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‘Red Green’ to give advice at Stranahan Theater

By
Toledo Free Press
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Steve Smith plays the affable and adventurous handyman Red Green, whose crazy creations and passion for duct tape are legend at Possum Lake, a fabled locale in Canada’s cottage country. 

The plaid-wearing, bearded character with red and green suspenders shares do-it-yourself tips and philosophies on life. 

“[‘The Red Green Show’] was supposed to be a six-month summer job in 1990 — endless summer,” Smith said and laughed. 

 Instead, Smith was on the air 15 seasons and made 300 episodes. The show is broadcast on more than 80 PBS stations, including WBGU 27, and is the longest-running Canadian comedy in America. Smith won three Gemini Awards (Canada’s Emmy Award), and the government named him a member of the Order of Canada, its highest civilian honor. 

In syndication, Red Green and his wacky regulars still make folks laugh. 

“We never talked about what was going on at the time because, actually, we weren’t aware of what was going on at the time,” he joked. “I think the things the shows talk about are timeless, like men’s attitudes and problems — I’m wrong but not in doubt.” 

Smith will bring Red Green’s Wit & Wisdom Tour to Stranahan Theater April 11 for a 7 p.m. show. Tickets are $48.50. 

 “I tell you how to make a reclining chair out of a stove, that’s valuable. And lots of marital advice and sometimes just one-liners: The longest journey starts with not looking at the map,” he said during a phone interview from Florida. 

 As Green, the Toronto native often offers secrets to a happy marriage. It’s a subject Smith knows well. 

 “This year it’ll be 46 years in November,” Smith said of his union with his wife, Morag. He added to remember: “If your wife is having fun and you’re not, you’re still having way more fun then when you’re having fun and she’s not.” 

 Green has a knack for finding sticky situations. His tool of choice: duct tape. 

 “We’d start with a gross [of rolls] a season, and in a season we might do 20 episodes, so that’s 144 rolls divided by 20, which is, let me get my shoes off here, a little over seven rolls a show, but some shows wouldn’t use any, and some shows would use 30. And we usually had to reorder; the gross wasn’t enough,” Smith said and laughed. 

 And the Canuck thinks big. 

 “When they make duct tape, they actually make it in a four-foot width and they cut it into the two-inch rolls that you buy in the store,” Smith said. “We got a four-foot width of it, and I used it to waterproof a boat. The whole four-foot thing, it took 12 guys to unroll it, but we got it on there.” 

 The humorist’s career as Green continues to sail. He’s working on another book. 

 “It’s the next Red Green; it won’t be out until the fall of 2013,” he said. “It’s a beginner’s guide to women, so that should be something.”   

Retirement guys: Think global

By
Mark Clair & Nolan Baker
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Many years ago, I (Mark) was a young kid of 9 years old and found myself being driven through the city of Seoul, South Korea. I couldn’t believe I was there and was excited to find out more about a city and country that I had heard a lot about, but was now in the middle of.

There were wall-to-wall people, taxicabs and city buses everywhere, and very heavy traffic on the city streets. Drivers honked their horns at each other (which in Korea is not considered rude), and mothers carried their babies on their backs amid the hustle and bustle of the big city.

My parents had made the life-changing decision to go to this foreign country to become missionaries and to help various South Korean communities start new churches. In South Korea there was such a different view of personal space and so many people packed into the area that it was not considered rude to bump into or brush against someone.

My friend Lorne and I would later play a game that involved walking in a straight line down a busy street bumping into as many people as we could for a laugh. We Americans used to laugh at how many South Korean people would cram into an automobile. When we thought the car had five more people than would be comfortable, they would cram in five more.

To this day when I get into an elevator and the people inside seem to get nervous about their personal space, I laugh to myself and think of South Korea.

I left there in 1975 and, if I remember correctly, the population of the city of Seoul was about 6-7 million. The population today is more than 10 million. I guess they are cramming even more people into cars and elevators.

As you might expect, living for five years in a foreign country from age 9-14 had a profound effect on my life.

First of all, while I was there I realized there were many things I took for granted in my home country. At that time, you could not pick up the phone and get a pizza. American food was not readily available. Ladies from our home church had canned for us what was supposed to be a four-year supply of Fritos corn chips that did not last a year.

No more Fritos? Nope. You have to eat rice today. Aw, mannnn! Come on!

American television? One channel on Armed Forces Television aired the bad, rejected, boring documentaries that no one wanted to watch here in America.

I was so desperate for American TV that when we did finally make the trip back to America five years later, my parents decided it would be a good idea to stop and visit beautiful Hawaii on the way. I stayed in the hotel room almost the entire time watching TV. I couldn’t tell you much about Hawaii.

We are now in a global economy rather than just limited to our own country. Amazing how a small country about the size of Indiana has affected us. I now own a Samsung TV (how ironic) and see Hyundai and Kia automobiles everywhere.

As The Retirement Guys, Nolan and I try our best to stay up on what is going on in the world to better advise our clients. We are now seeing an extremely high correlation between what is happening in foreign countries and our economy.

Steve Hanley, who is in our portfolio management department, shared with me how it is now important to understand that everything globally can be correlated. It is important to know what is going on in places like Greece and the rest of Europe.

We Americans think our country has a spending problem when we consider our current national debt, but Europe has the same problem that is about five years ahead of our own.
This continues to play itself out, affecting markets around the world.

Hanley said that even when considering American companies, close attention is paid to their international operations in order to get a better handle on what may be yet to come. We can all learn things from our childhood and past experiences.

It is amazing how the experience of a little kid living for a brief time in a foreign country can still have an effect on his life today. Time goes by quickly and the world seems to get smaller.

For more information about The Retirement Guys, tune in every Saturday at 1 p.m. on 1370 WSPD or visit www.retirementguysradio.com. Securities and Investment Advisory Services are offered through NEXT Financial Group Inc., Member FINRA / SIPC. NEXT Financial Group, Inc. does not provide tax or legal advice. The Retirement Guys are not an affiliate of NEXT Financial Group. The office is at 1700 Woodlands Drive, Suite 100, Maumee, OH 43537. (419) 842-0550.

2012 Mud Hens Roster

By
Dock David Treece
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COACHING STAFF

PHIL NEVIN
MANAGER
Born: Jan. 19, 1971 (41)
Resides: Poway, Calif.
Managing Career: Returns for his second season with the Mud Hens and third in the Tigers organization…managed Double-A Erie in 2010 and Orange County of the independent Golden Baseball League in 2009.
Playing Career: Drafted No. 1 overall in 1992 by the Houston Astros out of Cal State-Fullerton…Most Outstanding Player in 1992 College World Series…played 12 seasons in the majors with seven teams including Detroit (1995-97)…played with Toledo briefly in 1995 and 1997. 

LEON ‘BULL’ DURHAM
HITTING COACH
Born: July 31, 1957 (54)
Resides: Cincinnati, Ohio
Coaching Career: Returns for his 12th season with the Mud Hens and his 17th season overall in coaching, including five seasons with the Anaheim Angels.
Playing Career: Spent 10 seasons in the majors with three different teams, mainly the Chicago Cubs. 

A.J. SAGER
PITCHING COACH
Born: March 3, 1965 (47) 
Resides: Perrysburg, Ohio
Coaching Career: Entering his fifth season with the Mud Hens and 11th in the Tigers organization…pitching coach for Double-A Erie in 2007 and Single-A West Michigan 2002-06
Playing Career: Played baseball and football at the University of Toledo…Pitched for 12 professional seasons, five in the major leagues, including Detroit…pitched for Mud Hens in 1996 and 1998. 

MATT RANKIN
ATHLETIC TRAINER
Born: Aug. 1, 1971 (40)
Resides: Toledo, Ohio
Coaching Career: Beginning his 12th season with Mud Hens and 16th with the Tigers organization…spent two years with Single-A Lakeland. 

KYLE BERGMAN
STRENGTH AND CONDITIONING COACH
Born: June 16, 1986 (25)
From: Chicago Ridge, Ill.
Career: Beginning second season with the Mud Hens and fourth with the Tigers organization…spent one year with the Single-A West Michigan and one year with the Double-A Erie.  

PITCHERS 

DUANE BELOW 

PITCHER 

Born: Nov. 15, 1985 (25) in Britton, Mich. 

Height: 6’3
Weight: 218 

Bats: Left
Throws: Left 

Obtained: Selected by Detroit in the 19th round of the 2006 draft 

Full name: Duane Arthur Below 

2011: Assigned to Triple-A Toledo to begin the season, starting 18 games with the Mud Hens before being recalled by the Tigers July 20 for the remainder of the season…compiled a season-best four-game winning streak with Toledo April 22-May 13…tabbed the International League Pitcher of the Week for May 2-8…fanned a season-high 11 batters on May 8 versus Charlotte…posted a 3-0 record, 2.08 ERA (26.0IP/6ER) and 18 strikeouts over his final four starts with Toledo June 26-July 15…made his major league debut on July 20 versus Oakland…after two starts with the Tigers, he spent the remainder of the season in relief for Detroit…retired the first 23 batters he faced as a reliever. 

CHRIS BOOTCHECK
PITCHER 

Born: Oct. 24, 1978 (33) in LaPorte, Ind. 

