This morning upon arriving at Joker Merchant Stadium, radio play-by-play announcer (and one of the best in the game, in my opinion) Dan Dickerson, couldn’t contain his excitement about Detroit Tigers baseball. Dickerson began by posting pictures of the updated stadium, then proceeded to give a bright outlook on this Tigers team.
Via Dickerson’s Twitter:
“Happy Spring Training Opening Day! Tigers open exhibition season with home game v. Orioles…here’s what I’m looking forward to this spring: First – I’m looking forward to watching games in the “new” Joker Marchant Stadium – the renovation is phenomenal…if it wasn’t already, this will become a true destination spot for fans who come down for Spring Training…a much-improved fan experience. I’m looking forward to watching the rotation come together – because if Zimmermann & Norris stay healthy, rotation will be a real strength. Even in spring – I’ll look forward to every JV start, watching his classic, smooth motion….a power-pitcher still among the elite at 34…like JV – I look forward to watching every Miggy trip to the plate…we’re watching a future HOF, and I never want to take that for granted…
“…I’m looking forward to watching Fulmer, Norris and Boyd – all 26 or younger, all with a chance to be in rotation for years to come…I’m looking forward to watching the battle for CF, because the simplest way to improve a poor OF defense is with a CF who can go get it…and I think the Tigers have at least two guys in camp who have the ability to do that: JaCoby Jones and Mikie Mahtook…I’m looking forward to seeing J-Up crush the ball from the start – because his ’16 finish sure makes you wonder what he might do in ’17…the non-roster guys – because you never know who might help during the season: slick glove guys like Efren Navarro, B. Ryan and Juan Perez…and guys like Brett Pill, who has put up some big numbers in Korea the last 3 years, former Tiger Omar Infante, and prospect Mike Gerber…finally, I’m looking forward to seeing familiar faces, seeing how the pieces fit, & simply getting ready for another season -nothing better.”
Dickerson’s words are full of sentiment and optimism. That’s the beauty in Spring Training, however. Everyone starts with a clean slate, every team is equal, and every team believes they’ll be bringing home the World Series. But if what Dickerson, who is around the team as much as anyone, sees is something worth being excited about–then it’s time we all get on board as well. It will be interesting to see how much of these observations do come to fruition during the season.
