Detroit News baseball writer Tony Paul can't be perfectly objective as he reports on a Comerica Park ceremony with special meaning to one Metro Detroit family -- his.
The journalist's brother, 22-year-old Army Specialist David Paul, is in town for two weeks after a 20-month deployment in South Korea.
His first request, to the surprise of absolutely nobody, was to see a Tigers game. With the team out west the next two weeks, Thursday was his only opportunity before moving on to his next stop, in Fort Bragg, N.C. So, upon hearing this, the Tigers got busy planning a day he won't soon forget.
The News sportswriter may have gotten a least a bit of courtesy treatment, but Paul mentions that he "followed standard protocol, available at tigers.com" for tribute to active duty service members.
The Tigers, like many professional sports teams, take their relationship with the armed forces seriously.
Before each game at Comerica Park, at least one service member — and sometimes more — is honored in a ceremony.
A day after landing in Michigan, the visiting Army specialist delivered the game ball to the mound.
A hearty crowd on a miserably soggy day offered a touching ovation as he arrived at the center of the diamond, placed the baseball down, smiled widely and saluted the fans.
Over the P.A. system came a message from the team: "The Detroit Tigers thank you for your service."
Comerica Park is familiar turf for Tony Paul, but this time he wasn't in the press box, He describes an "oh-so special day" in the stands with his uniformed "baby brother," an older brother, their dad and other family members.
it proved the perfect start to a fantastic reunion.
