Sparky loved that guy. I couldn't stand him (as a player)! Seemed like he struck out every time. Especially with runners on base.
Tommie as "Mr. Clutch" Now...As the New First Base Coach / Outfield Coach for the TIGERS... Tom Brookens
There aren't that many people alive today (besides Woody) that are older than ME. Brookens is older than ME. He looks old!! LOL, No. But isn't it funny when you haven't seen somebody in over 25 years and then it's like...WHOA...Then you look in the mirror and you are like... !!!
I know nothing about baseball and don't really follow it anymore. When I was a kid, I knew every player from every team. Now, I'll go to a couple of Rockies games whenever I get some comp tix tossed in my direction but I'm more or less there to soak up the atmosphere and have a couple beers. The Tigers getting off to a 35-5 start might be what it takes to get me back into it. Actually, I have a son now (he's 2). He might be what I need to get back into baseball.
My kid was largely responsible for getting me back into pro football (OK, switching alliances had much to do with it too).
For me it was the likes of Aurillio Rodriguez, Steve Kemp, Jason Thompson and Ron LeFlore. I remember as a kid when my pop used to take me to games at Tiger Stadium and LeFlore would get on base. The entire park would come alive. EVERYBODY knew that dude was gonna steal and opposing teams were helpless to stop him. He'd be standing on 1st and 3 or 4 pitches later, he'd be sliding into 3rd. ...awesome!
Try 76! My first game in Tiger Stadium was in 1945. Yankees vs. Tigers. Newhouser vs DiMaggio and Keller. The smell of stale cigar smoke and freshley mown grass. It was heaven for a 10 year old!!
