The Detroit Tigers' 2011 season came to an end on Saturday with a 15-5 loss to the Texas Rangers in Game 6 of the ALCS. Texas now heads back to the World Series, while Detroit heads home to ponder what might have been.

But despite the frustrations that inevitably come with playoff elimination, Detroit fans were happy about the season and the ride the Tigers took them on. Over at Bless You Boys, questions about some of the ALCS decisions were mixed in with a reminder of how special the team's run was.

So we should celebrate the 2011 Detroit Tigers, not damn them with faint praise.

This was GREAT season for the Tigers. 2011 didn't end in the way we hoped, but finishing in MLB's final 4 is one Hell of a successful season. There are 26 other franchises who would love to be in the Tigers' shoes.  

It's safe to say this team exceeded everyone's expectations. The 2011 Tigers gave us our most enjoyable regular season since 1987. Let's not forget they took out the Evil Empire in 5 memorable ALDS games. That alone will have me feeling warm and fuzzy all winter long.

Sure, the Tigers' season ended with the Rangers scoring nine runs in the bottom of the third en route to a blowout victory. But a run towards the World Series is always special, even when it ends as the Tigers' chase did on Saturday.

For more on the Rangers' win, check out the rest of the Baseball Nation live-blog and Grant Brisbee's recap.