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Downtown Detroit is alive with excitement Friday as fans gather to watch the Tigers' Opening Day matchup against the White Sox.
While the game kicks off at 1:10 p.m., people from all over Michigan and beyond arrived early for pregame festivities in and around Comerica Park, decked out in Tigers gear.
"Go Tigers!" shouted Jerry Taylor, 38, a Detroit sports fan and father of three.
The Taylor family of St. Clair Shores has been attending the game and tailgating at a parking lot on Elizabeth and Witherell streets, just outside the ballpark, for years.
"We've been coming down with the kids since 2021," said Jerry's wife, 36-year-old Megan Taylor. "Our son was born on April 4, 2019, at 9:44 p.m., in room 744. So as we were relaxing with our newborn baby, watching the Tigers opening game rerun, we decided maybe we should look and see if the Tigers have a player who's number 44, and they did. Daniel Norris was the pitcher at the time, so we decided to name him Sullivan Norris Taylor."
Megan says they have since created fond memories with family and friends during this ongoing tradition.
"The Tigers have always been fun to watch, even in the years that weren't as exciting," she said, adding that one of her favorite memories was when Miguel Cabrera hit a home run during a snowstorm in 2021.
Mark Metzger, 64, of Franklin, has been a Detroit Tigers fan and season ticket holder for 42 years, he said. Each year, he tailgates at the same lot as the Taylor family.
"We have a whole set up — everything from sea bass to lobster to lamb chops to ribs to sushi to mac and cheese, you name it. We have the food," Marc said. "Opening Day is a tradition in the City of Detroit. It represents true 313 pride."
His brother, Daniel Metzger, flies out to Detroit from Dallas, Texas, every year to attend the Tigers Opening Day game. The siblings have maintained their loyalty to the team through winning and losing seasons.
"I even had season tickets when they were at Tigers Stadium, way before Comerica Park," Marc said. "I even have memorabilia from the Tigers Stadium in my work office, where I created a Tigers Den, including a pair of old bleacher seats; they were selling them way back when."
The brothers said they will keep their tailgate party going after the game — just like countless other fans celebrating Opening Day.
Bars and restaurants across Detroit will also keep the festivities alive with post-game parties. Details can be found here.
All tickets at Comerica Park are digital. Fans should download them from the MLB Ballpark app to their digital wallet before arriving to ensure smooth entry, according to a news release from Ilitch Sports + Entertainment.
Bags, purses and clutches are not allowed, but wallets up to 4 in by 6 in by 1.5 in are permitted into the ballpark. More information is available on the Tigers' website.
For more information on Opening Day at Comerica Park, such as parking, transportation, events, food and more, check out the following Detroit Free Press guides:
More: Your guide to Detroit Tigers Opening Day 2025: Parking, tickets, food, things to do, more
More: Detroit Tigers Opening Day: List of parties, events at restaurants, bars
Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Fans celebrate Tigers Opening Day 2025 in downtown Detroit
Continue reading...
While the game kicks off at 1:10 p.m., people from all over Michigan and beyond arrived early for pregame festivities in and around Comerica Park, decked out in Tigers gear.
"Go Tigers!" shouted Jerry Taylor, 38, a Detroit sports fan and father of three.
The Taylor family of St. Clair Shores has been attending the game and tailgating at a parking lot on Elizabeth and Witherell streets, just outside the ballpark, for years.
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"We've been coming down with the kids since 2021," said Jerry's wife, 36-year-old Megan Taylor. "Our son was born on April 4, 2019, at 9:44 p.m., in room 744. So as we were relaxing with our newborn baby, watching the Tigers opening game rerun, we decided maybe we should look and see if the Tigers have a player who's number 44, and they did. Daniel Norris was the pitcher at the time, so we decided to name him Sullivan Norris Taylor."
Megan says they have since created fond memories with family and friends during this ongoing tradition.
"The Tigers have always been fun to watch, even in the years that weren't as exciting," she said, adding that one of her favorite memories was when Miguel Cabrera hit a home run during a snowstorm in 2021.
You must be registered for see images attach
Mark Metzger, 64, of Franklin, has been a Detroit Tigers fan and season ticket holder for 42 years, he said. Each year, he tailgates at the same lot as the Taylor family.
"We have a whole set up — everything from sea bass to lobster to lamb chops to ribs to sushi to mac and cheese, you name it. We have the food," Marc said. "Opening Day is a tradition in the City of Detroit. It represents true 313 pride."
You must be registered for see images attach
His brother, Daniel Metzger, flies out to Detroit from Dallas, Texas, every year to attend the Tigers Opening Day game. The siblings have maintained their loyalty to the team through winning and losing seasons.
"I even had season tickets when they were at Tigers Stadium, way before Comerica Park," Marc said. "I even have memorabilia from the Tigers Stadium in my work office, where I created a Tigers Den, including a pair of old bleacher seats; they were selling them way back when."
The brothers said they will keep their tailgate party going after the game — just like countless other fans celebrating Opening Day.
Bars and restaurants across Detroit will also keep the festivities alive with post-game parties. Details can be found here.
How to enter Comerica Park with a digital ticket
All tickets at Comerica Park are digital. Fans should download them from the MLB Ballpark app to their digital wallet before arriving to ensure smooth entry, according to a news release from Ilitch Sports + Entertainment.
Comerica Park bag policy 2025
Bags, purses and clutches are not allowed, but wallets up to 4 in by 6 in by 1.5 in are permitted into the ballpark. More information is available on the Tigers' website.
For more information on Opening Day at Comerica Park, such as parking, transportation, events, food and more, check out the following Detroit Free Press guides:
More: Your guide to Detroit Tigers Opening Day 2025: Parking, tickets, food, things to do, more
More: Detroit Tigers Opening Day: List of parties, events at restaurants, bars
Nour Rahal is a trending and breaking news reporter. Email her: [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @nrahal1.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Fans celebrate Tigers Opening Day 2025 in downtown Detroit
Continue reading...
