Tigers star right fielder Al Kaline on the field prior to the opening game of the 1963 season at Tiger Stadium in Detroit.
It was long ago, but in some ways still seems like yesterday.
It was a different ballpark, a different time, and a different team. But the hopes were the same. The Tigers entered the 1963 season with hopes of a pennant and a World Series championship.
Opening Day has always been a pageant in Detroit. Today won’t be any different, as the Tigers host the Boston Red Sox with ace Justin Verlander on the mound. We all know he’s special.
We have a photo gallery of some rare images from the ’63 Opening Day festivities at The Corner. It’s interesting to see Al Kaline, and manager Bob Scheffing (who would be fired in June), and a few very interesting politicians on hand.
Detroit city mayor Jerome Cavanagh was there, of course. As was Governor George Romney and his wife. Both Cavanagh and Romney tossed out ceremonial first pitches. His son, Mitt, was nowhere to be seen in these photos. Maybe the 16-year old future presidential hopeful was in school that day?
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George
I was at that game, home opener 1963. It was hard to see Charlie Maxwell in Chicago White Sox uniform. I do remember Gus Triandos hitting a home rum.