The Detroit Tiger’s Showcase Polish Heritage

There was Polka Music outside the stadium as folks flowed into Comerica Park. Some even lingered to dance. Families lined up to take group photos and ‘selfies’ in front of the giant Tiger statue on the west side of the stadium.

There were over 450 dances, performers and chaperones on the field before the game. The dance groups were sponsored by the Polish National Alliance, the Polish Roman Catholic Union and the Polish Women’s Alliance. Near home plate, Celeste Grabowski of the Tigers did a masterful job of getting the pre-game group out on the field. Chris Ozog of the P.R.C.U. emceed with announcements and acknowledgements. Ozog was also on the Tigers radio pre-game broadcast with Jim Price.

Before the game, Detroit Tiger’s president Dave Dombrowski said, “This is a tremendous night and the organization has a large tie-in on this festive night. The park will be a lot of fun with a great atmosphere. We are delighted to help celebrate Polish heritage on this special day.

Kelly Salatowski of Wyandotte, Michigan was given the honor to throw out the ceremonial first pitch this year. With the color-guard just behind second base, Robert Szczublewski of Toledo, Ohio did a masterful job of singing both the Polish and American National Anthems.

The National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame had a display near the rightfield concourse. Major League Baseball standout Ryan Klesko, heavyweight boxing champion Duane Bobick and All-American lineman Walt Patulski have been elected into the Class of 2014. The honor awards will be presented to the recipients at the 42nd Anniversary Induction Banquet on Thursday, June 19, 2014, at the American Polish-Cultural Center in Troy, Michigan.

Klesko played 16 Major League Baseball seasons (1992-2007) with Atlanta, San Diego and San Francisco, hitting 278 home runs, 987 RBI’s, and 1,564 hits during his major league career. He was an integral part of the Braves World Series Championship team of 1985, as well as two other Braves World Series teams. Named to the 2001 All-Star team in San Diego, Klesko batted .300 or better in four seasons and hit 21 or more home runs in eight seasons. He finished his career with a .279 career batting average.

The game didn’t go well for the home team. Twins right-hander Kyle Gibson blanked the Tigers on five hits over seven innings. Gibson got Miguel Cabrera out with runners aboard to escape Tiger rallies twice. Eduardo Escobar drove in both runs for the Twins including a third-inning solo homer off Drew Smyly.
It was a tough loss for Smyly as the Tiger bats went cold. As the evening progressed, most of the crowd stayed for the post-game fireworks which were accompanied by Polish music. The announced attendance was 39, 811. In rightfield upper-deck, the Pepsi Patio was rocking all game with a younger crowd. The piwa (beer) was flowing and most watched the game on the TV monitors as they mingled.

Stella Szczęsny, a commissioner with the Polish National Alliance said near the Tiger’s Den, “The weather cooperated and it is wonderful having a full house.” Alina Klin with the Wayne State University Polish Language Program concurred, “Tonight is a pageant of color. I am seeing so many students and former students here. It is wonderful to be Polish.”

On Saturday, the Tigers rebounded to win 12-9 in a cliff-hanger. Tiger lefthander and Chicago area native son, Ian Krol, entered in the eighth and retired slugger Joe Mauer on a bases-loaded grounder. The Tigers still remained in first place in the Central Division with a slim one game margin over Kansas City.

In the rubber match on Sunday, the Tigers won 4-3. Tori Hunter scored from third base in the bottom of the ninth on a short sac-fly from J.D. Martinez. A crucial home series with Kansas City is next.

The National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame Baseball Inductees

• Oscar Bielaski
  
• Stan Coveleski
  
• Art “Pinky” Deras
  
• Moe Drabowsky
  
• Mark Fidrych
  
• Steve Gromek
  
• Ryan Klesko - 2014 Honored Inductee
  
• Ted Kluszewski
  
• Casimir (Jim) Konstanty
  
• Whitey Kurowski
  
• Bob Kuzava
  
• Tony Kubek
  
• Eddie Lopat
  
• Stan Lopata
  
• Greg Luzinski
  
• Bill Mazeroski
  
• Barney McCosky
  
• Stan Musial - 1973 Charter Inductee
  
• Phil Niekro
  
• Joe Niekro
  
• Danny Ozark
  
• Tom Paciorek
  
• Ron Perranoski
  
• Johnny Podres
  
• Jack Quinn
  
• Ron Reed
  
• Jenny Romatowski
  
• Ray Sadecki
  
• Al Simmons
  
• Bill Skowron
  
• Frank Tanana
  
• Alan Trammell
  
• Carl Yastrzemski
  
• Richie Zisk
  

TAGS: Dave Dombrowski, Detroit Tigers, MLB, IBAF, Ryan Klesko, Raymond Rolak, Alina Klin, Stella Szczęsny, Chris Ozog, Wally Ozog, NPASHF, Stan Musial, Ian Krol, Comerica Park