Chief Judge Gerald Rosen (left) welcomed the Tiger delegation and thanked Assistant General Manager Al Avila (right) for their visit. (Photo by Robert Chase)
Broadcaster Rod Allen (far left) introduces Tigers personnel (left to right) Assistant General Manager Al Avila, Manager Brad Ausmus, Bench Coach Gene Lamont, First Base Coach Omar Vizquel, catcher Alex Avila and outfielder Rajai Davis to the court staff. (Photo by Robert Chase)
Chief Judge Gerald Rosen (left) looks out at his assembled staff during the program. (Photo by Robert Chase)
U.S. District Judge Avern Cohn, seated with cane, listens to the program as an audience member asks the panel questions about the upcoming season. (Photo by Robert Chase)
Staffers use their phones to capture video as the Tigers staff talks to the crowd. (Photo by Robert Chase)
Chief Judge Gerald Rosen (left) leaves at the end of the program with (left to right) Tigers Assistant General Manager Al Avila and Manager Brad Ausmus. (Photo by Robert Chase)
By Steve Thorpe
Legal News
The Detroit Tigers Winter Caravan made a stop at the Theodore Levin U.S. Courthouse in downtown Detroit on Thursday, Jan. 23, to spread the diamond gospel among court personnel of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan.
“We’re thrilled and excited to have these Tigers here and we’re looking forward to the season,” said Chief Judge Gerald Rosen as he welcomed the Tiger delegation and thanked them for their visit. “I don’t know about all the rest of you folks, but with all the snow and ice right now … I can’t wait!”
Manager Brad Ausmus, Assistant General Manager Al Avila, Bench Coach Gene Lamont, First Base Coach Omar Vizquel, Catcher Alex Avila, Outfielder Rajai Davis, and broadcaster Rod Allen answered questions about their roles in the organization and their expectations for the coming season.
This year’s two-day caravan saw Tigers players and coaches fanning out into the community before the TigerFest held at Comerica Park on Jan. 25.
As in past years, the Tigers split into two separate tours. The Metro Bus shuttled players and team personnel around the Detroit area. The West Bus carried another group of Tigers to the west side of the state for visits in Grand Rapids, Battle Creek, and Holland.
Brad Ausmus was asked by Rod Allen if he felt much pressure taking over a team that had seen so much success in recent years.
“I’m very excited to get started,” Ausmus replied. “No nerves. It’s a very good team, but I’d rather have the pressure of having to win than having to rebuild.”
Court personnel did their own Tiger imitation when Rosen asked them two questions:
“How many Tigers fans do we have here?” (roar)
“How many think the Tigers are going to win the World Series this year?” (louder roar)
When asked after the event if new manager Brad Ausmus was as cute as had been rumored, court librarian Esther Martinez said, “Oh god, yes! Adorable!”
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