What Went Wrong: Midnight Strikes
The Detroit Tigers went from a potential September elimination to falling one win short of playing for the pennant
We all love Cinderella teams, don't we? We see it a lot; those teams who no one thought would make it. The teams who weren't supposed to even get to the dance--get there, and make something of it. Teams who go from rags to riches in little time, but at times, the clock can and does strike midnight on those teams. The "Cinderella" nickname for those teams is usually heard during March Madness; those really low seeds (usually 12-16 seeds) who catch lightning in a bottle and go on a run. We have seen it on the professional level as well. #8 in basketball and hockey going all the way to the 'ship--and winning it, the lowest seeds in football making a decent run, and yes, the Wild Cards who go on to win the World Series.
Right now, we have one Cinderella story with the New York Mets. Would the Detroit Tigers be another? They did really do so damage. They took out the Houston Astros--ending Houston's streak of ALCS appearances, and then they went toe-to-toe with the Cleveland Guardians. It was tough. It was gritty. Hell, this team was being referred to as the "Gritty Tigs." Detroit was up 2-1 after three games. It looked like they would finish it at home, but Cleveland had other plans. Game Five was forced. The Tigers struck first, but a bases loaded HBP tied it for Cleveland. Then, Lane Thomas struck big time. A grand slam to put the Guardians ahead. Cleveland never looked back, though Detroit sure did try to make a dent a catch up.
The answer to "What Went Wrong?" can be summed up in one word: nothing. The Tigers did nothing wrong in this run. This was a typical case of midnight striking on this Cinderella story.
On August 10, the Tigers were 55-63. They were 10, count 'em, 10 games out of a postseason spot. Even when September began, the Tigers were behind four teams in the Wild Card race. The Red Sox were ahead of them! The Tigers responded by winning games left and right and bouncing over a number of teams in the playoff race. 31-13 in their final 44 games! They surpassed Boston and a slumping Minnesota Twins team to snatch the third Wild Card position in the American League. This was supposed to be a rebuilding year for the Tigers, yet they finished just one win short of playing for the American League pennant.
The rise of Detroit sports continues. The Lions are back, and the Tigers went on this crazy run. And with hockey now underway, we'll see if the Red Wings can meet that expectation and reach the playoffs for the first time in eight years.
And there it is. The Final Four is complete. The Cleveland Guardians are in the ALCS for the first time in eight years, and they'll face off against the New York Yankees. As for the Tigers, they and their fans should be very, very happy with this season. They were not supposed to be there. Yet not only did they get there, they made the most of it. I'd like to thank the Tigers for giving us the great hilarious moment in the form of eliminating the Astros, that was wonderful. As for what Detroit's move could be, well, that is a toughie. All I can say is that the Tigers should just take this awesome surprise run and just run with it. That's pretty much it.
If you like this story, click the heart and the subscribe button, and feel free to comment below! Tips and pledges would be greatly appreciated, but only if you want to do so!
About the Creator
Clyde E. Dawkins
I'm a big sports fan, especially hockey, and I've been a fan of villainesses since I was eight! My favorite shows are The Simpsons and Family Guy, etc.
Keep reading
More stories from Clyde E. Dawkins and writers in Unbalanced and other communities.
What Went Wrong: Padres Come Up Short in NLDS Thriller
The San Diego Padres have a knack for making things interesting. This year was no different. The Padres had another amazing season that saw them go toe-to-toe with the Los Angeles Dodgers for the National League West, but while the Dodgers did go on to win the West, the Padres did snag one of the National League's three Wild Card spots. The Padres snagged the 1st Wild Card position, giving them homefield in their series against an Atlanta Braves team that persevered despite being ravaged with injuries.
By Clyde E. Dawkinsabout a year ago in Unbalanced
Somers Dominates at John Jay
Scroll down for photos vs John Jay, Panas and Put Valley After beating Croton-Harmon to open the season, Somers traveled to John Jay on Saturday, December 6 with a long memory. “They beat us up pretty bad last year,” said Leo Keimig. But going up 18 half way through the third certainly seemed to alleviate old wounds. That is until John Jay cut the lead to ten. So an answer was needed, and Keimig made the grade, according to Coach Loughlan.
