Love
Defending AL Champs: Let’s take a moment and reflect on the back-to-back division titles and the 2012 American League pennant in the context of som recent Tigers history. Remember Randy Smith’s five-year-plan? Twice trading for can’t miss superprospect Matt Drews? Jose Macias playing Grapefruit League Gold Glove-centerfield? C.J. Nitowski’s website? Bobby Higginson? Wendell Goddamn Magee? Appreciate what we as Tiger fans currently have.
Verlander’s New Contract: Justin Verlander isn’t just a great player. He’s one of the those special guys, like Barry Sanders or Steve Yzerman, so dominant that he defines his team in his era. Thanks to his new contract, Detroit fans won’t suffer the indignity of watching JV in a Yankee or Dodger uniform while he’s still in his prime.
Hebrew National Hot Dogs: The blessings rabbis offer for these kosher dogs must work because a ballgame Hebrew National (with grilled onions on a steamed bun) is clearly G-d’s chosen sausaged meat.
Dan Dickerson: It’s not easy to replace a legend. Just ask Rick Rizzs and Bob Rathbun. However, Ernie Harwell’s successor in the radio booth is an absolute joy to listen to on a warm summer evening.
Nemo’s Shuttle: The legendary sports bar just a couple blocks from the old Tiger Stadium site has managed to remain a gameday destination thanks to its shuttle service to Comerica Park. Great burgers, cold beer, and avoiding ballpark traffic. Nothing wrong with that.
The Bell’s Beer Stand: It’s worth the walk to the right field concourse and the extra buck for an Oberon instead of whatever Inbev dreck served at most other concession stands. In fact, Comerica Park is expanding its local craft beer options. Nice.
Scrappy Super-Utility Men: From Mike Heath to Shane Halter to Brandon Inge to Don Kelly, this town cannot get enough of these serviceable-at-any-position guys. Kelly, or “Donald Baseball” to his slightly deluded fans, can play almost anywhere in the field and still hit .230 with limited power.
The Legend Of Johnny Wockenfuss: As Cardboard God’s Josh Wilker once wrote: “there’s a little extra magic about Johnny Wockenfuss, and I’m not sure why.” Maybe we shouldn’t wonder why he was special and just enjoy that the Fuss once wore the Old English D.
Hate
Not Enough Paul Carey: For almost 20 years, Paul Carey was hands-down Detroit’s second best sports broadcaster. The top guy obviously was his broadcast partner, Ernie Harwell. Carey has enjoyed a quiet retirement but, speaking for a generation that ended many a summer night with Carey’s post-game scoreboard show, it would be nice to hear call a couple innings of a game or two every year. Or, even, just get him to cut a fresh “Tiger baseball is on the air.”
Forgetting Non-Tiger Hall of Famers: There is a plaque on the back-end of Comerica Park to honor Detroit Stars’ legend Turkey Strearns, but little else to help fans remember the contributions of Stearns and Detroit Wolverines Hall of Famers like Dan Brouthers and Deacon White. These guys are part of Detroit’s baseball history and deserve more recognition at Comerica Park. A flag for the 1887 Wolverines’ championship would be a nice start.
Entering The Ballpark: Even when there is a sell-out, the Tigers often don’t open all available gates. This creates annoying bottlenecks entering the park. It also means fans are missing out on valuable time to purchase food, beer, and team gear.
Jim Price's On-Air Eating: Look, Jim Price bashing is stale. Not saying I’m not guilty of it, but Price isn’t going anywhere and it’s not like he’s Tim McCarver awful. Price's shtick kind of grows on you and had become endearing. Plus, he seems like a genuinely nice guy who does a lot of good work for autistic kids. So let’s make a deal with the Tigers radio color man: Fans will learn to love “the art of pitching” if Price stops eating during broadcasts. Fair?
Concession Options: If you’ve traveled to other Major League ballparks, you can’t help but notice the Tigers concession options are limited in comparison. Maybe we don’t need an Edsel Ford Fong Chinese takeout stand like the one at San Francisco’s ATT Park, but we should at least keep pace with Cleveland’s ballpark amenities.
Pretty Much All Non-Nemo’s Shuttles: Hopping a shuttle from Corktown is one thing, but do you really need a ride from the Old Shillelagh, Hard Rock Café, or Bookies? Especially Bookies. It’s like four blocks from the stadium. The ride through game day traffic takes longer than the walk. Downtowns are made for walking. When you need a shuttle to go four blocks, Detroit, other downtowns are laughing at you.
OMG. Jose Valverde Is Back: Really? It’s just . . . sigh.
