All-Star Break

The Detroit Tigers rode a strong Justin Verlander performance and some power displays by Victor Martinez and Jhonny Peralta to a 5-0 win today, finishing the first half of their season at a win-loss record of 52-42, still in first place in the AL Central.

There's not much I can say about these guys but I'll try. There's an ASTOUNDING level of talent present in Detroit these days. With Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Austin Jackson and Omar Infante playing well, Victor Martinez heating up finally, and Torii Hunter showing glimpses of the player he'd been for the past decade with Minnesota and Anaheim, the team that hits the field every day is definitely one of the most talented lineups in all of Major League Baseball, possibly one of the best lineups on paper of the past several decades. Cabrera is the first modern batting Triple Crown winner, which is an amazing feat in this day and age. And as far as the starting pitching goes, Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer are basically Ace-A and Ace-B while leading the pitching staff to some of the best starting pitching numbers in all of MLB. Yes, there's a few problems with the team, mainly the ineffective bullpen and lack of depth in the outfield, as well as the drastically-underperforming Alex Avila at catcher, but this team is built to win and go deep into the playoffs. I believe in them.

As far as work goes... I've seen some wonderful things lately. I see something new, something heart-warming every time I go to the ballpark. I look at kids hanging out with their parents, riding the ferris wheel or the carousel, eating cotton candy with a big smile on their face, or getting autographs from the players before the game, and I remember that this truly is a game. It's entertainment. It's supposed to relieve us of our burdens for a few hours at a time, make us happy. Kids seem to get that more than adults, who sometimes use the goings-on on the field to exacerbate their own problems in life. Alcohol also plays a factor.

Personally, I've been having issues with my own life. Fatigue has set in from working two jobs. Stress is everywhere, with a car that's been needing its fair share of repairs lately, and a family that seems to be falling apart. My grandmother is suffering from Alzheimer's and might not have much longer to live. It's sometimes hard to gather myself together to work day in, day out. But then I remember that when I get to the ballpark, I'm surrounded by Tigers fans, and I'm getting paid to be a part of the Tigers. That helps make me happy, regardless of the outcome on the field.