One of the annual perks for fans coming to spring training _ in addition to getting to see their favorite players up close and personal, of course _ is the opportunity to relive past glories with former Tiger stars such as Al Kaline, Willie Horton, and Lou Whitaker, who are all in camp as instructors.
        “There’s Al Kaline!” one of those fans shouted when he spotted the Tigers Hall of Famer, in uniform, monitoring a drill involving the outfielders at Marchant Stadium
        “Hey, Al! Hey, Al!”
        “Thanks for the memories!” chimed in a woman.
        “I don’t think he heard you,” the man standing behind her said.
        “He’s not supposed to hear good. He’s 70 years old,” interjected another.
        “He sure looks good for 70,” said a fourth gent, summing up.
        Actually, Kaline is 73.
        But, as the Tigers prepare to celebrate the 40th anniversary of their 1968 world championship, who’s counting?
        On Tuesday, Kaline’s grandson, Colin, will play against his grandpa’s team when the Tigers open the exhibition season with their annual outing against Florida Southern College, which is located here in Lakeland.
        Colin Kaline, who starred at Birmingham Groves, is the Florida Southern Moccasin’s second baseman.
        The Tigers selected young Kaline in the 25th round of last summer’s amateur draft, but he chose to go to school.
        Suffice to say, grandpa could not be prouder.