Whose Baez??? Danys Baez! - Now with Photos!!!

May 3, 2009 -

We got to the park around 4:15 and met at the Tiger statue.  We then walked around to the back to the players' entrance where we met Assistant Athletic Trainer Steve Carter.  After passing through the metal detectors and taking the elevator down to the bowels of the park we headed toward the training room.  While rounding a corner in the hallway I almost literally ran into Jeremy Guthrie of the Orioles.

Once we gathered into the training room Steve gave us a little talk about a typical day and whatnot and demonstrated some of the exercises the pitchers go through, among other things.  We also got to check out all of the special medical equipment they have.  As he was talking, Armando Galarraga walked in and started rummaging through some cabinets, looking for something.  The entire time I had a shit-eating grin on my face as I vowed to yell at him if I saw him.  I instead just silently mocked him.  Several minutes later Brandon Lyon walked in.  Suddenly I was 2-for-2 on standing next to Tigers I wouldn't mind kicking in the nuts.  He got a big handfull of sunscreen (at least I hope it was sunscreen and not Icy Hot or something) and rubbed it all over his face......he did not rub it in very good.  Kevin Rand stopped in part way through and also talked a bit.  He basically said "you do not want my job", which I would have to agree with.  He's a pretty cool guy.

Once we exited the training room towards the weight room, I got a good look at the clubhouse where most of the players were still hanging out.  I don't even want to guess how much money was put into that clubhouse.  There were a number of black, leather, jumbo-sized lazy-boy type chairs and a bunch of plasma screens.  The weight room was pretty much what you would expect a weight room to be.  The interesting thing about it, though, was when they built the stadium they realized they forgot to add a weight room in so they had to modify the clubhouse and training room areas a bit in order to fit it in at the last minute.

After touring the weight room we went up through the dugouts to the field to watch BP.  We were told not to start asking for autographs or anything like that which was fine.  Being there was enough.  Plus they were busy working afterall.  While we were down there one of the media workers asked if we wanted to be interviewed for TV.  Some of the students that were there ended up getting interviewed before the game.  They said they think it's supposed to be on today during the pregame show so we will see.  Once BP was over Marcus Thames walked up to my old professor's son and gave him his bat.  Lucky kid.

After this we had some time to kill so everyone split up to go eat.  Several of us went to Cheli's Chili.

As for the game itself....well if you are a fan you watched and know what happened already.  I freaked out sarcastically each time Wieters came up to hit.  The score was already 2-0 before we got to our seats so I was worried there for a bit but JV was brilliant after the 1st inning.  The Granderson triple was awesome but everyone in our section agreed he should have been sent home for a HR.  He would have made it.  Once we pulled to within 2 runs I knew that we would win somehow.  Don't ask me how.  The Cabrera homer was great....the Thomas homer unbelievable.  I called it.  I say this to you now with the sincerest of intentions...I called it.  After I called it my friend Chris next to me said in a most sarcastic manner "yeah.......".  The very next pitch it was gone.  I knew as soon as I saw the trajectory.  Of course I had to rub that one in his face.  After that I was too caught up in the moment to take any pictures.

However, once I upload the pictures I do have to photobucket I will post them here since I do not see an option the directly upload them from my harddrive.