Hey, Mom! The Explanation.

Here's the permanent dedicated link to my first Hey, Mom! post and the explanation of the feature it contains.

Friday, April 8, 2022

A Sense of Doubt blog post #2607 - TIGERS OPENING DAY - Share and Reprint from 2016 & 2019 - Welcome Back Baseball!



A Sense of Doubt blog post #2607 - TIGERS OPENING DAY - Share and Reprint from 2016 & 2019 - Welcome Back Baseball!

I miss going to opening day in Detroit. I hate saying Comerica Park, even though it's a GREAT park. I preferred the name Tigers Stadium. I don't like all this corporate ownership, though I understand how and why it is necessary.

Though I could not attend today, I did watch, and I watched the Tigers tie it up and pull ahead.

BIG WIN!

Opening day wins are important.

Today's post is both reprints (two) and a share.

So, after the recap of today's game and the box score (and a link to video highlights if I can find some), then three reprints from 2016, 2017, and 2019. My last attended opening day for the Tigers was in 2017.

Funny memories. Check out the 2016 post. I had forgotten that my Dad left his car running while we were at the game. We were surprised to come back to a warm car but pleased it had enough gas to idle for over four hours! AND THE TIGERS WON!!!! :-)

Welcome back BASEBALL: I need you.


Blog Vacation Two 2022 - Vacation II Post #44
I took a "Blog Vacation" in 2021 from August 31st to October 14th. I did not stop posting daily; I just put the blog in a low power rotation and mostly kept it off social media. Like that vacation, for this second blog vacation now in 2022, I am alternating between reprints, shares with little to no commentary, and THAT ONE THING, which is an image from the folder with a few thoughts scribbled along with it. I am alternating these three modes as long as the vacation lasts (not sure how long), pre-publishing the posts, and not always pushing them to social media.

Here's the collected Blog Vacation I from 2021:

Saturday, October 16, 2021

Báez single, game-ending review lifts Tigers over White Sox


DETROIT -- — Javier Báez provided a quick return on Detroit's big investment.

Báez wound up with a winning RBI single on a game-ending replay reversal in his Motor City debut, and the Tigers beat the Chicago White Sox 5-4 on Friday.

With two out after newly acquired Austin Meadows tripled, Báez hit a drive to right off Liam Hendriks that sent AJ Pollock back to the wall. Pollock appeared to make a juggling catch, but the ball struck the wall before going off the outfielder's glove.

The new-look Tigers started celebrating as they realized what happened, and the opening-day crowd joined in after umpire Marvin Hudson announced the reversal of the call.

In a quest to be relevant, the Tigers made a splash four months ago by signing Báez to a $140 million contract to add a desperately needed shortstop. They made many other moves, including acquiring Meadows in a trade from Tampa Bay on Monday after Riley Greene broke his right foot.

"They've added a couple pieces that makes their lineup significantly harder to pitch to," Hendriks said. "Two of those guys were the reason for the walk-off."

Eric Haase hit a solo homer off Hendriks (0-1) earlier in the ninth.

"With the moves made this year, the Tigers are here to win," Haase said.

Chicago's Andrew Vaughn hit a tiebreaking solo homer off Gregory Soto (1-0) in the top of the ninth.

The defending AL Central champion White Sox scored a run in the first inning and two more in the second against the Tigers, who were held scoreless until the sixth.

Miguel Cabrera's 2,988th career hit pulled Detroit into a 3-all tie in the eighth that didn't last long. Four pitches into the ninth, Vaughn hit a soaring shot just inside the left-field foul pole off Soto.

Hendriks was one of five pitchers that Hall of Fame manager Tony La Russa used in relief of Lucas Giolito, whose dominant day was cut short by injury.

The 6-foot-6 right-hander struck out six in four innings of one-hit ball before departing with abdominal tightness on his left side.

"I'm concerned because he felt something," La Russa said.

In his Detroit debut, lefty Eduardo Rodriguez started the game by striking out Pollock before giving up a pair of two-out walks and allowing a run on Eloy Jiménez's single.

The White Sox took a 3-0 lead in the second inning with more two-out runs on Pollock's single and Luis Robert's double.

Rodriguez gave up four hits, struck out two and walked two in four innings in his first game after signing a $70 million contract.

Pollock, acquired last week in a trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers for closer Craig Kimbrel, had three hits in his White Sox debut that will be remembered by the game-ending play.

