DETROIT (WCBS-AM) -- I got less than three hours of sleep before packing my bags and heading to Newark Airport. Parked at my favorite spot across from the airport, Mr.B's, and caught a shuttle to the Continental terminal. Lines at check-in were lengthy. Didn't think I'd make my flight. But, I made like O.J. (The old O.J.) and hurdled my way all the way to the last gate in the terminal. Sweating like a pig, I boarded the small plane. One seat on the left side of the aircraft, two on the right. I had a window seat, which meant my right arm was in for a severe temperature change. Once at cruising altitude, I caught a chill. My right sleeve was wet from perspiration. The outside air must've been minus 50 or so. This combination led to my right arm feeling like it was being stored in a meat locker.
A day that began with the beautiful image from a few thousand feet -- the busy Manhattan skyline at sunrise -- turned pretty lame upon arrival in Detroit. Nothing distinct to mark this place. Like Atlanta, this airport is outside the city and is surrounded by greenery. After picking up my rental car, I noticed that gas prices are about identical to back in Jersey. But, the cost for 20-ounce bottles of soda seemed high – at least at the gas station outside the airport. $1.49 for a Sprite? I know it's not much more than the standard buck-twenty-five, but I still couldn't understand why it was more costly, at all.
After sleeping for a few hours in my hotel room, I headed over to Comerica Park. I caught a sign for "8 Mile Road" and couldn't help but think of Eminem and the hell he grew up in. Homes pretty dilapidated just off the M-10 highway – as I imagined Detroit to be.
I parked one block from the stadium at a garage, which cost only ten dollars. That's sixteen more than at the Yankee Stadium garages. The trick is to buy your Sprite in New York and park your car in Detroit.
After 25 minutes or so of frustration, trying to find my seat at Comerica Park, I settled in to the auxiliary press box in right field. Snapped some photos. Went to the interview room and heard Joe Torre announce that Bernie Williams would be the designated hitter and Giambi would take over first base for Sheffield. Also, ARod moved from sixth to fourth in the lineup. Is that a reward for going 1-for-8 in the first two games?
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