Detroit Tigers Opening Day is a Michigan Holiday in my book

Bad news is breathing down our necks here in Michigan on a daily basis. Company's are leaving or laying off. A huge state budget crisis has severe cuts or a tax increase looming. But today, April 2, 2007, is a holiday of sorts. At least for fans of the Detroit Tigers. The 2006 Tigers gave us quite a ride last year and were a bright spot in a state showing its rust.

So here is to a fun Summer of 2007 with the Detroit Tigers. Sure they have already lost Kenny Rogers until the second half of the season. Yeah, the only team in the last three decades to get back to the World Series and win the year after they lost a World Series was the 1989 Oakland A's (the 1988 A's were beat by the L.A. Dodgers - remember former Tiger Kirk Gibson's walk-off home run to take the first game?).

First pitch is at 1:05 p.m. against the Toronto Blue Jays.

For a special treat, take a listen to Hall of Fame broadcaster (and at least a Tigers legend) Ernie Harwell in this excellent montage video. You'll hear his famous speach, "Baseball Is", The Voice of the Turtle, and some of his signature calls (Looonngg Gone!).

If the player does not work you can view the video here.

Each spring Ernie Harwell would recite Song of Solomon 2:11-12 to welcome the new season. Here is "The Voice of the Turtle."

For, lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth; The time of the singing of birds is come, And the voice of the turtle is heard in our land.

Let's Go Tigers!!!