A previous Tigers Opening Day photo

Play Ball !!!, originally uploaded by suesue2.

Hey, even though our lovable Tigers are off to a slow start (currently 1-3), Opening Day is still a great experience. The weather looks promising and hopefully the boys will be charitable enough to pull out a 'W' for the fans.

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!!!

Register for a chance at Detroit Tigers Opening Day Tickets!

My favorite Detroit Tiger blog, The Detroit Tiger Weblog, tipped me off to a drawing for a chance to purchase opening day tickets for the Detroit Tigers. Starting this morning at 9 a.m. you could call (313) 471-BALL (2255) or for a quicker and simpler process head over to www.tigers.com. I registered this morning. You have until 11:59 p.m. Sunday to enter the drawing. Winners will be notified by the end of the week - no later than March 16.

For some great fan coverage of the Detroit Tigers this year be sure to check out The Detroit Tigers Weblog.