Tigers Fans Ecstatic as Yankees Fall

From Rochester to Clawson, Royal Oak to Ferndale, West Bloomfield to Novi, Detroit Tigers fans watched nervously Thursday as the Tigers went down to the wire before ending the New York Yankees' season with a 3-2 victory.

"I just had three heart attacks," said Jim Colovos of Clinton Township as he watched the game to the end at in Troy.

Inside the bar, Tigers fans were reluctant to celebrate too early, as a loss would end their team's season and hopes of advancing to the ALCS against the Texas Rangers.

But the suspense was shortlived.

"I'm so excited! That was great, to beat the Yankees in New York – beautiful," said Rich Sanchez, of Tecumseh, Ontario, who watched the game at Joe Kool's with his wife, Elaine. "I've been a Tigers fan since forever."

"This feels so great! To beat the Yankees on their own turf," he said.

In the end, fans erupted in excitement as their Tigers reached the American League Championship Series.

Despite concerns ranging from the performance of the Tigers' bullpen to the  Yankees' "mystique," the Tigers won in the Bronx while Metro Detroiters tuned in from their TVs, computers and the nearest watering hole.

"It was really tense. I couldn't sit down in those final pitches,  and that's why they call them the Cardiac Cats," said Jeff Westin, 54, of Novi, who watched the Tigers reach their first ALCS since 2006 from Applebee's on Haggerty and Maple roads in Commerce Township. "I think Max (Scherzer) was the MVP of that game. After he shut 'em down, it was never in doubt."

The under-appreciated stars of the Tigers — those who did not make this year's All-Star team, such as Don Kelly, Delmon Young and pitcher Doug Fister — were the stars of Game 5, according to fans, who noted the lacking performance of Yankees stars Derek Jeter and Russell Martin.

"Ain't nothing wrong with a party in the Bronx!" whooped Larry Quincey, 41, of Waterford, also watching from Applebee's. "We shut 'em down. Great performance from Fister tonight. Those jacks by Delmon Young — you've got to say he's the MVP of the series."

In West Bloomfield, several pubs and restaurants well-known for their sports-fan-friendliness, including ,  and the , were packed with fans to the point of needing a reservation to get in. "The last time I saw it this packed was when the Pistons were good," Michael Goodenow, 22, of West Bloomfield, said while standing outside of the packed Library.

Manager Michael Keyes of in Rochester said that while the restaurant/bar traditionally caters to a college football town, Tigers games have consistently drawn a large crowd.

In Lake Orion, the Buffalo Wild Wings was jammed early on. "It's exhilarating. A beautiful win for Detroit," said Tigers fan Valentino Shepard, 30, of Los Angeles who was visiting Lake Orion for a wedding.

"I'm a nervous wreck," said Gary Caldwell, 42, of Lake Orion during the eighth inning. "This game is killing me. My heart can't handle it."

The Tigers open the ALCS on the road against the Texas Rangers on Saturday. Justin Verlander is expected to pitch for the Tigers against the Rangers' C.J. Wilson. The game time is to be determined.