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A City on Fire: The Story of the '68 Detroit Tigers. The true story of a team that helped heal a shattered city. Tuesday, July 30 at 10 pm.

I'm looking forward to watching that one. Especially to see how the great paradox therein is analysed: here was a city shattered enough that the Tigers' winning the Series should have been indeed a huge salve. So what did Detroit do when the Tigers nailed that triumph? They went out and upended the neighbourhood. Again. (Something that repeated itself even more when the Tigers won the big prize in 1984.)

I had the pleasure of visiting old Tiger Stadium for a game while I was traveling in 1998 (the Tigers and the Cincinnati Reds were doing a Negro Leagues tribute night, the Tigers in Detroit Stars uniforms and the Reds, the Kansas City Monarchs, I think they were wearing), and I found the natives to be quite civil and a delight to share a baseball game with. But I didn't have the heart to ask how such a seemingly civil city could break the neighbourhood over a pair of World Series wins.

...I didn't have the heart to ask how such a seemingly civil city could break the neighbourhood over a pair of World Series wins...

I can tell you about the '84 celebration, having witnessed it first-hand.

Though, I missed some of it because I had to wash the blood from my hand and try to stop the bleeding, due to slipping and falling off the damn light pole. I did take advantage of my being temporarily stuck in the Shell gas-station garage (where they let me use their fawcett) across from the stadium to call home. I remember my father telling me that there was a riot going on down there. I looked out the window and confirmed that, yes, there was a riot going on down here. I also said that I'd have to stay here awhile, because my car would have to cross Michigan Avenue, and I didn't want my car destroyed.

Anyway, I wonder what I could get on Ebay for eighteen-year old outfield turf and a couple of light bulbs taken from the left-field auxilliary scoreboard that night.

But, as far as I could see, the damage was limited to a few cars, and a lot of "disrespecting" of Detroit Police who were trying to end all the fun. There were no busisess that were looted or anything like that.

But, to answer your question, I guess I have no idea why fans would behave like that. I know I never would (again). I guess it's just that a few idiots can really make a big show and ruin the reputation of the whole group.