The Detroit Tigers Reader celebrates the great moments and personalities of the city's rich baseball history. The story of the Tigers---like the story of Detroit itself---is one of resilience and endurance. For baseball fans it's also an intensely personal one: Detroit Tigers baseball has flowed through the veins of generations of families. The essays, articles, and letters in The Detroit Tigers Reader capture those stories and the essence of the Tigers' spirit, tracing the history of the team from its first game on April 25, 1901, up through the arrival of "Pudge" Rodriguez in 2004. With contributions from some of the greatest sportswriters and athletes, as well as local journalists and fans, The Detroit Tigers Reader charts the highs and lows of one of the most extraordinary and celebrated teams in baseball history. Includes contributions from Mitch Albom Dave Anderson Joseph Durso Joe Falls Hank Greenberg Ernie Harwell Al Kaline Mike Lupica Grantland Rice Damon Runyon Babe Ruth Neal Shine