Detroit Tigers Links: Drew Smyly is 'excited' & Justin Verlander is 'perfectly normal'

Drew Smyly is beyond excited to join the Tigers' rotation, Justin Verlander is a "perfectly normal guy," and Ubaldo Jimenez loses his cool against the Rockies. These stories and more in today's Morning Prowl.

Tigers links:

'Excited is an understatement': Drew Smyly wins job in Tigers' rotation -- The Detroit News, Tom Gage
I am legitimately stoked to see this kid pitch in his first regular season game. He earned the spot and I hope he exceeds expectations.

Tigers Look Like A.L. Champions -- NYTimes.com, Tyler Kepner
"After falling two victories short of the World Series, Detroit appears equipped to finish the job." *knocks on wood*

Drew Sharp: Tigers' Justin Verlander just a perfectly normal guy -- Detroit Free Press, Drew Sharp
Justin Verlander also thinks this assessment is hilarious.

Star Power: How Five Players Can Change the Face of Detroit Sports -- Detroit Sports 360, Garrett K
A look at five players who Garrett believes will impact Detroit Sports. Jacob Turner is the representative of the Tigers. Like it or hate it?

Download paper dolls: Build your paper Tiger team! -- Detroit Free Press, Eric Millikin
I'm not going to pretend for a second that I will not be partaking in this. I'm not too proud.

Ordonez Latest to Prove It: Retirement Usually Chooses Players, Not Vice-Versa -- Where Have You Gone, Johnny Grubb?, Greg Eno
A nice look at retirement and what it means to players and fans. Eno compares the retirement of Mike Schmidt to those of Tiger greats Al Kaline, Norm Cash, and most recently Carlos Guillen and Magglio Ordonez. A very good read.

Rosterbation v. 3.0 -- Walkoff Woodward, Josh Worn
A look at the Tigers opening day roster. Also, "rosterbation" made me giggle. I do in fact have the maturity of a 12-year-old. I'm not sorry.

Elsewhere in baseball:

Berkman plays truck prank on Wainwright -- cardinals.com, Jenifer Langosch
"Lance Berkman and several Cardinals teammates helped pull off a terrific April Fools' joke on Adam Wainwright during Sunday's game." This is truly phenomenal.

Bert Blyleven’s Minnesota State Lottery commercial has singing animal puppets -- Big League Stew, Kevin Kaduk
This is what future Hall of Fame baseball players have to look forward to when they reach retirement. Bright futures are ahead.

Ubaldo Jimenez drills Troy Tulowitzki as bad blood with former team turns physical -- Big League Stew, Kevin Kaduk
Wow, you stay classy Jimenez.

Indians nearing two-year, $16.5 million contract extension with shortstop Asbrubal Cabrera -- HardballTalk, Drew Silva
"FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi reports that the Indians are close to agreeing to a two-year, $16.5 million extension with shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera."