Tigers vs Athletics: July 22, 2006

      We got up early to drive on in to Detroit. I was a pretty tired driver but we perked up when we got to the ball park. It was the 2nd time I had done this drive. In 1990, my former college roommate Randy Klein and I met in Chicago (he lived in Atlanta) to see some of the last games in the Old Comiskey Park and we went to a White Sox Game on Friday, a Tigers game in Detroit on Saturday, and a White Sox game back at Comiskey Park on Sunday before flying home.
      The old Tiger stadium is still standing, so I pointed it out to Mitchell on our way into Comerica Park. Comerica was a true surprise; we both loved the stadium and enjoyed the atmosphere and the game immensely.
      Afternoon games allow one to see the stadium better and I almost always like the atmosphere at afternoon games better than night games. They also provide better light for photography, though I prefer a few clouds to too much sun. Though they were outhit 14-11, the Athletics won this one over the Tigers 9-5, behind 3 home runs. Mitchell got a very very nice autograph from Frank Thomas before the game (he was the only kid around, so it was easy). Thomas signed "Frank Thomas AL MVP '93 '94" on the sweet spot and took his time to write neatly while doing it. When Mark Kotsay came in from running, Mitchell asked him for an autograph. Kotsay motioned for Mitchell to throw him the ball and, when he did, Kotsay said "thank you" and went into the dugout. Mitchell was so surprised! Kotsay came out a few seconds later and said "gotcha" and then signed a nice auto while we all laughed! Thomas went 1 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored, and Kotsay was rewarded for his autograph with a home run and 3 RBIs.
      After the game it was time for more driving as we had a game in Toronto the next day. I had been to Toronto before for a game in old Exhibition Stadium but had not driven from Detroit. The drive was through flatland, though quite attractive, and we took a detour to St. Thomas on the way to take photos of trains for my youngest son.

1
Crossing Ambassador bridge into Canada after the game.
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My telephoto came in handy in isolating this tiger figure on the left field scoreboard from our seats on the 2nd row behind the first base dugout.
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Nick Swisher on his way to a great year.
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Polanco makes solid contact as he singles off of Blanton in the first inning.
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Polanco had 4 hits, but it was not enough for the Tigers.
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Craig Monroe gave Mitchell his autograph before the game (as did Zumaya, Dmitri Young, and Curtis Granderson.
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Magglio Ordonez gets ready for a pitch.
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Ordonez singled to left his first two times up.
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Chris Shelton is not afraid to swing the bat.
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Shelton has a nice swing, he just needs to make contact more often.
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Frank Thomas gave Mitchell a very nice autograph before the game, signing "Frank Thomas AL MVP '93 '94" on the sweet spot of an official major league baseball.
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Frank Thomas gets ready for the next pitch.
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Thomas had a classic Frank Thomas game - 1 for 4 with a walk and 2 runs scored.
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Thomas waits to unload.
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Thomas unloads indeed and gets a single for his effort.
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Frank Thomas is a big man. Time for dad to go get another hot dog.
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Jay Payton with the first of two hits.
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Mark Ellis was 0 for 2 with two sacrifice flies.
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Mark Ellis makes contact.
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Mark Scutaro is a fine infielder and pretty good hitter.
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Scutaro flied out to left field this time up.
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Once again I snuck up high to get some photos of the stadium.
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This was one of the few photo booths I did not sneak into.
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Another view from up high.
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I liked the view from here.
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