Well, last night was autograph night and poker night. I don't collect autographs, but it did seem like a good time to meet some former Tigers and get a couple of momentos signed. So I picked up Willie Horton and Mickey Lolich on one baseball, then the 1984 Tigers on another, and the rest of the Tigers on a third. But my favorite autograph will be on the first photo posted on this blog. While it seems like a long time ago that we actually played baseball, on Wednesday this shot was taken of me diving back into first base to avoid a force out on a caught line drive. I don't know if you can read the note, but I think I told you in an earlier post that when I got back into the ... read more

Lucky us, we actually got some baseball in today before the rain started.... I headed over to the training room at about 7:30 this morning for some heat on my back...strained on Thursday before I headed to camp. After the heat, Steve, the guy who does the Dominican and Venezuela camps worked with me. He is into pressure points and all sorts of stuff and after about 20 minutes had me feeling like a new man...I need to get my own personal trainer! OK, not really, but what a treat to have someone who knows how your muscles work figure out how to get you up and going. Then over to the batting cages. Lucky me again, I got in line with Johnny Grubb who is one of the nicest human being I have ever had ... read more

Spring Training: Day Four--Partial rain out Today was the first day of camp, and when I got to the locker room, there was my jersey and uniform. How cool was that? After changing into my 'pretend' (aka Fantasy) uniform and taking a few pictures, we had several mini-clinics....unfortunately held inside because it was raining. We heard from Lou Whitaker on infield work, Mike Maroth on pitching, and Darrell Evans on hitting. Then time for some fun. Batting practice was first, and it was started by listening to Willie Horton talk about how to hit. Of course, how he does it versus the rest of the world are two different things. Then my team spent time taking swings and getting tips from our coaches, Mike Maroth and Steve Kemp. After an hour of hitting, we spent time ... read more

Day Two of Spring Training. For those of you still following, here is day two of the Fantasy Camp blog. It started with an early morning run to Dutch Girl Donuts which is a place Michael told me about years ago and I try and visit it every time I am in the city. It is one of the many places young Detroiters are trying to keep going, and this place cranks out, right in front of you, the best cinnamon rolls ever to grace your mouth. I picked up some to bring back to Michael and David and if you are ever in the 8 Mile and Woodward neighborhood, stop in--here is a link to reviews of the place (http://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g42139-d937581-Reviews-Dutch_Girl_Donut_Co-Detroit_Michigan.html). After chowing down on that and a cup of coffee it was across snowy Motown ... read more

Friends and Family (those of you still reading), I know I have been home for five days, but I put off writing this final entry because it seemed to be the end to a wonderful trip. If I did not have such a good family, fine friends, and good job back here I am not sure I would have left Argentina. It is a big land, with a big heart and often a healthy laugh. I will miss it and hope to return. But a few final notes are in order. First, what is the deal with the dogs? They are everywhere, middle of the sidewalk sleeping in the sun on a busy downtown street; following us down a ten mile mountain trail; heck, one met us when we got of a bus in Bariloche and ... read more