The PRCUA Zakopane Dance Troupe were front and center as color guard at the 42nd annual Polish-American Night at Comerica Park in Detroit.
The New York Yankees bested the Tigers 9-4 powered by a Curtis Grander son grand-slam homerun in front of a full house.
Photo by Lars Hjelmroth, Rolco Sports Network
DETROIT– Pepsi sponsored the post game fireworks show but Yankee center-fielder Curtis Granderson gave the game highlights. He hit a second inning right-field grandslam homerun as the Yankees won on the road, 9-4.
Light rain and cold temps dampened the pre-game Polish folk dancing on the field at Comerica Park, though the colorful spectacle offered plenty of photo-ops. Special Twoj Ulubiony -“TIGER” ? red and white tee-shirts were seen throughout the stadium. (Who is your TIGER ?)
Hamtramck, Michigan Mayor Karen Majewski and race car driver J.R. Hildebrand threw out the ceremonial first pitches. Hildebrand was in town for the Chevrolet Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix. The Polish and American national anthems were ably sung by Robert Szczublewski of Toledo, Ohio. Tiger manager Jim Leyland was spotted singing along.
Chris Ozog emceed the pregame festivities and Mariusz Szajnert of the Michigan Polish American Congress said, “This turnout is a great compliment to the next generation of Polish-Americans in metro Detroit.”
The National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame had an informational table near the right-field concourse. The upcoming 2012 induction banquet for the NPASHF is Thursday, June 21, in Troy, Michigan.
Submitted by Raymond Rolak