Autographs

My daughter got quite a few autographs. We have always told her to say please and address the players as Mr., as in " Mr. Zumaya, may I have your autograph, please." Works almost every time. She got Leyland and Knapp. Robertson and Rodney. Santiago and Everett. Perry and Porcello, Inge, Robert Zumaya and Casey Fein. I got Joel Zumaya(her favorite) and Tom Brookens for her on Thursday. She was tickled, but it is all about the get for her. She put the autograph book down right after we got in the car and almost forgot it.

A couple of days in Lakeland

I love spring training. You go watch a practice and people are quiet. Just straining to hear what they say to get some insider info. I went on Tuesday for the whole practice and just for a bit on Thursday because of some crummy weather(for Florida, that is, I would trade their weather for mine today).

Cabrera and Polanco were talking about the new Tiawanese pitcher, Fe Ni. My wife the Spanish teacher did some translating for me. During bunt drills, attendend by about have of the pitching staff, he and Polly were chatting. I could tell they were talking about him based on body language. Miggy asked Polly if he had been watching him and he said he was. That everything he does he does well. Cabrera started saying everyone needed to hustle because he was making everyone look lazy. About then it was Ni's turn at the drill and Polly covered 1st and Ni zipped a BB at him hitting him in the palm. It is nice to see them loose and having fun.

Tigers at .500 at the break

It is pass the half way point mathematically, but Baseball celebrates this as the halfway point.
Where are the Tigers? I don't know. I will get ridiculed, but I would like to see Holliman and Santiago play short the rest of the way. Trade Renteria for a bucket of balls. While we are at it see if we can get a few bats for Sheffield. I would rather the DH be a rotating spot that gave Leyland some flexibility. Guillen when Inge is at third, Cabrera when Larish is at 1st, Ordonez, when Thomas or Moyer is in RF. I am done with these 2 guys. I understand loyalty, but it is time to let them go. They will continue to get paid. I am afraid the Tiges need the yutes to help keep the team rollin'. Am I a moron? I don't think so. It is just what I would like to see. I buu tickets like you guys do, and I would rather watch those guys. Pitching? I don't know. I think we have a decent pen...I am excited about the second half and am interested in the trading deadline and the off season.

Little old ladies at Yankee Stadium

Brooklyn Pizza Johnny's Pizza

We walked 11 blocks to get to Johnny's from our hotel, but it was worth it. Great Brooklyn slices. The guy behind the counter gave us a little guff for wearing Tiger stuff in NY, but said at least it wasn't Mets stuff. They are not big Met fans in Brooklyn. (This is what is known as an understatement) We ate great pie and talked with a couple of locals about baseball for an hour and a half. Great night. I loved Brooklyn.

Cooperstown,Yankee Stadium and the Phillies Pt.1

Great trip. Two buddies and I roadtripped to the Baseball Hall of Fame, Yankee Stadium and Citizen Bank Park(field, stadium, whatever). Got up early and went headed to Cooperstown through Ontario. Pretty easy drive. The town of Cooperstown is cool. Very small town. The HOF is literally a storefront in the downtown drag. The HOF disappointed me a little in that I wanted to see more stuff of the HOF's themselves. they a had a nice little display out front of Goose Gossage's stuff.(He is going in this year.) I kinda thought they would have more stuff from each guy.

Just be nice, OK?

I am going in a new direction. I probably blab about food or the Tigers every once in awhile, but I want to try something new. I am calling out nice people. My town is full of 'em. So is my state and I am pretty sure yours is too. Let's see what you got.