Ron Borges

Winning changes everything, at least for the home team.

The latest to re-learn that fact of American sporting life is Kenny Rogers, the feel-good story of the year in Detroit.

About 15 months ago, the then Texas Rangers pitcher was roundly booed by Detroit Tigers fans during the 2005 All-Star Game at Comerica Park. He was selected to play in the game not long after his involvement in an ugly assault on a television cameraman from Texas that resulted in a 13-game suspension, $50,000 fine and Rogers agreeing to enter into a anger-management program. Rogers was rightfully reviled for his actions, which were unconscionable and unprovoked unless a cameraman running his camera on a baseball field can be considered provocation. Despite his All-Star season, the fallout left Rogers as a free agent with only one place to turn — lowly Detroit.

Rogers did land on his feet at 41, which is what happens in sports if you can win games. He signed a two-year deal worth $16 million but All-Star pitchers did not often voluntarily end up in Detroit unless they’re changing planes. The Tigers had not had a winning season in 13 years and were only three years removed from losing an American League-record 119 games. In many ways, Rogers’ reputation was as sad as Detroit’s, especially when one added to the ugliness of 15 months ago to his efforts with the New York Yankees  10 years ago failed to live up to expectations.

But baseball is about spring, and spring is about renewal. Last spring, Rogers and the Tigers both began to renew themselves and their tattered reputations. What has resulted by fall is the kind of fairy tale that can turn a lifelong grouch into America’s sweetheart.

Now they cheer Rogers at Comerica Park barely a week after a Tigers fan accused him of grabbing him by the collar after the fan cursed him for refusing to sign an autograph for his 14-year-old son.

Rogers’ supporters claim the fan beat on Rogers’ car. The fan says he didn’t, but he doesn’t want to bother the pitcher’s “focus” for the upcoming World Series. The Tigers are returning to the World Series for first time since 1984, in large part because of the pitching arm of a guy who will never be mistaken for “Tickle-Me Elmo.”

Rogers was erratic until August yet still finished 17-8 with a 3.84 ERA and was the American League’s starting pitcher in this year’s All-Star Game.

What has been most important is that, for once, he has pitched best when the most was on the line.

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As the Tigers await the end of the National League Championship Series to determine who they will meet in the World Series, Rogers is sitting on a 15-inning scoreless streak, having beaten first the Yankees and then the Oakland A’s in a pivotal Game 3 performance in the American League Championship Series. Those two performances have lifted his career playoff record from an abysmal 0-3 with a 8.85 ERA to 2-3 and a more acceptable 5.09. But all that matters in American sport is what you did today and in his last two “todays” Rogers has been no gamble. He has been a sure thing, throwing so well he left the field waving his hat to the same adoring people who 15 months ago were booing his brains out at the All-Star Game.

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