"It was kind of a funky play," Pollock said. "I knew I caught it. I had no idea if it hit the wall first. Unfortunately, it didn't work out. Crazy game. I got smothered by the wall."

NEW NORMAL

Meadows said it was "huge" for baseball to get back to business as usual after a 99-day lockout delayed the start of the season and COVID-19 kept fans out of the ballpark or limited the number that could attend games over the last two years.

"It's nice to just go out there and worry about baseball, and winning," he said.

TIGERS TRIBUTE

To honor the late Kimera Bartee, the Tigers held a video tribute for the former first base coach and player, followed by a moment of silence. Bartee died in December. He was 49. Bartee's son, Amari, attended the game with family members and threw the ceremonial first pitch.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Tigers: Manager A.J. Hinch said LHP Andrew Chafin (groin) is ahead of RHP Kyle Funkhouser (shoulder) in coming back from the IL. Hinch said he doesn't expect Funkhouser to pitch this month.

White Sox: 3B Yoán Moncada (strained right oblique) went on the 10-day IL on Thursday with pitchers Ryan Burr (shoulder), Joe Kelly (right biceps), Lance Lynn (right knee) and Garrett Crochet (elbow) and OF Yermín Mercedes (wrist).

UP NEXT

Chicago plans to start RHP Dylan Cease (13-7, 3.91 ERA in 2021) against Detroit RHP Casey Mize (7-9, 3.71 ERA in 2021) on Saturday. Cease's career record against Detroit is 11-0 with a 1.82 ERA. Mize, the No. 1 overall pick in 2018, is looking forward to facing the defending division champions in his season debut. "They're on top right now and we're going to go after them," he said.

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Apr 8, 2022


MLB
White Sox vs. Tigers full game highlights from 4/8/22

Don't forget to subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/mlb


#mlb #tigers #whitesox
Apr 8, 2022


BehindThePlay
Thanks for watching! 
Subscribe for more daily uploads just like this!
#mlb #tigers #whitesox



#Tigers #DetroitRoots
Apr 8, 2022



Bally Sports Detroit
We hear from Javier Baez after his walk-off RBI hit gives the #Tigers a 5-4 victory over the White Sox on Opening Day. #DetroitRoots

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originally published: Friday, April 8, 2016

Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #276 - Tigers Opening Day 2016

in our seats by the bullpen
Opening Day 2016 - 1604.08
Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #276 - Tigers Opening Day 2016

Prince Hal Newhouser
Hi Mom,

It was cold. I have pictures from last year, so I know it was about ten degrees colder than last year. The temperature ranged from 38-41, and it snowed a little.

But the Tigers won!! Starter Jordan Zimmerman and the bullpen limited the Yankees to three hits. The Tigers pounded out thirteen hits, including a home run by Miguel Cabrera.

Going to opening day in Detroit is a rite of passage for me. It's a spiritual experience. As I wrote about the other day, Baseball is one of my passions, one of the things that gives me joy. My wife does not understand this passion, but that's okay. She does not share the passion. That's okay, too.

Going to a Tigers game makes me really happy. It's a transcendent experience. And Opening Day is especially great.

This year was even more special. Dad and I last went to opening day in either 1997 or 1998 at Tigers Stadium. I need confirmation, but I am pretty sure we did not go together in 1999, the last opening day in Tigers Stadium. And then you fell ill, Mom, and Dad could not go again. He had never been to Comerica Park.

Meanwhile, except 2000, the year you were in ICU, and the year Comerica first opened and tickets were hard to come by, I have been to every opening day, except 2010 and 2011. I started up again in 2012. So, I have been to all but three since 1997 when I started going regularly.

It was great to share it with Dad this year.

And it was great to see a win!

Go get 'em, Tigers!!

Me at chess set

Dad and Ernie

Me and Dad and Ernie
live messages because Comerica now
offers both wi-fi and vastly improved bandwidth

Kaline

Cobb

Hank Greenberg


flag at anthem

fly over

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Here's the best part...



Yes indeed. Dad left the car running the WHOLE time we were at the game. Luckily, we had enough gas for a five hour idle.
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Reflect and connect.
Have someone give you a kiss, and tell you that I love you.
Talk to you tomorrow, Mom.
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- Days ago = 278 days ago
- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1604.08 - 22:10




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Originally published: Sunday, April 9, 2017

Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #642 - Detroit Tigers Opening Day - 1704.07



Me at Opening Day 2017
Hey, Mom! Talking to My Mother #642 - Detroit Tigers Opening Day - 1704.07

Hi Mom,

I continued my run of going to Opening Day games once again. Went with Dad last year. This year, I went with my good friend Bruce "Fris" Johnson.

