Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire speaks Tuesday, August 4, 2020, about the COVID-19 pandemic and postponement of four games against St. Louis. Detroit Free Press
Back in 1991, when now-Detroit Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire served as the Minnesota Twins' third base coach under Tom Kelly, his boss etched a mantra into his mind.
"Make sure you're ready for the first inning," Kelly often told his team.
The opening of the Tigers' first inning of their 11-5 win Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates made Gardenhire think of his mentor: home run, single, home run, home run, home run.