Tigers TV voice Mario Impemba has a gift for the troops. (Detroit News file photo)
Opening Day victories are good for morale -- near and far.
Tigers broadcaster Mario Impemba has sponsored the making of a DVD of the Tigers' home-opening, 15-2 victory over the Texas Rangers, and it's free for all active military personnel.
Will the goodwill continue beyond this year? That depends how the Tigers do.
"If the Tigers had lost, 10-0, I don't think that would be something they'd be interested in," said Impemba, 46.
Two years ago, Impemba spoke with troops during the winter caravan and later visited a veterans' hospital. He listened to their stories and came to understand how difficult it can be to be away from home.
He knows he can't ease their pain, but wanted to give troops something from home. Impemba, along with the help of FSN media relations director Tim Bryant and Alexandrea Thrubis, community affairs manager for the Tigers, put together a three-hour DVD that includes the FSN telecast, pregame festivities and postgame interviews.
About 1,000 copies were made and are available for any member of the military or their families (tigers.com/operationopeningday).
"It is nothing big," Impemba said. "It does not match what those people do for us."
Happy Daly memory
Chuck Daly appeared to be his normal, competitive self when he shot an 82 in December at Isleworth Country Club in Orlando, Fla.
Daly's foursome included PGA Tour player Charles Howell III , Farmington Hills restaurateur John Ginopolis and Ginopolis' son, Peter .
The date was Dec. 15, about two months before Daly was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Daly died 10 days ago.
"That was special," John Ginopolis said. "I will look back on those events. ... I am happy we did that."
Bucks entertain
If you are looking for inexpensive family entertainment, you might want to try a Michigan Bucks soccer game.
I took my children to a game in Pontiac on Saturday -- they both play soccer and I thought it would be good for them to see pros up close. At halftime, when I said it was time to leave, both protested, so I knew they enjoyed it.
The Bucks play in the USL Premier Development League. For details, visit buckssoccer.com.
An un-holy lot
Here's a follow-up: I wrote about Lot M charging $5 to park for Tigers game.
There was, however, some concern regarding a deep hole on the lot. Not anymore. The hole has been covered.
Terry's Town terry.foster@detnews.com">terry.foster@detnews.com (313) 222-1494
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