danny Worth's been doing all right for the last week.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on May 25, 2010

• You Can Tell Jim Leyland Misses The National League

  Some of his moves in an interleague road series proved just how much Leyland misses the pitcher hitting.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on May 24, 2010

• Carlos Guillen To Play Second Base; Yikes

  Then again, putting the veteran back into the infield might be the best medicine for the ineffective backend of the lineup.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on May 15, 2010

• Jose Valverde Should Have Less Fun When Pitching

  The Tigers closer irked several Yankees fans by shakin' and shimmyin' after every strikeout, but mostly because the strikeouts were against their own team.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on May 11, 2010

• Porcello Might Need To Call AAA

  A trip to Toledo just may help the young twentysomething, while it's probably Armando Galarraga's turn to solidify the rotation like he did in 2008.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Apr 30, 2010

• Austin Jackson Is Outplaying Curtis Granderson

  After just a month, I think everybody's surprised as to which center fielder/leadoff hitter is performing better.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Apr 30, 2010

• Late-Inning Rallies Cause Bipolar Fans

  When the Detroit Tigers keep coming back from large deficits, it takes its toll on the human psyche.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Apr 15, 2010

• Detroit Tigers Question Marks (Mostly) Answered

  The rookies are limiting their mistakes. Willis, Bonderman, and Zumaya look healthy. Ordonez and Cabrera are pulverizing the ball. These are all comforting signs.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Apr 11, 2010

• Hooray, An Actual Box Score

  But what the heck does it mean for baseball fans? Spring training isn't really telling us much.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Mar 03, 2010

• Tigers' 2010 Opening Day Roster Projection

  A mixture of anticipation and anxiety forced me to do this in January.

  Opinion by Matthew T. Sussman — on Jan 19, 2010

• A Vivacious Valverde Vivisection

  What's the point of signing a marquee closer when 2010 looks to be a starting lineup land grab?

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Jan 14, 2010

• The Curtis Granderson Hysteria Alarm

  A New York Post report says Granderson "could be had." Couldn't we all?

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Nov 11, 2009

• Okay, Time To Back The Twins

  As a Tigers fan, it's the right thing to do, because you'd want Minnesota to do the same.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Oct 08, 2009

• From "Line Drive Base Hit" To "Line Drove Oh S#&%"

  How the AL Central tiebreaker pretty much summed up the season and the love for the game. (Sappy, I know.)

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Oct 06, 2009

• Miguel Cabrera: Goat or Scapegoat?

  Contrary to sportswriter opinion, this September collapse isn't all his fault.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Oct 05, 2009

• Curtis Granderson And The Butterfly Effect

  How I should have caught a home run ball that would have turned the series around.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Sep 29, 2009

• Cumulonimbus 1, AL Central 0

  The `1984 World Series team ceremony moved God to tears. The game was rescheduled.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Sep 28, 2009