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I'm sure Brad Ausmus is especially excited for pitchers and catchers to report in seven days. Seven days. Seven.
Tigers links:
Lance Parrish: 'I'm absolutely thrilled' to manage Tigers' Double-A affiliate
The Detroit News, Lynn Henning
My mom squeals every time she hears "Lance Parrish." Which has nothing to do with anything other than to point out how much my mother loves Lance Parrish. Also, there's a photo of my brother as an infant in 1983 in which Lance Parrish is holding him. She likes to show it to everyone. Yep, that's all. Hope you all enjoyed that brief look into my life.
The Moderately Interesting Detroit Tigers Outfield
FanGraphs Fantasy Baseball, Michael Barr
I happen to think our outfield has a lot of character. Yeah, character, that's it.
Ex-Detroit Tigers player, coach Tom Brookens ends baseball job hunt, goes after deer instead
Detroit Free Press, George Sipple
Oh this is how I always imagined it would end. Truly. I can't see Tom Brookens doing anything else besides hunt deer.
As a rookie manager, Detroit Tigers' Brad Ausmus not walking into conventional gig
Detroit Free Press, Matt Pelc
Well I'm not sure there are many managers -- let alone rookie managers -- who get to join a club with a Miguel Cabrera like player. I'd say he's pretty lucky.
Believe it or not, Tigers' Alex Avila a bargain -- and could be poised for a bounceback
The Detroit News, Kurt Mensching
Not that they aren't always, but the comments were truly a blast to read this time around. I'm sure Kurt enjoyed them, too.
Elsewhere in baseball:
The Lineup Card: Eight of the Least Interesting Spring Training Storylines
Baseball Prospectus
I can't imagine why anyone would write an article about the least interesting Spring Training storylines. But, then again, I can't imagine why anyone would include said article in a post dedicated to interesting links.
Ranking the rotations: 2014 edition
HardballTalk, Matthew Poulot
"The Tigers elevated the Nationals from fifth to second by gifting them Doug Fister, yet still had the artillery to claim the top spot." Gifting? Don't you mean ... no, gifting is accurate.
A half-goodbye to Baseball Nation
Baseball Nation, Grant Brisbee
It's not going away. It's just being assimilated.
Curt Schilling diagnosed with cancer — ’I'll embrace this fight,’ he says
Big League Stew, Mike Oz
You always hate to hear stories like this. Thoughts and prayers to Curt Schilling and his family.
Tigers tweets:
Weeeeee .... !!!!!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Tigers&src=hash">#Tigers</a> equipment is already packed. Waiting for truck to pull in at this point. <a href="http://t.co/i071SBiGOm">pic.twitter.com/i071SBiGOm</a></p>— Jason Beck (@beckjason) <a href="https://twitter.com/beckjason/statuses/431066970356998144">February 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Don't forget Paws!
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>The <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Tigers&src=hash">#Tigers</a> are taking 2,880 baseballs, 800 bats and 1 <a href="https://twitter.com/PAWSDetroit">@PAWSDetroit</a> to Lakeland this year! <a href="http://t.co/cIG0BqvvR3">pic.twitter.com/cIG0BqvvR3</a></p>— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) <a href="https://twitter.com/tigers/statuses/431098312414855168">February 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Max Scherzer: Detroit Tigers pitchers, killer whale activist.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Wow...Just saw the Blackfish documentary...SeaWorld has some major explaining to do. <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Inhumane&src=hash">#Inhumane</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/blackfishmovie">@blackfishmovie</a></p>— Max Scherzer (@Max_Scherzer) <a href="https://twitter.com/Max_Scherzer/statuses/430915582012043264">February 5, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Also, it appears that Ian Kinsler has joined Twitter just in time for Spring Training. You can follow him @IKinsler3.