Tigers fans have a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving

As the lede suggests above, we're skipping today's links in favor of a more encompassing approach. Whether you're a regular commenter or a first-time reader, join in the conversation today as we all give thanks for everything that the Detroit Tigers have given us fans. What am I thankful for? Here's a short list:

I'm thankful for Mike Ilitch and his deep, deep pockets. I'm thankful that he opened his wallet for Ivan Rodriguez. I'm thankful that he took a chance on Magglio Ordonez. And if it wasn't already obvious by the picture at the top of the page, I'm thankful that he basically said "F*$& it" last winter and signed Prince Fielder to a massive contract. Most of all, I'm thankful that he isn't Jeffrey Loria.

I'm thankful for Dave Dombrowski. While he has made a couple of bad decisions, he has also built a team that has won consecutive division championships for the first time since the 1930s and reached the World Series twice in the past seven seasons. I'm thankful for his ability to swindle other GMs on an almost yearly basis, bringing us talents like Miguel Cabrera, Doug Fister, Max Scherzer, and Anibal Sanchez.

I'm thankful for Jim Leyland. Despite his lineups, Jim has done a phenomenal job at the helm over the past seven seasons, especially in 2012. I fully believe that this was his best managing job yet, keeping the team together despite massive expectations from the fanbase and media, and turning this year into another special season.

I'm thankful for Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander. We have the best hitter and best pitcher in baseball on our team, and two sure-fire Hall of Famers when all is said and done. Enough said.

I'm thankful for Phil Coke and Phil Coke's Brain. And Singing Hot Dog Man. And Eat 'em Up Tigers Guy. And the guy with the Tiger-striped suit. And Rod and Mario. And Shannon Hogan. And John Keating's hair. Brandon Inge fans? Eh, sure, I'm thankful for them too. Someone's dollars have to pay all those contract extensions coming up.

I'm thankful for Josh Anderson, Nook Logan, Nate Cornejo, and all of the other players that make the bad moments nowadays look not so awful. Dark days, those were. I'm thankful that they are over.

I'm thankful that Rogo is back in the Tigers blogosphere. This is basically the equivalent of your wild friend who finally broke up with the girlfriend that had him whipped for the last six-odd months. Now, it's time to party.

I'm thankful that we live in a day and age where I can watch a baseball game that is being played 500 miles away live on my cell phone. I'm also thankful that MLB.TV, while it has its faults, is not NBA League Pass.

I'm thankful for Samara because... well, yeah. Need I say more?

I'm thankful for the rest of the Tigers roster. Let's face it, we could be much, much worse off (like Boston, for instance).

Last but not least, I'm thankful for my friends, family, and everyone here at BYB. I'm thankful that Kurt went against every sane thought in his head and actually gave me a chance to write here back in 2011. I'm thankful for all the work that Al puts in on the podcasts, especially when he forgets to hit the record button. I'm thankful for the rest of the staff for all of the hard work that they do all year round. I'm thankful that I haven't made too big of a fool of myself (yet). But most of all, I'm thankful for everyone that reads and comments on this site on a daily basis. You are what makes this job so damn fun.

Happy Thanksgiving, BYB. Stay safe this weekend.