Last time the Tigers signed a free agent first basemen

… okay, so that title might be misleading, but …

Dad and Mom order some additional tickets for Tigers games at Joker Marchant Stadium. It sure is fun getting daily game updates from my parents while they enjoy the games in the hot Florida sun! 

I'm thinking all the way back to late 1983 when the Tigers plucked Darrell Evans from the San Francisco Giants to play, well, first or third base for the '84 Tigers. That was a coup because the Tigers had never really played much in the free agent market before … and you knew they were serious when they went after the Giants' slugger. Naturally, prior to the 1990 season, the Tigers grabbed a free agent, as well, from the … ah, the Tigers (Hanshin, Japan!) named Cecil Fielder who became a Detroit legend, quickly. 

Above: Lori and Mom enjoying Spring Training 2012. Below: Mom and Dad smiling for the camera over at Joker Marchant and Tigertown. 

In 1984, the Tigers led the American League East from the first day of the season, eventually sweeping the American League Championship Series from the, gasp, Kansas City Royals. They would go on to beat the San Diego Padres in the World Series, one in which Kirk Gibson would become a star …

Above: Rod Allen, Tigers color commentator, talks to a national writer. I remember Spring Trainings not too long ago where no national writer even needed to stop in Lakeland. They barely did "previews" of the Tigers because most of the players were not yet ready for primetime! Below: Jim Leyland has had his ups and downs as Tigers manager, but come this fall …

Crazy things happen in Tigertown, like fielding a ground ball and 10 minutes later having the chance to have a Tiger legend like Al Kaline sign it. He signed the ball on the sweet spot, too. A polite man, it was awesome talking to him and hearing that voice that I grew up with on the TV when the Tigers were televised every once in a while. I never expected to get Mr. Kaline's signature!

Above two: An opportunity to get a photograph with Mr. Al Kaline. What a great experience. Above: my shirt says it all about the 2012 Detroit Tigers: "This city knows no limits." It's time. 

The Tigers latest addition, Prince Fielder is one of the most personable superstars I have encountered in many years of following baseball and the Tigers. On two straight days while I was there, Prince signed autographs for every fan who wanted one — posed for pictures — and spent time, even stating, "Did I get everyone?" He has an attitude that will be contagious and he will take pressure off of some of the other Tigers. He might be expensive, but he will be a great addition to the team and by the time his contract is up, he'll be well worth every penny! 

Good afternoon, Tigers fans …