Kirk Gibson, Tiger--only went to 1st game this year on Friday

Gibson swung at the pitch from Goose Gossage and drove it deep into the upper deck in right field. It was Gibson's second home run of the game. He ran around the bases, hearing the roars of the crowd.

And as he touched home, he turned to the stands and raised his arms high and bellowed a roar himself. It was the climax of the Tigers' conquest of the Padres in the 1984 World Series.

The $10 shot at Tiger Stadium remains one of the most memorable moments in Detroit's history.

Now, Gibson is on the outside looking in with the Tigers bound for another World Series.

There is credit due for the Tigers' accomplishments this season -- for manager Alan Trammell, for coaches Gibson and Lance Parrish, all summarily dismissed after three painful seasons at the end of their management-perceived usefulness in 2005.

Some of the athletes Gibson helped groom into major leaguers -- Brandon Inge, Curtis Granderson, Craig Monroe, others -- will be in the lineup this weekend.

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