Detroit Tigers fans didn’t need much of an excuse to log back on and start printing receipts, but the Emmanuel Clase indictment gift-wrapped one. A year ago, a corner of Guardians Twitter and a few loud voices in Cleveland sports radio tried to turn a historic Tarik Skubal season into a “yeah, but Clase” debate.
It was mildly annoying then. In light of federal prosecutors now alleging Clase took money to help rig pitch outcomes for bettors, it’s aged like week-old gas station sushi. The Cy Young argument is over. The integrity argument might be, too.
For Tigers fans who watched Skubal drag Detroit back into relevance, this isn’t about victory laps — it’s vindication.