The day in which the Detroit Tigers open their home schedule for the season is always a big deal in Michigan. Many people take the day off of work (or take a half-day off) to either attend the game in person, or watch the game at a local establishment or at home on TV. It has become, as the title of this article suggests, an unofficial state holiday.
We have known for more than a generation now that football, and especially the National Football League (NFL) is America's National Pastime. The television ratings prove it.
The Detroit Tigers rarely make it to the World Series. It's even more rare they win the World Series Championship. They did win in 1935, 1945, 1968 & 1984.