It was a nail biter of a game.

It was a game that convinced me yet again not to tweet during the game because I jinx the results.

Luckily, the Tigers pulled out this win in the end.

Here's various photos, Twitter messages, the box score, and recap.

I am blessed. I love going to opening day. It's a great treat, and it should be a NATIONAL holiday.

Since I am still catching up, I will leave off with those remarks for now.

GO TIGERS!!











DETROIT -- After seven runs, five walks, two lead changes and a parade of futile pitching changes, the eighth inning finally ended at Comerica Park.
What the Detroit bullpen squandered, the Boston relievers had given right back.
JaCoby Jones drew a bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the eighth, and the Tigers outlasted the flu-bitten Red Sox 6-5 on Friday to win their ninth straight home opener. Detroit allowed five runs in the top of the eighth, blowing a 4-0 lead in the process, but the Tigers scored twice in their half to take back the lead.
"Up and down the lineup, you had guys that were having good at-bats and passing the baton to the next guy," Detroit catcher James McCann said. "That just builds chemistry, builds camaraderie among ourselves as a team."
Red Sox stars Hanley Ramirez and Mookie Betts were ill and out of the lineup. Boston also was without shortstop Xander Bogaerts and reliever Matt Barnes, who are on the bereavement list.
Whoever won this game was going to do so in spite of its bullpen. The Tigers wasted their lead when Pablo Sandoval put the Red Sox ahead with a three-run homer off Francisco Rodriguez. Sandoval, who played in just three games last year before having shoulder surgery, hit a drive to left-center field on an 0-2 pitch for his first home run since Aug. 15, 2015.
The lead didn't last.
After Nicholas Castellanos and Miguel Cabrera struck out to start the Detroit eighth, Heath Hembree (0-1) walked two batters, and pinch-hitter Mikie Mahtook followed with a tying double off Robby Scott.
"He threw me a curveball and I was able to get a barrel on it," said Mahtook, who was playing his first home game for the Tigers after being acquired in the offseason.
Joe Kelly then allowed consecutive walks to McCann and Jones, forcing in the final run.
"Just yanking some fastballs to his glove side," Boston manager John Farrell said. "Missed down and away to right-handers where you're looking to finish off an inning. This one got away from us."
Mahtook made another important play in the ninth. With a man on first, Rodriguez (1-0) allowed a two-out double by Mitch Moreland. Mahtook reached the ball in the right-field corner and threw it in quickly enough to make the lead runner stop at third.
"If he bobbles that ball, if he doesn't field that ball cleanly, it's a tie ballgame," McCann said.
Before the bullpens got involved, Detroit's Michael Fulmer pitched six scoreless innings. The reigning American League Rookie of the Year allowed four hits and two walks, striking out four.
Boston knuckleballer Steven Wright allowed four runs and seven hits in 6 2/3 innings.
McCann's two-run homer made it 4-0 in the seventh, but relievers Bruce Rondon and Alex Wilson were able to get only one out apiece in the top of the eighth, forcing Rodriguez to come in and face Sandoval with two outs and runners on first and third.
"I got ahead of him 0-2, and then just threw an extremely bad pitch over the plate," Rodriguez said. "You guys know what was the result."
REMEMBERING ILITCH
The Tigers played a video tribute before the game honoring owner Mike Ilitch, who died shortly before the start of spring training. A large "Mr. I" was cut into the grass in center field and also appeared in a circle to the left of home plate and on a flag beyond the wall in left-center.
DEBUT
Boston reliever Ben Taylor made his major league debut in the seventh, striking out the only hitter he faced. He was in line for the win after Sandoval's homer, but the Red Sox couldn't hold on.
TRAINER'S ROOM

Red Sox: Betts and Brock Holt both sat out Wednesday's win over Pittsburgh because of illness. Holt was in the starting lineup Friday as the designated hitter and went 1 for 2 with a walk before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the seventh.
Tigers: Detroit is without RF J.D. Martinez, who is recovering from a sprained right foot. Tyler Collins, who started Friday in right, misjudged a flyball in the seventh for an error -- but he also had two hits.
UP NEXT
Red Sox: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez takes the mound against Detroit on Saturday. Rodriguez posted a 3.24 ERA after the All-Star break last season.
Tigers: RHP Jordan Zimmermann starts for the Tigers. He went 9-7 with a 4.87 ERA last year, when he was bothered by neck issues.

