We know, as Cardinals fans, our occasional gripes and complaints can fall on deaf ears and perhaps even sound like whining, and the Detroit Tigers are Exhibit A as to why. We cannot possibly imagine how exciting having the Tigers in the ALCS must be. (And no offense to A’s fans; we know you’re in rarified air yourselves.)
Since the Tigers last were in the playoffs, in 1987, they’ve lost 100-plus games four times, 90-plus games nine times and finished with a winning record three times, counting this year. And tonight, they’re in the ALCS. So Tigers fans have earned it.
So yeah: The League Championship Series are here. Games every night until after midnight, and sometimes even later. As unproductive as we typically are during the month of October, we still missed it.
So, remember our Deadspin Pants Party Pick ‘Em Pool? Well, hopefully you’ve been making your picks every week, because we’re told we can give away some gifts.
As you might have noticed, the people from that Tiger Woods game have been hanging around here of late — you know, it’s like Golden Tee, except you can tweak your animated Tiger’s facial expression from “blank” to “jaw agape” to “mouth closed” — and they’re giving us some games to give out. (By the way, we find our logo today strangely soothing, as if we were blogging from some secluded hideaway where everyone started fires with sticks and pooped in holes in the backyard.) So, after this week’s NFL games, if you’re in one one of the top five slots, you can send us your address and we’ll send you a copy of the game. This week only, as they say.
First place in our pool right now is J. Cullen’s “Joey Lawrence!” entry, with 59 points. (As a frame of reference, we have 49 points, though if we didn’t pick the Buzzsaw every week, we’d be doing a bit better.) So keep an eye out, remember to make your picks and, uh … please don’t mention those nude pictures to your virtual Tiger.
(Also, the Tiger Woods people actually asked us to mention that Tiger Woods is on Jay Leno tonight. So if that’s the type of enticing combination that you desire for your entertainment dollar, you know, tune in, we guess.)
Just to continue our cavalcade of strange videos from the 1980s today, here’s a “Just Say No” video from the Showtime LA Lakers. You really haven’t lived until Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, who of course knows nothing about the demon weed, say he doesn’t need drugs, he’s got a higher thing.
We are very proud to report that, ultimately, we did not jinx the Detroit Tigers, and here they are, four wins away from their first World Series in 22 years. (By the way, if you’re keeping score, of the four teams left in the playoffs, the team that has gone the longest without a World Championship is … the Cardinals. So you know.)
This series is as evenly matched as we could imagine. And we can’t wait. Even if it’s opening in a stadium with no upper deck.
Here’s a roundup of predictions from around the Web.
It’s hard to believe, but the NBA season is just around the corner. So come with us now as we present five tiny tidbits on each team, just to get you in the mood. Today we continue with the Southwest Division, so do us a favor and send your tips to tips@deadspin.com.
• 1. Schooled By Your Auntie. Lawrence Roberts is the nephew of broadcaster Robin Roberts, who is co-anchor of ABC’s Good Morning America, and whose father was one of the Tuskegee Airmen World War II pilots. She attended Southeastern Louisiana University becoming school’s third all-time leading scorer in basketball with 1,446 points, and grabbing 1,034 career rebounds.
• 2. Come Back, Shane! We Need You!. Shane Battier, possibly the most beloved 10 points/five rebounds per game player in NBA history, will be honored by the Grizzlies with a tribute poster on Nov. 7. Nicknamed Prime Minister, The Commercial Appeal ran a full-page farewell when Battier was traded to the Rockets in June of this year. Has a team ever honored an ex-player with a promotional item when that player has returned with a different team? — (Thanks to David Dunlap Jr.).
• 3. They Also Had The First Pop-Up Ad. First NBA team to have its own Web site? The Vancouver Grizzlies, in 1995, which was developed by then-Chief Information Officer Bob Kerstein. They were almost called The Mounties, by the way. That was the nickname on the team’s original franchise application to the NBA, which they had to change because the government of Canada owned the trademark. The Vancouver Grizzlies and Charlotte Hornets both applied to relocate to Memphis on the same day, March 26, 2001; the Hornets lost out and moved to New Orleans.
• 4. Plus, He’s Missing An “L” In His Name. Seven-foot center Pau Gasol was born in Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain. His mother is a doctor, and his father is a nurse.
• 5. Another Bottle, On Me. Damon Stoudamire received both adulation and criticism for taking a drug test. After several marijuana-related incidents in recent years, Stoudamire entered rehab in 2003 and publicly swore off the drug. He then made an agreement with The Oregonian sports columnist John Canzano to take a unannounced urine test during any point in the 2003-2004 season. Canzano took him up on it midway through the season, appearing in the team locker room with a specimen bottle, Stoudamire complied, and an independent lab pronounced him clean. The NBA didn’t like the whole idea, however.
As the Detroit Tigers play the first ALCS game in 22 years tonight, we thought we’d dig up this old “Bless You Boys” video about the 1984 Tigers, the first non-Cardinals team we ever remember enjoying. It’s fun and full of ’80s kitsch, of course, but we particularly like the pop star cameo halfway through that makes no sense whatsoever.
EB Games and Gamestop have launched a download service, staking claim in the growing industry trend to distribute content digitally. If you’re familiar with the conglomerate retailer’s websites, the setup is straightforward, giving browsers near-instant access to over 1,000 PC titles; though it’s a collection that has been criticized by 1UP as being “largely garbage.”
We’re also concerned about prices. The games range from $9.99 to $49.99, but, for example, Texas Hold ‘Em and Zuma, which are featured on the Gamestop (pictured) and EB pages, both retail for $19.99, whereas XBLA versions of the same games retail for just $10. Still, as 1UP points out, there are a few gems to be unearthed from the trash heap (e.g., 1942, Civilization III, Deus Ex, & Heroes of Might and Magic). Unfortunately, the sites lack a satisfying interface for sorting out these favorites from the rubbish.
Looks like an act of desperation to us. This service needs a makeover and more reasons for us to check it out. Anyone cashed in on a game yet? How are the download speeds?
EB Games and Gamestop have launched a download service, staking claim in the growing industry trend to distribute content digitally. If you’re familiar with the conglomerate retailer’s websites, the setup is straightforward, giving browsers near-instant access to over 1,000 PC titles; though it’s a collection that has been criticized by 1UP as being “largely garbage.”
We’re also concerned about prices. The games range from $9.99 to $49.99, but, for example, Texas Hold ‘Em and Zuma, which are featured on the Gamestop (pictured) and EB pages, both retail for $19.99, whereas XBLA versions of the same games retail for just $10. Still, as 1UP points out, there are a few gems to be unearthed from the trash heap (e.g., 1942, Civilization III, Deus Ex, & Heroes of Might and Magic). Unfortunately, the sites lack a satisfying interface for sorting out these favorites from the rubbish.
Looks like an act of desperation to us. This service needs a makeover and more reasons for us to check it out. Anyone cashed in on a game yet? How are the download speeds?
So, remember our 
We are very proud to report that, ultimately, we did not jinx the Detroit Tigers, and here they are, four wins away from their first World Series in 22 years. (By the way, if you’re keeping score, of the four teams left in the playoffs, the team that has gone the longest without a World Championship is … the Cardinals. So you know.) 
It’s hard to believe, but the NBA season is just around the corner. So come with us now as we present five tiny tidbits on each team, just to get you in the mood. Today we continue with the Southwest Division, so do us a favor and send your tips to tips@deadspin.com.
