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Former Detroit Tigers fan Matt Shoemaker of Trenton finds new motivation with Blue Jays

Free Press sports writer Anthony Fenech breaks down the Detroit Tigers’ 4-3 win over Blue Jays in 11 innings. Anthony Fenech, Detroit Free Press

TORONTO — Matt Shoemaker,who pitches for the Toronto Blue Jays these days, grew up a Detroit Tigers fan.

The bearded pitcher hails from Trenton, just a 20-minute drive up I-75 to downtown Detroit, the city where he began attending games as a youngster dating back to the days of Tiger Stadium.

“I was a Tiger fan until I was what, 22 years old?” Shoemaker said on Sunday morning at Toronto's Rogers Centre.