I grew up a Detroit Tigers fan in rural Alabama in the 1980s.
Where I'm from, all we really had was college football. You were either an Alabama or Auburn football fan.
I have family that lives in Lincoln Park, so our family vacations would consist of driving to Detroit for a week during summer break. I had became a Tigers fan just from watching them on TV during the '84 season.
Living in Atlanta Braves country meant that it was rare to get to see them on TV much. So during the 1985 season, we went on vacation to Detroit, and I got to live my childhood fantasy of seeing a game in Detroit.
It was my first baseball game ever to see in person. I still remember, to this day, going to the game. The Tigers played the Mariners. I still have my ticket stub somewhere. I fell hopelessly in love with the Tigers from that point on.
I've had a few great memories of games there from the past. I remember having a hot dog, having my first beer at a game. I remember getting Bo Jackson's autograph, of all places in Detroit, instead of here in Alabama. (Editor's note: Jackson was a running back at Auburn University.)
In 2018, I got to bring my family to a game in Detroit, and see my son have the time of his life at the game, just as I did so many years before. I have been a Tigers fan from probably age 9 or 10 till now. Even during the lean years, I've never once considered jumping ship, even when Atlanta was rolling in the 90s.
I remember the feeling I had watching the Tigers win it all in '84, the anger I had seeing Kansas City win it all in '85, or the heartbreak falling in the playoffs in '87.
I'm in my early 50s now, and hopeful for the future of our team.
Jason Hayes
Cullman, Alabama
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Lifelong fan in Alabama writes love letter to Detroit Tigers | Letter
