Go Get 'Em, Detroit Tigers!!

No, this isn't the zoo, it's Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers Baseball Team

This is such a fun time of year, especially if you love sports!  Baseball, Football, Tennis..aaah...  We recently celebrated Labor Day and had a long weekend to say goodbye to summer and hello to fall.  Of course, this makes no sense if you look at the temperature, it's 94 degrees outside today!  But, after "Indian Summer" is over (and who knows when that will be!), cool, crisp days will follow, with the changing color of the leaves, and harvest goodies everywhere!  My husband and I were invited to spend the long Labor Day weekend at my son's home...and we had lots of plans!  He lives in the Detroit, MI, area with all kinds of things to do.  We decided to start the weekend watching a Detroit Tiger's baseball game.

Baseball has always been a part of my life.  My  Dad loved to play baseball, and I've been told he was really good.  It seems that World War II may have interrupted some baseball dreams.  With a Dad who loved the game, naturally, my brother and I loved to play, too.  My brother started playing in the YMCA little leagues, but to my knowledge, back in the day, there wasn't any organized leagues for girls.  So, when I was younger, I went to all of his games.  I actually got to play baseball, but mostly with my older brother and his friends.  They would gather a group of boys and head to the baseball diamond at our elementary school.  And yes, my brother would let me come along.  (He was/is a good brother)  When it came time to "choose up sides," I held my breath.  All boys and one girl.....but I wasn't the last one chosen. 

Comerica Park, but I still call it Tiger Stadium!

My brother was/is a good player, too.  A true left handed, first baseman.  I usually played short stop.  When we had family reunions with my Dad's family, I remember that we seemed to always have a family baseball game.  I liked to watch my aunts play, and I wanted to play just like them; they really "dug in," if you know what I mean.  I was pretty small at the time and was usually on my Dad's team. Once, when it was my turn at bat, as I went to home plate, my cousins and uncles all moved in close.   I heard my Dad chuckle.  Yes, I hit the ball over their heads...  My Dad was so proud of me.  It's funny what you remember so clearly.  And no, I wasn't always able to hit the ball like that, but that day was really fun for me!

My brother always preferred slow pitch baseball, so didn't play for our school teams.  But, we had a nice church league where he played.  My dad was coach, and I was the score keeper.  There was a women's church league, and my Dad organized a girl's team from our church.  When I say Women's League,  I mean just that.  Our team would arrive, mostly  middle and young high school players, and the other team would arrive, the women driving, bringing their kids, and smoking cigarettes.  It was a bit daunting....yeah, we were out of our league.  I usually pitched or played short stop.  If I remember correctly, we lost most of our games, but it was fun.  We definitely improved over the season, and our coach had the patience of a saint...only positive comments.  Thank goodness

I haven't played baseball in a loooong time.  My nephew loved to play baseball when he was younger, and never arrived anywhere without his bases, ball, bat, and glove.  I used to play baseball with him in the yard.  It was fun.  Then, we got to watch him play organized baseball, just like old times....he had quite the cheering section!  My two nieces, my brother's girls, were/are amazing players.  My brother was their coach.  Girl's fast pitch...wow!  Then my son was old enough to play organized baseball, and I was able to watch with a whole new perspective.  I wish my Dad had lived to see his grandchildren play, he could have coached a whole new generation!  We now have a whole new generation of up and coming ballplayers...they're toddlers, but already working on their skills.  I can't wait for their first T-ball game!

My Mom loves baseball, too.  She went to every opening day with her father when she was small.  We took her to a baseball game for her 80th birthday and had her name up on the big scoreboard.  Yep, baseball has always been a part of my life.  Every summer memory seems to have the baseball game on the radio in the background....Yes,  the Detroit Tigers.  So, going to a Tiger's game every summer is a must!

As you can see, the new ball park is amazing.  I just love the sculpted Tigers everywhere! Our seats were pretty good,  left field, right by the foul ball post.

Everyone is welcomed to the ball park by this huge Detroit Tiger.  When you hear negative stories about Detroit, think of this beautiful ball park, right down town, where thousands of people come to watch their baseball team.

The Tiger score board.  To the left you can see Ford Field, where the Detroit Lions football team plays.

Tigers warming up- top-Miguel Cabrera....out hitting star,  Left- Alex Avila...our starting catcher, Right- Rick Porcello...starting pitcher the night we were there.

 Our family has always chosen favorite players.  When I was younger, our favorites stayed around for along time...Al Kaline was mine.  But, I will admit that I liked Willie Mays, and Don Drysdale (not Tigers), because they were on the Donna Reed Show.  Anyone remember that show?  Anyway, our favorites have changed as many of our originals have been traded.  My current favorite is Austin Jackson, center fielder.  I tend to lean toward outfielders who are fast runners.  My son's favorite is Prince Fielder,  first baseman and amazing hitter,  my husband's is Torii Hunter, right fielder and a recent trade from the Minneapolis Twins,  and my daughter's favorite is Jose Iglesias, short stop.  We tend to influence her choices as she is not as big a fan as we are.  She tends to choose her favorites according to their names,  Her former favorite was Placido Polanco, and now it's Iglesias.  She's a musician, can you tell? 

This wall is located in left field to honor some of the Detroit Tiger's baseball legends.  I remember watching two of these players...Willie Horton, and of course, Al Kaline.  It's hard to see in this picture, but there is a sculpture of each player above their names.  Really nice!

A peak of Detroit in the background

We played the Cleveland, Indians on the night of this game and won!  I had to show this picture with two Tigers on base.  The night was extremely hot, with very little breeze.  Suddenly during the 7th inning, bright flashes of lightning lit up the sky.  It started to rain.  We were going to stay, the rain drops felt good, but the rain turned into a downpour and the game was called.  Baseball is baseball...unpredictable!

I know that there are those who think the game is slow and boring....but I really enjoy it.  It's a game anyone can play, it can be tense and exciting, loyalty to a team is fun and can be rewarding, especially when your team makes it to the play offs....it's America's past time, right?

Yes, Baseball has been a wonderful part of my life.  Here is a picture of my dad and his family, he is the boy on the left with the bat and ball in his hand!

I would love to hear about your baseball memories...did you play, did you go the the ball park, what team did you follow, etc.?

Hope you have a great week!   Play Ball!!!