Height: 6’5 

Weight: 210 

Bats: Right 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Signed by Detroit as a free agent on Dec. 11, 2011 

Full name: Christopher Brandon Bootcheck 

2011: Started the season with Triple-A Durham, making 16 appearances (seven starts)…struck out a season-high seven batters on June 25 versus Scranton/WB…longest outing of the year was 7.1 innings on June 25 versus Scranton/WB (took the loss and struck out seven)…left the team at the end of June and signed with the Lotte Giants in Korea. 

CASEY CROSBY
PITCHER 

Born: Sept. 17, 1988 (23) in Kaneland, Ill. 

Height: 6’5 

Weight: 218 

Bats: Right 

Throws: Left 

Obtained: Selected by Detroit in the 5th round of the 2007 draft 

Full name: Casey W. Crosby 

2011: Spent the season with Double-A Erie in the Eastern League, going 9-7 with a 4.10 ERA (60 ER/131.2 IP) in 25 starts…won four straight decisions from May 23-June 27…longest outing of the year was 8.0 innings on Aug. 19 at Harrisburg…struck out a season-high eight batters on two occasions…was a mid-season all-star in the Eastern League…led the league with 77 walks… named as the third best prospect in the Detroit organization following the season by Baseball America. 

DARIN DOWNS
PITCHER 

Born: Dec. 26, 1984 (27) in Southfield, Mich. 

Height: 6’3 

Weight: 210 

Bats: Right 

Throws: Left 

Obtained: Signed by Detroit as a free agent on Nov. 5, 2011 

Full name: Darin Burton Downs 

2011: Split the season between Double-A Jacksonville and Triple-A New Orleans in the Florida Marlins system…started the year with Jacksonville and appeared in 22 games (13 starts)…was promoted to New Orleans on July 21…longest outing of the year was 8.0 innings on Aug. 31 versus Oklahoma City…struck out a season-high eight batters on Aug. 14 versus Reno. 

MATT HOFFMAN
PITCHER 

Born: Nov. 18, 1988 (23) in Tulsa, Okla. 

Height: 6’1 

Weight: 225 

Bats: Left 

Throws: Left 

Obtained: Selected by Detroit in the 26th round of the 2007 draft 

Full name: Matthew Christopher Hoffman 

2011: Started the year with Double-A Erie, appearing in just one game before being promoted to Triple-A Toledo…appeared in 49 games with Toledo (all relief)…longest outing of the year was 3.1 innings on Aug. 14 at Lehigh Valley…struck out a season-high four batters on July 17 versus Scranton/WB…was 0-3 in save opportunities on the year…limited right-handed batters to a .224 average (34-152) and lefties hit .306 (26-85) against him. 

LUIS MARTE
PITCHER 

Born: Aug. 26, 1986 (25) in San Cristobal, DR 

Height: 5’11 

Weight: 170 

Bats: Right 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Signed by Detroit as a non-drafted free agent on Nov. 16, 2005 

Full name: Luis Alfredo Marte 

2011: Spent the majority of the 2011 season with Double-A Erie before he saw his first major league action with the Tigers in September…sidelined April 7-June 3 (right shoulder)…posted five straight scoreless outings June 21-July 4, fanning 11 batters in 7.1 innings…had his contract transferred to Triple-A Toledo on July 29 and appeared in two games with the Mud Hens before he was transferred back to Erie on Aug. 3…struck out a season-high 10 batters on Aug. 29 versus Binghamton…had his contract purchased by Detroit on Sept. 1 and made his MLB debut that afternoon versus Kansas City, posting a scoreless outing.  

FU-TE NI
PITCHER 

Born: Nov. 14, 1982 (29) in Taiwan 

Height: 6’0 

Weight: 200 

Bats: Left 

Throws: Left 

Obtained: Signed by Detroit as a free agent on Jan. 13, 2009 

Full name: Fu-Te Ni 

2011: Spent the entire season with Triple-A Toledo…made 12 starts and worked 22 games from the bullpen…the starts were his first as a pro…established a career-high with 93 strikeouts…struck out a season-high nine batters on July 10 versus Columbus…won his first five decisions on the year (April 7-July 19)…longest outing of the year was 7.2 innings on Aug. 19 at Buffalo…ERA as a starter was 2.76 while it went up to 4.12 as a reliever. 

ANDY OLIVER
PITCHER
Born: Dec. 3, 1987 (24) in Vermilion, Ohio 

Height: 6’3 

Weight: 210 

Bats: Left 

Throws: Left 

Obtained: Selected by Detroit in the 2nd round of 2009 draft 

Full name: Andrew Allen Oliver 

2011: Tied for third in the International League with 143 strikeouts as he spent the majority of the season with Triple-A Toledo…fourth among all International League starters with 8.76 strikeouts per nine innings…second in the league with 80 walks…posted a 4-2 record, 2.89 ERA (43.2IP/14ER) and 43 strikeouts in his first seven starts of the season April 7-May 14…recalled by Detroit on May 28 and started two games before he was optioned back to Toledo for the remainder of the season June 5…fanned a season-high nine batters on June 13 versus Rochester and matched the high with nine strikeouts on Aug. 22 at Louisville…named as the fifth best prospect in the Detroit organization following the season by Baseball America. 

JOSE ORTEGA
PITCHER 

Born: Oct. 12, 1988 (23) in Caja Seca, Venezuela 

Height: 5’11 

Weight: 165 

Bats: Right 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Signed by Detroit as a non-drafted free agent on July 3, 2006 

Full name: Jose Antonio Ortega 

2011: Started the season on the disabled list with a right shoulder injury…activated on May 17…spent the whole year with Toledo…picked up a win in his final appearance of the year on Sept. 5 versus Columbus, which was his longest outing of the year (3.0 innings)…struck out a season-high three batters on three occasions. 

DREW SMYLY
PITCHER 

Born: June 13, 1989 (22) in Little Rock, Ark. 

Height: 6’3 

Weight: 190 

Bats: Left 

Throws: Left 

Obtained: Selected by Detroit in the 2nd round of the 2010 draft  

Full name: Todd Andrew Smyly 

2011: Split the season between Single-A Lakeland and Double-A Erie…started with Lakeland, going 7-3 with a 2.58 ERA (23 ER/80.1 IP) in 14 starts from April 8-July 25…pitched 7.0 innings or more three times with Lakeland…appeared in eight games (7 starts) with Erie from July 30-Sept. 5…pitched a season-high 8.0 innings on Sept. 1 versus Binghamton…struck out a season-high 10 batters three times…named as the third best prospect in the Detroit organization following the season by Baseball America.  

TYLER STOHR
PITCHER 

Born: Sept. 19, 1986 (25) in Newburgh, N.Y. 

Height: 6’2 

Weight: 210 

Bats: Left 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Selected by Detroit in the 6th round of the 2008 draft  

Full name: Tyler Scott Stohr 

2011: Started the year with Single-A Lakeland…made 24 relief appearances before a promotion to Double-A Erie on July 2…struck out a season-high five batters on July 26 versus Richmond…was a combined 3 for 6 in save chances on the year. 

JACOB TURNER
PITCHER 

Born: May 21, 1991 (20) in St. Charles, Mo. 

Height: 6’5 

Weight: 210 

Bats: Right 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Selected by Detroit in the 1st round (9th overall) in the 2009 draft 

Full name: Jacob Edward Turner 

2011: Assigned to Double-A Erie to begin the season and selected to the Eastern League’s mid-season all-star squad…earned a spot on the U.S. Team for the Futures Game in Arizona prior to the All-Star Game…fanned a season-high nine batters with Erie on April 7 versus Altoona…recalled by Detroit on July 30 and made his MLB debut that afternoon, taking the loss after allowing two runs in 5.1 innings versus Los Angeles… became the youngest Tigers pitcher to start a game at Comerica Park at 20 years, two months and nine days old…optioned to Toledo following his start…started three games with Toledo, averaging 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings…recalled by Detroit on Sept. 1 and did not receive a decision in two starts…named as the No. 1 prospect in the Detroit organization following the season by Baseball America. 

BRAYAN VILLARREAL
PITCHER 

Born: May 10, 1987 (24) in La Guaira, Venezuela 

Height: 6’0 

Weight: 170 

Bats: Right 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Signed by Detroit as a non-drafted free agent on Oct. 25, 2005 

Full name: Brayan Rene Villarreal 

2011: Saw his first major league action after making the Tigers Opening Day roster out of Spring Training…made his MLB debut on April 2 at New York’s Yankee Stadium, where he allowed one run in one inning of work…fanned a career-high four batters on April 26 versus Seattle…optioned to Toledo on May 22…suffered the loss in each of his first five decisions with Toledo June 2-25…recalled by Detroit on June 30 and saw action in two games before he was optioned back to Toledo for the remainder of the season on July 2…sidelined July 27-Aug. 13 (right rotator cuff strain). 

THAD WEBER
PITCHER 

Born: Sept. 28, 1984 (27) in Lincoln, Neb. 

Height: 6’2 

Weight: 205 

Bats: Right 

Throws: Left 

Obtained: Selected by Detroit in the 16th round of the 2008 draft  

Full name: Thad G. Weber 

2011: Spent the entire season with Triple-A Toledo, going 5-11 with a 5.65 ERA in 27 starts…struck out a season-high nine batters on May 1 at Pawtucket…threw a complete game (took the loss) on Aug. 8 versus Indianapolis…went 1-7 with a 7.00 ERA in 15 home starts…went 4-4 with a 4.04 ERA in 12 road starts…finished second in the International League with 28 home runs allowed. 

ROBBIE WEINHARDT
PITCHER 

Born: Dec. 8, 1985 (26) in Chicago, Ill. 

