by Mere

Created on: May 27, 2009   Last Updated: June 02, 2009

My loyalty to the Detroit Tigers dates way back to the Forties when my father turned on the radio to listen to their games. Harry Heilmann, the legendary play-by-play announcer, vividly brought those games and all the action into our front room.

It was the mid Fifties before I saw my first live game at that revered ball park at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull, Briggs Stadium later named Tiger Stadium. Al Kaline, Harvey Kuenn, Charlie Maxwell, Jim Bunning, Don Mossi, were among those on the Tiger roster at the time.

In the early Sixties I moved to California and lost touch with the Tigers other than what I read in the Sports Section of the Los Angeles Times. Of course, 1968 was a different story with the Tigers winning the World Series that year.

Fast forward past a few decades to the advent of computers and cable television. Thanks to my computer I am able to live and die with the Tigers day by day. All I need to do is click on the website for Major League Baseball and then click on the Tiger's home page. There I find Game Day with a simulation of each play of the game. A more sophisticated version is available but it is a bit expensive for my budget.

Of course when the Tigers play the Angels either in Anaheim or Detroit, the games are televised here in Southern California. On a rare occasion a game between the Tigers and the Chicago White Sox will be shown on WGN via cable. Once in awhile a Tiger game is televised on ESPN.

In August, 2000 my daughter and I did fly back to Detroit specifically to see a game at the new Comerica Park. What a beautiful ball park that is!

Who is my favorite Tiger? Without a doubt, it is Brandon Inge. He is the most under-rated player. Fans boo him when he strikes out at the plate. They soon forget the spectacular defensive plays he makes at third base.

How could anyone not like Sean Casey a/k/a Mr. Mayor? I was saddened to see him go to the Boston Red Sox. I thought it was an unwise move on everyone's part when Pudge Rodriguez was traded to the New York Yankees.

I am in awe of Al Kaline who has been with the Tiger's organization for more than half a century. He signed as an outfielder in the early Fifties. Now he is a special assistant to the general manager.

I closely follow the scores and standings of the other four teams in the Central Division of the American LeagueChicago, Cleveland, Kansas City and Minnesota. My heart skips a beat when I see Detroit in first place in the standings. May they still be playing baseball in October and with much success. I wish them a World Series win. Go Tigers!

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