With fellow Okie leading Tigers, Michael Fulmer welcomes challenges of 2018

DETROIT -- Michael Fulmer now has another Oklahoman in the clubhouse. And it happens to be the new skipper.

Fulmer, a native of Edmond, and new Tigers manager Ron Gardenhire, from Okmulgee, chatted about their shared roots when they first talked on the phone not long ago.

Ron Gardenhire's path to Detroit began in humble Oklahoma town

Okmulgee helped forge Gardenhire's path to the Major Leagues, first as player, then a coach and finally to more than 1,000 wins as a manager. Today Okmulgee, like Gardenhire, is looking for a comeback.