The Cigar Lounge: Baseball and a cigar is most relaxing

There are few nights when I don't sit on my porch, light up a cigar and tune into the Mets, but to be able to go to Shea Stadium (or the new park scheduled to open in a few years) and enjoy a cigar with other Mets fans? It's too good to be true in this dead-ball era of public cigar smoking.

But not in Pittsburgh, Detroit and Tampa Bay. In these cities, the thinking is different.Christian Eiroa (right) with Duane McLean of the Detroit Tigers at the entrance to the Camacho Cigar Bar."

Baseball is a relaxing sport," says Duane McLean, the senior vice president of business operations at Comerica Park and a cigar smoker. "Enjoying a cigar and a drink goes along with that." He adds, "We want fans to have a well-rounded experience when they come to the ballpark, and cigars reach out to another segment of our fan base." Of course, those fans couldn't be happier. During its grand opening in June, the Camacho Cigar Bar was filled with cigar-smoking Tigers fans enjoying one another's company, as well as the ballgame.

Christian Eiroa (right) with Duane McLean of the Detroit Tigers at the entrance to the Camacho Cigar Bar.

...Cigar bars for baseball fans is a great idea...