I have been a Detroit Tigers fan for my entire life. I remember shaking hands with Al Kaline and listening to Ernie Harwell allow the sounds of the game to come through the radio. I remember the 1984 championship season and Jack Morris's no-hitter. I fondly remember attending the final game at Tiger Stadium. I still miss that place.
Tonight, I got word from a friend that Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga was writing another chapter in the history or our baseball team. He had a perfect game. A PERFECT GAME. No pitcher in Tigers history has ever pitched a perfect game.
Through the seventh, eighth and ninth innings, I clung to the radio and internet live stream to watch as history was made. Each batter came to the plate. And each returned to the dugout without reaching base.
This is a night that I will tell my five-month-old son about. It was the only night in Tigers history that the team was perfect.
In the swirl of the moment, the umpire incorrectly called the 27th batter safe at first. Video clearly showed the call was incorrect. The umpire admitted after the game that he cost Galarraga a perfect game.
But this is not a moment to focus on human frailty. This is a moment to celebrate perfection. And the umpire's heartfelt apology and Galarraga's gracious acceptance added to the majesty of the evening.
Galarraga was perfect tonight.
For the first time in history - my team - the Detroit Tigers, were perfect.
Michiganders will remember it forever.
Coverage: Galarraga Perfect Game
Granholm Verifies Perfect Game