North Port, Fla. – As Matt Manning was walking back to the visitor’s clubhouse Sunday after throwing two strong innings against the heart of the Braves' regular lineup in his first-ever Grapefruit League outing, veteran Ivan Nova was in the tunnel talking to reporters.
“Great job,” Nova said, giving the Tigers’ No. 2-rated prospect as a fist-bump.
“Great job by you,” Manning said.
This is one of the endearing things about spring training games, the convergence of old and young.