The Scene and Heard: ALCS Game 4

First off, many thanks to Barry for asking me to contribute to The Roar of 2006 blog. Nothing like the community of Tigers fans and bloggers coming together online. Here's a post that originally appeared on my blog The Daily Fungo.

By Mike McClary — The Daily Fungo

Saturday's game, including the pre-game and the aftermath, was a celeb-fest, Detroit style. And then some.

Here's a random sampling:

• Doug Hill, a regular contributor to the blog and podcast, reports that a mutual friend who works in the Ilitch organization saw two notable ex-Tigers in the stands on Saturday: Bobby Higginson and former team CEO John McHale. Apparently Higgy went unnoticed by his fellow spectators and McHale, curiously, was allowed back into the ballpark despite his flawed design work on the place.
  
  Can you imagine what it must have been like for Higgy? A former toast of the town, as Doug put it, to anonymous soul looking for his seat? Before I heard this I was wondering what Tram and his coaching staff and guys like Higgy must have been thinking last night. Somewhere Gabe Alvarez is smiling, I'm sure.



• Before the game Steve and I walked over to the Tigers dugout area. I wanted to see if I could connect with DFP guests Pedro Gomez of ESPN and Mario Impemba of FSN Detroit. As luck would have it, the two men were talking to each other when we got there and were close to the stands.
  
  I waited for the right moment and called out to Gomez and Impemba. Surprisingly, they remembered me and — even cooler — they remarked to each other that they were both DFP guests. It went something like this: “You were on his podcast? I was on his podcast.” Outstanding, stuff. The security guard wouldn't let me down to the railing to talk to them despite Gomez telling him it was okay. Nevertheless, Gomez agreed to come back on the podcast. Now that's what I'm talkin' about.



• Against my better judgment, I ventured out to the concourse to buy a dog and a Pepsi. The lines for the mens rooms were record-breaking. The fellas finally got to experience what it used to be like (and still might be for all I know) at Joe Louis Arena. Anyway, as I watched the Tigers bat in the fourth a large man in a mustard-colored sport coat (and shoes to match) stood next to me and catch a glimpse. It was Impemba's broadcast partner Rod Allen. Those shoes though. Man...

In other news, how great was it to see that at long last Fox fired Steve Lyons? He was awful and sophomoric. He tried to be funny all the time and never offered any worthwhile analysis. Word is that he lives in Scottsdale; maybe I can boo him in person soon.

As we walked to the car last night I was again amazed at how quickly knock-off/counterfeit merchandise can hit the streets. There was a guy selling AL Champions stuff (or maybe it was World Series, I couldn't make it out for sure) on a blanket spread across the sidewalk. Yes, people were buying.

Speaking of gear, I wanted to go to the big Tigers shop at the park but once we got there the line was clear out of the store and extended down the concourse. No thanks. I'll have to buy online.