Central Michigan Life

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DETROIT — I’ve been to Red Wings and Pistons playoff games before.

I’ve even seen the first playoff game in Comerica Park’s history when the Tigers played the Yankees in Game Three of the American League Division Series.

But Saturday, I got to see the first World Series game in Detroit since 1984.

1984. The year I was born, making me a Tigers fan by birthright. I experienced something on Saturday with my dad that was a first for both of us. In ’68 and ’84, my dad chose to work during the World Series in Detroit.

Saturday was his first time to see it in person.

I’ve heard people say the Tigers lost a generation of fans because of their horrible play in recent years.

I’m proof they haven’t.

Fans have come out from under their rocks to support this 2006 team. And while I still consider many to be bandwagon fans, at this point, how could you not be?

There were talks of a sweep before the game until Albert Pujols homered over Magglio Ordonez’s head in the top of the third inning.   

The end result would be an ‘L’ for the good guys. What do you expect after winning seven straight playoff games?

But don’t jump off the bandwagon just yet.

It’s a seven-game series. There’s a reason the Cardinals are in the Fall Classic — they’re good. This team has been in the postseason three years running compared to the Tigers’ first playoff run in 19 years.

You have to give credit where credit is due. In the battle of the rookie pitchers, Anthony Reyes of the Cardinals versus Justin Verlander, the mediocre Reyes happened to pitch the game of his life.

You know what the funny thing is about that game?

Losing didn’t stop anybody from having a good time.

Sure, it would have been better if they won. But fans still put on their rally caps, gave high-fives and waved their towels. Their passion was real.

Even before the game, as Motown’s own Bob Seger sang “America the Beautiful,” and they spread that huge flag across the outfield, I felt tears welling up in my eyes.

This is America’s pastime.

When I stood on the Fifth Avenue bar roof with several other fans and watched people walk the streets of downtown Detroit, I knew we were experiencing something so special, it didn’t need to be spoken about.

While I sat in my seat and took pictures of the game, I put my camera down and knew pictures could never duplicate the things I was seeing with my own two eyes.

Never before have I seen a sports team revive a city like it has in Detroit. Not even the Pistons could do what the Tigers have done.

There are three things Detroit can provide the world: cars, music and sports. The car industry is shaky right now and the music scene is permanent. Detroit sports always will be the glue to the city.

As we walked back to our car after the game, I saw people in the streets. I heard Trick Trick and Eminem spit verses from “Welcome to Detroit” as it was blasting from a nearby club.

I knew Detroit still was ready to celebrate a World Series victory.

We just have a few games to win first.

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