Ever since I was a young kid, I loved the Tigers. I got that love from my Grandpa John. I remember being at their house, and the sweet voice of Ernie Harwell would fill the air. Grandpa loved to listen to his Tigers on the radio. If I was visiting him at his farm, having Sunday coffee at their house, or up north at their cottage in Newaygo, Ernie and the boys were there. He took me to my first game many years ago. My Grandma still loves to tell the story of the mini bats my brother and I got. We would stand in the isle and swing those bats as hard as we could. Grandma was convinced that we would hit each other, or someone else. Every time I would see my Grandpa, the conversation would always find it way to the Tigers. Sadly many of those years were losing seasons. Still every time we would talk, and talk about "the boys". At first it was Sweet Lou, and Tram. Latter it was Gibby and Morris. For a while it was about how they seemed to lose all the time, but next year would be their year. A few years back my Grandpa was diagnosed with Alzheimer's. His mind slowly started to slip, then much faster. No matter how far he slipped, two things remained constant. First, his love for his family. Second, "How about those Tigers."
I still remember the day I heard that Ernie Harwell had passed away. It was a sad day for me. The voice I had grown up listening to was gone. Mr. Harwell reminded me of Grandpa so much. Both were shorter men. The loved the Tigers, and were soft spoken, respected family men. When Mr. Harwell passed, my Grandpa didn't know. His mind was deteriorating, and many for the things happening in life were passing him by. I didn't tell him, because I knew the he would have be saddened to hear that news also.
Last year my Grandpa lost his battle to Alzheimer's . He passed away just before the start of spring training. I will always have a special reminder of him when "the boys" get ready to start the season. I also have a picture in my mind of what heaven is like. I see my Grandpa sitting by a lake, an empty chair next to him waiting for Grandma. On the other side is Mr. Harwell calling the Tigers game.