LAKELAND, Fla. -- Alex Avila returned to Tiger Town this morning and, after seeing teammates old and new during early morning workouts, made his way onto a back field in the 10 o’clock hour. There, his unofficial homecoming tour continued with a hug and some lively conversation with the colorful Amp Milton, a longtime groundskeeper at the Detroit Tigers’ spring training home.
“When he saw me, man,” Milton said, “we were so happy to see each other.”
Tigers pitchers and catchers reported to spring training today. Their first official workout is Tuesday.
Milton has been working at Joker Marchant Stadium since 1989 and got to know Avila well over the many years he spent with the Tigers before Avila's brief hiatus with the Chicago White Sox last season.