So I went to my first Detroit Tigers‘ Opening Day. It all started early one morning in March, standing in line with my son at Meijer wondering if we would get tickets before they sold out. Low and behold we got 8 tickets!
You have to understand what the Detroit Tigers mean to our family. I, at times, am considered a fair weathered fan. I’m really not, I just have a hard time watching all those games. Not to mention, I don’t really enjoy sports on TV. I love baseball in person and I DO pay attention to how the the Tigers are doing all season, and I DO get my stomach all tied up in knots when they are in the playoffs. I just DON’T watch every game on the tube. Going to the game is my idea of being a supportive fan.
My sons and son-in-law on the other hand are rabid fans. They follow every game, know each player’s name, numbers, stats and more. They anticipate the season with wild abandon as the joy of a child on Christmas. There are times I actually envy their excitement as each new season approaches. If you’ve ever seen the movie “Fever Pitch” with Jimmy Fallon and Drew Barrymore………well you can imagine my life during baseball season. They are also passionate autograph collectors. That’s another story, a long story.
Going to opening day for our family was a huge happening. The kids that don’t live with me spent the night, we all got up at the crack of dawn, I made a big breakfast and they put on their cold weather gear (it was 38 degrees at game time) and off they went in search of the best autographs and to enjoy the entire day and great ambiance that downtown Detroit and Comerica Park had to offer. I stayed behind and leisurely got myself together.
I headed downtown about 10 a.m. Now the game didn’t start until 1:05 but I knew that it was going to be crazy down there so I decided to get an early start. Traffic wasn’t bad, I was able to jump right on the expressway from our apartment complex (one of the many reasons I love living at Eastwood Village), I valet parked at Greektown Casino and the day was off.
Downtown Detroit puts on a great show for these occasions and they are always ready with lots of parking, extra police officers and all the businesses, restaurants and bars gear up with lots of specials and extra help. I wish that downtown could always be at its best like it is for these affairs. We go downtown for many special occasions, festivals, concerts, ball games, The Hoe Down (a family favorite), trips to the casino and much more. My daughter even had her wedding photographs taken at all the downtown hot spots. We love it. We only stay away for the fireworks, that never seems to be a good time to be downtown.
Opening day in Detroit did not let us down. All the businesses were alive with goods; restaurants and bars were hosting parties and it all seemed to be under control and well planned. Hours before game time the park was ready for everyone and had many special events planned to make the day worth remembering. Tim Allen, of “Home Improvement” fame, and a Detroit area native were to throw out the first pitch. He was joined on the field by representatives from all the different military services and surprisingly he did not throw out the first pitch, all the servicemen and women did. It was very moving. Also moving was the tribute to our troops and the military fighter jets flyover. That coupled with a superb rendition of the National Anthem by American Idol and Michigan native Matt Giraud. His interpretation was soulful and moving. It wasn’t long before the opening ceremonies were over, both teams were introduced and we heard “Play Ball”!
The game was great. The Indians took an early lead but Mags, Miguel Cabrera with a homer and an error on the part of the Indians gave the lead and the game to Detroit and Rick Porcello. Phil Coke, Joel Zumaya and Jose Valverde held the Indians scoreless after Porcello retired, with Valverde earning his first save as a Tiger. The sun even came out a few times to thunderous applause from the 45,000 plus crowd.
We stayed downtown to see exhibitions from the Frozen Four (college hockey) and had a late dinner at the new restaurant “Five Guys Burgers and Fries“. Five Guys is new to downtown, located in Greektown and is the best burger I’ve ever had. They boast never frozen burger patties and fresh potato fries. One hint, split your order of fries, it’s huge! Tired and bellies full we finally called it a day. Downtown was still going strong and people still celebrating opening day. Win or lose, everyone is a Detroiter on opening day.
Looking back at the game, it could have been any winning game. But it wasn’t. It was opening day, 2010, the sun wasn’t shining, but Detroit and the Tigers were, and I was there.
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