I'm not sure it's kosher, and I'm sure many of you are still down about the result of the series last night, but I'm moved enough to risk offending some to share my thoughts about your team and your fans.

I've never been jealous of anyone else's fan base before. I've downright loathed most of them (I'm looking at you Yankees, White Sox, & post 2007 Red Sox fans). But being at games 1 & 2 in Comerica and then contrasting those experiences with watching games 3-5 on tv made me realize how great Oakland's fans are, and what a thrill it must be to be a part of that. I've read a little on here, and while not overly impressed with the one article I commented on recently, I must say that you have great fans even on the internet (which I can attest is hard to do; I'm ashamed of about 50% of the people who post on Tigers boards [less on SB Nation, but still...]).

Your immediate reaction thread after losing game 5 was a grown-up version of all the Whos in Whoville when the Grinch stole Christmas: they came out just the same, without the presents, without the food, and were thankful. And likewise in the stands, when the Tigers were celebrating moments after closing out game 5, Oakland's fans were so loud that you couldn't hear the celebrating over the chants of "Let's go Oakland"; season over and fresh wounds, and yet you still cheered louder than Detroit did after games 1 & 2 wins. Amazing stuff.

During games? Forget about it --- from the 2nd batter of the game on tonight, you were louder than Comerica was in all but the most pressure packed situations. And any time you got a runner on base it get even louder ("these go to 11"). I can say this now that we're safely in the next round: that even though we had to waste Verlander in Game 5 b/c of it, I'm glad your team was able to walk-off in game 4: you fans, your team deserved that thrill. I'm sorry we had to be the ones to play the Grinch to your Whos.

I hope I remember in years to come when the Tigers aren't in the playoffs and the A's are, to root for Oakland. I like an underdog (and your team's salary usually forces you into that position) but more than that, real baseball fans deserve the spoils of victory, and Oakland certainly has real baseball fans.

So hold your heads high Oakland, even in defeat you showed how great you are, and in the end, that may be worth more than the outcome of a short series.

Sincerely,

A Tigers fan.