tigersfandm
10-19-2006, 10:43 PM
http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061019&content_id=1718193&vkey=ps2006news&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
DETROIT -- Hall of Famer Sparky Anderson and Tigers great and ex-skipper Alan Trammell will be among the local heroes and stars taking part in the festivities for the first two games of the World Series this weekend at Comerica Park.
The plans, released Thursday, will showcase both the Tigers' rich history and Detroit-area talent prior to the real show with Detroit's first appearance in the Fall Classic since Anderson led them to victory in 1984.
Trammell, the Most Valuable Player in that 1984 World Series, will be making his first appearance on the field at Comerica Park since he managed the club for three years through last season. While current manager Jim Leyland has earned much of the credit for one of the most unlikely runs in postseason history coming off 12 consecutive losing seasons, Leyland and several Tigers players made a point this week of crediting Trammell and his coaching staff for their work in laying the foundation for the turnaround.
Trammell has taken the year off to stay close to his family and has remained out of the public eye while the Tigers have gone on their run to glory. Once the Tigers reached the World Series, however, the club invited him back to honor the 1984 champions and to be there with his beloved manager Anderson.
Trammell will accompany a member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan to the mound prior to Game 2 on Sunday night to deliver the first game ball to Anderson, the winningest manager in franchise history and a World Series champion in both Detroit and Cincinnati.
Fellow Tigers legends Al Kaline and Willie Horton, part of the Tigers' 1968 World Series champions, will throw out ceremonial first pitches prior to Game 1 on Saturday night. They'll be accompanied by Tigers owner Mike Ilitch, this time with Hall of Famer broadcaster Ernie Harwell escorting a member of the Boys and Girls Club to the mound with the baseballs.
Another Hall of Fame inductee, this one the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, will be part of the Game 1 festivities as well. Michigan native Bob Seger will perform "America the Beautiful" prior to the game. A longtime rock artist who has sold more than 50 million records over his illustrious career, released an album of new songs last month for his first studio collection in 11 years.
Eight-time Grammy Award winner Anita Baker, who was born in Toledo, Ohio, and raised in Detroit, will perform the National Anthem before Game 2. Baker's musical career began in Detroit as a member of the group Chapter 8, launching her on her way to becoming one of the most popular R&B artists of her generation.
Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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DETROIT -- Hall of Famer Sparky Anderson and Tigers great and ex-skipper Alan Trammell will be among the local heroes and stars taking part in the festivities for the first two games of the World Series this weekend at Comerica Park.
The plans, released Thursday, will showcase both the Tigers' rich history and Detroit-area talent prior to the real show with Detroit's first appearance in the Fall Classic since Anderson led them to victory in 1984.
Trammell, the Most Valuable Player in that 1984 World Series, will be making his first appearance on the field at Comerica Park since he managed the club for three years through last season. While current manager Jim Leyland has earned much of the credit for one of the most unlikely runs in postseason history coming off 12 consecutive losing seasons, Leyland and several Tigers players made a point this week of crediting Trammell and his coaching staff for their work in laying the foundation for the turnaround.
Trammell has taken the year off to stay close to his family and has remained out of the public eye while the Tigers have gone on their run to glory. Once the Tigers reached the World Series, however, the club invited him back to honor the 1984 champions and to be there with his beloved manager Anderson.
Trammell will accompany a member of the Boys and Girls Clubs of Southeastern Michigan to the mound prior to Game 2 on Sunday night to deliver the first game ball to Anderson, the winningest manager in franchise history and a World Series champion in both Detroit and Cincinnati.
Fellow Tigers legends Al Kaline and Willie Horton, part of the Tigers' 1968 World Series champions, will throw out ceremonial first pitches prior to Game 1 on Saturday night. They'll be accompanied by Tigers owner Mike Ilitch, this time with Hall of Famer broadcaster Ernie Harwell escorting a member of the Boys and Girls Club to the mound with the baseballs.
Another Hall of Fame inductee, this one the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, will be part of the Game 1 festivities as well. Michigan native Bob Seger will perform "America the Beautiful" prior to the game. A longtime rock artist who has sold more than 50 million records over his illustrious career, released an album of new songs last month for his first studio collection in 11 years.
Eight-time Grammy Award winner Anita Baker, who was born in Toledo, Ohio, and raised in Detroit, will perform the National Anthem before Game 2. Baker's musical career began in Detroit as a member of the group Chapter 8, launching her on her way to becoming one of the most popular R&B artists of her generation.
Jason Beck is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
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