DETROIT – Saying “dreams come true,” Prince Fielder was introduced Thursday by the Detroit Tigers.
Fielder appeared at a news conference at Comerica Park after finalizing a $214 million, nine-year contract, the fourth-largest deal in baseball history.
“This is awesome,” Fielder said. “I just never thought this could happen.”
With Detroit desperate to win its first World Series title since 1984, the big first baseman will combine with Miguel Cabrera to give the Tigers perhaps the most formidable Nos. 3-4 hitters in the major leagues. But with Cabrera shifting to third, it also will give Detroit a potentially troublesome defense at the infield corners.
Fielder was seated at a dais along with owner Mike Ilitch, manager Jim Leyland, GM Dave Dombrowski and agent Scott Boras.
Dombrowski called it “a very exciting time for this city” as Fielder was given his Tigers jersey.
Ilitch recalled how Prince Fielder used to hang around Tiger Stadium whether his father Cecil played for Detroit,
“He was marked to be a major league baseball player,” Ilitch said.
Ilitch said discussions began after the Tigers learned that Victor Martinez will miss most or all of the season because of a knee injury sustained during offseason workouts.
Leyland said Brandon Inge, who is being displaced because
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