My Tigers Story

[Jwalewander]

Like a lot of people, I grew up in the Detroit area crazy for the Tigers - but then moved away from Michigan (to San Diego) with my family when I was a teen in the mid 1970's. But I never lost my love for the Tigers.

The period of time the Tigers have been bad - 1988 to the present just happens to parallel two bad marriages I had. Fortunately, I got past those okay - took a chance on #3 and found an angel here on earth. Also, the past 5 years have brought on serious heart disease - and after surviving 11 surgeries in those years - I'm still only 45. My hero is Julio Franco for even PLAYING baseball at 48!

So it was with great regret I turned down the opportunity to fly to Detroit for game 2 of the upcoming world series. A long-time family friend had bought two tickets at $500 apiece - and I could have managed that. But the late notice left me with airfares that were in the $700 range! $1200 to see one ballgame is more than I can justify unfortunately!

I'd been fortunate enough to attend game #1 of the ALCS in Oakland - so I feel like I lived a good part of a lifetime that night. It was very, very fulfilling to have done that.

So for those of you who aren't lucky enough to go to a world series game - don't worry, things could be a lot worse for you. And for those of you fortunate enough to go - have a great time and cheer the Tigers onto a world series championship!!! Me and my girl are going to be cheering from San Diego right along with you!

Bruce in San Diego

[budman]

bruce, sounds like you have through some tough times. hopefully this season has picked you up a bit. we can only hope that this season is not a flash in the pan, and, we get a run like the braves or yankees !!!!

[Tigercub33]

I think we are going to have a lot of these types of threads in the next two weeks, and I, for one, am looking forward to reading them.

Good luck Bruce, I am glad you were able to see ONE playoff game (get a big HDTV and you will feel like you are at the rest :wink:).

[Kdoogie24]

this post is on point.

enjoy it while we can

[beek_27]

Bruce, thanks for sharing your story. I'll share mine as well.

I grew up in GR and saw my first Tigers game at Tiger Stadium in the 80s. All I remember about that game was that it was against Ron Guidry and the Yankees. The killed us in that game and I've hated the Yanks ever since! I don't remember 84 and have a few faint memories of 87, so this is the first time I've experienced this. I suffered like many through the lean years of the 90s.

I went to WMU, and then entered the USAF. My first assignment was in OH, which was great being close to family and the Tigers. I was able to go to many games driving north on I-75 to Motown. Had some great times sharing some Tigers moments early this decade with my family and some friends.

This spring, however, I was moved by the USAF to New Mexico, and wouldn't you know it, the move coincided with a great Tigers season. I have been able to enjoy this season via MLB Extra Innings, which I'm thankful for.

Toward the end of this season I thought, I need to get up to Comerica to see a few games, because this is a special season and I can't break my consecutive seasons streak of seeing the Tigers play at home. So, I worked a business trip (almost cancelled it while the Tigers slipped a bit and I lost some faith) because I scored some playoff tix to the ALDS. I saw the last series against the Royals (great one to pick, huh) and was at Rally Monday. Talk about a downer, being swept by the lowly Royals and almost rained out on Rally Monday. But...........

......the ALDS games 3 & 4 rolled along. I was there to witness Rogers dealing Aces and Bonderman shutting down the media-hyped Yanks. What made it so special was the fact that I got a foul ball in the exact same spot at both games and was able to witness our first post season game in 19 years, dominating performances and series win, and one of the greatest celebrations in post-season history (spraying the fans, etc.) against the team I hate the most! Yes, we have a 3-1 post-season record against the greatest franchise in sports. Most exciting moment in my whole life as a Tigers fan!

Then it was back to work and back to reality for me, jealous of those who got to witness in person and celebrate the ALCS sweep on the Maggs HR. But my family (wife & 4 kids) were jumping for joy and celebrating together in our home here in NM all night!

So.......for all of you going to the WS......whoop it up and get Comerica rockin'. I hope you get to witness at Tigers WS championship in person!

....and for those like me who are far away from MI and can't make it (or afford to make it) to the game........join with me in your respective homes or gatherings in rooting on our boys, pushing with all our hearts for another WS championship!