The big round red sun was peeking over the roof of the old World War II airplane hangar at the back edge of the Tigers’ spring training complex and the temperature was still struggling to top 50 degrees when the first of the fans began arriving, shortly before 7 a.m.
        Some bundled up against the early morning chill, some in the more traditional shorts and T-shirts, their hands stuffed in their pockets, they gathered around the gate to the still-empty players’ parking lot in hopes of scoring some autographs.
        Tourism in Florida is down overall this year for the first time since 9/11 and ticket sales for the Tigers’ exhibition games, which begin Feb. 25, are running slightly behind last year.
        No surprise there.
        Fans still line the fence along the players’ path from the clubhouse to the practice fields. They camp out on the nearby picnic tables to talk about Tiger players past and present, or soak up the sun in the bleachers that overlook the diamonds out back.
        But their numbers are down nearly 50 percent this spring, compared to one year ago when everybody’s hopes for the Tigers were sky high. And the atmosphere is understandably more subdued.
        This nation’s recession and the Tigers’ disgustingly disappointing season have taken their toll.