Zubazpalooza Take 3

There's been a lot of press lately about how the Tigers have adopted the Zubaz pants, sweatshirts, and accessories as their official, unofficial uniforms.  They were on ESPN, Yahoo, Facebook, and just about every local Michigan news station wearing their Zubaz while traveling to Cleveland.  The Tigers players have Zubaz fever.  The thing is, this Tigress and her band of merry Tigri have been infected with Zubaz fever for three years now.  Faithful readers already know this, but if you are new to the blog, revisit some earlier posts.  Zubaz also double as playoff pants and are guaranteed to get you interviewed by multiple television outlets.

We make this look good

As for Zubazpalooza twenty-one-four, let's meet our cast of characters.  There's the Tigress (that's me *points to self), Sister Tigress, Crazy Tigress, and New-to-Zubaz Tigress.  This year, the Tigers offered a Zubaz shirt, which is great for repeaters like us who have multiple pairs of pants and are looking to get even more tricked out in Zubaz gear.

Usually, the party has started at HockeyTown, but this year the party was at the Jungle in right field.  This was much more convenient to go right to our seats after the yearly raffle where we are sure to win.  We did start at HockeyTown anyway and did our short hike back to Comerica.  Now, if one person is wearing Zubaz, you get attention.  When four good-looking ladies are sporting them, you get stares and even compliments.  I'm a firm believer in acknowledging compliments, but Sister Tigress likes to acknowledge stares as well.  That means that she yelled at multiple people on our way to the stadium without being engaged in conversation.  Yup, she's "that girl".

Here's a trivia question:  You know you have Zubaz fever when:
A) Everyone in your party is already wearing Zubaz pants before the event where they give them away
B) You have additional accessories from previous years
C) The people running the event greet you like old friends and continuously shower you with swag
D) All of the above

I think you know the answer.  I had my vintage Zubaz Tiger hat from approximately 1988 (which received a compliment from a group of men who were also wearing Zubaz upon entering the stadium.  They had good taste).  I also had my Zubaz sunglasses from last year and headbands.  New Tigress had never been to an event (she was a pinch hitter for someone who double booked herself.  Who double books on Zubaz?!  Priorities, people), so I gave her a pair of my pants.  That freed everyone up to receive a Zubaz t shirt.

Upon entering the Jungle (first of course), we were greeted like long lost relatives...you know, the crazy relatives you see once a year.  While our friends were setting up shop, they started to cover our table in swag.  Not everyone gets this kind of service, but when you are "regulars" (that's a direct quote), you get the VIP treatment.  We received can koozies, bottle koozies (a true Zubazpalooza fan needs both for fancy and relaxed occasions), tattoos, headbands, retro sunglasses (see below), and Zubaz "sleeves".  I had to ask what you do with the sleeve.

Our friends in events said they can go on your head, your arm, or even your leg as leg warmers.  That's how the DTE Energy Squad was wearing them.  You could also rob a bank with them.

Once we got our raffle tickets, we wandered a little to make some friends.  People were definitely digging our shirts since they were a new item and not many people opted to get them.  I will say this, if you didn't have Zubaz pants already, there's no reason you should get a shirt.  That's like going to an English pub and ordering the Shepard's pie.  Any ding bat knows you order fish and chips.  It's just common sense.  As a strategy this year, we pooled our raffle tickets to increase our winning odds with the idea of splitting up the booty.  We won Zubaz flip flops and the coveted Zubaz sweatshirt.  I ended up with the sandals and Sister Tigress ended up with the sweatshirt, that lucky duck.  The only problem is that the sandals are a size 11-12 which means they are about a million sizes too big.  Tip for next year, more than half of the Zubaz patrons are female.  Get with the times, people.  The chances that Frankenstein is going to win the sandals are slim to none.  New Tigress's husband also said a big "no thank you" to the sweatshirt when offered.  He must not know fashion.  All my favorite players are sporting them.

Any good Tigress fan knows there's always one drunk person around you at a game who is being annoying and if you don't have one then it might just be you.  The past two Zubazpaloozas that was me.  This year, it was Crazy Tigress (yup, Yup, YUP!).  She even shared my poncho by sticking her head in the sleeve during a short spring shower.  For some reason, Zubaz has gotten earlier and earlier in the year.  Our first year, it was in August.  Last year it was mid-June.  This year it was the beginning of May!  I'm going to need Zubaz hat and mittens if it gets any earlier next year.

All in all it was a great day.  The Tigers couldn't pull of a win, but the Zubaz is bringing them good luck on this road trip so I can't complain.  When you see me in October at Comerica, remember to comment on my pants.

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