Pete Van Vleet plays with his daughter, Madeline, 6, and his son, Jack, 9 months. Van Vleet is a baseball superfan; his favorite team is the Houston Astros. Madeline's is the Detroit Tigers because she generally likes the teams with animal mascots. Photo illustration by Claire Harbage/NPR and Paige Vickers for NPR hide caption
The Yankees and Tigers raise dust on the diamond after both benches cleared in Detroit on Thursday. Gregory Shamus/Getty Images hide caption
Owner Mike Ilitch of the Detroit Red Wings celebrates with the Stanley Cup in 2008 after the team defeated the Pittsburgh Penguins in six games. The team won four NHL titles under his ownership. His Detroit Tigers teams made it to two World Series. Dave Sandford/Getty Images hide caption
Houston Astros longtime first baseman and four-time All-Star Jeff Bagwell is announces his retirement from baseball in 2006. Bagwell was elected to the Hall of Fame Wednesday. Pat Sullivan/AP hide caption
Detroit Tigers Victor Martinez (left) and Torii Hunter celebrate Martinez's two-run home run against the Minnesota Twins on Thursday. Paul Sancya/AP hide caption
He's leaving the field: Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland earlier this month. Ronald Martinez/Getty Images hide caption
Please go foul, please go foul, please go foul: Third-baseman Miguel Cabrera (No. 24) and catcher Gerald Laird of the Detroit Tigers watched closely to see if a bunt by the Giants' Gregor Blanco would go foul Thursday night in San Francisco. It didn't. The Giants scored and went on to win the game and take a 2-0 lead in the World Series. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images hide caption
Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland has seen a lot in his day, but never a World Series matchup between his team and the Giants. Karl Mondon/MCT /Landov hide caption
San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Sergio Romo reacts after the final out in Game 7 of baseball's National League Championship Series against the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday in San Francisco. David J. Phillip/AP hide caption
Detroit Tigers' Miguel Cabrera hits a two-run home run in the fourth inning during Game 4 of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees Thursday. Paul Sancya/AP hide caption