Fans support Tigers at rally

by Alex Baumgardner
Vanguard News Editor

January 22, 2007 —

The Ryder Center was buzzing Tuesday as the American League champion Detroit Tigers made a stop at SVSU as a part of their annual statewide Tigers caravan tour. Tigers fans were given the opportunity to see many of their favorite players up close and hear them talk about a few of their favorite moments from last seasons memorable run to the World Series.

Magglio Ordonez, Jeremy Bonderman, Curtis Granderson, Carlos Guillen, Mike Maroth, Nate Robertson, and Gary Sheffield along with coaches Jeff Jones and Rafael Belliard, Assistant General Manager Al Avila, and Tigers announcers Mario Impemba and Rod Allen were present to recall the memorable summer they experienced in 2006.

When asked what it felt like to hit the home run that sent the Tigers to the World Series, Ordonez, grinning, simply replied, "Beautiful."

Ordonez's sentiment was shared by the rest of his teammates, who said they wouldn't soon forget the remarkable run they had last season.

However, reminiscing about previous successes may have been the topic of the day, but it was clear that the subject weighing on most of the players' minds was getting back to the World Series and finishing the job.

"Last year we took the big step," Guillen said. "This year we're ready to take the next one and win it all."

The coming season will provide some new challenges for the Tigers, as they are now looked on by many as a powerhouse in the American League, and they'll likely be taking the best shots from many of the teams around the league.

Bonderman did not appear to feel the added pressure being put on the team by the media and fans alike. "At the beginning of the year everybody's equal and by the end of the season we'll find out where we're at," he said. "But I think we have a good shot of doing a lot of good things."

The fans were pleased to see many of their favorite players and thought an event like this spoke volumes about the organization as a whole.

"I think the Tigers care a lot about their fans," said SVSU student and Cardinal baseball player Ryan Webber, "a lot more so than the Yankees, who just care about winning."

"[The players] seemed like down-to-earth people," added teammate Brad Pentecost. "I said 'Hi' to them, and they all said 'Hi' back."

The newest Tiger, Gary Sheffield, created quite a stir with those in attendance. Many believe that with the addition of his bat to an already formidable lineup, the Tigers are poised to make another run at the World Series.

"He's got a big bat," Pentecost continued. "With the addition of Sheffield it's like the complete package."

When asked how excited he was at the prospect of joining the Tigers, Sheffield replied, "I'm just glad I don't have to face this pitching staff anymore." Sheffield was a member of the Yankee team the Tigers upset last season in the first round of the playoffs.

With Sheffield on board, the Tigers appear to have no intention of slowing down. Center fielder Curtis Granderson commented on his plans for next season, insisting that despite his solid performance last year, he's not going to look at this year any differently.

"I'm going to look at (this season) very similar to last year, where I still have to come in and compete and impress and make this team," he said.

If the players' responses to questions are of any indication, Tigers fans may have something to look forward to this spring. At one point, a young fan asked Ordonez, "What was it like to win the World Series last year?" to which Ordonez laughingly replied, "We didn't, but we'll win it this year."

from page 1