By Yvette Lanier, Amy Oprean and Elizabeth Swanson
The State News
I magine that it's late in the afternoon and the Detroit Tigers are set to play against the Oakland Athletics in mere hours.
You can almost feel the excitement bursting from Detroit — the bars filling up, the people in the streets, music and anticipation pulsing through downtown.
But you're in East Lansing, left to congregate in sports bars, living rooms or dorms — unless someone decides to throw the ultimate Tigers party, of course.
Here are some suggestions for the food, drinks, decorations and atmosphere that will bring Detroit fans together and make your Tigers party a hit.
Since you can't be in the Motor City, bring the celebration to your living room for Game 1 of the American League Championship Series with this party guide.
Edible decor
Even if you're not actually at the big Detroit Tigers game, you can create a ballpark atmosphere by serving authentic stadium cuisine.
Start by setting out bowls of Cracker Jacks or peanuts for appetizers — after all, peanuts are a baseball tradition. You can also incorporate an orange and blue theme into the food by mixing Doritos and blue corn chips together in a large bowl. Or, if you prefer to leave the chips separate, put a bowl of each on either side of the serving table.
For the main course, grill hot dogs. It will create a convincing ballpark aroma, and the links won't cost $5 apiece.
Submarine sandwiches also can be provided in honor of former Tigers' pitcher Elden Auker, who was known for his underhand — or submarine — throwing style. Auker struck out Babe Ruth and helped the Tigers win their first World Series in 1935.
After dinner, bring out frosted Tigers sugar cookies. If they can't be found at grocery stores, you can make them yourself. Simply use a bear-shaped cookie cutter to mold the sugar cookies. When they're out of the oven, spread orange frosting on top and draw a Tiger face with black frosting. For an easier way to create Tigers-themed cookies, put black sprinkles over the orange frosting. People will get the idea and it won't change the delicious taste.
Orange-frosted cupcakes with black-icing stripes are another alternative or addition to the dessert tray. During October, it will be easier to find orange and black frosted deserts, as they're being sold for Halloween.
Presentation is everything. Having a dessert and appetizer table displaying orange and black foods will complement the streamers, posters and balloons surrounding the party area — just think of it as edible decor.
Tigers spirits
As Kenny Rogers and Ivan Rodriguez have demonstrated, the most vital beverage at any Tigers party is champagne. Keep a few bottles on hand for a victorious finish, and while the game is still going, try these Tigers-styled drinks.
For those younger than 21, Orange Crush soda and Blue Moon Berry Kool-Aid are a must. Adding blue or orange food dye also will show your team colors while you enjoy your favorite flavor of punch.
For those who are 21 or older, there are several mixed drinks that would fit perfectly into the Tigers atmosphere.
The Juicy Tiger is a mix of vodka, Coca-Cola and sweet and sour mix. Meghan Bell, a bartender at The Peanut Barrel Restaurant, 521 E. Grand River Ave., said the drink resembles a Long Island Iced Tea but with less liquor.
Bell had other suggestions for mixed-drink options as well.
"If I was throwing a Tigers party, I would definitely come up with a made-up shot called the World Series," she said, adding that her shot would be orange juice, Triple Sec and tequila.
Steve Karsten, a bartender at Rick's American Café, 224 Abbott Road, coined the drink "Tiger Tamer" — a combination of Stolichnaya Orange Vodka and Stolichnaya Blue Vodka for Tigers' colors, mixed with grapefruit juice, in honor of the Grapefruit League, which was the Tigers' spring training league.
Georgette Vlangos, a bartender at Buffalo Wild Wings, 360 Albert Ave., put a spin on the O-Bomb — which is Bacardi O and 180 Energy Drink — and created the orange and blue Tiger Bomb. The Tiger Bomb is a shot of Blue Curacao with Absolut Mandarin vodka. The shot can be chased or mixed with an orange soft drink.
Vlangos also suggested a shot that is already in existence.
"When I think of baseball, I think 'as American as apple pie.' So an apple pie shot would be good, or anything you can make that resembles cotton candy," she said.
But Vlangos had a clear favorite above all mixed drinks for her Tigers party.
"Any party is not a party without Jagermeister," she said.
Other Tigers-themed drinks can be found at www.drinksmixer.com, including the Tiger Jack, Bengal Tiger and if you are feeling really adventurous, the Tiger's Milk — which is a mix of dark rum, brandy, milk and sugar.
Decorations
Arranging a Detroit Tigers party can be just as enjoyable as watching the game. Most of the essentials can be purchased for less than $40.
To have achieve the right mood with the crowd, as if you were in Comerica Park, you might want these items to hit a home run with your guests. Since the Detroit Tigers' colors are orange, navy blue and white, using these colors will help create a Tigers atmosphere.
Orange and blue streamers can be as inexpensive as 89 cents depending on the length, and can help brighten up blank walls.
To keep the coordination going, use colored napkins and plastic spoons and forks. These items may be purchased at a local dollar store or party store. Balloons are another essential party item — tape them along the walls, sticking to the orange and blue theme, of course.
True Tigers fans will have posters or pennants on their walls and can also bring out other memorabilia. Rugs, jerseys, vintage Tigers clothes and even jackets can make interesting wall trappings and add a touch of creativity to bare walls — that is, if you're not wearing them. Don't have any posters? Use markers and paper to make signs.
Many party stores have baseball-themed merchandise, including tablecloths and plastic party dishes shaped like mitts.
When fans want to get rowdy or cheer, hand out baseball party favors, horns or orange pompoms. Make sure there's enough space for guests to move around and crowd the TV — there's nothing worse than missing a winning home run because someone's foam finger is blocking the screen.
Tunes
What would a Detroit Tigers party be like without playing "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" during the seventh inning stretch? But there's a lot more to a baseball game than that.
During commercial breaks and before and after the game, you might want to liven up the crowd with some music. Upbeat tunes will help keep the energy up, so make a couple of mixed CDs.
Any music from rapper Lil Jon would be nice. Songs such as "Snap Yo' Fingers" and "What U Gon' Do" are possible choices. They would definitely have people feeling the intensity of the game.
The Black Eyed Peas' "My Humps" and Ludracris' "Money Maker" are good dance songs. Justin Timberlake's "Sexyback" and Chris Brown's "Run It!" will definitely keep Tigers fans moving.
Of course, you can't forget the Tigers theme songs "Go Get 'Em Tigers" and Jeff Daniels' song "The Lifelong Tigers Fan Blues."
To keep the crowd on their feet, use a mixture of old school and new school tunes.
Since the Tigers are "Takin' Care of Business," then it's important that your party guests "Rock and Roll All Night."