Height: 6’2 

Weight: 205 

Bats: Right 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Selected by Detroit in the 10th round of the 2008 draft  

Full name: Robert D. Weinhardt 

2011: Split the season between Triple-A Toledo and Double-A Erie after seeing action in two games with the Tigers early in the season…recalled by Detroit on April 7…was optioned to Toledo on April 13…designated for assignment by the Tigers on May 24 and had his contract out-righted to Toledo on May 26…was assigned to Erie on June 13…compiled a 1.13 ERA (2 ER/16.0 IP) over a nine-outing stretch with Erie June 20-July 26…sidelined July 14-22 with unexplained weight loss…was promoted back to Toledo on Aug. 18…fanned a season-high seven batters Aug. 20 versus Louisville. 

ADAM WILK
PITCHER 

Born: Dec. 9, 1987 (24) in Anaheim, Calif. 

Height: 6’2 

Weight: 185 

Bats: Left 

Throws: Left 

Obtained: Selected by Detroit in the 11th round of the 2009 draft  

Full name: Adam Robert Wilk 

2011: Spent the majority of the season with Toledo, starting 18 games…appeared in five games with Detroit during three separate stints…had his contract purchased by Detroit on May 24…fanned four batters in his MLB debut on May 26 versus Boston…optioned to Toledo on May 28 and started one game before he was recalled on June 5…appeared in three games with Detroit during June before he was optioned to Toledo on June 22…recalled for his third stint with the Tigers on July 3 and made one appearance before he was optioned back to Toledo for the remainder of the season on July 19…compiled a four-game winning streak with Toledo July 25-Aug. 15…struck out a season-high nine batters on Aug. 10 versus Louisville…sidelined Aug. 16-31 (left elbow sprain).  

CATCHERS 

BRYAN HOLADAY
CATCHER 

Born: Nov. 19, 1987 (24) in Dallas, Texas 

Height: 6’0 

Weight: 205 

Bats: Right 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Selected by Detroit in the 6th round of the 2010 draft 

Full name: John Bryan Holaday 

2011: Spent the entire season with Double-A Erie, hitting .242 (80-330) with seven HR and 42 RBI in 95 games…had an 11-game hitting streak from April 29-May 17…drove in a season-best three runs on June 30 versus Akron…hit .267 (66-247) against right-handed pitchers and .169 (14-83) against left-handers…threw out 35 out of 104 potential base stealers (33.65 percent) on the year. 

OMIR SANTOS
CATCHER 

Born: April 29, 1981 (30) in Bayamon, Puerto Rico 

Height: 6’0 

Weight: 213 

Bats: Right 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Signed by Detroit as a free agent on Dec. 6, 2010 

Full name: Omir Rios Santos 

2011: Saw action in 11 games during four separate stints with Detroit…sidelined April 7-14 to begin the season (left great toe fracture)…had his contract purchased from Toledo on April 19 and saw action in two games with Detroit before he was optioned to Toledo on May 3…sidelined May 27-June 3 (concussion)…recalled by Detroit on June 3 and then optioned back to Toledo on June 7…compiled a season-high seven-game hitting streak with Toledo June 9-18…forced to the disabled list for a third time July 5-Aug. 16 (right quadriceps contusion)…recalled by Detroit on Aug. 25 and started behind the plate that afternoon at Tampa Bay before he was optioned back to Toledo following the game…recalled by Detroit for the remainder of the season on Sept. 5. 

INFIELDERS 

AUDY CIRIACO
SHORTSTOP 

Born: June 16, 1987 (24) in San Pedro de Macoris, DR 

Height: 6’3 

Weight: 195 

Bats: Right 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Signed by Detroit as a non-drafted free agent on Feb. 16, 2005 

Full name: Audy Alexander Ciriaco 

2011: Split the year between Double-A Erie and Triple-A Toledo…started the year with Erie and played in 101 games from April 7-Aug. 19…in 38 games during July and August with Erie, hit .333 (49-147)…had an 11-game hitting streak from July 24-Aug. 9…had four hits on July 20 at Trenton…went 5-54 at the plate in 14 games with Toledo…committed 17 errors on the season…played 105 games at third base and five at shortstop. 

ARGENIS DIAZ
INFIELD 

Born: Feb. 12, 1987 (25) in Guatire, Venezuela 

Height: 6’0 

Weight: 201 

Bats: Right 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Signed by Detroit as a free agent on Dec. 12, 2010 

Full name: Argenis Jose Diaz 

2011: Spent the entire season with Toledo…hit .342 (25-73) in 19 games during May…had four hits on Aug. 11 versus Louisville…had a nine-game hitting streak from July 9-20…committed 17 errors on the year…played 42 games at shortstop, 39 games at third base and 17 at second base…hit .302 (71-235) against righties and .229 (24-105) against lefties. 

BRANDON DOUGLAS
SECOND BASE 

Born: Aug. 27, 1985 (26) in St. Charles, Iowa 

Height: 6’0 

Weight: 198 

Bats: Right 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Selected by Detroit in the 11th round of the 2008 draft 

Full name: Brandon Casey Douglas 

2011: Spent the entire season with Double-A Erie, hitting .281 with 30 doubles and 22 stolen bases in 124 games…had four hits on May 14 at Altoona…swiped three bases on May 27 versus Reading…put together a 13-game hitting streak from Aug. 12-24…hit .315 (53-168) after the All-Star break…stole 22 bases in 26 attempts…committed 15 errors on the season. 

BRAD ELDRED
FIRST BASE 

Born: July 12, 1980 (31) in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. 

Height: 6’6 

Weight: 270 

Bats: Right 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Signed by Detroit as a free agent on Jan. 20, 2012 

Full name: Bradley Ross Eldred 

2011: Spent the entire season with Triple-A Fresno, hitting .278 (103-371) with 23 doubles, 23 HR and 57 RBI in 111 games…smacked two home runs on May 26 versus Oklahoma City…collected four hits on June 26 at Tucson…drove in five runs on June 27 at Tucson…pitched 1.2 innings on Aug. 19 versus Round Rock (allowed 2 hits and struck out 2)…hit .302 (19-63) during August.  

ERIC PATTERSON
SECOND BASE 

Born: April 8, 1983 (28) in Tallahassee, Fla. 

Height: 6’0 

Weight: 170 

Bats: Left 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Signed by Detroit as a free agent on Jan. 4, 2012 

Full name: Eric Scott Patterson 

2011: Began the season on the disabled list (strained left hamstring)…had a rehab stint with Single-A Lake Elsinore before being reinstated on April 10, making his season debut that day vs. Los Angeles (NL)…was designated for assignment on June 9 and out-righted to Triple-A Tucson on June 16…spent the remainder of the season with Tucson…made 21 starts for San Diego, including eight at second base, six in center field, five in right field and two in left field…hit home runs in back-to-back days on May 3-4…over a 14-game stretch from May 3-21 for San Diego, he hit .323 (10-31)…over a 25-game stretch for Tucson from July 18-Aug. 27, he hit .326 (31-95).  

RYAN STRIEBY
FIRST BASE 

Born: Aug. 9, 1985 (26) in Seattle, Wash. 

Height: 6’6 

Weight: 245 

Bats: Right 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Selected by Detroit in the 4th round of the 2006 draft  

Full name: Ryan Kristoffer Strieby 

2011: Spent the whole season with Triple-A Toledo, leading the team in games (130), at-bats (487), runs (66), HR (19) and RBI (76)…had a nine-game hitting streak from May 19-29…smacked seven HR and drove in 27 runs during the month of July…committed just six errors on the year…led the International League with 171 strikeouts…established career-highs in games, at-bats, runs and doubles. 

DANNY WORTH
THIRD BASE 

Born: Sept. 30, 1985 (26) in Northridge, Calif. 

Height: 6’1 

Weight: 195 

Bats: Right 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Selected by Detroit in the 2nd round of the 2007 draft  

Full name: Daniel Weston Worth 

2011: Split the season between Toledo and Detroit, seeing action in 30 games during four separate stints with the Tigers…assigned to Toledo to begin the season…sidelined April 24-May 9 (right hamstring strain)…compiled an eight-game hitting streak May 12-20…recalled by Detroit on May 27…established a career high with three RBI on June 6 at Texas…optioned to Toledo on June 27…recalled by Detroit on July 10 and saw action in one game before being optioned back to Toledo on July 15…hit safely in 10 of his final 11 games with Toledo Aug. 22-Sept. 4…recalled by Detroit on Aug. 26 and appeared in one game before he was optioned back to Toledo on Aug. 27…joined the Tigers for his fourth stint with the club after being recalled from Toledo on Sept. 6.  

OUTFIELDERS 

QUINTIN BERRY 

OUTFIELD 

Born: Nov. 21, 1984 (27) in San Diego, Calif. 

Height: 6’0 

Weight: 175 

Bats: Left 

Throws: Left 

Obtained: Signed by Detroit as a free agent on Dec. 6, 2011 

Full name: Quintin Lonell Berry 

2011: Spent most of the year with Double-A Carolina with four games with Triple-A Louisville in September (both Cincinnati Reds’ affiliates)…played in 93 games with Carolina, led the Southern League in stolen bases (40) and was fourth in on-base percentage (.399)…had four hits on May 20 versus Chattanooga…had four stolen bases on Aug. 7 at Mississippi…had a 15-game hitting streak from Aug. 7-24…hit .341 (29-85) against left-handed pitching and .281 (66-235) against right-handers…hit .377 (29-77) with runners in scoring position. 

