Local Tigers fans flock to Detroit for Opening Day

By Ryan Adams

WINDSOR, ON. April 6th, 2015.
Joshua Marentette, 24, waits on the steps of a friends home, preparing for the Detroit Tigers Opening Day celebrations on April 6th in downtown Detroit.

Thousands of Windsorites ventured over the Windsor-Detroit border to catch the Detroit Tigers’ 2015 Opening Day celebration.

Travis Bondy, 24, a Detroit Tigers fan for as long as he can remember, can still recall going to games at the old Tiger Stadium when he was just a child.

“Opening day is the best day of the year,” said Bondy.  He, along with some friends, arrived early to the big day to celebrate another Major League Baseball season in Detroit.

“We got into Detroit by 9 a.m. and we were still late to the party,” said Bondy, who was a former baseball player himself. “The amount of energy billowing out of every parking lot and bar across the city is incredible.”

The Tigers missed out on winning the World Series for the fourth straight year last season, despite division crowns in each of those years.  But Joshua Marentette, 24, said he sees a brighter future for this new squad.

“A new season means a clean slate and the potential for anything to happen. I predict another division championship because that’s what the Tigers do,” said the University of Windsor grad. “Though the rotation is a bit scary, I am excited about the offense and pleased with the team’s defense for this year.”

With the Detroit Downtown Development Authority approving the financing of the proposed downtown Detroit mega complex last year, Marentette said the city is on the right track to accomplishing greatness.

“There is so much business that can be created or can grow because of the arenas,” said Marentette.

“I think for a city that is in need of a big push to get anywhere close back to its glory days, this arena is a very, very good step towards all that.”

Bondy further explained just how exciting the atmosphere was in Detroit.

“Opening day in Detroit is something else, it’s tough to describe.  The atmosphere is incredible, it’s electric.  I couldn’t imagine how many people were packed into downtown Detroit today.”

The Detroit Tigers started the 2015 season by not allowing a run in their first 24 innings, a first in the franchise’s history.