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All StarAlex Avila walked into the Tigers clubhouse earlier this week and found his jersey hanging in his locker. For the first time in his career it was a big league locker. In addition, the number on his jersey caught his attention. For ten seasons, Lance Parrish wore the number 13 for the Tigers and carved out an impressive career which culminated in in World Championship in 1984. Now, Avila is wearing number 13.
Alex turned in one outstanding debut, as he not only picked up his first major league hit in his second at bat, but his his first big league RBI as wel. The very next night, he slammed his first big league homer and finished with four RBI's. Not a bad start for the kid. Yet, through the whirlwind two day period that brought Alex from AA Erie to Comerica Park, he remains the same kid that he always was, cool, calm and collected.
I asked Alex how he celebrated his big league debut and his answer was not surprising, "Just a quiet dinner at home with my family," he said. Alex spent a portion of his high school career at Warren De La Salle. While he went to school in Michigan, he spent his summer working at a local batting cage. When my son played on a summer tournament team, he worked out at the same facility. We would see Alex in the cage a lot, working on the very swing that would get him to the big leagues.
In 2006, Avila played on a summer team in Ann Arbor. On the same team was Zach Putnam, who would later go on to star at U of M and eventually end up in the Cleveland Indians organization.
While Alex only spent a portion of his high school career at De La Salle, I still consider him a local kid. A kid from a great family who has worked hard and has now gotten his first big league shot. A dream come true for a kid who grew up around the game and put in the work to make this chance happen.
Pathetic how the offense abandoned Rick Porcello tonight. The kid put himself out there, protected his teammates, and threw Youkilis to the ground at Fenway in front of his home fans.
firewaltzHow does the offense respond? Do they get fired up? Hardly. Nothing until mop up time in the 9th.
And why is it that Fox Sports Detroit wastes its time interviewing Jim Leyland after these games? He acts like he hasn't eaten for three days and answers questions with worn out cliche's and meaningless drivel.
Speaking of meaningless drive - I've always been a supporter of Mario and Rod. But I'm getting very sick of Rod saying "dropped the bat head." Sick. Of. It. Porcello needs to drop a bat head on the Tigers offense.
12:52 AM EST