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Reflect and connect.
Have someone give you a kiss, and tell you that I love you.
I miss you so very much, Mom.
Talk to you tomorrow, Mom.
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- Days ago = 644 days ago
- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1704.09 - 10:10
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originally published: Thursday, March 28, 2019

A Sense of Doubt blog post #1498 - Welcome Back Baseball - 2019 - I need you



A Sense of Doubt blog post #1498 - Welcome Back Baseball - 2019 - I need you

Baseball started today, officially. There were two games in Japan last week, and though those count, they do not count as Tigers or Cubs games but as Mariners or Athletics games, and so for me, the 2019 Baseball season just began.

Baseball.

I need it in my life.

Hey, Baseball, thank you for existing.


"Well -- it's our game; that's the chief connection with it: America's game; it has the snap, go, fling of the American atmosphere; it belongs as much to our institutions, fits into them as significantly as our Constitution's laws; is just as important in the sum total of our historic life." ~ Walt Whitman



"Several years ago, as documentary filmmakers engaged in trying to evoke America's most defining moment, the Civil War, for the widest possible audience, we became aware of what a powerful metaphor the game of baseball also represented for all Americans on nearly every level. Now after more than four years of work, we have produced a twenty-hour filmed history of the game for National Public Television, and, as the arc of the life of Ebbets Field, which opens our film and begins this preface suggests, our interest in the game has gone well beyond a round-up of baseball highlights." ~ Ken Burns, Baseball, an Illustrated History 1994.

"Baseball," the poet Donald Hall told us in a filmed interview, "because of its continuity over the space of America and the time of America, is a place where memory gathers."


"The story of Baseball is also the story of race in America, of immigration and assimilation; of the struggle between labor and management, of popular culture and advertising, of myth and the nature of heroes, villains, and buffoons; of the role of women and class and wealth in our society. The game is a repository of age-old American verities, of standards, against which we continually measure ourselves, and yet at the same time a mirror of the present moment in our modern culture -- including all of our most contemporary failings.

"But we were hardly prepared for the complex emotions the game summoned up. The accumulated stories and biographies, the life-lessons and tragedies, dramatic moments and classic confrontations that we encountered daily began to suggest even more compelling themes. As Jacques Barzun has written, "Whoever wants to know the heart and mind of America had better learn baseball"
(Burns and Lynn Novick, xviii, preface, Baseball, an Illustrated History 1994).


"The historian Arthur Schlesinger, Jr. has remarked that we suffer today from "too much pluribus and not enough unum." Fe things survive in these cynical days to remind us of the Union from which so many of our personal and collective blessings flow, and it is hard not to wonder, in an age when the present moment consumes and overshadows all else -- our bright past and our dim, unknown future -- what finally does endure? What encodes and stores the genetic material of our civilization -- passing down to the next generation the best of us, what we hope will mutate into betterness for our children and our posterity? Baseball provides one answer. Nothing in our daily life offers more of the comfort of continuity, the generational connection of belonging to a vast and complicated American family, the powerful sense of home, the freedom from time's constraints, and the great gift of accumulated memory than does our National pastime" (Burns and Lynn Novick, xviii, preface, Baseball, an Illustrated History 1994).


"I miss my father... God, I love baseball." from Roy Hobbes in The Natural








2006 Detroit Tigers win American League Championship and advance to the WORLD SERIES.





For me, Baseball charts the story of my life and the story from before my life.

It has been my soundtrack and my comfort in the darkness.

It has brought me joy and grief, even though it's just a game.

Like anything, it's very important and really not that important at all.

But I am glad it exists, and every year when it resumes, I am reborn in it and my heart swells with love and hope and promise and happiness.

Thank you baseball, now go out there and get some runs!

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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 1903.28 - 10:10
- Days ago = 1363 days ago
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- Bloggery committed by chris tower - 2204.08 - 10:10

- Days ago = 2471 days ago

- New note - On 1807.06, I ceased daily transmission of my Hey Mom feature after three years of daily conversations. I plan to continue Hey Mom posts at least twice per week but will continue to post the days since ("Days Ago") count on my blog each day. The blog entry numbering in the title has changed to reflect total Sense of Doubt posts since I began the blog on 0705.04, which include Hey Mom posts, Daily Bowie posts, and Sense of Doubt posts. Hey Mom posts will still be numbered sequentially. New Hey Mom posts will use the same format as all the other Hey Mom posts; all other posts will feature this format seen here.

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