ANDY DIRKS
OUTFIELD 

Born: Jan. 24, 1986 (26) in Hutchinson, Kan. 

Height: 6’0 

Weight: 195 

Bats: Left 

Throws: Left 

Obtained: Selected by Detroit in the 8th round of the 2008 draft 

Full name: Andrew Lee Dirks 

2011: Saw his first action at the major league level, playing in 78 games during two separate stints with the Tigers…assigned to Triple-A Toledo to begin the season…tabbed the International League Player of the Week for April 25-May 1…selected the Tigers Minor League Player of the Month for April, hitting .330 with six home runs and 15 RBI in 24 games…had his contract purchased by Detroit on May 13…made his major league debut on May 16 versus Toronto and collected his first major league hit, a single off Kyle Drabek…homered in three straight games June 28-30, becoming the first Tigers rookie to hit a home run in three straight games since Jeff Larish in 2009…optioned to Toledo on Aug. 19…recalled by Detroit on Sept. 1. 

BEN GUEZ
OUTFIELD 

Born: Jan. 24, 1987 (25) in Houston, Texas 

Height: 5’11 

Weight: 180 

Bats: Right 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Selected by Detroit in the 19th round of the 2008 draft 

Full name: Benjamin James Guez 

2011: Spent most of the year with Triple-A Toledo with 38 games played for Double-A Erie from April 7-May 10 and again from July 22-30…collected four hits on July 21 at Norfolk…hit .349 (15-43) with Toledo during July…drove in four runs on Aug. 10 versus Louisville. 

JERAD HEAD
OUTFIELD 

Born: Nov. 15, 1982 (29) in Topeka, Kan. 

Height: 6’0 

Weight: 210 

Bats: Right 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Signed by Detroit as a free agent on Dec. 1, 2011 

Full name: Jerad Lee Head 

2011: Spent most of the season with Triple-A Columbus with a 10-game stint with Cleveland late in the year…hit two home runs with four RBI on April 17 versus Toledo…collected four RBI on June 5 versus Louisville…had four RBI on June 26 versus Gwinnett…had 11 RBI in four games from July 30-Aug. 2…finished second in the International League in slugging percentage (.526) and third in home runs (24)…also finished third in the league in HR/AB ratio (homered once every 17.58 at-bats)…made his Major League debut Aug. 28 versus Kansas City and collected a single in his second at-bat against Bruce Chen. 

JUSTIN HENRY
OUTFIELD 

Born: April 30, 1985 (26) in Houston, Texas 

Height: 6’3 

Weight: 180 

Bats: Left 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Selected by Detroit in the 9th round of the 2007 draft 

Full name: Justin Taylor Henry 

2011: Spent most of the year with Double-A Erie with a short stint with Toledo…had four hits on May 12 at Altoona…had an 11-game hitting streak from July 27-Aug. 9…hit .340 (34-100) in 29 games during May…promoted to Toledo where he hit .421 (8-19) in six games from Aug. 26-Sept. 5…appeared at all positions except pitcher and catcher…committed 11 errors on the year. 

CLETE THOMAS
OUTFIELD 

Born: Nov. 14, 1983 (28) in Jacksonville, Fla. 

Height: 5’11 

Weight: 205 

Bats: Left 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Selected by Detroit in the 6th round of the 2005 draft  

Full name: Michael Clete Thomas 

2011: Spent the season with Triple-A Toledo, hitting .251 in 113 games…drove in six runs on April 18 at Columbus…had a seven-game hitting streak from July 20-27…hit .309 (38-123) after the all-star break…collected four hits on Sept. 3 at Columbus…hit .323 (32-99) on the year with runners in scoring position…committed just two errors on the year. 

MATT YOUNG
OUTFIELD 

Born: Oct. 3, 1982 (29) in Temple, Texas 

Height: 5’8 

Weight: 175 

Bats: Left 

Throws: Right 

Obtained: Signed by Detroit as a free agent on Nov. 9, 2011  

Full name: Matt E. Young 

2011: Spent most of the season with Triple-A Gwinnett with two trips (20 games total) to Atlanta in April and June…had back-to-back two hit games with Atlanta in June 10 and 11 at Houston…hit .362 (17-47) with Gwinnett in June…hit .404 (21-52) with runners on and two outs with Gwinnett…did not commit an error all season in the outfield (119 games). 

International League offers Hens strong competition

By
Toledo Free Press
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0

Entering its 128th year, the International league (IL) is readying for another season, with opening days beginning April 5.

Thirteen teams in the 14-team league, home to the Toledo Mud Hens, will look to dethrone the Columbus Clippers, Governors’ Cup champions for the past two seasons. The league is full of talent from top to bottom and ready to entertain area fans who visit Fifth Third Field this year.
BUFFALO BISONS (NEW YORK METS)

Last season: 61-82 (5th IL North)

Best hitting prospect: Kirk Nieuwenhuis, center field

Best pitching prospect: Zack Wheeler, starting pitcher

The Buffalo Bisons struggled last season, finishing with the third worst record in the Il. Although the team has lacked depth in recent years, some of the Mets’ top prospects will be reaching the Bisons soon. At the plate, 24-year-old center fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis headlines the group after hitting .298 in Buffalo last season. He played just 53 games before being sidelined with an oblique injury. Cesar Puello, a 21-year-old from the Dominican Republic, is also moving up the minor league ranks after competing in double-A last season. on the pitching staff, the Mets have two top hurlers in their system. 2009 sixth-overall pick Zack Wheeler leads the group after being acquired last season from the Giants for Allstar Carlos Beltran and may be able to reach Triple-A by the end of the season. He is the league’s 28th-overall prospect in 2012. Also approaching the Bisons rotation is the major league’s No. 37 prospect Matt Harvey, who pitched in double-A Binghamton last year. Harvey was the seventh-overall pick in 2010 and recorded a 3.32 erA with 64 strikeouts in 59 innings.

CHARLOTTE KNIGHTS (CHICAGO WHITE SOX)

Last season: 69-74 (3rd Il south)

Best hitting prospect: Osvaldo Martinez, shortstop

Best pitching prospect: Nestor Molina, closer

As the White sox transition from contender to rebuilding team, the minor league roster is becoming more and more important to the team’s future success. Much of the top-end talent is still on its way to Charlotte, N.C., but the Knights will see some of that talent by the end of the season.
At the plate, most of Chicago’s top hitting prospects are still in single-A, including outfielders Trayce Thompson and Keenyn Walker and infielders Tyler Saladino and Juan Silverio. Charlotte does have shortstop Osvaldo Martinez, one of the team’s top prospects, penciled into the lineup. An 11th round pick in 2006, Martinez hit .245 for the Knights last year and saw limited action for the White sox. Chicago traded closer Sergio Santos in the off-season, making way for Addison Reed, the MlB’s No. 99 top prospect, to move up from Charlotte to the major leagues to compete for the closer’s role. The Knights, however, obtained Nestor Molina in the Santos deal and he instantly became one of their top prospects. Molina, a prospect out of Venezuela, racked up a 2.21 ERA in the Blue Jays minor league system last year.

COLUMBUS CLIPPERS (CLEVELAND INDIANS)

Last season: 88-56 (1st IL West)

Best hitting prospect: Francisco lindor, shortstop

Best pitching prospect: Nick Hagadone, reliever

In 2011, the Clippers ran away with the Il, picking up seven more wins than any other team and earning back-to-back Governors’ Cups. Columbus is in an interesting position, with most of the Indians’ top prospects either moved on to the majors with Cleveland or low in the minors. despite losing many top prospects, including third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall and second baseman Jason Kipnis, the Indians loaded up on veterans that could provide depth. The Indians’ top overall prospect is 19-year-old Puerto Rican Francisco lindor, the No. 32 prospect in the league. The shortstop was Cleveland’s eighth-overall pick in the 2011 MlB draft and has the talent and potential to reach the Triple-A level by the end of the season. left-fielder Nick Weglarz should make a big impact in the Clippers lineup and could have a shot at the Indians roster at some point this year. Nick Hagadone leads the pitchers in Columbus as he continues to battle for a spot in the Indians bullpen. The 26-year-old lefty was traded to Cleveland along with Justin Masterson from Boston for Victor Martinez in 2009.

DURHAM BULLS (TAMPA BAY RAYS)

Last season: 80-62 (1st IL south)

Best hitting prospect: Hak-Ju Lee, shortstop

Best pitching prospect: Chris Archer, starter

Durham had a fantastic season last year, finishing with the third best record in the IL. The Bulls are loaded with near major league talent and will again be one of the contenders for the Governors’ Cup. The Rays’ top prospects are framed by their 2011 trade of pitcher Matt Garza to the Cubs, bringing back the top hitting and pitching prospects in their system. Hak-Ju Lee may not start the season in Triple-A Durham, but should be there by season’s end. Lee hit .190 in 100 at-bats in double-A Montgomery last season after racking up a .318 average in single-A and is the league’s 45th overall prospect. Durham lost Matt Moore to the Rays; their top prospect will look to contend for the American League rookie of the year award in 2012.
The Bulls still have pitching talent in the system, led by starter Chris Archer and Alexander Torres. Archer started his career in Cleveland before being traded to the Cubs for Mark DeRosa. Chicago then moved Archer as part of the Garza deal. He had a 4.09 ERA in the minors last season, including a 0.69 erA in 13 innings of Triple-A, and is the MLB’s No. 74 prospect.

