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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