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Former Tiger Leonys Martin eternally grateful for 'second chance at life'

(Photo: Bruce Kluckhohn, Associated Press)

Detroit — Leonys Martin wants you know — he heard your prayers and he deeply, deeply appreciated it.

“I think all the prayers are why I’m here today,” said Martin, who for 78 games last season was an immensely popular Tigers’ outfielder. "It was a lot of prayer from all around the world. I didn’t know I had friends in Italy, Spain -- it’s crazy.

“That helped me a lot, mentally, to say, ‘Man, you’ve got to get through this situation.'"

The Tigers traded Martin to the Indians for shortstop prospect Willi Castro at the trade deadline last July.