If an artist were to carve a Mount Rushmore-like sculpture depicting the most beloved Detroit athletes of the past 25 years, it would probably look something like this: the Lions' Barry Sanders, the Red Wings' Steve Yzerman and the Pistons' Isiah Thomas.

If you're wondering where the Tigers are, well, join the club.

Justin Verlander has a shot at major awards, especially if the Tigers make the postseason. Ed Zurga/Getty Images

Outside of an unexpected run to the 2006 World Series, there really hasn't been much Motor City baseball to care about since the "Roar of '84" -- and yes, some of us still call it that.

However, with Justin Verlander's dominance in five of the past six seasons, Detroit not only has a new local legend to adore but the face of Major League Baseball.

I don't say that just because he's the Cy Young front-runner. He has a realistic chance to become the first starting pitcher since Roger Clemens in 1986 to win the top pitching award and league MVP.

If the Tigers manage to hold on to win the American League Central for the first time in franchise history, Verlander should win the award. If he doesn't, it's because he's playing for Detroit.

Yeah, I said it.

Because he's playing for Detroit.

In 1990, when Cecil Fielder became just the second player in 25 years to hit 50 dingers, he finished second in MVP balloting, with thinking being he didn't win because he didn't play for a team above .500.

The following year the Tigers finished 84-78, battled for the East division title until the final weeks and ended the year in second. But Fielder lost to Cal Ripken Jr., who led Baltimore to a sixth-place finish.

I hope that kind of voting nonsense doesn't happen to Verlander because he, and my city, deserve better.

When Detroit was seesawing back and forth across the .500 mark in May, it was Verlander who outpitched Josh Beckett and four-hit the Boston Red Sox. The Tigers, 26-26 after that win, have had a winning record since.