Goodbye Cubs, hello Tigers - Culture & Entertainment Group Travel

Goodbye Cubs, hello Tigers 

Goodbye Cubs, hello Tigers

The Chicago Cubs broke their losing streak, but they’ve lost me.

This was not an easy decision. I’ve loved this hard-luck baseball team literally as long as I can remember. The love of the Cubs was passed down from my grandfather to my father to me. It’s one of the few things that we shared in common.

I asked my dad if his grandpa was a Cubs fan. It is possible, but he can’t remember which team he loved. He does recall watching the CBS game of the week with Pee Wee Reese and Dizzy Dean with him, though. So I’m a possible fourth-generation Cubs fan, but surely a third. That’s why it’s so hard to say I’m done.

When I flipped on the radio last week and heard the Cubs hadn’t had a lead in 53 innings, it was then I decided to resign — to quit, throw in the towel, return my credentials, tender my resignation, give up, etc. I can’t do this any more.

Just watch this awful throw from pitcher Matt Garza and you'll know why. 

My heart has been broken one last time. It's time to switch.

I never considered this a possibility until I heard a discussion on the Slate.com podcast Hang Up and Listen. They very carefully and honestly pondered if it was okay to leave behind your childhood teams and actually pick a team to like.

At the time, I said no, that’s not possible. But then Cubs lost 12 games in the row. It’s another crummy season following another. But that’s okay; I have a backup. I have decided to be a Detroit Tigers fan.

Their Comerica Park is equally as close to my house as Wrigley Field, so it seems like a natural choice for a new team to love. This means switching from the National League to the American League, so I asked my Facebook friends for advice. Most of them told me to adjust to the idea of the designated hitter, although a few said I should just go ahead and like the Red Sox.

My friend Ben had this advice, “The A.L. plays a much less interesting brand of baseball — far fewer sac bunts, hit-and-runs, double switches. But do like most casual fans do, enjoy all the home runs.” Now, I just need to watch a game in person.

Comerica Park is one of the highlights to Detroit, and it’s worth a visit even if you’re not a baseball fan. Since I’m a new fan, I should take one of the tours  — which are group-friendly — to discover the home of the Tigers. It has a carousel and a Fly Ball Ferris Wheel. Old Wrigley Field has... bleachers. But I digress.

As long as there’s not a game, park tours are available year-round for group tours. Even if baseball is new to you, it’s interesting to go behind the scenes and see where the magic happens.

Amanda Black has spent the last 10 years with Group Tour Magazine uncovering the best attractions and tours for groups. She lives in Holland, Mich., with a lovely view of a meadow and duck pond. Amanda is big fan of fresh food and TV dramas as well as all things cute.   

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