Torres, meanwhile, led all Triple-A pitchers in strikeouts (156) and walks (83) in 2011.

EMPIRE STATE YANKEES (NEW YORK YANKEES)

Last season: 73-69 (3rd IL North)

Best hitting prospect: Austin Romine, catcher

Best pitching prospect: Manny Banuelos, starter

Equipped with the longest name in baseball, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Empire State Yankees lost one of the top prospects in baseball when New York traded catcher Jesus Montero to Seattle in a move for dynamic young starter Michael Pineda.

While their home field is being renovated, the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees will spend the 2012 season on the road, primarily in New York state. For this reason, they have taken on the temporary moniker Empire State Yankees.

The loss of Montero was tough, but the organization has the personnel to replace him. Twenty-three-year-old catching prospect Austin Romine isn’t to the level of some of the other hitting prospects in single-A, including another catcher in 19-year-old Dominican prospect Gary Sanchez, but Romine has already reached Triple-A. The former 2007 second-round pick hit .279 in the minors last season and could be an option in New York if injuries hit.

The Empire State Yankees are flush with pitching prospects led by their two top prospects Manny Baneulos and Dellin Batances. Both players reached the majors briefly at the end of the year, combining for 11 starts, and should make a significant impact this season. Baneulos is the league’s 11th-best prospect while Betances is ranked No. 40.

GWINNETT BRAVES (ATLANTA BRAVES)

Last season: 78-65 (2nd IL south)

Best hitting prospect: Tyler Pastornicky, shortstop

Best pitching prospect: Julio Teheran, starter

The Braves have one of the most potent teams in the IL thanks to a stacked Major League rotation. After finishing 13 games over .500 and placing second in the IL south division, the Braves are looking to take the next step forward in 2012.

Tyler Pastornicky leads the Gwinnett prospects offensively after hitting .314 last season, including a scorching .365 for Gwinnett. He was acquired from Toronto in 2010 as part of their trade that sent shortstop Yunel Escobar to Toronto.

The pitching staff is where Gwinnett is dangerous, due to the depth in Atlanta’s rotation. The MlB squad has a starting five of Tim Hudson, Jair Jurrjens, Tommy Hanson and Brandon Beachy, with Mike Minor favored for the final spot.

That leaves a ton of talent in Gwinnett led by Julio Teheran, who is the No. 4 prospect in baseball. Teheran posted a 2.55 ERA in Triple-A last season, earning MilB.com Triple-A starting Pitcher of the Year honors.

INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS (PITTSBURGH PIRATES)

Last season: 76-68 (2nd IL West)

Best hitting prospect: Starling Marte, center field

Best pitching prospect: Gerrit Cole, starter

As the Pirates have started the process of getting younger, Indianapolis has continued to get better in IL play.

Pittsburgh has a lot of talent moving up and some will be seen with the Indians this year. While the majority of the system’s depth is in pitching, Starling Marte is a solid prospect in center field. The 24-year-old from the Dominican Republic was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2007 and made a significant impact in double-A Altoona in 2011, leading the eastern league in average (.332) and doubles (38) while setting a team record with 178 hits.

Pitching is where the Pirates are exceptionally strong, boasting two of the top 10 prospects in all of baseball. The biggest question, however, will be whether the Indians will see them in their lineup by season’s end. Gerrit Cole is the team’s top prospect after being the top pick in last year’s draft. The Pirates also have Jameson Taillon, the second overall pick in 2010. Both players are in single-A but have enough talent that reaching Triple-A by the end of the year isn’t unattainable.

LEHIGH IRONPIGS (PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES)

Last season: 80-64 (2nd IL North)

Best hitting prospect: Sebastian Valle, catcher

Best pitching prospect: Phillippe Aumont, starter

After finishing with the fifth best record in the IL, Lehigh Valley made a run in the playoffs to face Columbus in the Governors’ Cup.

Unfortunately for the IronPigs, they were unable to dethrone the reigning champions. This season many of the Phillies’ top prospects lie in the low minors, but there is some future talent that could make its way through Lehigh Valley.

At the plate, Sebastian Valle is an intriguing prospect. The catcher from Mexico was selected to the 2011 Futures Game and could reach the IronPigs by season’s end. On the mound, Phillippe Aumont rebounded from a poor 2010 showing, recording a 5.68 ERA in 122 innings to put himself back among the top prospects in Philadelphia. The former centerpiece of a trade that sent Cliff Lee to Seattle in 2009, Aumont lowered his ERA to 2.68 last season and struck out 78 batters in 53.2 innings.

LOUISVILLE BATS (CINCINNATI REDS)

Last season: 73-71 (3rd IL West)

Best hitting prospect: Devin Mesoraco, catcher

Best pitching prospect: Daniel Corcino, starter

While the Reds strengthened its roster, adding one of the top frontline starters in the majors in Mat Latos from San Diego, its farm system took a major hit in the process.

Among the hitters sent away in the deal included two of three top prospects in catcher Yasmani Grandal and first baseman Yonder Alonso, both of whom would have played in Louisville this season.

The organization’s top prospect, however, still remains catcher Devin Mesoraco, the 15th overall pick in the 2007 draft. Named the MlB’s 14th best prospect entering this season, Mesoraco should move up to Cincinnati by the end of the year.

The Reds’ top pitching prospects, led by 22-year-old Daniel Corcino of the Dominican Republic, however, are nearly entirely based in single-A and will probably not see Lousiville this season. Former reliever Brad Boxberger would have been the organization’s top pitching prospect to wear a Bats uniform this season, but he was also included in the Latos deal.

NORFOLK TIDES (BALTIMORE ORIOLES)

Last season: 56-87 (4th IL south)

Best hitting prospect: Manny Machado, shortstop

Best pitching prospect: Dylan Bundy, starter

The Tides struggled mightily last season, just as their parent organization Baltimore did in 2011. Norfolk finished with the second-worst record in the IL as former top prospects, such as starters Brian Matusz and Zack Britton, advanced to the Orioles.

Baltimore’s farm system is still lacking depth, but does have two of the top 10 prospects in baseball in Dylan Bundy and Manny Machado, though each will have to work to reach Norfolk.

Machado has been pegged the next great Orioles shortstop, but hit just .257 last year in single-A. You can bet, however, that Baltimore would love to see him in Norfolk by the end of the year. He is the league’s No. 6 overall prospect. Bundy was the fourth-overall pick in 2011 and has the talent to reach the Tides by the end of the season, but he still may be a year or so away. He is the No. 10 prospect in baseball.

PAWTUCKET RED SOX (BOSTON RED SOX)

Last season: 81-61 (1st IL North)

Best hitting prospect: Will Middlebrooks, third base

Best pitching prospect: Alex Wilson, starter/reliever

The Pawtucket Red Sox, or Pawsox, had a fantastic year in 2011 with the second-best record in the IL. The Red Sox farm system is talented, but is composed mostly of hitters rather than pitchers.

Will Middlebrooks headlines the Pawsox lineup this season and is the organization’s top prospect. The 23-year-old third baseman is the league’s 55th-overall prospect, but his path to the majors remains blocked by Kevin Youkilis. Still, he should make his presence known in Triple-A for the Pawsox. Alex Wilson is most likely the Red Sox’s top pitching prospect and should see time in a Pawsox uniform this season, but he is reportedly not a top-shelf prospect on the roster.

ROCHESTER RED WINGS (MINNESOTA TWINS)

Last season: 53-91 (6th II North)

Best hitting prospect: Chris Parmelee, first baseman

Best pitching prospect: Kyle Gibson, starter

Like its parent organization in Minnesota, Rochester had a rough season last year and finished with the worst record in the IL. The Twins’ major prospects at the plate lie in single-A, including infielders Miguel Sano and Eddie Rosario and outfielders Joe Benson, Aaron Hicks and Oswaldo Arcia.

The Red Wings do have some talent on the way, however. Twenty-four-year-old first baseman Chris Parmelee led the entire Twins organization in hits (179), RBI (97) and walks (80) and should be in Rochester soon. Shortstop Brian dozier also should reach the red Wings soon, after being named the team’s Minor league Player of the Year in 2011.

Kyle Gibson leads Rochester’s pitching prospects, but is recovering from Tommy John surgery last season. The 22nd-overall pick of 2009 is on the mend with hopes of recovering enough to play for the red Wings again this year.

SYRACUSE CHIEFS (WASHINGTON NATIONALS)

Last season: 66-74 (4th IL North)

Best hitting prospect: Bryce Harper, center field

Best pitching prospect: Dan Rosenbaum, starter

The Chiefs might not be one of the most talented Triple-A teams in the IL, but they may have the best player.

Syracuse boasts 19-year-old phenom Bryce Harper, who was named the second-overall prospect in baseball. Harper was the top pick in the 2010 draft and hit .297 with 17 home runs in his first season of professional baseball last year. He should be joining young pitcher Stephen Strasburg in the majors at some point this season.

The Washington Nationals’ top pitching prospects, including Alex Meyer, Matt Purke and Sammy Solis, are all a while away from Syracuse, but the team does have 24-year-old Daniel Rosenbaum, who should be a threat for the Chiefs rotation this season. The 22nd-overall pick in 2009 out of Xavier, Rosenbaum has never totaled higher than a 2.52 ERA in his three seasons in the minor leagues.

