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Published: February 2nd 2014
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Fans come first
Signing an autograph Finally, time to play baseball again. Started the day with a little batting practice thrown to me by Johnny Grubb. Of course, I was stopped by a fan for an autograph on the way to the cages. Amazing that the fans show up at 7:30 a.m. just to catch a glimpse of the players.
We played three games today. In the first one I went 1 for 1 with a walk. Handled three force outs at second and participated in running down a baserunner between second and third. However, we fell by the score of 8-1 as one bad inning of pitching (walked in three runs) and our ability to hit in the clutch cost us the first game. More of the same was to follow.
In game two I struck out and walked. However, the highlight for me was chatting with Jake Wood and Willie Horton when I was not on the field. I also turned a 5-4-3 double play while playing at second. However, again our bats failed us, and we fell 6-2.
We broke for lunch in the cafeteria and I was sitting with my team when Horton and Wood came up behind me. "Look,
Slapping Grubb's Best
Enlarge the photo to see the ball. Jake, its your long lost nephew" Horton boomed. Priceless.
Game three looked like it could be our moment in the sun. We started strong, out to a 3-0 lead and had stellar fielding. Our third baseman turned into a vacuum cleaner, and he and I connected for about half of our recorded outs with plays at second. But again, bat failure. Training 5-3 I came up in the bottom of the fourth with the bases loaded. My best swing of the week shot a hot grounder at the mound which certainly would go through for a base hit and a tie game--heck, the pitcher had missed at least 2/3rds of the balls the catcher threw to him. But with a 'look what the heck found its way into my glove' play he surprised the entire field by having the ball end up in his hands. A flip to the plate and the threat was over. Steve Kemp ran over to me, put his arm over my shoulder, and said....best hit ball of the damn day and that .... gets lucky. OK, good enough.
After the game Jim Price, the color commentator for the Tigers and a former Tiger
Jake Wood
Chatting with Jake between innings. catcher interviewed me on the diamond. "We usually just have suspects in fantasy camp," he said, "but this year we have a real prospect in young George Wood and we are going to talk with him now." He interviewed me about my chances of making the team, especially with the Tigers having just traded for Ian Kinsler. I pointed out that while I had not had the best bat in camp, I thought the Tigers were looking for defensive relief for Kinsler late in the game and I could fit that bill. Price agreed and said he would be calling Brad Osmus, the Tiger's new manager, to pass on my availability. He then interviewed Mike Maroth, my coach, about my skills. This was all taped and will be available soon for those of you fortunate enough to come to the house and sit through the video.
At this time we are working out contract terms...and at the banquet Maroth introduced me as the pro prospect that emerged from the camp...it looks like they may not be able to guarantee a contract, so I may not be able to give up my day job.
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Dale Burchby
non-member comment
Good times!
Glad you got to play after all that rain! Will get your autograph the next time we see each other.