Tigers Minor League Baseball Blog

Well the final rosters for the 2009 season have been set, and I can’t say how relieved I am to finally know where I am and what I am doing. I am excited to say that I still have a job and it will be with the class A advanced Lakeland Flying Tigers as a starting pitcher. After a very long and strenuous spring, it is a huge relief to be done and just concentrate on playing baseball again, instead of where you will be or what you will be doing. I must admit the stress of not knowing anything was really starting to mount up not just with me, but for every other guy in that locker room as well. Seeing your friends and teammates have to pack up and leave is never easy, but it is a part of the game and in a sort of conceded sounding way, you really do have to always look out for number one, but still try and be a good teammate on and off the field. So, it has been awhile since I was a starter to begin the season, but it isn’t anything new and I am looking forward to the challenge and getting back to my old self. Actually the only worry I have now is where I am going to be living. We have a couple of guys looking for rental houses, but nothing is ever easy when it comes to ballplayers looking for in season housing. Unlike last season with the Whitecaps when we had ever so gracious host families (not to brag, but I think I had the best, thanks again John and Margaret), this season we are kind of on our own to find something. And trust me looking for something that is decent and won’t cost half a months salary to live in, can sometimes present a challenge. But like I said earlier, I am always up for a challenge. For now, I have a few days to relax and rest up before the we open the season on thursday against, no other than, the Tampa (New York) Yankees.