LAKELAND, Fla. — Joker Marchant Stadium was packed with fans Saturday afternoon when the Detroit Tigers hosted the Toronto Blue Jays.
This isn’t surprising. It was Lakeland’s opening day.
The retirees and vacationing families that flood central Florida this time of year give the franchise a deep pool from which to draw. Whether the team is good or not.
Which meant, visually, the beginning of spring training looked as it has for years: The grass was just as green. The sky just as blue. The infield dirt just as red.
And yet, nothing felt the same.