Tigers fans show some skin for 'Tarps Off.' How did this all start?
Late in Tuesday night's game at Comerica Park, a small group of Tigers fans ditched their shirts. Before long, the crowd had grown to hundreds.
Showing off some skin at a baseball game is nothing new. We've seen the "Bleacher Creatures" and the "Bleacher Bums," with the rowdiest of the rowdies congregating, typically in the cheap seats, and often with an adult beverage in one hand and their shirt in the other. Old Tiger Stadium saw its fair share of these kinds of scenes.
Wrigley Field in Chicago long has been known for them, too. Heck, one time, late and legendary Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray even called a game shirtless in the stands. Now, Major League Baseball is embracing the latest shirts-optional movement — known as "Tarps Off," which made its way to Comerica Park on Tuesday night during the Tigers' 4-3 loss to the Cleveland Guardians .
Even Paws joined in on the party, even if he kept on his orange, "Detroit Vs. Everybody" shirt. How did 'Tarps Off' start in Major League Baseball?
The launch of the "Tarps Off" movement in Major League Baseball is credited to, of all people, the Stephen F. Austin club baseball team, which was in the St. Louis area for a tournament this past weekend and decided to take in a game between the Cardinals and Kansas City Royals at Busch Stadium.