I've become a fan: Game 10 of 22+

Summary:
Score: Tigers 4 White Sox 0
Temperature: 75 o
Attendance: 39, 361
Winner of the Dunkin' Donuts Race: Biggie Bagel

Last night was the beginning of a 4 game homestand with the Chicago White Sox. I have to admit I really haven't been following how many games Detroit is up over whomever but I do know that Chicago's behind Detroit and if Detroit loses all or some of these 4 games, it would have implications for the playoffs. Last night, while waiting for what turned out to be an amazing spinach pizza, I confessed to Dale: "I'm feeling really nervous about this game. I don't know why." Dale looked up at me with a gentle pride and said, "You've become a fan." And, I think I have; games have evolved into something else for me. I have always enjoyed going to ballgames; they have been an intellectual, aesthetic and almost esoteric experience. In the past few weeks, I'm starting to see that there is a difference between liking a game and being a fan. In the past few weeks, Tigers games have become increasingly emotional expeience: the suspense that makes me sort of ill and the excitement and relief over a good play or a good game. While I'd not really felt these emotions at a ballgame before, I recognized the feelings immediately; they're the very same ones I feel when I watch the Oilers in the playoffs. In feeling these emotions I realize that baseball's has really made a home in my heart as has the city of Detroit. In thinking about how Detroit and the Tigers have nestled into my affections, I am reminded of Dave asking me if my Curtis Granderson shirt was the first sports shirt with a name that I'd ever owned. No, this is my third: in the 80s I had (and still have) home and away Oilers jerseys with Paul Coffey and Kevin Lowe's numbers. Curtis has good company.