Tigers know sweetest celebration has yet to happen

DETROIT - The champagne is dry and soon, the field and stadium decor will shift from a "Postseason" theme to the World Series signage.

The Detroit Tigers have spent a lot of time celebrating the past three weeks, after winning the American League Central division, the ALDS over the Oakland Athletics, and the ALCS against the New York Yankees.

Speaking from experience, Jim Leyland knows the final champagne shower is the sweetest of all.

"If you can't enjoy the atmosphere that's been created out here, then there's something wrong with you," the Tigers manager said Sunday.

"The crowd against the Yankees in the final game--if that doesn't excite you, nothing will."

The Tigers continue their waiting game as the San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals battle in Game 6 of the NLCS Sunday. Catcher Gerald Laird spent last season with the Cardinals, and is used to being in the position he finds himself.

"This is what you want, to be one of the last two teams standing. We're four victories away from winning a world championship," he said.

The Tigers scrimmaged their instructional players Sunday afternoon. Leyland said the plan was to pitch Jose Valverde, Octavio Dotel, and Joauquin Benoit one inning each with Darin Downs and Luis Marte throwing two innings apiece.

When it came to addressing the players' eagerness to participate in the day's workout, Leyland played it straight.

"I can't tell a lie. I doubt very much that they're very pumped up for it, but I think they're handling it professionally, the right way."

The Tigers experienced a well documented, long layoff in between the 2006 ALCS and the proceeding World Series. Leyland said the common misconception was that his team sat around like "fat cats," but he said in reality, weather caused most of the issues.

This time around, a plan has kept his team in check. At one point, the manager said he discussed taking the Tigers to Florida for the scrimmage, pending bad weather.

At one point, Leyland was asked if he would have preferred a shorter turnaround from the ALCS to the World Series. He quickly rebuked the inquiry, pointing to the obvious.

"When you sweep the New York Yankees, I don't give a [expletive]. I'd wait three weeks."

Brad Galli is a Sports Reporter at WXYZ. Follow Brad on Twitter @BradGalli .