What I learn from watching the Detroit Tigers
Like many sons and daughters of the state of Michigan, I jumped ship. On July 24, 2002 (only 452 days after my commencement day in Michigan Stadium), I moved jobless to Austin with paper-thin ties to family and friends. My brother and I drove off our parent’s driveway in Farmington, Michigan. We were proud to take the risk, and even though we’ve never discussed it, we were relieved to dodge the numbing effects of Michigan’s economic war.
As Michigan counts a growing number of foreclosures and unemployment checks alongside our nation’s growing number of dead and wounded, I’m reminded of grandparents and great-grandparents that renewed our country after decades of war and a devastating economic depression. When times get extremely tough, our sports teams become more important than ever.
Our nation has a love affair with sports, because they arrived when we needed them the most. Historically, it was the rise of memorial stadiums and their subsequent hall-of-famers after WWI and WWII that ignited our capacities to heal and participate, both physically and emotionally, in community.
Following WWI, many of our world-class universities erected enormous stadiums to honor the Armed Forces, its veterans, and their fallen brothers. Radio and large college stadiums increased our country’s access to sports. A growing fan base flourished, and it eventually paved the way for sports like baseball and football to raise national interest, broadcasting contracts, and revenue streams that solidified a professional future.
When our veterans returned from WWII, baseball initiated a healing process that liberated us from a dark war and set our sights on a bright future. Joe DiMaggio, Hank Greenberg, Jackie Robinson, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Sandy Koufax, Mickey Mantle…their risk-taking and heroics on the field inspired millions of Americans to jump and grasp their dreams. The forties and fifties came to a close with a highly skilled workforce, a booming economy, and political leaders and everyday citizens poised to educate the world on our civil liberties.
Our sports’ heroes and teams give us shared experiences to be proud of, and over the course of a season or major sporting event, communities tap into a collection of positive energy to renew, redefine, and rebuild hope in the future.
Check out “We believe!” in today’s Detroit News.
What would it have been like to sit in Yankee Stadium clinging to the words of Lou Gehrig’s famous farewell speech on July 4, 1939?
People claim it was a “miracle” when the United States beat Russia to win the gold medal in the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. That “miracle” is not nearly as impressive as the millions of Americans who are grateful for that game and all of the days after that game.
In more recent years, what do you remember about the college game day crowds that gathered in stadiums on September 15, 2001 following the 9/11 terrorist attacks?
Just like the above examples, today’s Detroit Tigers help many of us across the country embrace the brilliant consequences of sports. We admire resilience, and we identify with a hunger to make things better. The Tigers haven’t been this close to the World Series since 1987, and as they continue to inspire their hard-working fans across the state, I see Michigan getting stronger. I see Michigan educating its youth with patience and vision. I see Michigan steadying itself to restore confidence in its fight for a growing economy and emerging industries. I see Michigan poised to bring its sons and daughters back to a state that transformed our daily lives with the automobile and will find other ways to befriend the world with innovative and timely gifts.
This past April, my brother moved back to Michigan to pursue a job promotion with Bacardi USA. He visits our hard-working parents often, and when he helped them celebrate their 28th wedding anniversary this past Friday night, the Detroit Tigers were the main attraction. He paused to send me a text message, “This city is electric!”
Whether it’s the Tigers, Wolverines, or any of the state’s teams, I’m thankful for the men and women who are strengthening Michigan’s pulse at this important time. At 23, maybe I wasn’t patient enough or hopeful enough or tough enough to stay in Michigan. Life is full of choices, and in the words of a storied Wolverine, Bo Schembechler, “Those who stay will be Champions.” It’s a pleasure trying to experience and understand that journey. Thank you, Tigers!
As Michigan counts a growing number of foreclosures and unemployment checks alongside our nation’s growing number of dead and wounded, I’m reminded of grandparents and great-grandparents that renewed our country after decades of war and a devastating economic depression. When times get extremely tough, our sports teams become more important than ever.
Our nation has a love affair with sports, because they arrived when we needed them the most. Historically, it was the rise of memorial stadiums and their subsequent hall-of-famers after WWI and WWII that ignited our capacities to heal and participate, both physically and emotionally, in community.
Following WWI, many of our world-class universities erected enormous stadiums to honor the Armed Forces, its veterans, and their fallen brothers. Radio and large college stadiums increased our country’s access to sports. A growing fan base flourished, and it eventually paved the way for sports like baseball and football to raise national interest, broadcasting contracts, and revenue streams that solidified a professional future.
When our veterans returned from WWII, baseball initiated a healing process that liberated us from a dark war and set our sights on a bright future. Joe DiMaggio, Hank Greenberg, Jackie Robinson, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, Sandy Koufax, Mickey Mantle…their risk-taking and heroics on the field inspired millions of Americans to jump and grasp their dreams. The forties and fifties came to a close with a highly skilled workforce, a booming economy, and political leaders and everyday citizens poised to educate the world on our civil liberties.
Our sports’ heroes and teams give us shared experiences to be proud of, and over the course of a season or major sporting event, communities tap into a collection of positive energy to renew, redefine, and rebuild hope in the future.
Check out “We believe!” in today’s Detroit News.
What would it have been like to sit in Yankee Stadium clinging to the words of Lou Gehrig’s famous farewell speech on July 4, 1939?
People claim it was a “miracle” when the United States beat Russia to win the gold medal in the 1980 Winter Olympic Games. That “miracle” is not nearly as impressive as the millions of Americans who are grateful for that game and all of the days after that game.
In more recent years, what do you remember about the college game day crowds that gathered in stadiums on September 15, 2001 following the 9/11 terrorist attacks?
Just like the above examples, today’s Detroit Tigers help many of us across the country embrace the brilliant consequences of sports. We admire resilience, and we identify with a hunger to make things better. The Tigers haven’t been this close to the World Series since 1987, and as they continue to inspire their hard-working fans across the state, I see Michigan getting stronger. I see Michigan educating its youth with patience and vision. I see Michigan steadying itself to restore confidence in its fight for a growing economy and emerging industries. I see Michigan poised to bring its sons and daughters back to a state that transformed our daily lives with the automobile and will find other ways to befriend the world with innovative and timely gifts.
This past April, my brother moved back to Michigan to pursue a job promotion with Bacardi USA. He visits our hard-working parents often, and when he helped them celebrate their 28th wedding anniversary this past Friday night, the Detroit Tigers were the main attraction. He paused to send me a text message, “This city is electric!”
Whether it’s the Tigers, Wolverines, or any of the state’s teams, I’m thankful for the men and women who are strengthening Michigan’s pulse at this important time. At 23, maybe I wasn’t patient enough or hopeful enough or tough enough to stay in Michigan. Life is full of choices, and in the words of a storied Wolverine, Bo Schembechler, “Those who stay will be Champions.” It’s a pleasure trying to experience and understand that journey. Thank you, Tigers!
posted by Corey at 4:12 PM
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