Toledo Mud Hens league affiliations

From Staff Reports

  • 1987-present — Detroit Tigers
  • 1978-1986 — Minnesota Twins
  • 1976-1977 — Cleveland Indians
  • 1974-1975 — Philadelphia Phillies
  • 1967-1973 — Detroit Tigers
  • 1965-1966 — New York Yankees
  • 1953-1955 — Milwaukee Braves
  • 1952 — No Affiliate
  • 1949-1951 — Cleveland Indians
  • 1940-1948 — St.. Louis Browns
  • 1936-1939 — detroit Tigers
  • 1932-1935 — Cleveland Indians
  • 1914-1931 — New York Giants
  • 1907-1913 — Cleveland Indians
  • 1905-1906 — Cincinnati Reds

— Source: Toledo Mud Hens

Detroit Tigers to host Law Enforcement Appreciation Night

By
Dock David Treece
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0

On April 19, 2012, the Detroit Tigers will host its annual Law Enforcement Appreciation Night dedicated to honoring the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers and their families.

The event, which will take place during the 7:05 p.m. game against the Texas Rangers, will help raise awareness and funds for the National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington, D.C., projected to open in 2014.

The privately funded, 55,000-square-foot museum will tell the story of American law enforcement through high-tech, interactive exhibits, collections, research and education, according to a news release.

A $39 ticket package includes a ticket to the game, a food and beverage voucher and a co-branded Detroit Tigers and National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund commemorative coin.

The Tigers will donate $10 from each ticket sold to the memorial fund to support the museum. Craig W. Floyd, chairman and CEO of the memorial fund, said the organization is proud to partner with the Tigers.

“Coming together in Michigan for food, fun and championship baseball in honor of our nation’s law enforcement officers is sure to be a great evening — and a great way to raise awareness and funds for the museum,” Floyd said in a statement.

The National law enforcement officers Memorial Fund is a private nonprofit organization that maintains a memorial in Washington, D.C., containing the names of 19,298
officers who have died in the line of duty throughout U.S. history.

The organization is now working to create the first-ever National Law Enforcement Museum.

For more information, visit www.lawmemorial.org.

So far, the museum has raised more than $56 million of its $80 million capital campaign. Former presidents George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton serve as co-chairs of the museum’s national honorary campaign committee, which also includes seven former attorneys general of the United States, other former government officials and celebrities, including honorary chairman Clint Eastwood.

For more information, visit the website www.lawenforcementmuseum.org. For more information or to purchase ticket packages, visit www.lawmemorial.org/sports or contact Kate Walker at 313-471-2233 or [email protected].

Princely visitors: Tigers to play Hens in exhibition for charity

By
Dock David Treece
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0
Prince Fielder, pitcher for Detroit. Associated Press photo

For the first time since 2000, the Detroit Tigers are coming to Toledo. The Mud Hens will host Detroit in an exhibition game at noon April 4 at Fifth Third Field, with all proceeds set to go to charity.

Half will go to the Detroit Tigers Foundation and the other half to the Helping Hens Charitable Fund. Gates open at 10 a.m.

The meeting will mark the first exhibition game between the Tigers and Mud Hens since they played at Ned Skeldon Stadium in Maumee on June 1, 2000.

The game is scheduled to be broadcast on FOX Sports Detroit.

Such exhibition games between a parent club and its affiliate team are rare, said Dan Lunetta, Tigers director of minor league operations.

“These types of games are a rarity anymore; clubs now oftentimes go to a Major League venue to conclude the spring training portion of the schedule,” Lunetta said. “It’s not a common occurrence.”

While the practice of minor league teams hosting their Major League affiliates has become uncommon, it was not always that way.

In fact, as part of the affiliation agreement between Major League Baseball and its minor leagues, the parent company used to be required to play its Triple-A club in an exhibition or pay the club $10,000. Around 2000, however, that rule was negotiated out of the agreement and the game became optional, leading to the 12-year hiatus since the Tigers have been to Toledo.

“Over the years, [Tigers general manager] Dave Dombrowski, Dan Lunetta and I have always had conversations about the possibility,” said Mud Hens President and General Manager Joe Napoli. “The Tigers are kind of in a tough spot because everyone would love to host a Tigers exhibition game, including other communities, double-A, single-A and rookie ball clubs. All those cities would love to have them too.”

In order to bring the Tigers to town, Napoli made an offer they couldn’t refuse. He suggested Toledo host the game and the teams could split the proceeds between their respective charities.

“That was the deal-maker,” Lunetta said. “Even absent of that, we most likely would have still scheduled the game, but when Joe made that proposal to us, that really allowed us to say, ‘Let’s play the game this year.’ What a wonderful thing to do for the charitable organizations that will benefit from the game.”

“They got back to us and said they loved the idea,” Napoli said. “That’s the notion that persuaded the Tigers to consider it and we can’t be more thankful. The Toledo community has responded in outstanding fashion, as they always do, so we are going to have a huge crowd and, as a result, over time there will be many charitable organizations that will benefit from the net proceeds.”

The exhibition game is set for the day before Detroit’s 1 p.m. April 5 season-opener at home against the Boston Red Sox. The Tigers will travel to Toledo by bus and will take batting practice prior to the game, which will be open to the public.

That type of exposure to Detroit’s fans in Toledo is exactly what Lunetta and the Tigers are looking to bring.

“When you have your Triple-A club located so close to your Major League club, there is going to be a natural strong fan base because of the close proximity,” Lunetta said. “At least now with the exhibition game, it gives the fans the opportunity to see the club live in a one-time game.”

The game will give some fans the opportunity to see players they once watched play in a Mud Hens uniform.

Toledo veterans

Among the Tigers’ 40-man roster, 19 have played in Toledo. Those players are Al Alburquerque (pitcher), Duane Below (pitcher), Brennan Boesch (outfield), Phil Coke (pitcher), Andy Dirks (outfield), Brandon Inge (third base), Don Kelly (utility), Luis Marte (pitcher), Victor Martinez (catcher), Andy Oliver (pitcher), Rick Porcello (pitcher), Ryan Raburn (outfield), Ramon Santiago (second base), Max Scherzer (pitcher), Daniel Schlereth (pitcher), Jacob Turner (pitcher), Brayan Villarreal (pitcher), Adam Wilk (pitcher) and Sanny Worth (third base).

“There’s no question there are going to be guys that played for Toledo that most likely will never see Toledo again,” Lunetta said. “I’m sure it presents some nice memories for them.”

Another connection is Tigers manager Jim Leyland, a native of Perrysburg.

Leyland’s son, Patrick, was drafted by the Tigers in 2010. The Tigers and Mud Hens have the fifth-longest affiliation between a Major League team and its Triple-A affiliate, behind the Atlanta Braves/ Gwinnett Braves (1966), Kansas City Royals/Omaha Storm Chasers (1969), Boston Red Sox/Pawtucket Red Sox (1973) and Chicago Cubs/Iowa Cubs
(1981).

The Tigers and Mud Hens joined forces in 1987.

“We have a tremendous longstanding relationship with the Toledo Mud Hens,” said Tigers president, CEO and General Manager Dave Dombrowski in a news release. “This exhibition game gives Mud Hens fans an opportunity to see the Tigers at Fifth Third Field, which is one of the finest ballparks in all of minor league baseball.”

With it having been 12 years since the Tigers last came to Toledo and no word when the next meeting might be, Tigers fans who want to see their team play at Fifth Third Field may be waiting a while if they cannot get tickets to this year’s game.

“There are no guarantees this will happen again,” Napoli said. “The Tigers were gracious enough to do it and we as a community are lucky enough to have the timing work out where they have a fantastic team. We are talking about arguably three of the top 10 players in the game being on the Tigers with Prince Fielder, [Miguel] Cabrera and [Justin] Verlander. How often does that happen? We are incredibly excited.”

Season ticket holders were given the first opportunity to purchase tickets before about 1,000 tickets were offered to the general public Jan. 7, selling out within 15 minutes, said Erik Ibsen, Mud Hens assistant general manager of tickets and operations.

A limited number of standing-room only tickets, which went on sale March 3, are left for the game, he said.

The Mud Hens will follow up the game with its home opener April 6 against Indianapolis at 5 p.m., kicking off a three-game weekend series with the Indians.

Tigers’ relationship with spring training city longest in MLB

By
Toledo Free Press
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0

Down in Lakeland, Fla., the boys of summer actually start arriving prior to the onset of spring and have been doing so since 1934.

Save for three seasons during World War II, when the team played its spring ball in Evansville, Ind., Lakeland has been the spring training home for the Detroit Tigers. It is a relationship that’s in its 76th season, the longest between a major league team and a spring training city.

Tigers fans from across the country flock to “Tiger Town” each spring to take in the historic atmosphere surrounding Joker Marchant Stadium in Lakeland.

“Every day, you come across people that this has been something they’ve wanted to do their whole life, is come to Joker Marchant Stadium and see a game, or come to Tiger Town and just see it,” said Ron Myers, the Tigers’ director of Lakeland operations, who started as an intern with the organization in 1981.

“The exciting part is to see how many people know about this place, and it’s always been on their list of things to do. Once they see it, they feel it, they experience it, you can see the smile on their face, and I think any time I see that, it just makes you feel pretty special.”

‘Smokeless factory’

In Lakeland, the Tigers represent more than just a professional baseball team to check out each spring. Since Detroit first started playing spring ball at Henley Field in 1934, the organization has became a fixture in the community.

“We’re a smokeless factory in the community,” Myers said. “And our job is to produce Major League players.”

