Game 3 - Return to the D

It's been a while. Nearly 6 years. Last game I saw was a mid-September game in 2005 as the Tigers were making their push to take the American League Central. In that span I've seen them play on the South Side at least 10 times, but it's not the same. In truth, very little has changed. Only one glaring difference, I didn't drive past old Tiger Stadium this time. She's gone. But so much has stayed the same.


I made a lap down Woodward to Campus Martius and back up to the old familiar gravel lot. $10. Lock the car. Head down the block. That's when it hit. I'm a foreigner now. That sticker on my car that reads "City of Chicago" with the picture of Daniel Burnham, the plate on the front of the car, "Land of Lincoln".





But as I crossed over 75 and caught a glimpse of the RenCen in the distance I began to ease, feel like I fit back in. After all, the car may be labeled, but I had the Old English D on my hat. Walked past Hockeytown, and waited at the light to cross Woodward. As we came up on the park that smell hit me. I've been to 8 MLB stadiums and 5 or 6 MiLB parks, each one smells the same. And it's perfect.

I haven't been to Comerica Park in 6 years. Not much has changed. Even the "Eat 'Em Tigers" guy is still out front, with his cup and familiar chant. He does much better than the guy with the sax, someone even made him a shirt with his picture and catch phrase on it. He's been there as long as I can remember, not sure if he was ever outside of Tiger Stadium, but he's such a part of a game in Detroit that one day you will notice when he's not.





Walk through the gate, the tiger looking down on you. I make my obligatory visit with the Ernie Harwell statue, haven't seen him since well before he passed away. Start my walk around the concourse. It's a beautiful park, there is all sorts of energy. Not only is it a great day for baseball, but the White Sox are in town. And the Red Wings are waiting for round two to start. This city is excited.


I make my way through the crowd, around past my old seats in right field. Pausing to take in the view.


Make a trip over to center field where Al Kaline, Hank Greenberg, Ty Cobb, Willie Horton, Charlie Gehringer and Hal Newhouser keep watch over the park. I have my pregame fist bump with Ty. Then head toward the suite, which is next to Mike Ilitch's. He's not around, but Kenny Holland (the Red Wings GM is).

71 degrees at game time. I'm in a suite behind home plate watching Brad Penny shut down the Sox. At times I'm torn. I catch myself getting pissed as the Sox keep striking out, and getting sat and needing to remind myself that I'm wearing that D on my chest. Penny was on (7 innings, 1 hit, 2 walks), he lost his no hit bid in top of the 6th in the worst way possible, a scorekeepers decision. It seems Ron Kleinfelter thought that ball Inge threw off line and in the dirt to first was how it's supposed to happen and awarded the hit. Alex Avila and Ryan Raburn proved they're worthy and Will Rhymes flashed some leather.

After giving up 3 runs in the 6th (8-0 at that point), Ozzie pulled Edwin Jackson. In the 8th Lillibridge got the Sox first actual hit and they threatened, but fell short.

As I walked back to my car, Tigers fans chanting "Carlos Quentin" in the distance, a cool breeze filled the streets. It was a great way to return to baseball in Detroit. Next time it won't be so long.

-JB

Baseball 2011

As many of you know, or at least should by now, I love baseball. It doesn't matter who is playing, where they're playing, what the weather is, or who I'm there with. I just love to watch the game. Live or on TV, in a bar or at home, from the bleachers or a suite. I love this game.

The other night I was sitting in the bleachers at Wrigley watching the Cubs attempt to mount a comeback against the Padres (it would eventually fall short) and I started talking to some of the guys around me. The quickly realized that each story I had took place at a baseball game from last season. So he asked, "Hey man, how many ball games you go to last year?" I stopped, started thinking, tried counting on my fingers but ran out. I couldn't remember each one. They all blended together, had I seen the Pirates play the Cubs four times, or just 2? Did I make it to that entire weekend series at Sox Park against the Orioles? What about my Tigers, I'm sure I saw them on the southside at least 4 times.

So, here I am waiting to head down to Comerica Park to watch the Tigers and the White Sox. This will be my third game of the season, my first in Detroit since 2005. I woke up this morning and decided to document each game, so when someone asks my next season, I'll have an answer (or at least a place I can look it up).

My first game this year was Opening Day at the Cell. The Sox started the season on the road and came into this game 3-2, having scored more runs that anyone in the league. It was a chilly day, I think it was 38 degrees on the scoreboard at game time and we had been tailgaiting since 9. Edwin Jackson was at his best, through the fog that settled over the field we watched him throw 13 Ks, only give up 1 run and 4 hits through 8 innings. The Sox came out on top 5-1. We all headed over to what used to be Jimbo's, I think it's Cork and Kerry now, but didn't stick around (it's not the same anymore).

Game two came on short notice. The previous day the Cubs and Padres had been rained out and they rescheduled it at 6pm following the Wednesday night game. I was sitting at my desk when a client walked in with two tickets in his hand, "Hey, you live by Wrigley. I can't get downtown for the make up, want these?" One thing every man knows is you never, ever, never, ever ever turn down free tickets to anything. Shit, I'd even take your WNBA ticket off your hands on the off chance that one day, down the road you have an extra ticket to the Stanley Cup game 7. I made a few calls and couldn't find anyone to join me, but that wasn't going to stop me. So I got home, changed and walked up to the game. I got there during the bottom of the second inning, the Padres were already up 2-0. The Cubs had given the start to James Russell (only his second career start) and San Diego had Aaron Harang on the hill. Harang by the way has been lights out this season. The Cubs, lead by Reed Johnson (3 for 4) and, believe it or not, Alfonso Soriano (2 for 4 with 2 runs and 2 RBIs) tried to mount a comeback late in the game but fell short, 5-4, after only pushing 2 across in the 8th. When the game ended I picked up my Tyler Colvin bobblehead and wandered on down Sheffield home with the horror of Robbie Gould's version of Take Me Out to the Ballgame ringing in my ears.

So I'm on the way down to my third game of the season shortly. Look for an update tomorrow (maybe tonight if I'm really ambitious).

-JB