Jim Leyland will never forget the Tigers’ Winter Caravan of 2012, but not for the frigid Michigan weather.
While the Tigers were building enthusiasm for their upcoming defense of their 2011 American League Central title, Leyland worried about the roster. Detroit had just lost Victor Martinez to a season-ending left knee injury. Leyland had asked team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski if they had room to add one more middle reliever, but he was told they didn’t have the payroll space.
As Leyland sat in the lobby of the Motor City Hotel and Casino a few days later, with TigerFest and the caravan complete, his phone rang.
“It’s Dave saying we just signed Prince Fielder,†Leyland recalled. “I said, ‘Man, Mr. Ilitch must have hit the lottery or something.’â€
No, Tigers owner Mike Ilitch hadn’t won the lottery, but Leyland had every reason to feel like he had. So did Tigers fans.
What the Tigers did 10 years ago this week was arguably unprecedented, and it…
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