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Baseball fans gathered on both sides of the border Wednesday to celebrate the Detroit Tiger’s roaring postseason return after a decade-long drought.
A sea of blue and orange packed block parties and outdoor patios in Detroit and Windsor to watch as the Tiger’s defeated the Cleveland Guardians 3-0 in Game 3 of the American League Division Series.
“It’s a pleasant surprise,” Miles Buhlar, a Detroit local, told the Star outside Comerica Park on Wednesday. “The Tigers weren’t doing well, and now they’re here.”
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Marking the Tigers’ first post-season appearance at Comerica Park since 2013, the game created lasting memories for many, including Buhlar, who brought his four-year-old son Steven to witness his very first playoff game.
“I’ve been a big Tigers fan ever since I was his age,” said Buhlar, recalling his own childhood memories watching the Tigers with his father.
“My dad took me in ’87 when they clinched one-nothing against the Blue Jays.”
Wednesday’s Tigers’ win edged the team one step closer to the American League Championship Series.
Tigers’ fans deserve this
“The City of Detroit has rallied behind the Tigers’ success down the stretch of the regular season, and the atmosphere in and around Comerica Park on Wednesday for the return of post-season baseball was incredible,” a spokesperson for the Detroit Tigers told the Star.
“Tigers’ fans deserve this.”
The game drew a roaring crowd of 44,885, the largest post-season turnout Comerica Park has ever seen.
The previous attendance record was set at 43,973 during the Tigers’ 2013 showdown against the Oakland Athletics. The Tigers clinched the win that year, securing a spot in the ALCS.
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In a smaller, yet equally lively, turnout, a few dozen fans gathered downtown Windsor to watch Wednesday’s playoff game.
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The Downtown Windsor Business Improvement Association closed the 500 block of Ouellette Avenue for a watch party at Hustle 507, the Manchester, and the Peacock Lounge.
Ward 3 Coun. Renaldo Agostino is happy that post-summer baseball fever is bringing fans into downtown Windsor. He just wishes it wasn’t for the Tigers.
“It’s fantastic to see a Detroit sports team doing so well, so close to the border,” said Agostino, a Toronto Blue Jays fan. “It’s great for Detroit Tigers fans and it’s great for us non-Detroit Tigers fans that are trying to do cool things downtown.”
Following Wednesday’s victory, Tigers’ fans eagerly awaited Thursday’s Game 4 at Comerica Park in the best-of-five series against the Cleveland Guardians.
— With files from Trevor Wilhelm
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