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.

Columnists

Matthew T. Sussman

Articles in this feature

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• The Last Interesting MLB Regular Season Series

  Four games between Detroit and Minnesota will cause fans of both teams to sweat pure vegetable oil.

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

• Ernie Harwell, One Day At A Time

  How the monotony of showing up to work transcends a legendary Detroit Tigers broadcaster.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Sep 16, 2009

• Myopic Hindsight: Revisiting The Miguel Cabrera Trade

  An annual MVP candidate and a derailed train. Did the Tigers or Marlins make a better trade?

  Opinion by Matthew T. Sussman — on Aug 31, 2009

• Assumption Junction: Pray For Angels Or Pull For Yankees?

  What's the best-case scenario for the Tigers in the ALDS that they are not yet guaranteed to participate in?

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Aug 26, 2009

• The Road Less Travailed

  With the Tigers' inability to win away from home, their playoff chances could diverge in a yellow wood.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Aug 24, 2009

• Watching A Remarkable Piece Of Ace

  Slump? Inconsistency? Tuck your worries safely away when it's Justin Verlander's turn.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Aug 17, 2009

• The Great Carl Pavano Conspiracy

  When you face a pitcher twice in as many weeks with different teams, you smell something awry.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Aug 10, 2009

• Everything's Bigger In Texas, Including Ulcers

  A terrible week, and still a first place lead. God bless the AL Central.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Aug 03, 2009

• Any Win Over The White Sox Is A Perfect Game

  A 4-3 record is perfectly acceptable when three of those wins are over a divisional contender.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Jul 26, 2009

• Detroit Stars Jerseys For All

  In this week's Tigers recap, I want a $200 jersey for much cheaper.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Jul 13, 2009

• Brandon Inge Deserves Your Final Vote

  You want versatility? He can hit, field, play anywhere, pitch, dunk, tee off, and cure certain forms of cancer.

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

• The Road To Hell Is Paved With Minnesota Twins

  Every time the Tigers visit the Metrodome, I feel a twinge in my gall bladder.

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

• Ghosts Of Tigers Past Haunt The PCL All-Star Roster

  Tigers fans ought to remember Chris Shelton, Eric Munson, and Yorman Bazardo. Probably not fondly, though.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Jul 02, 2009

• Fernando Rodney, The Best Closer In The American League

  Well, at least when he's acting as the closer.

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

• The Carriage Of Figaro Pulls Into Detroit

  The Tigers need a spot starter. They have no one else. This should be fun.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Jun 19, 2009

• Look Who's Got The Best Starting Rotation

  Yes, Detroit is back with the best starting pitching ERA in the American League. (I know!)

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Jun 01, 2009

• Train Kept A-Rollin', All 6 1/3 Innings Long

  But did he control his pitches well enough?

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on May 19, 2009

• Zumaya Had Extra Innings Of His Own

  In a 13-inning 14-10 loss, Zumaya's 2 2/3 innings stood out as a curious series of events.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on May 14, 2009

• Jim Leyland's Experimental Lineups

  He made four changes to his normal lineup and it worked to perfection. What next?

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

• The Five Stages of Grieving Over A 10-Run Inning

  Here's how I got through that dreadful seventh.

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