Article and Photos by Andrew Prout- Western Michigan University Intern

Hundreds gathered to have lunch and meet members of the Detroit Tigers during an exclusive tour event to Western Michigan University.

KALAMAZOO (MICH.) – Crowds gathered at the Bernhard Center on the campus of Western Michigan University and cheered at the arrival of the 2011 American League champion Detroit Tigers. The Tigers, who visited the campus on Friday (Jan. 20) for a fan luncheon, have been on a Michigan caravan tour to promote and get fans excited for next season. Their visit to WMU was their only West Michigan wintertime open-to-the-public appearance. Fans in attendance were able to enter a drawing for Tigers memorabilia and ticket packages.

“It’s nice to get out and have the opportunity to meet the fans,” said Don Kelly, utility player. “Sometimes people forget that when we are at the field we are there to do a job, and don’t really have an opportunity to meet people, sign autographs and take pictures with fans.”

Players involved in the tour are: Alex Avila, Rick Porcello, Joaquin Benoit, Brandon Inge, Don Kelly, Ryan Raburn, Jacob Turner, Duane Below, Casey Crosby, Gerald Laird, David Pauley, Daniel Schlereth, Clete Thomas, Danny Worth and Adam Wilk. Coaches Rafael Belliard (infield), Tom Brookens (first base), Jeff Jones (pitching), and Mike Rojas (bullpen) also attended the event.

After coming off of the first division title in 24 years the Tigers are eager to get back to playing baseball, however doesn’t plan on making any major tactical changes for the upcoming season.

Delmon Young, Detroit Tiger

Don Kelly, Detroit Tiger

“We are led by our pitcher (Justin) Verlander,” said Delmon Young, outfielder. “We just need to focus on using our bullpen, create offense, create defense and just play the game.”

The luncheon provided an opportunity for the general public to ask questions to players about everything from their game rituals, to the upcoming season. One audience member even asked if the team had ever sacrificed a live chicken like the players did the motion picture Major League.

David Dombrowski (1979 graduate of WMU) is the Detroit Tiger president, CEO and general manager. He led the question and answer segment of the program after he shared about his time once as a student at Western Michigan University. Many of the players shared that they had connections to Kalamazoo as well.

“I used to live in Kalamazoo,” said Duane Below, starting pitcher. “I used to live right off of West Main Street, so I’m very familiar with the Kalamazoo area.”

After the question and answer segment Dombrowski presented Western Michigan University’s President John Dunn with a custom Detroit Tigers jersey as a souvenir of the team’s visit. President Dunn responded by giving Dombrowski a custom Western Michigan University baseball team jersey with support of the WMU baseball team who also had an opportunity to meet with the Detroit Tigers before the event.

From left, Duane Below, Daniel Schlereth, and Danny Worth of the Detroit Tigers during their recent visit to Western Michigan University to have lunch with their fans.

Hopes are high entering the 2012 season, when the Tigers will look to continue the momentum of 2011. After winning Major League Baseball’s American League Central Division with a 95-67 record, Detroit knocked off the favored New York Yankees in an AL division series before suffering a hard-fought loss in six games to the Texas Rangers in the AL championship series.

The Tigers boast the 2011 AL Cy Young Award Winner and MVP Justin Verlander at the top of their pitching rotation, while Jose Valverde won the MLB Delivery Man of the Year Award as the game’s most outstanding relief pitcher. First baseman Miguel Cabrera led all of Major League Baseball in batting with a .344 average, becoming only the second Tigers player since 1961 to win the AL batting crown.

Dombrowski closed the event by saying, “No one will be satisfied until we win six more postseason games.”

The Tigers will open their 2012 regular season schedule at Comerica Park Thursday, April 5, when they take on the Boston Red Sox. For more information on about the Detroit Tigers please visit: www.detroit.tigers.mlb.com