There is no more mystery, no more drama. We can all breathe a collective sigh. Ready? Ahhh.

We knew it was going to happen. We just didn't know when it was going to happen. Today, the Detroit Tigers made it official-pitcher Justin Verlander signed a five-year, 80 million dollar deal.

Break it down, and it looks like this - in year one, Verlander will receive 6.75 million dollars. In the second year of the contract - 12.75 million, and then 20 million for the following three years. Included in the package is a $500,000 signing bonus.

Not bad for a guy who played his first major league ball game a scant five years ago. (But that only shows the kind of talent he has.)

So the big question is - are the Tigers serious about being competitive in 2010? Verlander believes they are,

"I want to win. That's first and foremost. And I feel like this organization wants to win, and they're going to put this team in a position year in and year out. That's all I can ask for, to be part of a team that goes out there and has a chance to win our division and play in the playoffs. That was a major consideration for me."

Verlander said it was "a no-brainer" signing with the Tigers. Once again, a collective sigh - Ahhh.

Let's look at what he has accomplished.

Last year Justin Verlander's record was 19-9, a tie for first among AL pitchers. He struck out 269 batters, which is more than Cy Young winner Zach Greinke (242). His 3.45 ERA, earned him sixth place among  his peers.

The 2006 AL Rookie of the Year was nominated three times for the Cy Young Award (2006, 2007 and 2009). Additionally, he is a two-time All-Star ( 2007 and 2009)

Of course, there is also that little gem of a game against the Brewers in 2007 at Comerica Park.

This is the right move for Detroit. No doubt about it.

Keeping Verlander here - long term - helps Detroit on a number of  levels. This puts the Tigers on solid ground, and positions them in the right direction. Verlander is key to their future success on the field, and with the fans.

In 2010, he will be "the straw that stirs the drink."

Congratulations Justin!

You have proven your worth. You deserve the contract.

(Source AP)

It isn't official yet, but sources are saying that Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers have  agreed to a five-year, 80 million dollar deal.

Tigers fans, still reeling from the loss of center fielder Curtis Granderson, wanted Verlander signed long-term. In a previous post I said,

He (Verlander) is a guy who will continue to get better over time, and will undoubtedly rank among baseball's pitching élite. It is in the best interest of the Tigers to sign him to a long term deal.

Another piece of the 2010 puzzle is finally placed.

Good!

The Detroit Tigers legendary broadcaster Ernie Harwell is celebrating his 92nd birthday today. You are probably aware that last year Harwell was diagnosed with incurable cancer. Since that announcement, Harwell has shared his good-byes with the news media, fans at Comerica Park, and the baseball world.

Among a number of things, he continues to write a column for the Detroit Free Press. Today's article can read here.  DETROIT FREE PRESS/Ernie Harwell. Yesterday's column from Ernie Harwell can be found here. DETROIT FREE PRESS/Ernie Harwell/10JAN24.

Although I grew up listening to, and idolizing Ernie, I realize that many readers have never heard Ernie's play-by-play of the action on the field. There is a video on Fox SportsNet Detroit that will give you some insight into Harwell's most famous signature calls. View the video here.

Today's post is short, but important. Anyone who has been told that six months was the most you could expect, a simple birthday becomes a major milestone. He said he would like to see another birthday, and I am thrilled that he did.

Ernie is respected by many - and loved by so many more.  He has approached dying with grace, and great amount of savoir-faire.  Please continue to keep him and his family in your thoughts and prayers.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ERNIE!!

If you would like to send a card or letter to Ernie Harwell, here is the address:

Ernie Harwell

c/o S. Gary Spicer Sr., Attorney at Law,

16845 Kercheval Ave. Suite 5

Grosse Pointe, MI  48230

(AP Photo/Jerry S. Mendoza)

"Right now I feel like it's going to be a new season, a new life for me, I'm going to be a better dad, a better husband, a better player and better with the fans, too. And with the media, too."

After spending 142 days of the 2009 season in first place, and enjoying a seven game lead early in September, most fans believed the Detroit Tigers would win their division. The season would come down to a three game series with the Chicago White Sox.

Many factors played a role in the Tigers inability to clinch, but the one most talked about - Miguel Cabrera's failure to hit, especially with runners on base (he went 0 for 11, with an intentional walk) during the pivotal weekend series.

There was outrage among the fans when it was revealed that Cabrera spent the night drinking and partying with members of the opposing team.

Cabrera, who showed up for the game with visible marks on his face, had been arrested, and had failed a breath test. There was widespread speculation that he might have played one of those games hung over. Anger mounted over his recklessness.

He became the poster boy for many of the teams troubles.

This week, it was announced that Cabrera underwent counseling to deal with his alcohol-related issues.

