This story was excerpted from Jason Beck’s Tigers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
DETROIT -- Parker Meadows was a two-sport star growing up in Loganville, Ga., but he was also an avid fisherman who had a favorite lake to go to for largemouth bass, the official state fish of Georgia. So when the Tigers approached him about designing a jersey around him for their Players’ Choice Day promotion, the center fielder was all in.
“They asked what I like to do, what are my hobbies,” he said. “I told them I fish, and then I told them what lake I grew up on and what I like to catch. They made a jersey out of it. It’s pretty cool.”
That’s how you get a Tigers jersey with a fish on it. It’s a neat design, with a gradient blue representing the lake waters in the sun before going to teal at the bottom. The front of the jersey shows a largemouth bass going after a lure. Meadows’ initials are on the left sleeve, with intercrossing fishing poles underneath. The back has his name and number.
Meadows cautions he didn’t design the jersey himself, but providing the inspiration was enough for him.
“The jersey came out pretty cool,” he said. “I’m excited about it.”
The team won’t actually wear the jerseys, but the Tigers are giving them away to fans on Saturday. It’s one of several events the Tigers have planned for Saturday’s 6:10 p.m. ET game against the Royals. The Tigers were on the road in Minnesota for Players’ Weekend last week, so this is their opportunity to have their own version for a day.
Gates open at 4:30. The festivities begin at 4:45 in the Big Cat Court, where the Tigers will hold the first-ever Jake Rogers lookalike contest. Fans with a big moustache, or fans with a good fake moustache, are invited to take their best shot at pulling off the Tigers catcher’s look for a chance to win autographed Tigers memorabilia. Interested fans can sign up using the link at tigers.com/playerschoice.
“I might make an appearance,” Rogers joked. “You never know who you could see in the crowd. Should be a good one.”
The Tigers are also bringing back the Skubal Snack Burger from last year’s Players’ Weekend festivities, featuring bacon, pepper jack cheese, light mayo and a fried egg. It’s one a half-dozen special menu items on sale at designated locations around the ballpark, with a portion of the proceeds going to the corresponding player’s charity of choice:
• Skubal’s Snack Burger will be on sale at the Michigan Craft stand near section 104.
• Casey Mize Fries will be in Big Cat Court near section 119.
• Dillon Dingler’s Chicken Fingers will also be on sale in Big Cat Court.
• The Riley Greene Slider will be featured at the Green Dot Stables stand near section 143.
• Check out Gleyber Torres’ empanadas near section 129.
• To close it out, Will Vest’s best pretzels and peanuts will be on sale near section 145.
Kids can stop by the Javy’s Kids Club kiosk at section 136 for a free pack of Topps baseball cards. Tigers Kids Club members will also get an exclusive charm.
The Tigers will also have player items on sale at The D Shop.
For more information or tickets, check out tigers.com/playerschoice.