DETROIT (WWJ) The Detroit Tigers have fans in all the right places.

Take this, for example — Detroit Archbishop Alan Vigernon is as big a Tigers fan as you will find anywhere and he has as much optimism about their chances as anyone to sweep the Yankees Wednesday and head to the World Series.

“They’re a tremendous example of a group of people dedicated to excelling, that’s one of the best things I notice about them, and it seems like they’re going to do great, that’s my hope,” Vigernon said.

He has a soft spot for one player in particular, relief pitcher Jose Valverde, who faced a barrage of boos after giving away hits in a few key innings.

“I thought that Mr. Leyland said a wonderful thing when he said ‘this is a human being, he’s having trouble and we’ve got to respect him and help him find a way to make this work.’ I thought that was really classy,” the archbishop said.

Not that he’s looking too far ahead, but Vigernon said he would like to see the Tigers face the Cardinals in the World Series.

But it’s not for the reason you may think.

His best friend in the priesthood lives in St. Louis.