I applaud him for taking the necessary steps to deal with his addiction. Although I am still angry about the way last season ended, I am forgiving of his role (or lack of a role) in that weekend series.

I truly hope that he will continue to fight his demons and I wish him him all the luck in the world.

WINTER CARAVAN

(Robin Buckson / The Detroit News)

The 2010 Detroit Tigers completed their two-day Winter Caravan yesterday. Among the numerous stops, the group of players stopped at Detroit Metro Airport.

Players greeted passengers, scanned tickets, made announcements and even toured the cockpit of a 747.  You can see pictures published by the Detroit News here - Detroit News Caravan Pictures.

JUSTIN VERLANDER

An arbitrator will determine Justin Verlander's salary - if he is unable to come to agreement with the Tigers. Team Verlander set down a figure of 9.5 million dollars, while the Tiger's offered 6.9 million.

If the two sides don't agree to terms, a hearing will be held between February 1 - 21 to determine Verlander's salary for 2010.

A Cy Young candidate last season, Verlander won 19 games and had a major league best 269 strikeouts.

He is a guy who will continue to get better over time, and will undoubtedly rank among baseball's pitching élite. It is in the best interest of the Tigers to sign him to a long term deal. I believe that they will - eventually. Even if he goes through arbitration, it would still be possible for Detroit to complete a deal before the end of the season.

Joel Zumaya, Ramon Santiago, Gerald Laird, Bobby Seay, and Zach Miner each avoided arbitration.

JOSE VALVERDE

(John Grieshop / Getty Images)

The newest addition to the Detroit Tigers pitching staff is closer Jose Valverde.

The 6 foot 4, 254 pound pitcher known as "Papa Grande," made his major league début in 2003 with Arizona.

He saved 47 games in 2007 and saved 45 for the Astro's in 2008.

He carried a 2.33 ERA in 2009.

According to Tigers manager Jim Leyland,

That was humongous for us. To know we have a guy at the end, now we can work backward and piece it all together. The biggest killer in baseball is to have leads and let them get away. That's a disaster. He has some energy and he's going to (tick) some teams off with that. But better them than me.

(AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

I had started to work on an story about sports heroes. I planned to publish it tonight. High-profile players in nearly every professional sport have disappointed their families, friends, and of course, their fans. Brawling, drinking, drug use, dog-fighting -- you name it -- seems to be the norm for many sports figures.

Well, that side of the story will have to wait.

Today a true sports hero emerged --  from the wreckage of steroids, brawls and guns in locker rooms.

That is the story I will write about tonight.

The 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck Haiti this week brought wide-spread devastation, horror, grief, and death to hundreds of thousands of Haitians. The scope of destruction, especially in terms of lives lost, may never be known.

(REUTERS - Jorge Silva)

The pictures of bodies lining the streets, and videos of people trapped in pancaked buildings (reaching a free arm out for help), are grim, and heart-wrenching.

President Obama immediately acted to pull the resources of the United States together to bring medicine, food, and water to Haiti.  He flew in rescue workers, and troops, to search for survivors. We should applaud the president's swift action. We all remember Katrina, and the high the cost of hesitation.

Angel Valentin/Getty Images

I am proud of major league baseball, and my association with it (if only as a blogger).

Bud Selig announced this afternoon that baseball would be donating one million dollars to the relief effort in Haiti through UNICEF.

Bud Selig as quoted on mlb.com:

"We hope this contribution will help aid in the relief efforts and we encourage our fans to make a donation as well. Our heartfelt condolences go out to all who have been affected by this unimaginable natural disaster."

I was wondering where our heroes had vanished. Today, I am relieved to say, they haven't gone anywhere. While some players, and former players, may not be heroic - there are still heroes out there.

Major League Baseball, all thirty clubs, the MLB Network, and MLB.com showed me that our sports heroes are alive and well, and working to help those caught in the grip of this catastrophic event.

Reuters/Kena Betancur

If you would like to help out out, UNICEF is a wonderful organization. You can also donate through the Red Cross.

I made my donation --several times -- by texting the word HAITI to 90999. When you do this, ten dollars will be automatically donated to the Red Cross to help those affected by the earthquake.

**As of this writing, nearly six million dollars has been raised through mobile donations. (And, there are some who think that texting is silly.)

Despite the efforts of many, including Ernie Harwell, Tiger Stadium began to come down in 2008. Crowds lined the streets of Michigan and Trumbull to watch, film, and to reminisce about summer days of baseball games played at The Corner.

I was one of the them. Moving along the perimeter, I kept trying to get a peek through the heavy tarp that draped the fence. Occasionally, while walking down Trumbull to Michigan Avenue, and over to Cochrane, I would find a spot where someone had taken a knife and sliced a hole big enough to see through.