“The real magic, I think, to the Lakeland and Detroit relationship has been the longevity,” said Bill Tinsley, who serves as liaison to the Tigers and manager of community resources development for Lakeland. “Jim Campbell as the [former] president and CEO for the organization had a great relationship with the parks and recreation department and other city officials.”

Tinsley has worked for the City of Lakeland since 1971 and became the city’s parks and recreation director in 1993 prior to his current position. With more than 40 years of experience, he has seen the relationship between lakeland and the Tigers grow into what it is today.

“The Tigers have been engaged in the community since their inception here, or their first arrival here, back in the days when they came in on a train,” Tinsley said. “The chamber of commerce and the city have recognized their value to the community and the contributions here. They used to meet them at the train and carry their bags to the hotel downtown that they stayed in back in the early years.”

As times have changed and baseball has evolved during the past century, so has Detroit’s relationship with Lakeland. What used to be an eight-week spring training process is now
a yearlong courtship between the city and the Tigers.

“Now, 12 months out of the year the Tigers have a presence in the community with operations and activities that are going on,” Tinsley said. “They’re engaged, and the facility operates as a great sports revenue source. We call it our ‘smokeless factory,’ if you will, in that there is a tourism element that is 12 months out of the year with teams coming in and everything from college to high school to amateur sports, pro sports and activities that are going on that the Tigers are playing host to.”

Mutual respect

The common thread between Lakeland and the Tigers in their 76 seasons together is a mutual respect for the other.

“It’s just something that if we all walked in the same room together, if nobody had a logo on, you wouldn’t know who worked for the City of Lakeland or the Detroit Tigers,” Myers said. “It’s an all for one, one for all. It’s a relationship that’s very hard to describe because it’s so good.”

For Tinsley, that level of respect for the Detroit organization grew from the way the Tigers front office has treated city officials.

“Dave Dombrowski, Al [Avila] — these are folks that treat us as partners and equals, not as in service to them,” Tinsley said. “There is a reasonableness that’s brought to our relationship, an understanding of the economics that we have.”

According to Tinsley, all the facilities in the state of Florida are managed, run and owned by either municipal or county government, except for those operated by Disney.

The Tigers, he said, have brought a give-and-take nature to their relationship with Lakeland and stay true to their word.

“If you’re looking for what really is the key to the sustainability of an organization, it’s having excellent business people that whatever they say, you can take it to the bank,” Tinsley said. “And that’s the open, honest relationship we’ve had from the Tiger organization, from the owner down to the people in the front office.”

That mutual respect at the top has had a trickledown effect on the many players Myers and Tinsley have seen over the years, including Toledo’s 2011 Pitcher of the Year Duane Below.

“From here in Lakeland to every level, everybody’s been great,” Below told Toledo Free Press from Lakeland, where he was spring training with the Tigers.

A native of Britton, Mich., Below was drafted by Detroit in 2006 and has worked his way up the ranks of the organization, from single-A ball to competing for a spot in the rotation with the Tigers.
“They want you to succeed,” Below said. “They help you in any way they can, and I think that goes a long way to say for Mr. Ilitch, in hiring the staff that he has.”

Michael Ilitch owns the Detroit Tigers as well as the Detroit Red Wings.

Lakeland has been such a special place that several Detroit players either keep a residence there or call it home, including star pitcher Justin Verlander.

“These guys learn to love this city because quality of life has always been important in our city,” Tinsley said. “No small part is the contribution that’s made by the Tigers’ residence here.”

The early years since the time Clare “Doc” Henley and the Lakeland Chamber of Commerce approached the Tigers in 1933 about making the city their spring training destination, making the Detroit organization and its players feel at home has been a priority for the city and its parks and recreation department, which maintains the Tiger Town facilities.
“Our Parks and Recreation Department, we’re so proud of them,” Tinsley said. “They do have almost a sinful pride in the complex, in its history. I don’t think you can plan well without taking a good look back.”

Detroit’s early years in Lakeland were spent at Henley Field, a 1,000-seat ballpark which saw the likes of Al Kaline, Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth and Ted Williams in its heyday. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1997 and is still used by Florida Southern College and Lakeland High school.

In 1966, the Tigers began playing at their current spring training home, Joker Marchant Stadium, named after Lakeland’s former Parks and Recreation director Marcus Thigpen Marchant, who went by “Joker” and played a vital role in making sure Detroit was taken care of in Lakeland.

With an original seating capacity of 4,900, Joker Marchant stadium has undergone several expansion and renovation projects to bring the ballpark up to date. Including the estimated 1,000 lawn seats on the berm, the stadium now has an approximate capacity of 9,000.

“The city has just been great in bending over backward to make sure that our facilities don’t take a backseat to anybody, even though our age is a lot more than some of the newer complexes being built,” Myers said.

Among the criteria discussed when considering any upgrades to Joker Marchant Stadium and Tiger Town are player development and fan enhancement, the latter of which was brought to the table by Tigers’ President and General Manager Dave Dombrowski, Tinsley said.

“Our leadership has been able to focus on the big picture and view and recognize that $35 to $40 million of economic impact — our stimulus that comes from having a Major League team spring train in your city — are real dollars that are vested into your community,” Tinsley said.

Development of Tiger Town started in the 1950s at the location where the Lodwick School of Aeronautics and Lakeland Municipal Airport once stood. sprawled across 85 acres and home to both the Tigers and their Class-A advanced affiliate, the Lakeland Flying Tigers, Tiger Town features a three-story dormitory, cafeteria, recreation hall and administrative building, making it both a historically unique and comfortable facility for players.
“The city officials, the city manager Doug Thomas, going all the way back throughout the years the city has been a great supporter of ours,” Myers said. “They understand what a great relationship this is, along with the county. So we have a city, the county, that are these great backers of our organization. It’s just been a great relationship all the way around.”

Keeping it going

Neither party sees the historic relationship between Lakeland and the Tigers ending in the foreseeable future.

“I was not in every discussion that’s taken place over the 76 years, but I can tell you the relationship between the Detroit Tigers and the City of Lakeland and Polk County would be hard to be replaced,” Myers said.

The team’s current contract with Lakeland expires in 2016, but Tinsley said he doesn’t think anybody on either side wants the relationship broken.

“The way that you do that and keep that from happening is keep surprises out of the relationship,” Tinsley said. “Open, honest communication exists, and then future planning to anticipate needs before they become emergency needs that can’t be taken care of. so we’re always looking at ‘How are we going to improve ourselves and make ourselves better and stay on top?’”
Not to mention he and Myers have had a lot of fun at their respective jobs over the years.

Myers, who grew up in Michigan with a college baseball coach for a father, has had baseball in his blood since he was a batboy for his dad.

He has cherished the opportunity to work with the many players he’s seen over the years, including Verlander, Below, the longest-tenured Tiger and fan favorite Brandon Inge and Michigan native John Smoltz.

“There’s too many to name,” Myers said of memories created over the years. “Every day, I consider it a blessing. I’ve had a great career. I enjoy what I do. I mean, I could go for days as far as [memories go], and I’d leave one out and that would probably be better than the next one. I’m very grateful, and I’m very lucky to have the position that I have.”

Tinsley, meanwhile, has formed friendships with many Tigers over the years and has taken great pride in showing them what Florida has to offer, from fishing and wild hog hunting to catching an alligator with Bo Schembechler’s son.

“I will tell you I love the people that I’ve met and have learned to appreciate that although they are big celebrities on the national front, many of these folks one-on-one, they’re good people,” Tinsley said. “I’ve just met so many quality people through that relationship that it’s just been a gift to me.

“I hit the job lotto 42 years ago.”

Muddy’s Buddies cater to youngest Hens fans

By
Brigitta Burks
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Muddy the Mud Hen drops in on some young fans at Fifth Third Field. Photo by Lad Strayer

Young fans of the Mud Hens are eligible for some special perks if they join Muddy’s Buddies Kids Club.

The popular, free program draws in about 2,000 kids every season, said Emily Croll, special events coordinator for the Mud Hens.

“Muddy’s Buddies has turned into a ballpark staple for sure,” she said. “We even get requests from Connecticut, the East Coast, the south. We get requests from kids all over, not just kids at the games.”

Perks include $1 off kids’ tickets to Monday and Tuesday games, a free prize upon signing up at guest services, opportunities for autographs and chances to run the bases.

McDonald’s, a sponsor, offers members three free Hamburger Happy Meals with the purchase of one extra Value Meal or Premium entree salad.

The Muddy’s Buddies membership also gives families 10 percent off select gear at the swamp shop, which parents love, Croll said.

“Nothing’s better than getting their kid a prize and being able to go and get something for cheaper,” she said. Club members can also attend an open field day.

In the past, the program has been more of a skills clinic, but is now moving toward a different structure.

“This year, we are changing it to more of a field day,” Croll said. “We are just trying to get people not to be like, ‘Oh, it’s a baseball camp, I don’t want to take my kids there.’”

The date for the field day is still to be decided.

Other events are also in the works, Croll said.

Children are important to both the Mud Hens and the Walleye, Toledo’s hockey team, but while children get involved with the Walleye, it isn’t at the same level as with the Mud Hens, Croll said.
That could be because it’s easier to get children involved in the summer and the fact that the Huntington Center isn’t the team’s own facility so it’s harder to do events there, she said.

“Kids are just a huge part of [the Mud Hens],” Croll said. “We’re always looking for new ways to get kids involved and get them on the field and to meet players.”

