By Raymond Rolak
Twój Ulbiony, TIGER?
DETROIT– Tiger manager Jim Leyand was on the field supporting the pre- game festivities of the 41st annual Polish American Night. Music, dance and ‘Paws’ entertained in front of the announced 34,046 on a misty Friday evening. The animated Tigers mascot was dressed in colorful Polish folk-dancing wear. It was a highlight.
Besides the anticipated baseball action, and the spectacular color display from the dancing troupes, there was the added value of post game fireworks sponsored by Pepsi.
Pre-game music was provided by: The Natural Tones, The Kielbasa Kings and Big Daddy Lackowski & The La De Das.
Leyland spoke with former baseball sensation Pinky Deras before the game. Deras is one of the 2011 inductees into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame and was acknowledged on the field before the game.
The evening started with great expectations and high hopes having Rick Porcello on the mound for the Tiger’s. The Boston Red Sox had a five run third inning that sent the Tiger ace to the showers and dimmed some of the evenings merriment. Leyland said after the game, “He was just out of sync.” The post game Polka concert left most in good spirits even with the home team losing 6-3.
A special promotion was sponsored by the Polish Roman Catholic Union and the Michigan Division of the Polish American Congress. Those that purchased a special ticket package received tee-shirts with “Who’s your Tiger” in Polish on the back (Twój Ulubiony, TIGER?).
The Tigers press box kitchen at Comerica Park featured a Polish style dinner before the game. Veteran talk-radio host Ron Cameron along with good friend George Eichorn saluted “Big Ed”. That is, Ed Browalski, who was one of the driving forces of Polish-American Night and the formation of the NPASHF. Browalski was a longtime and respected baseball and bowling writer and official scorekeeper for the Detroit Tigers.
Deras, who was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals out of Hamtramck High School for a big bonus, told Jim Conrad, “At my first day of spring training in St. Petersburg, Stan Musial came up to me and said, ‘Come on Polish boy, how about some catch.’”
“That shook off the butterflies,” added Deras. “What a class act to help out a rookie like that.” Musial was the first NPASHF inductee in 1973.
This year’s NPASHF induction banquet is June 23, at 6:00 pm at the American-Polish Cultural Center in Troy, Michigan. For ticket information, 313-407-3300.
In Chicago, Polish-American Night with the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field will be Tuesday, July 26, 2011. The Sox will take on the Tigers and tickets can be purchased from the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America,
1-800-772-8632, ext. 2601.
Editors Note: Raymond Rolak was a past Chairman of the NPASHF
Courtesy of www.mypolishtimes.com