Terry Francona chatted with the media before today's game, like he always does. Here's a sampling:

(On his first reaction when the Tigers got Cabrera and Willis)
"It was not joy."

(About the Tigers start).
"They had the nerve to have a tough first week. That’s the way baseball is. When it’s all said and done, every team will be where they are supposed to be. There will be a ton of ups and downs, ourselves included.

"Sometimes you can’t figure this game out. Probably part of the reason it makes it so special. It will confound you …

"They (the Tigers) are going to be a great team. I hope we don’t see it."

(About the ring ceremony)
"I want them to enjoy their accomplishment. We talk all the time about moving on and paying attention, and staying in the present. But today is a very special day."

(The toll of the trip to Japan)
"Like everything, it need to be put in perspective. When you’re playing good, you’re never as good as you are. You probably caught some breaks. When you’re going bad, there’s probably a reason.

"When we went to Oakland (after Japan), everyone was clamoring how cohesive we are and how we’re handing it. Then we go to Toronto and everything goes the other way, and we’re out of gas.

"We didn’t play very good baseball. That adds up to losses.

"No one said it was going to be an advantage going over there … I’m sure for the next three or four months, every time we do lose, or every time we make an error, I’m going to have to answer (the question), 'Did Japan do it?' …

"There’s a lot of media. All it takes is one player, when he is tired or frustrated, and all of a sudden it gets regurgitated."

"I think our players actually handled themselves pretty well … Then we had the nerve to lose in Toronto and that upset the apple cart."

(On Doug Mirabelli being at today's ring ceremony)
"I’m glad for him. I’m probably not the first guy he’s going to run up to. I had to deliver some bad news. I understand that. That’s the way the game is."

A reminder that the previous blog had the lineups ... Opening ceremonies start at 1 p.m.

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