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We are two games into the World Series, and I still expect the 2003 Tigers to show up.  Every day, every pitch, every ground ball.  I expect someone to pull a Matt Roney and pick up a ball that is definitely going foul to lose the game.  I expect a barrage of errors and mental mistakes to keep the team from winning games they should.  I expect the real Kenny Rogers to show up.

But it never happens.  This team has rebounded more times than Dennis Rodman.  From a 19-31 finish to make the World Series.  From losing their last six (and the division on the last day) to play this well in the playoffs.  From Nate Robertson being unable to pick up the ball in game one of the ALDS to taking three from the Yanks.  This team has bent but not broken. 

And every day, I still expect them to break.

They're too young.  They have no postseason experience.  Losing 119 games doesn't teach you to win, but only to appreciate it.  Blah, blah, blah.  There is no fathomable way that the Detroit Tigers should ever be three wins away from being world champions.

But here we are.  Here they are.  Playing the Cardinals for the third time in World Series history.  Playing for history.  In a season that no one would ever expect. 

Look at it this way.  The last time the Tigers were in the World Series, Steve Yzerman was a rookie.  Brett Hull was in high school.  Isiah Thomas was in his third year of leading the Pistons back from six straight losing seasons.  All three of these players had unexpected careers.  Yzerman retired this year.  Hull retired a year and eight days ago.  Thomas somehow ended up coaching the Knicks.  Twenty years ago, you would never think them to be household names.

Now, Craig Monroe has hit five home runs in one postseason.  If the Tigers keep this up for a few more years, he may be a household name.  Kenny Rogers, a household name for reasons good, bad, and because he has the same name as a famous country singer, could end up with 30 or more scoreless innings after the regular season this year.  Justin Verlander, who lost game one is the likely rookie of the year.  In five years, he could be a household name.  Joel Zumaya already is a household name, and he's only 21 years old.  People in other parks almost wish for the game to be tied or their team to be down in the seventh inning to see this guy light it up.  If he can figure out how to hold the baseball not to hurt his arm, he could break some records.

At the same time, though, the Tigers are working class.  Almost anyone on this team, besides Pudge, Magglio and Rogers could go outside of Detroit and walk down any city street and not be mobbed.  They are your neighbors, they are your friends.  They are basically fans that get to play the game, and they'll celebrate with you when they do well.  It usually takes a team of stars to win the World Series, and though the Tigers have one hall of famer, and a couple of players with storied careers, they really don't have one bonafide player that qualifies.

Pudge is on the downside of his career.  He still hits .300, but has lost power.  His best asset is now his defense and his learned ability to call a game.

They don't even have a first baseman (see Guillen).

Polanco is underrated, but it is is keeping under the radar that makes him great.

Guillen is so underrated that he is playing first base in the World Series.  It didn't work for Sheffield, but so far, it's working for him.

Inge may end up one of the all-time great fielding third basemen.  But for right now, he shows shades of brilliance and makes 22 errors.

Monroe is 29.  He led the team with 28 home runs.  This isn't the dead-ball era, but he will always be a role player.

Granderson has promise, but he needs to strike out less than 174 times. 

Ordonez is the least comfortable-looking good right fielder in major league baseball.  His 24 home runs was not up to his par, but the one he hit in the ALCS will be remembered in Detroit for a long time.

So the question remains.  When will this team break?  Statistics, odds and history say it should have already happened.  If they win it all, those same three categories will say that it will happen throughout next year.  Or, it could never happen.  Even though losing 119 games doesn't teach you how to win, it does teach you to appreciate it.  And the Tigers appreciate it more than any team I've ever seen.  What does teach you how to win, however, is winning championships, and the Tigers are three games away from that.