An absolutely beautiful weekend for baseball in Detroit brought an average of 40,000 fans for a three-game set with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to Comerica Park to see their favorite ball club, the Detroit Tigers.
An excited and optimistic crowd filed into Friday's game with the taste of victory still on its lips from the Tigers’ successful three-game sweep over the Texas Rangers earlier in the week.
Simply stated, Detroit fans are simply the greatest fans to attend sporting events in Detroit. They have shown time and time again, whether winning or losing, they are still behind their respective teams, no matter what happens.
The day was filled with wide-eyed children at the ballpark for the first time to mainstay season ticket holders walking and talking with pride.
And let's not forget the "bleacher creatures" who share legitimate concerns about the team with total strangers who are more than eager to listen, making them the expert baseball analysts of the day. Those whose opinions always seem to be right on with what is going on at the time.
Detroit fans are simply the best there are.
Friday night's game brought fans to their feet several times as the Tigers had plenty of opportunities to claim the lead going into the late innings, but fell just short dropping the first game 4-3.
On the way out of the game, the fans were more concerned with the Detroit Pistons loss to the Philadelphia 76ers than Gary Sheffield just missing a grand slam home run that would have given the Tigers the lead going into the eighth inning.
These fans know there is a tomorrow for the Detroit Tigers.
Game two of the series drew approximately 42,000 and some change on a swirling, windy Saturday at the ballpark.
The on-field clinic is always a special event for kids and adults alike.
The on-field clinic allows for fans to walk out onto the field and participate and learn about different categories of baseball, such as base running, fielding, hitting, pitching, and catching.
Coaches and players explained how to throw, field, run, give signs, steal bases, and hit. Then they would answer questions about their related lessons.
I was there and can honestly say I was quite giddy and felt like a little kid dreaming of playing in the big leagues all over again.
I am quite sure the folks around me felt the same way as they grinned ear-to-ear and snapped pictures of players while listening intently as the coaches and players gave their time back to the fans of Detroit.
Curtis Granderson (always a favorite of kids and parents) instructed the fans on hitting with the help of coach Lloyd McLlendon.
Afterwards, the questions to Curtis were mostly about his health. Curtis stated his hand felt stronger than before and it was his legs that were fatigued and his allergies were flaring up.
Andy Van Slyke was tutoring the kids about base running with the help of Ryan Raburn.
Ramon Santiago and coach Rafael Belliard gave instruction on fielding and all the while fans looked on in amazement and amusement.
As I walked upon the very grass that most Major League star outfielders have roamed, I could not help but notice the awed look on people's faces, including my friend's (which I treated to the game) as they looked into the stands from inside the park.
We're going to send you the most entertaining Detroit Tigers articles, videos, and podcasts from around the web.
0 Comments
Loading more comments...
This comment and all replies have been deleted This comment has been deleted Undo delete