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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• Verlander is Becoming the New Fidrych

  His pitch count keeps rising, and 30 years ago, this ruined another Tigers star.

  Opinion by Matthew T. Sussman — on Apr 18, 2009

• "April In The D" Is Full Of Misery, Homicidal Thoughts

  And yet it shouldn't be, had Fox/Detroit just played it a bit less. (Okay, a LOT less.)

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

• Jays 5, Tigers 4: A Tale Of Two Brandons

  Thus far, the score is: Inge, good; Lyon, bad.

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

• Detroit's Dismal Start, And Why Fans Can't Get Enough Of This

  Yeah, they're 0-6, but that just means they're playing baseball again, which is Far better than 0-0.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Apr 07, 2008

• Detroit Tigers Remain In Great AL Central Position, Maybe

  Cleveland, Chicago, and Minnesota aren't about to give up, however. They're all a little injured.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on May 15, 2007

• Tigers Trade For Sheffield, Bail Yankees Out of Hilarious Situation

  If Detroit needed offense, they got it. And all it cost was $41 million and three prospects.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Nov 11, 2006

• World Series Game 5: St. Louis Cardinals Are Poetic Champs

  In other news, a young sports editor attempts to bastardize Ernest L. Thayer's classic poem.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Oct 28, 2006

• World Series Game 4: God Must Want St. Louis To Win For Some Reason

  Yeah, those same one-game-from-missing-the-playoffs Cardinals are one game from a World Series championship after winning 5-4.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Oct 27, 2006

• World Series Game 3: Carpenter Saws Off Tigers' Bats In 5-0 Victory

  The Cardinals are conveniently perched to win out and nest their first championship since 1982.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Oct 25, 2006

• World Series Game 2: Mellencamp Wants You To Buy A Chevrolet Silverado

  Oh, and the Tigers won the game in between Chevy commercials.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Oct 23, 2006

• World Series Game One: Rock Me Anthony Reyes

  Can someone help me forget the Cardinals' 7-2 victory?

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Oct 22, 2006

• Detroit Tigers, Slightly Better Than Before, Are World Series Bound

  Dear Detroit Tigers, I'm sorry for all the years I made fun of your team.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Oct 14, 2006

• ALCS Game 2: Todd Jones Debriefs Frank Thomas

  Alexis Gomez also knocks in four runs as Detroit extends their best-of-seven series lead to 2-0.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Oct 12, 2006

• ALCS: Nate Robertson Grasps Concept of "Run Support" as Tigers Take Control in Game 1

  "You mean I don't have to pitch a shutout?"

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Oct 11, 2006

• Yankees Eunt Domus: Detroit Tigers Win 8-3, ALCS Awaits

  Never before had gridlocked downtown streets rife with honking horns and screaming passengers been so happy. In friggin' Detroit, no less.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Oct 08, 2006

• Kenny Rogers Skewers, Seasons, Rotates, Heats, Serves Yankees 6-0

  The journeyman pitcher cast aside the cynical ghosts that haunted his performance of postseasons past.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Oct 07, 2006

• Relax, This Was The Tigers' First Time

  In the Yankees' 8-4 win, the Tigers were okay. Good, not great, nothing to write home about.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Oct 04, 2006

• Who's Your Tiger MVP?

  With the season the Detroit Tigers are having, someone needs some MVP buzz. And all it takes is one person to begin the hype.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Sep 21, 2006

• Chris Shelton, Now With 95 Percent Less Media Hype

  Remember Shelton? The plucky, pudgy first baseman who, two weeks into the season, led the majors in home runs?

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Jun 12, 2006

• Detroit Shock City: Tigers Begin 5-0

  Yes it's only been a week, and yes it's early. But if the playoffs began today, they'd have home field advantage.

  News by Matthew T. Sussman — on Apr 09, 2006