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That's Sports
Take me out to the ball game
Tuesday, April 1, 2003
Yesterday was the biggest day in the Detroit Tigers year. Opening Day. It could be the biggest party in Detroit all year with the exception of the Stanley Cup Parades they have been having lately. Opening day in Detroit is a tradition. It's not whether the Tigers win orlose it's about the game, the festivities and the past.
It was no big surprise that the Tigers took it on the chin 3-1 from the Minnesota Twins as they really don't have one of the better teams in Major League Baseball. It's not about winning or losing from the fans perspective. It's about the party.
People have been travelling to Detroit who were there in '68 and in '84 for opening day. Some folks have seen Kaline, Horton, McLain, Fyderich, Trammel, Whittaker, and Gibson as rookies on opening day because they won't break tradition. People from Chatham-Kent have been going for thirty or forty years to these games even though they might not catch another Tiger's game all year.
Tiger Stadium was a gem of a park, obstructed views seats and all. It was a great place to watch a game especially if you got lower deck boxes by either bullpen. Many times the players would take time to shoot the breeze and chat with fans and even sign the odd baseball for the youngsters during the seventh inning stretch. You really felt as though you were part of the game.
I really like Comerica Park as it's a great place to watch a ball game. There are few things more relaxing than watching a night game at Comerica Park. You just sit back and relax as the warm breeze from the night air hugs you as you spend a lazy summer night at the park. Two and a half hours later you feel rejuevenated and refreshed after a night of baseball and people watching.
People who worry about crime in Detroit are way behind the times. The 1970's are gone and the city of Detroit has cleaned up their act quite a bit. Black and gold police cars are always within a block of whereever you may be as coppers give directions and direct traffic and make sure crime is away from the fans. It's a great family experience.
I've never really been a Tiger fan but I like to see them win unless thay are playing the Yankees. They have such tradition and such a storied history people in Southwestern Ontario can't help but like them a little bit (excluding Blue Jays fans).
I can remember sitting out in the yard listening to Ernie Harwell and Paul Carey give the accounts of the game in an almost hypnotic tone. When I think about those days, I can almost smell the fresh cut grass and feel the bench seat of the picnic table as Harwell gave us a "and he stood there and watched it like a house by the side of the road" or a "Loooooooooooooong Gone!"
It's going to be a long season for the Tigers as a new coaching staff will try to draw crowds and turn a group of young green kids into major leaguers.That's another reason to head to Motown for a game---you can always get a great seat except when Cleveland is in town.
If you're a Tiger fan you too will have a long season---almost as long as many opening day fans have had today, the day after!
Gary Patterson was born and raised in Chatham-Kent. He grew up in Thamesville and now lives in Chatham. Patterson was Sports Director at Beaver Communications an Blackburn Radio for over 15 years. Gary is also the track announcer at Dresden Raceway as well as some appearances at Windsor Raceway. He has played all sports inclduing being a mermber of three OBA Championship baseball teams in Thamesville and has also played hockey and football. Gary still plays golf, slo-pitch and ball hockey and well as the odd game of pick up hockey. Patterson is a passionate Miami Dolphin and Michigan Wolverine football fan. Here are few other details about Gary Patterson: Favourite food: steak, chicken wings, chili or Kenny Tharp\'s famous meatloaf; Favourite non alcoholic drink : Diet Coke; Favourite drink: Scotch, Coor\'s Light; Favourite Sports team : Miami Dolphins/Michigan Wolverines/New York Yankees; Favourite Bar : Bru\'s Room Margate Florida/Pompano Beach Florida; Favourite Bartender : Tanya (Margate), Sarah (Pompano); Favourie Vacataion spot : Pompano Beach Florida; Marital Staus : married with chilren Hockey player : Curtis Jospeh/Todd Bertuzzi; Favourite Football player : Retired Dan Marino, Anthony Thomas; Favourite Basketball player : Steve Nash Favourite Baseball player : Derek Jeter; Favourite colour : Blue; Favourite TV Show : CSI Favourite movie : The Sting, Blue Brothers and Field of Dreams; Favourite song Life Been Good To Me ( Joe Walsh); Favourite Band : Tom Petty/Eagles; Favourite type of Dog: Springer Spaniel; Favourite type of Cat : NONE
