Forget the losing record in August. Forget the 10-year postseason drought. The gritty Detroit Tigers are heading to the MLB playoffs.
It took a monumental effort to turn their season around, but the Tigers clinched their reward on Friday night: A place in the 2024 postseason is officially theirs after a 4-1 victory over the Chicago White Sox.
They didn't just clinch. They did it with time to spare. What a time to be a baseball fan in Detroit.
Best memes and tweets as Tigers clinch an unlikely playoff spot
The celebrations on social media, from memes to all-caps declarations to joyous disbelief.
THE GRITTY TIGS ARE HEADING TO THE PLAYOFFS! pic.twitter.com/RsPrHCGf6x
— Detroit Tigers memes (@TheRyanBlevins) September 28, 2024
THE GRITTY TIGS HAVE DONE IT!
— jeremy chandler taché (@jeremytache) September 28, 2024
THE GRITTY TIGS HAVE DONE IT!
WHAT A FEELING!
WHAT A MOMENT! https://t.co/19x0JTd5bV
Love these Gritty Tigs. Can't even believe it's real right now
— Kurt Mensching (@KurtJustKurt) September 28, 2024
Tigers fans have been used to tears. The tears flowing on Friday were of the joy variety.
Crying.
— Don Thomas (@REALDonThomas) September 28, 2024
My grandfather passed in late 2019. He LOVED the Tigers. I used to call him after every game. I know if I called him tonight, he would answer the phone by saying “Ain’t no stoppin’ us now!”
This means so much! #RepDetroit
IM CRYING BROOOOOO I LOVE THIS TEAM😭😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/WccXfGEsoF
— w-Gritty Prez🐅🇨🇦 (@TIGERS_WRLD) September 28, 2024
It's truly astounding to think of where the Tigers were at the trade deadline vs. where they are now. They were a selling team. They weren't even dreaming of the playoffs. Now they're dreaming of playoff victories.
55-63 on August 10th
— Calico Joe (@CalicoJoeMLB) September 28, 2024
Playoff bound on September 27th
Never let someone tell you your limitations. If it was up to everybody outside of the Tigers clubhouse in early August, they would’ve been dead.
Amazing group. Can’t fucking wait to be a postseason member. Let’s go Tigers.
the Tigers were 10 GB of a postseason spot thru 118 games
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 28, 2024
they’re the 5th team to make the playoffs after being 10+ games out of a PS spot after 115+ gms, joining:
2011 Cardinals (latest 10+ GB: 133g)
1964 Cardinals (124)
1951 Giants (115)
1930 Cardinals (117)@EliasSports https://t.co/JLaFHPFCSM
The city of Detroit is having a helluva time this year. The Lions are good. The Tigers are good. Oh my! Heck, the state of Michigan is still high off that Wolverines national championship. What comes next?
One of potentially several playoff berths for Detroit sports in the next year. Good job, Tigers
— Omari Sankofa II (@omarisankofa) September 28, 2024
Lions: Snapped longest playoff win drought in NFL
— Griffin Beers (@griffin_beers2) September 28, 2024
Tigers: Snapped longest playoff drought in MLB
Oakland: Advanced to Round of 32 in NCAA Tournament for first time
Not bad 2024 pic.twitter.com/Q5341S7IEU
Teams of destiny come around every once in a while. Even opposing fans and teams know that it can be tough to slow down a train going full speed like the Tigers. Nobody wants Detroit.
Gotta be honest, I don’t want the Yankees to face a hot Tigers team lol
— Patches O’Houlihan (@sondraa) September 28, 2024
Despite taking on the hapless White Sox, the Tigers knew a win on Friday wasn't a given. Chicago was coming off a sweep of the Angels and hoping to stave off their 121st loss, which would be a modern MLB record. They pushed back Garrett Crochet's start in hopes of giving the Tigers their best shot.
Crochet didn't make it easy. He went four innings, allowing four hits and notching six strikeouts. However, the Tigers did damage against the White Sox bullpen, finally breaking through in the fifth inning.
Detroit now gets to sit back and enjoy the rest of the weekend knowing they'll still be playing baseball next week.