Mud Hens players can also serve as good role models for the children.

“It’s just a very positive environment. A lot of players who come to these events have gotten here because they’ve made the right decisions along the way, they’ve done things and they’ve worked hard,” Croll said.

To join, children must pledge: “As an official Member of the Muddy’s Buddies Kids Club, I pledge to uphold the highest standards of honesty, fairness and good DANCING as demonstrated by Muddy the Mud Hen. I further pledge to remain a lifelong Mud Hens fan.”

Children age 12 and younger can join Muddy’s Buddies. Registration is free.

Parents can sign their children up for Muddy’s Buddies at guest services at Fifth Third Field, select McDonald’s restaruant locations in the Toledo area or online at www.mudhens.com under the listing for “Fan Center.”

Muddy Shuttles offer ‘convenient, affordable’ ride

By
Toledo Free Press
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A TARTA "Muddy Shuttle" lets baseball fans off next to Fifth Third Field downtown.

More than a dozen Park-N-ride locations in Toledo and the surrounding area offer area residents the option to catch a bus to or from games at Fifth Third Field on one of TARTA’s Muddy shuttles.

It’s an option worth checking out, said Steve Atkinson, director of marketing for TARTA.

“It’s very easy to use, very user-friendly,” Atkinson said. “It saves on gas and saves on parking. With the several Park-N-ride locations surrounding Toledo, you can basically park your car and climb aboard the bus and be dropped off steps away from the field. It’s a safe,
convenient, affordable and worryfree way to travel.”

There are 13 Park-N-Ride locations in Toledo, Maumee, Ottawa Hills, Perrysburg, Rossford, Sylvania and Waterville where Muddy Shuttles stop.

Muddy Shuttles will continue to operate to and from Perrysburg for the duration of the 2012 Mud Hens regular season despite the community’s vote March 6 to opt out of TARTA bus service, Atkinson said.

Rossford and Sylvania Township are also considering an opt-out vote.

TARTA service to Perrysburg will continue until at least October, or for six months from the date the results are certified by the Wood County Board of Elections and then finalized by the TARTA board of trustees, Atkinson said.

The final Mud Hens home game of the season is Monday, Sept. 3.

“No matter what, we will fulfill Muddy Shuttle service to Perrysburg for the remainder of this Mud Hens season,” Atkinson said.

There will no longer be Walleye Shuttle service from Perrysburg to hockey games at Huntington Center this fall or to Mud Hens games next season.

Muddy Shuttle ridership numbers have remained fairly consistent since the service started in 2002 when Fifth Third Field opened, Atkinson said.
In 2011, there were 19,583 passenger boardings on Muddy shuttles, counting trips both to and from games, Atkinson said. That’s down from the 21,692 passenger boardings recorded for 2010. Waterville Plaza again had the highest ridership in 2011, with 3,588 passenger boardings, Atkinson said. Next most popular was them Lucas County recreation Center in Maumee with 2,751, followed by Centennial Terrance in Sylvania with 2,558.
River Place Shopping Center in Perrysburg had the fourth-highest number of boardings, with 2,136.

No. 5 was Toledo’s Miracle Mile with 1,586, No. 6 was Toledo’s southland shopping Center with 1,232, No. 7 was Toledo’s Alexis road Meijer with 1,224, No. 8 was Perrysburg’s Country Charm shoppes with 1,218, No. 9 was Ottawa Hills’ Westgate Sears with 1,018, No. 10 was Rossford’s All Saints Catholic Church with 796 and No. 11 was St. Luke’s Hospital in Maumee with 748.

Westfield Franklin Park had the lowest ridership in 2011 with 728.

Muddy Shuttle ridership statistics are not kept for the Adams Street stops because, unlike the others, it’s part of a regular TARTA route, not a special route for game days, Atkinson said.

Muddy Shuttles leave from each location one hour before home game start times and go directly to Fifth Third Field. Riders can be dropped off on either the first-base or third-base sides of the field. Return trips leave from the first-base side of the field on Washington Street 20 minutes after the end of the game.

For games that feature post-game fireworks, buses leave 20 minutes after the display.

TARTA supervisors are on hand after games to make sure riders find the right bus, Atkinson said. The bus marquee displays the name of the Park-N-Ride destination while loading or unloading and reads “Go HENs” while in transit, Atkinson said.

Cost is $1 per trip ($2 for a round trip), the same as regular bus fare. For more information, visit www.tarta.com.

Muddy Shuttle Stops

Maumee: Lucas County recreation Center (2901 Key St., north lot )

Maumee: St. Luke’s Hospital (5901 Monclova Road)

Ottawa Hills: Westgate Sears (3474 W. Central Ave., west of Sears)

Perrysburg: Country Charm Shoppes (106 W. South Boundary, near shelter) O

Perrysburg: River Place Shopping Center (26597 Dixie Hwy., at stop sign near Walt Churchill’s Market/Charlie’s)

Rossford: All Saints Catholic Church (628 Lime City road, near Schreier Road)

Sylvania: Centennial Terrace (5773 Centennial Road, main parking lot)

Toledo: Alexis Road Meijer (1500 E. Alexis Road, main parking lot)

Toledo: Miracle Mile shopping Center (1727 W. Laskey Road, near shelter)

Toledo: Southland Shopping Center (3320 Glendale Ave., behind Fifth Third Bank)

Toledo: Westfield Franklin Park (4121 Royer Road, shelter across from Kohl’s)

Toledo: Uptown on Adams (1815 Adams st., three stops between 14th and 20th streets)

Waterville: Waterville Plaza (1320 Michigan Ave., near shelter at Kroger)

Ground crew keeps ballpark at its best

By
Vincent Scebbi
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Jake Tyler is the award-winning head groundskeeper at Fifth Third Field in Toledo. Toledo Free Press photo by Joseph Herr

As fans begin to pour into Fifth Third Field on April 4 for the exhibition game against the Tigers and for Mud Hens opening day two days later, they may notice the grass inside the stadium is greener than their backyards.

This is partially thanks to the warmer-than-average winter Toledo experienced, but it’s mostly due to almost constant maintenance by sports Turf Manager Jake Tyler and the rest of the Mud Hens grounds crew.

Tyler said the crew fertilizes the grass 11 months out of year, including November and December, when the crew does work on the warning track.

The crew also adds a winter feed containing nutrients such as magnesium and nitrogen that help the field “pop.”

This year, not all of the grass went dormant over the winter months, which Tyler said made the work this spring easier. He and the crew began mowing the grass Feb. 28, almost a week before their typical start date.

“It’s been really easy this year, knock on wood,” he said.

Because of the head start, most of the major work was done by mid-March, meaning the work to be done between then and the first pitch will be “fine, minute details,” such as grooming the pitcher’s mound and the infield slope, Tyler said.

While grass is what most fans notice first when walking into the ballpark, Tyler said the majority of the crew’s work is done in the infield.

“Seventy percent of the game is played on the dirt,” he said. Tyler said part of his job is working with weather conditions and scheduling around Mother Nature.

“I monitor the weather every hour of the day,” Tyler said. “You have to adapt to the surroundings.”

The field has to maintain a constant moisture level, which is always changing because of shifts in heat, humidity and rain. on humid days, for example, the dirt needs less moisture because not as much is being evaporated into the atmosphere. The goal is to tweak the field and keep it as consistent as possible for players on a day-to-day basis, Tyler said.

After 16 years of maintaining a baseball diamond, “you get a sense of how much moisture you lose,” he said. Ideally, a baseball cleat should go into the dirt and not take any chunks out with it, which Tyler tests by wearing his own and running in the dirt.

“Until you put on a pair of cleats, you have no idea how [the infield] feels,” he said.

Tyler said the red infield dirt is from Alabama and is a mixture of sand, silt and clay. In March, the crew takes the new mix and cultivates and tills it into the ground. Next, they laser-grade the infield to within one-thirtieth of an inch lower than the outfield.

“Ideally, you would be able to walk from the infield into the outfield blindfolded and not notice the difference,” Tyler said.

At night, the crew adds about one inch of water to the infield dirt, allowing it to seep in overnight and save water usage during the day. The crew also sprays the dirt with light coats of water on game days.

While many fans think they are settling dust, the truth is the grounds crew is keeping the moisture levels consistent, Tyler said.

The warning track, which is composed of crushed brick and shell stone, is watered twice a day to prevent dust. The difference in the material helps outfielders hear when they are close to the wall and adjust accordingly, Tyler said. “We have to maintain moisture in every inch of this ball park,” he said.

Tyler, a native of Jackson, Tenn., who has worked with organizations such as the Louisville Bats and New York Mets, earned the International league’s sports Turf Manager of the Year award from 2006-08 while the Mud Hens earned the Triple-A Field of the Year in 2006 and 2007.
“I know a lot of people are proud of Fifth Third Field and they bring visitors to the games and show them how beautiful it is,” said Jason Griffin, director of public and media relations for the Mud Hens.

The ballpark was also selected as a set for the film “Homerun showdown” in 2010 because the film’s producers said it “looked like a Major League facility,” Griffin said. He added that the actors from California said Fifth Third looked better than some Major League stadiums like Los Angeles’ dodger Stadium and Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

Tyler said he used to be more focused on awards and recognition, but is now mostly concerned with maintaining the field.

“I just like taking care of a baseball field because that’s the way I would want it,” he said. “I’d like the fans to take a sense of pride in their hometown.”

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