Although I had been ready for the stadium to come down (and had even started to embrace the idea), it was difficult to watch its destruction.

Memories raced through my mind of games with my dad. I recalled games that my step-son and I watched, and I tried to piece together vague, flickering  images of my grandfather (Poppy), the proprietor of a parking lot, guiding cars into their spaces for families going to see the Tiger's play ball.

There was a line of cars serving as foot stools for photographers, and mainly people trying to grab a glimpse, as I proceeded up the ramp, over the freeway, for a better look inside the ballpark.

As I peered into the yard where boyhood heroes once played, I imagined a game upon the torn field. One voice pierced through the memories. As the stadium was coming down, I heard the play-by-play of Ernie Harwell on a sunny, September day when Detroit faced Oakland.

"Well, this is the big day for the maestro, Denny McLain, Saturday afternoon at Tiger Stadium, September the 14th, 1968, and Denny will be going for win number 30." said Harwell.

I chose to envision this game, because two years earlier I paid a personal tribute to my grandfather on the 105th anniversary of his birth. (You can read the original post here.)

This had become a field of dreams,  and I watched a Tiger's team from the past play ball through Ernie's call of the game.

"Ernie Harwell and Ray Lane at Tiger Stadium, and we've got a dandy here. The Tigers need one to tie and two to go ahead."

My thoughts slowly shifted from the field. I turned my body, and my gaze, toward Trumbull.

I closed my eyes.

There was Poppy, at the foot of the driveway, on the sidewalk, seated in an old aluminum folding chair.

"Denny McLain has gone eight innings for the Tigers...  and now the Tigers send up their leading home run hitter, Willie Horton, to see what he can do about starting something in the eighth inning. It'll be Horton, Cash and Freehan - the middle three batters in Mayo Smith's Tigers batting order."

The Tiger's tied the score at 4, and with one out in the ninth, Willie Horton approached home plate.

Poppy inched toward the edge of his seat.

The last pitch was thrown to Horton, while Mickey Stanley on third edged home. Harwell's voice, thin through the small speaker, set the stage,

"... now the count on Horton is 2 balls - 2 strikes. Campaneris comes in from short to talk to his pitcher - Diego Segui.

A moment passes, and Harwell continues,

Here's the set by Segui. The pitch -- swung on! A drive to left... and that'll be the ballgame...

The Tigers win it 5 to 4!

Denny McLain is one of the first out of the dug-out, racing out...  and Horton is mobbed as the Tigers come from behind, and McLain has his thirtieth victory of the 1968 season."

My grandfather heard his voice, my dad heard his voice, and I heard his voice. Each of us had watched (in the mind's eye) baseball through Ernie Harwell. For a few moments that afternoon, his voice connected cherished members of my past  - one more time.

These days, when I hear him speak, I see and hear more than a ballgame - much more.

The nexus to a time gone by is Ernie Harwell. That is much more than any mere baseball broadcaster could deliver.

Of course, Ernie Harwell was more than a broadcaster. He brought ball games to life, and made the players heroes. He was our trusted friend, the one who always got the best seat in the stadium.

Simply put, he made baseball better. Thank-you, Ernie!

Photo courtesy of the Radio Hall of Fame

Photo by Mandi Wright, Detroit Free Press

There are hermit souls that live withdrawn

In the place of their self-content;

There are souls like stars, that dwell apart,

In a fellowless firmament;

There are pioneer souls that blaze the paths

Where highways never ran-

But let me live by the side of the road

And be a friend to man.

From, The House by the Side of the Road, by Sam Walter Foss

One sunny, late summer morning, I had been preparing to take my seventy-nine year old mother to the hospital for an out-patient procedure. While I was finishing a cup of lukewarm coffee, I turned on the television to catch the latest traffic conditions.

As the commercial came to an end, a newscaster from Fox 2 glared into the camera, met my eye, and delivered the heart-wrenching news - Ernie Harwell has incurable cancer. Then, the report took on a more ominous tone - the beloved Detroit Tiger's broadcaster would not seek treatment.

It took a moment, but I realized that this was the end of the road - the end of the season - for Ernie Harwell.

Ernie Harwell was not just a part of baseball - he had been a vital part of my life. Throughout the years, the hall of fame broadcaster had welcomed me back to Michigan when my family had been away on vacation. He had accompanied me when I took a girl out on a date (thankfully, I chose my dates well, and they never seemed to mind). I enjoyed lunch with him on opening day, when I turned on the radio to hear the play by play of that first game of the season. Also, there were the nights (as a young boy), I would curl up on a chair in the corner of the living room, and his was the last voice I would hear before falling asleep.

I still find it hard to believe.

