The Optimism of Youth

Unsurprisingly, Alex felt a bit let down when he heard the Tigers lost their bid for the AL Central Division championship on Tuesday night. But he shook it off quickly. "That's OK. They'll make the playoffs next year," he said. "They have to."

Alex doesn't know (and doesn't care) that the Tigers have Magglio Ordonez on the books next year for $18 million; or Carlos Guillen (and his balking body) through 2011; or Nate Robertson for another year; or Jeremy Bonderman (and his injuries for another year). Clearly, the Tigers have little flexibility and their chances of making another strong showing will prove tough.

But Alex doesn't care. He believes.

Maybe he should write a book. Of course, I think someone already beat him to it.