Spring Training, "Who'll Stop the Rain?"

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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 dugout to get my glove and go back in the field, Mike Marouth, our coach and former Tigers pitcher, gave me the backhanded compliment..."Not the worst slide I've seen." Well, he so inscribed the photo and here it is for you to see.

Last night was also poker night. I made it to the final table, finishing sixth. All the money goes to Jack's Place for Autism as earlier posted. I am at the table with John Hiller, former Tiger reliever to my right.

Lo and behold, inspite of all predictions, we awoke to rain. Yep, the storm has stalled out right over central Florida. We went to the camp, and I took batting practice off Doug Baer, Tiger starter during the 1983-85 seasons. He helped the Tigers win the World Series in 1984. My hitting has, amazingly, improved this week and Baer waved me out of the cage after I scorched a liner at him that deflected off the cage from behind which they throw batting practice and glanced off his right shoulder.

To help salve the disappointment of more rain, the Tigers brought in Phil Coke to chat with us. Coke has been on the Tigers roster since 2011, and is best known for saving two games against the Yankees when the Tigers surprised the baseball world and eliminated the Yankees in the ACLS in 2012. He talked about the current club, his own road up through baseball, and what he thinks of the new players joining the team this year. He is a pretty 'old school' player, staying in the locker room until literally no one was left to talk with him, ask for another autograph or photo.

They are talking about games tonight, but we all doubt it as it is still raining at 2 p.m......hope for the best tomorrow, our last day of camp.

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Photos

Safe
Look at that form!

Final Table
John Hiller is two seats to my right.

Doug Bair
Runs for cover!

Comments

[Sam]

Slide
Great picture of the slide! Looks like even if you hadn't beaten the throw the call should have been safe as the first baseman is off the bag! --sam the younger