
IT IS THE LAST WEEK in September and the Detroit Tigers are battling to secure a wild card slot in the postseason play. It would be their first appearance in ten years. They have had a remarkable winning percentage in August and September.
Hallelujah!
They’ve brought me back as a fan.
I had the good fortune to attend two World Series games cheering for the Tigers in 1968 and 1984. It was such an exciting time. The lackluster play during the more recent decades of the franchise’s 124 years has slightly tempered their history.
In 1968, the Tigers came from behind to win the World Series led by Micky Lolich’s stunning pitching performances. Lolich even delivered a solo home run to help defeat the dominant and talented St. Louis Cardinals. I still run into “old-timers” from Missouri who remain speechless about their teams' stunning meltdown. Mental mistakes by the best Cardinal players sealed their fate fifty-six years ago.
In 1984, the Tigers were led by the dramatics of Kirk Gibson hitting a towering 3-run home run in the 8th inning off of Goose Gossage that secured their victory in game 5. The Tigers completed a remarkable record season by beating the San Diego Padres 4 games to 1. Alan Trammel was the MVP hitting .450 in the series.
I recall driving with my dad, brother Fred, and brother-in-law Bill in my new Buick LeSabre to game 5 at Old Tiger Stadium (on the corner of Trumbull and Michigan Ave.). Our interest was to expeditiously get out of the city after the game, so I decided to drive near Wayne State University to get on I-75 to head north to avoid the traffic back-ups.
The city was celebrating the World Series win with gusto. We ended up on a service drive full of pesky youths who thought my new car was an ideal target to tip over. Rarely had I been cognizant of my adrenaline kicking in like that but a new car and a baby at home is all I needed. I nudged bodies with my car as I increased the rate of speed knowing I was going to win this battle. I have no regrets about my rather bold action. Sorry kids about your toes.
Poor judgment often makes for a good story.
I’m so excited about the 2024 Tigers and their quest to get to the playoffs.
They did it!
***
George Kell and Ernie Harwell were the great announcers of that earlier era.
The photo was attributable to the Detroit Free Press.
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