Detroit's recent run is fool's gold. Truth is, the Tigers could hasten their transition from decade-long rebuild to legitimate contention by moving E-Rod.
In fact, their origins go back to 1895 when owner George Vanderbeck decided to build Bennett Park at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull Avenues, which would remain the home for the Detroit Tigers for the next 104 seasons, until the final game in 1999.
Paws - that loveable character you see milling around Comerica Park on a warm summer day - is at the top of the list of America's favorite team mascots.
I recently came across an article clipping that suggested at one time the Detroit Tigers almost left the sacred ballfield to play in a domed stadium in Detroit. That means we may have never seen them win their last championship in 1984.
Is it really unreasonable to wonder whether a rumored-to-be-disinterested owner, who has to reference note cards in order to speak about specific players, would listen to serious offers on his MLB franchise?
Epstein's big-spending philosophy is at extreme odds with Chris Ilitch's frugal ways. And that's only one reason why this combination could never work.