By Rich Monetti5 days ago in Unbalanced
“I Didn’t Set Out to Break Records”: Pakistan’s First Female MMA Fighter
When people talk about mixed martial arts (MMA), Pakistan is rarely part of the conversation—especially when it comes to women. Yet one young woman has quietly rewritten that narrative, not by chasing headlines, but by stepping into a cage where few Pakistani women have dared to stand. Pakistan’s first female MMA fighter did not begin her journey to shatter records or challenge tradition. She began it simply because she loved to fight—and believed she had the right to. A Dream Born in Defiance Growing up in Pakistan, combat sports were never presented as a viable path for girls. Boxing gyms, wrestling mats, and fight promotions were overwhelmingly male spaces. For a young girl interested in MMA, the obstacles came early and often—raised eyebrows, discouraging comments, and the constant reminder that “this isn’t for you.” Yet the fighter recalls that her earliest motivation had nothing to do with proving society wrong. She trained because MMA made her feel strong, focused, and free. “I didn’t set out to break records,” she has said in interviews. “I just wanted to see how far I could push myself.” Training Without a Roadmap Unlike athletes in countries where MMA is well established, Pakistan’s first female MMA fighter had no clear roadmap. There were few female coaches, no local women’s leagues, and limited facilities that welcomed women. Training often meant improvisation—borrowing gym hours, practicing with male fighters, and learning techniques from online videos. Her discipline, however, set her apart. MMA demands mastery across multiple fighting styles: striking, grappling, wrestling, and Brazilian jiu-jitsu. Balancing these skills required relentless dedication. She trained through injuries, financial constraints, and social pressure, often without knowing whether there would be an actual fight waiting at the end. Breaking Barriers Without Breaking Herself What makes her story remarkable is not just that she entered the MMA world, but how she did it. Rather than positioning herself as a rebel against culture, she framed her journey as one of personal growth and professionalism. She emphasized fitness, discipline, and sportsmanship—values deeply respected across Pakistani society. This approach helped shift perceptions. Slowly, resistance turned into curiosity, and curiosity into support. Family members who once questioned her choices became her biggest allies. Coaches who were hesitant to train a woman began to see her commitment and skill. The First Step Into the Cage Her debut fight marked a historic moment. Stepping into the cage was not just about winning—it was about visibility. For the first time, young girls across Pakistan could see a woman representing their country in a sport often viewed as aggressive and inaccessible. The fight itself was a test of nerves as much as technique. Under bright lights and intense scrutiny, she fought with composure and confidence. Regardless of the result, the message was clear: Pakistani women belong in MMA. A Symbol, Not a Slogan While media attention labeled her a trailblazer, she resisted being boxed into symbolism alone. She insisted she was an athlete first. “If I’m treated as an exception, the door closes behind me,” she once noted. “If I’m treated as a professional, the door stays open.” That mindset has influenced a new generation. Gyms in major cities are now seeing more women sign up for combat sports. Conversations around women’s self-defense, strength training, and athletic ambition are growing louder. Redefining Strength in Pakistan Her journey challenges a narrow definition of femininity that still exists in many parts of the world. Strength, she demonstrates, does not erase grace or values. Instead, it complements them. By embracing MMA, she has expanded what is socially imaginable for Pakistani women—not just in sports, but in any male-dominated field. The Road Ahead Despite her achievements, the road ahead remains difficult. Sponsorship opportunities are limited, international exposure is costly, and institutional support for women’s MMA is still developing. Yet her presence alone has already shifted the landscape. She now speaks openly about mental resilience, discipline, and self-belief—lessons that extend far beyond the cage. For her, success is not measured by medals or records, but by impact. More Than a Fighter Pakistan’s first female MMA fighter didn’t set out to break records—but she broke a barrier far more significant. She proved that courage doesn’t always roar; sometimes it trains quietly, shows up consistently, and steps forward when the moment arrives. Her story is not just about fighting. It’s about choosing one’s own path—and daring others to imagine new ones.
By Fiaz Ahmed 7 days ago in Unbalanced
Comments (2)
Bravo on another brilliant sports story!
Great sports writing, as always.