By John Lindstrom
Publisher
Posted: April 6, 2015 2:49 PM

Forget melting snow, the bulbs bursting through the semi-frozen ground, the first whiffs of charcoal grilling a steak or robins sighting up a worm or two; the real first sign of spring in Michigan is Opening Day for the Tigers.

The opening of the baseball season has historically been a time of some good-natured pomp involving the governor and generally the Detroit mayor. But in recent years, the hardball pomp has seemed a little less pompous.

Governor Rick Snyder was in the stands when the Tigers took the field Monday at Comerica Park against the Minnesota Twins, and spokesperson Sara Wurfel said Mr. Snyder was excited to cheer the Tigers on as they chase another American League Central Division title and post season play.

But, the governors historically were a bit more active on opening day. The governor on the mound or behind the plate were always press events, but lately that seems to have faded some.

In his book, Stewards of the State, George Weeks included a series of pictures of former governors either throwing the first pitch or donning a catcher’s mitt to catch the ceremonial first pitch. The earliest picture was of former Governor Fred Green catching a decidedly high pitch in 1928.

Also pictured is former Governor G. Mennen Williams looking rather kid-like in a catcher’s crouch in 1953 and then a more sophisticated looking but grinning Mr. Williams tossing the first pitch in 1958.

Possibly the most interesting photo is that of former Governor Luren Dickinson, Michigan’s accidental governor, looking a bit like a lost kid – a kid who was nearly 80 with a white mustache – in the crouch looking out for the pitch while a ball sits forlornly at his feet.

Also included is a picture of former Governor James Blanchard really leaning into tossing the ceremonial first pitch, his teeth fiercely gritted, at the 1987 home opener. Mr. Blanchard has always been a ferocious Tigers fan. This reporter was at that 1987 game and watched as Mr. Blanchard nearly fell out his ground level box seat as he leaned over to grab a foul ball headed his way.

Mr. Weeks, a longtime political reporter and commentator, was also once chief of staff to former Governor William Milliken. In the late 1970s, Mr. Milliken’s staff told reporters if they wanted to get a picture of the governor warming up for the opener they would find him tossing a ball on the Capitol’s east lawn. And there Mr. Milliken was, his suit coat doffed, his sleeves still buttoned and tie tight, with a Tigers cap on his head playing catch. Reporters and photographers moaned about the setup shot, but there they all were shooting film, and Mr. Milliken’s picture appeared on the front page of most front pages the next day.

But probably the best gubernatorial preparation for opening day was from former Governor Jennifer Granholm. Asked in her first year if she was warming up for the ceremonial first pitch, Ms. Granholm laughed and said she would probably throw like a girl.

“And I’m the only one who can say that,” she said.