Fans ecstatic after Tigers win ALCS

DETROIT (WOOD) - Fans at Comerica Park roared Thursday night when Prince Fielder made the catch for the final out and the Detroit Tigers swept the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series with an 8-1 win in Game 4.

The Tigers now advance to the World Series, which begins next week, and will play the San Francisco Giants or St. Louis Cardinals, who lead the National League Championship Series 3-1.

Though many people had to re-arrange their plans when Wednesday night's game was rained out, Tigers fans were pleased when Game 4 against the Yankees began under sunny skies.

Grand Rapids-area Tigers fans who went to the rainout were not disappointed they spent money on gas or hotel rooms to be at the game on Thursday.

Some said they missed work to make it to the game, which started at 4 p.m.

"Couldn't miss it for the world," said Joe Dixon of Grand Rapids. He said he drove to the game Wednesday, back to Grand Rapids after the rainout, and then to Detroit again on Thursday.

As soon as the game ended, the celebration started. Fans cheered wildly, thrilled that Detroit is headed back to the World Series for the first time since 2006.

As Triple Crown-winner Miguel Cabrera answered media questions on the field after the game, fans in the stands chanted "MVP! MVP!" Cabrera seemed thrilled as he thanked the crowd for its support and promised fans a hard fight in the coming World Series.

Meanwhile, Tigers players were jubilant, hugging, high-fiving and celebrating on the field.

Delmon Young was honored as the 2012 ALCS MVP for his extremely successful postseason hitting. He drove in as many runs -- six -- as the Yankees scored during the series.

TBS analysts called it a "family win," with impressive showings in the series from Young, Cabrera, Fielder, Justin Verlander, Jhonny Peralta and Phil Coke, who closed Thursday night's game.

Fielder, who signed with the Tigers in January, said the trip to the World Series is exactly what he had envisioned when he came back to Detroit, where his father Cecil Fielder played for years.

"It's incredible," said Coke. "We're going to the World Series. The city of Detroit, the state of Michigan is going to the World Series."

Verlander said he was happy to wrap up the ALCS in front of a hometown crowd so they could celebrate together.

The World Series begins Oct. 24, with the first two games at the NLCS' winner's ballpark. Games 3, 4 and 5 (if necessary) are scheduled in Detroit. Games 6 and 7 (if necessary) will be back at the NLCS winner.

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Groundskeeper Heather Nabozny and her crew refreshed the field at Comerica Park into excellent shape for Game 4 of the ALCS between the Tigers and the Yankees.

A former head groundskeeper with the West Michigan Whitecaps, Nabozny made sure the rain that forced a postponement on Wednesday night wouldn't hamper play.

== Watch in above video: 24 Hour News 8 Sports Director Jack Doles caught up with Nabozny at Comerica Park prior to Thursday's game ==