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Around SBN: 2011 In Extreme Home Runs

When Mothers Meet Tigers

I've been meaning to post this for the last couple of weeks, but got sidetracked by news of the day (Brandon Lyon signing) or just could never find the right time.  But with things currently quiet in Tiger Town (and I imagine they will be until pitchers and catchers report next week), here's my chance.

As you know, the Tigers held their Winter Caravan across the state two weeks ago, leading up to TigerFest.  One of their stops was at the University of Michigan's Mott Children's Hospital, a place that not only holds a special meaning for Brandon Inge, but happens to employ my mother as a nurse.

Word gets around the hospital that some Detroit Tigers are there to meet with the kids, so my mother goes down to check things out before her shift ends.  (Knowing that her son spends way too much time on his Tigers blog, I'm sure she also wanted to throw some names at me later on.)  As she approaches the clerk's desk, she notices a small crowd gathered around. 

"What's going on?" she asks. 

"One of the Tigers is over there," her co-worker says.  "I'm not sure which one." 

My mother waits until the people scatter away, then goes over to say hello.  "He was shorter than I expected," she told me later.  (Mom thinks all professional athletes are supposed to be the size of Wilt Chamberlain.)  "Kind of small for a baseball player.  Is he any good?" 

The baseball player notices my mother staring, smiles and says hello.  "You play for the Tigers?" she asks.  He nods, still smiling.  According to her, this is what she said next:

"My son is a huge fan of the Tigers!  He's a grown man, but he loves you guys.  He watches you every night and cheers you on.  Talks about you all the time!  Oh, could you sign something for him?  He'd be so happy!  Let me find something for you to sign..."

My mother then reaches into her pocket and pulls out an index card.  The player smiles, asks to whom he should make it out, and signs the card.  The two of them exchange thanks and carry on with their respective days. 

"He was very nice," Mom said.  "Very humble, too.  He seemed kind of shy.  Who's number 15?  Is he the one who donated all the money?" 

One of the questions that came to mind, of course, was, "Ma, you couldn't have mentioned the blog?  Maybe say your son would've loved to do an interview?"  But I didn't want to seem ungrateful, and I wasn't.  Besides, that wasn't really the time or place for such a thing.  And what Mom did was pretty cool.

Here's the card my mother handed to me a few hours later:

So does this mean Brandon Inge is my Tiger this year?

Comment 11 comments  |  0 recs  | 

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About time...

I was waiting for you to post this. Well done, that’s a story that needed to be told.

Luckily for you, this doesn’t have to make Brandon Inge your Tigers. Sure he’s a nice guy, but do you want to be backing up all of those strikeout’s once we get our gameday chats going? Didn’t think so.

Are you going to frame that card?

Check out www.spotstarters.com for more news on the Detroit Tigers.

by spotstarters on Feb 6, 2009 12:53 PM EST reply actions  

Very cool

That’s a great story, regarding his contribution to Mott. He’s a fine human being…just never a very good hitter.

Actually, it will be interesting to see Brandon this spring, due to his reported “weight gain” by Henning a couple weeks back. Is it truly muscle from working out or has he reached an age where he has trouble keeping weight off, potentially at the cost of some of his legendary athleticism or quickness?

The world's greatest wiffle ball tournament! TheFatty.com

by rings on Feb 6, 2009 1:44 PM EST reply actions  

Is Inge now your Tiger?

Yes, he is, Ian. I’ll guess you’ll just have to deal.

waynefontes.com

by BigAl on Feb 6, 2009 2:04 PM EST reply actions  

+1

Sorry buddy, you’re stuck with him.

"Have faith in the Yankees, my son. Think of the great DiMaggio."

by jscape2000 on Feb 6, 2009 7:33 PM EST up reply actions  

He's Always a Tiger

and now always YOUR tiger—felicidades!

by VivaTigres on Feb 6, 2009 8:30 PM EST reply actions  

In the words of Ron Washington....

Brandon Inge….. “Pickin’ Machine!!!!!”

by ThaWalrus9 on Feb 6, 2009 10:28 PM EST reply actions  

Wait a minute.......

They’re not suppose to sign autographs as these stops…….ushers must have had their backs turned. Moms are awesome!

by MSU4LIF on Feb 7, 2009 12:40 AM EST reply actions  

It's a good thing your mom's a witness

Cause the only letter recognizable is the B. Nice of your mother, though. A good memory for the two of you!

by densogirl on Feb 7, 2009 1:06 AM EST reply actions  

embrace the inge

Give in to the wonders of Brandon Inge fandom! Don’t fight it, Ian! It will only sneak up on you when you least expect it and attack that much more violently!

by Roar of the Tigers on Feb 9, 2009 3:00 PM EST reply actions  

My wife works in the Holden NICU and Inge drops in a bunch to Mott’s to visit the kids and sign autographs for families. Usually with his wife but unlike lots of other…eh, Tigers, Inge just shows up, hangs out with the kids in and…doesn’t drag a tv crew along to film his ‘good works’ or make sure his picture is plastered on a billboard like some…other TIgers do when then kick in a couple thousand, drop by a place for ten minutes and hop back in the limo.

He’s a great guy and I hope he has an outstanding season.

Alan Goldsmith

by alangoldsmith on Feb 10, 2009 6:23 AM EST reply actions  

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