You could almost say that Prince Fielder is going home.
He was born in California. He went to high school in Florida. He came to the big leagues in Milwaukee.
But for a few of his formative years, Detroit was home. Tiger Stadium was home. The Tiger clubhouse was home.
And now he's going back, going to join the Tigers on a nine-year, $214 million contract.
I know that things got ugly later between Prince and his father Cecil, who played for the Tigers from 1990-96. I know that while Cecil told MLB Network Radio Tuesday that he is "having a few chats" and "doing a lot better" with Prince, he was also shocked to hear that the Tigers were Prince's new team.
But I also know that Prince looks back fondly on those years, on wrestling with Tony Phillips in the Tiger clubhouse, on hitting a home run into the upper deck at Tiger Stadium.
For anyone who was around the Tigers in those years (as I was), Prince was a constant and welcome presence, a well-behaved young man having the time of his young life.
Cecil was a star then. When he hit 51 home runs in 1990, it was a big deal, because no one had hit 50 in the big leagues since George Foster in 1978.
Prince was a big figure in town, big enough that the Detroit Free Press did a story on his life in Little League.
It was about that time that Mike Ilitch bought the Tigers from fellow pizza baron Tom Monaghan.
Ilitch certainly remembers Prince from those days.
"I know Mr. Ilitch is probably excited, because he's wanted that kid since he was a little kid," Cecil Fielder told MLB Network Radio. "So he finally got his wish."
And now Prince is back in Detroit, back home.
"It's a real small world, isn't it?" Phillips said Tuesday. "This is awesome. But I don't think I'd want to wrestle him now. He'd be body-slamming me to the ground."
For Prince, going to Tigers is like going home
Posted on: January 24, 2012 5:46 pm
Edited on: January 24, 2012 7:14 pm
Comments Add a Comment
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XBombersX |
Posted on: January 26, 2012 11:57 am
For Prince, going to Tigers is like going homeYou guys should look to trade for a 3B also.
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DetroitDave84
Since: Dec 4, 2007 |
Posted on: January 25, 2012 5:59 pm
For Prince, going to Tigers is like going homeNow to finish the wish list: Sign Cespedes, trade Delmon Young for a 2b or SS AA prospect that has a great glove and average bat and then trade for Garza. Put this team together and you could be looking at a team that could win 100+ games and in a short series, simply out pitch and out hit their opponent. This team is scary good but what a lousy fielding team to say the least. Good thing they have SO pitchers and Fly Ball pitchers. Only Porcello is a ground ball pitcher but he will be the number 4 guy so who cares.
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vades15
Since: Jul 30, 2009 |
Posted on: January 25, 2012 8:34 am
For Prince, going to Tigers is like going homeAll you people comparing the Tigers to Boston and New York and Illitch to Steinbrenner and all that BS (yeah you Lionbacker) do you realize even after this move the Tigers will have the 6th highest payroll in the MLB. 6th! Not 3rd behind those guys, not 4th...6th!! Is it a lot of money yeah, but you know what Illitch is 80 or close to it, it's his money and I'm glad he's the owner. If only old ass Ford would've woken up years ago (Lionbacker) maybe the Lions would have more than one playoff win in my lifetime.
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SmallMarketFan |
Posted on: January 25, 2012 7:07 am
For Prince, going to Tigers is like going homeAll the best to you Prince. 160 games a year; great hustle for a big man, (2 IPHR); works hard to improve every year; highly competitive with positive energy in the club house. You've scored a winner, Detroit. Go Tigers. Go Crew!
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mcmadmen19
Since: Jan 4, 2011 |
Posted on: January 24, 2012 10:42 pm
For Prince, going to Tigers is like going homeLionbacker. I agree. Maybe you should root for the A's! Did you also complain when he was buying players for his hockey team? That oh by the way won championships!
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mcmadmen19
Since: Jan 4, 2011 |
Posted on: January 24, 2012 10:15 pm
For Prince, going to Tigers is like going homeAs a Tigers fan I have all the same concerns/criticisms about this move. But, that is for Dombrowski to worry about. It'll be fun to sit back and watch this lineup steamroll through pitching staffs this next year. Their going to have to hit a lot of HRs because damn are they slow! It makes me wonder if looking into the future the Tigers may be in a position to trade one of these guys for multiple players. Dombrowski's pretty damn shrewd (of course an owner with deep pockets helps). You just get the sense these two won't be on the same team for very long.
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KingJ
Since: Dec 7, 2007 |
Posted on: January 24, 2012 9:44 pm
For Prince, going to Tigers is like going homeWe Giants fans could only dream of signing him. Just glad all the power hitters are going to the American League. Tigers look like contenders. American League piching is going to have bloated numbers and look for Prince to be like father with that 50 barrier. Can anyone in the National League still hit for more than 35? Tim Lincicum and Matt Cain are looking for career years.
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MikeofAges
Since: Jan 4, 2011 |
Posted on: January 24, 2012 9:43 pm
For Prince, going to Tigers is like going homeNot something I thought of, but great for MLB as a brand. Prince has made a great move and again shown that he is the master of the demons that did in his father.
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CantonJim
Since: Jan 16, 2011 |
Posted on: January 24, 2012 9:20 pm
For Prince, going to Tigers is like going homeHey Lionbacker, I think I hear what you are saying. But, you cant argue with the Steinbrenner results. If the Tigers can become anything to baseball like the Yankees are that would be OK by me. Remember they say that Mr.llitchs Red Wings are the Yankees of hockey and a place where players WANT to come to play. Can you imagine if his Tigers are now there too?
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d_zizl
Since: Sep 8, 2009 |
Posted on: January 24, 2012 8:59 pm
For Prince, going to Tigers is like going homeHonestly everyone, Boesch mixed in with this line-up too is freakin scary. That guy has displayed greatness and if he continues, omg Tigs will put up some numbers,
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