Tigers fan Dave Vannetten gets an old English D tattooed on his forearm.
GRAND RAPIDS (WZZM) - Tigers fans in West Michigan are excited to have the team on the brink of the World Series and many are wearing their Tigers gear to show it.
A few are taking it even further. They are choosing a permanent, slightly painful way to demonstrate their dedication by getting a Tigers tattoo.
Dave Vannetten of Kentwood has a fresh old English "D" on his right forearm.
"I wanted to do something that would be a tribute to the Tigers," he says. "I've been a Tigers fan since I was 5 years old and my dad took me to Tigers Stadium. I wanted to do something that represents how I feel about them."
Tattoo artists say there is growing demand for Tigers ink.
"Oh yeah," says Magnum Tattooing Inc. artist Alex DeLange. "They are making their way to the World Series, hopefully, so there is a little bit of excitement going on."
At Forever Ink, Mike Huckleberry, 20, is also getting a Tigers tattoo on his arm.
"I've got a lot of clothes for the Detroit Tigers," he says. "Now when I root for them my arm will be too. I've been a big fan for many years," explains Huckleberry.
The men say even if the Tigers don't get into the World Series or win the championship, they will still proudly display their new tattoos.
"Forever yeah," says Huckleberry. "[I'll] always be a Tigers fan."