Happy New Year everybody. Major League teams are beginning to trickle in to their spring training locales and their former stars are joining them. Good to see Lou Whitaker reuniting with his old minor league manager in his third spring with the Tigers.

As I recall, for many years Lou didn't feel welcome in Tigertown, even though he lives in Lakeland. Now, tucked into the bottom of a story about the bullpen, there's a note about the former second baseman's presence:

Lou Whitaker is back in camp as a spring training instructor. Whitaker began the role in 2004 when his long-time double-play partner, Alan Trammell, was the manager. Trammell is gone this year, but Whitaker accepted [general manager Dave] Dombrowski's invitation to return. ...

[New manager Jim] Leyland endorsed Whitaker's presence. It was in Lakeland 30 years ago that Whitaker, on a Tigers farm club managed by Leyland, became the most valuable player in the Florida State League.

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