I am amazed by the strength that Ernie Harwell has shown. He is a man of tremendous faith, and will be to the end. Some, who have been handed a death sentence, would have retreated into a world of self-pity, others may have preferred privacy. I am certain that not many would have spent their last days publicly saying good-bye to family, friends, and fans.

Ernie knows how much we cherish him. May I offer, that through his public farewells, he has shown that he feels the same toward us.

Truly, it takes a special individual who can stand in front of a crowd of thousands, acknowledge his time here is nigh, and say,

It's a wonderful night for me. I really feel lucky to be here, and I want to thank you for the warm welcome.

In my almost 92 years on this Earth, the good Lord has blessed me with a great journey," he said. "And the blessed part of that journey is, it's going to end in the great state of Michigan.

I wasn't able to be at Comerica Park when Ernie Harwell addressed the crowd. For those who were, it was undoubtedly unforgettable and poignant.

I found this on You Tube, taken from a fan's perspective.  Be sure to have Kleenex with you while you watch.

I am a collector of baseball broadcasts, and one Detroit Tiger's game in particular had special meaning for me.  Watch for that post next week.

Early next year, fans will have an opportunity to say good-bye to former Detroit Tiger Curtis Granderson. Granderson will host the third annual Celebrity Shootout at 3pm on Sunday, January 24, 2010 at Seaholm High School in Birmingham.  Proceeds raised from the event will go to help the Grand Kids Foundation. Tickets are $30 for adults, and $25 for students with a valid student ID. Purchase tickets at www.grandkidsfoundation.org.

In a statement released by Granderson, he said:

"This will also be an emotional event on a personal level, as it will be somewhat of a goodbye from me to the fans and the city that have supported me so strongly throughout my career so far. I hope that those fans can pack the gym and also raise a lot of money for inner-city education in Michigan."

It will be an emotional event for fans, too. In the beginning of December, the popular center fielder for the Detroit Tigers was traded to the New York Yankees as part of a three team deal.

This afternoon, Detroit Tiger's pitcher Max Scherzer was interviewed by Matt Shepard on Detroit Sports Talk WDFN. Scherzer, 25, talked about his self-expectations as a Tiger pitcher, his thoughts on his fellow teammate Daniel Schlereth, and answered questions about heterochromia - the color of his eyes.

Matt Shepard: Even though you weren't part of the Curtis Granderson deal that sent him to New York, I think you will be forever linked to that. How tough is it to deal with knowing you have been part of a deal (that sent away) one of the guys who Detroiters absolutely embraced, loved and adored.

Max Scherzer: Yeah, you can't really get caught up too much in who you try to replace...  you really just got to go out there and pitch, even though this is the first time I've ever been traded, that's really the mentality I'm going to take. When I pitch in Detroit, then I'm going to try to pitch as well as I can, and try to help Detroit win.

Matt Shepard: Who do you fancy your game after?

Max Scherzer: You can only look at somebody who has had a lot of success, and kind of take one little bit of what they do well, whether it's someone who is just a sinker-ball ball pitcher and try to see how they sink the ball - obviously I had a personal look at it with Brandon Webb in Arizona. Or, you know...  a power pitcher like Verlander...  obviously there's pitchers throughout the whole league that you can always look at and try to take just one little bit and see what they do well to try to further your game.

Matt Shepard: In case people don't know, Max has...  his right eye is blue and his left eye is brown. What is it that people say to you when they first notice that?

Max Scherzer: Man, you get every reaction there is. You get people who think it's really cool. You get the people ...  it kind of grows on them and then they don't notice it, you get the people who think it's weird. I get compared to every husky, I'm the Terminator. I get a lot of comments from a lot of different people. I enjoy it, I have fun with it. Some people say I pitch out of one eye or what not.

Matt Shepard: You could really mess with people who might have had...  maybe imbibed in one too many...  that would really mess then up, wouldn't it?

Max Scherzer: (laughs) Yeah, there are so many different ways to have fun with it.

If you would like to hear the entire interview CLICK HERE.

Now that Curtis Granderson is a New York Yankee, there is a lot of ground to cover in center field at Comerica Park - and no one to cover it. As the Winter Meetings drew to a close, I jumped for joy after hearing that the Detroit Tigers had an interest in acquiring former Los Angeles Dodger's outfielder, Juan Pierre.

Unfortunately, it was the Chicago White Sox that made the deal for Pierre. It is a good acquisition for them. A left-handed hitter, Pierre, 32, will easily replace lead-off hitter Scott Podsednik, who is a free agent.

Is a Detroit Tiger's uniform in Podsednik's future? It is a possibility. Stay tuned.

In the meantime, Curtis Granderson posted a new picture on his Facebook page today. One young fan commented, "Why did you leave? My room was covered with Curtis Granderson stuff!"

It is going to take some time getting used to this look. Personally, I must say, he looks better wearing the Old English D.