Detroit Tigers Links: Wrapping Up Opening Day – Gonzalez, Collins, and More

Mar 31, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers short stop Alex Gonzalez (center) is swarmed by teammates after hitting a walk off hits an RBI single against the Kansas City Royals in the ninth inning of an opening day baseball game at Comerica Park. Detroit won 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

Gonzalez plays hero as Tigers down the Royals 4-3 on Opening Day – Sam O’Toole – MCB

"Gonzalez pulled a single into left field in the bottom of the ninth to plate pinch runner Tyler Collins to give the Detroit Tigers the walk-off 4-3 victory over AL Central foe, the Kansas City Royals on Opening Day."

Dan Dickerson Calls the Gonzalez Opening Day Walkoff – HookSlide – Bless You Boys

"Alex Gonzalez gets the opening day walk-off hit for the Tigers. Here is Dickerson’s call."

Always good to have links to Dan Dickerson’s call of anything. He’s the best.

Tigers’ success depends on long haul, but opening day win leaves plenty of first impressions – Chris Iott – MLive

"Torii Hunter dropped a fly ball and was charged with an error. Austin Jackson took a terrible route on a ball hit to his left and was not. Alex Gonzalez booted a routine grounder and was charged with an error. Castellanos let a foul ball drop near the fence in foul territory and was not."

The Detroit Tigers really need the defense to be improved if this season is going to end the way they want it to. It wasn’t improved on Monday. We can’t base any conclusions on one game, but there was too much derp for my taste out there.

Detroit Tigers youngsters Nick Castellanos, Tyler Collins climb the ladder together to Opening Day — Jeff Seidel — Free Press

"“It’s awesome,” said Castellanos, who played in 11 games last year but is considered a rookie. “To climb the ladder with somebody you are so close with. We can get used to this. It’s awesome when you reach your goal with your good friend.”"

It’s fun to see a bit of youth injected into the roster. Hopefully they can prove they belong.

The Tigers’ singing hot dog vendor is still out in the cold as Opening Day dawns – Neal Rubin – Detroit News

"“Hey,” said a fan in a New York grocery store, “you’re the singing hot dog guy!”Yes, he is. Or was. And might be again.…Sportservice, the stone-faced subsidiary of a New York conglomerate that operates concessions at Comerica Park, fired him in September. Marcuse, 33, says he was told that “I didn’t follow the rules and standards.”"

Did I love the singing hot dog guy? Not necessarily. But he was unique, and there was something fun about that.