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