Thames

Subject: Thames Tue Oct 23, 2007 12:46 pm

Will Thames even be a Tiger in 08! And if he is, can he produce for us?

Subject: Re: Thames Tue Oct 23, 2007 1:06 pm

Good question. I like Thames and hope he stays.

Subject: Re: Thames Tue Oct 23, 2007 1:09 pm

Me 2! He is an awesome player and a very good guy!

Subject: Re: Thames Tue Oct 23, 2007 4:00 pm

Thames is replaceable...
_________________
bow

Subject: Re: Thames Tue Oct 23, 2007 4:07 pm

Subject: Re: Thames Tue Oct 23, 2007 5:12 pm

Good guy with a remarkable family story about his mom. Likely a soon to be EX-TIGER though!!

Subject: Re: Thames Tue Oct 23, 2007 5:13 pm

I'll never forget his broken bat HR though....WOW!!

Subject: Re: Thames Tue Oct 23, 2007 8:45 pm

That was awesome

Subject: Re: Thames Wed Oct 24, 2007 7:10 am

Yes it was....

Subject: Re: Thames Wed Oct 24, 2007 12:55 pm

He's country strong!

Subject: Re: Thames Wed Oct 24, 2007 6:17 pm

HE IS! I looooooove Marcus.

I surely hope he's a 08 Tiger. I need someone to wave to in the dugout. HAHA

_________________

LO! (:

"You can give your all. That's all you can do. Play as hard as you can and represent the team in the best manner that you can. If you win, you win. If you don't, well, you can sleep well, because you left it all out there."

- Brandon♥Inge -

Subject: Re: Thames Wed Oct 24, 2007 7:58 pm

Subject: Re: Thames Wed Oct 24, 2007 7:59 pm

Subject: Re: Thames Thu Oct 25, 2007 7:30 am

Go Thames!

Subject: Re: Thames Thu Oct 25, 2007 9:49 am

Thames is NOT just a river.

Subject: Re: Thames Thu Oct 25, 2007 10:19 am

_________________
bow

Subject: Re: Thames Thu Oct 25, 2007 12:25 pm

Subject: Re: Thames Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:42 pm

My BAD sense of humor is giving me a headache!!

Subject: Re: Thames Fri Oct 26, 2007 4:50 pm

Subject: Re: Thames Sat Oct 27, 2007 1:32 pm

Has he got the "magical" kind?

Subject: Re: Thames Sat Oct 27, 2007 2:41 pm

I doubt it...

Subject: Re: Thames Sun Oct 28, 2007 9:26 am

Subject: Re: Thames Thu Mar 06, 2008 7:33 pm

Valuable power hitter Marcus Thames inspired by tough mom

BY JON PAUL MOROSI • FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER • March 6, 2008

LAKELAND, Fla. -- On a Thursday in the middle of January, Marcus Thames reached a milestone in his baseball career.

That day, he agreed to a one-year, $1.275-million contract with the Tigers. After more than 1,200 professional games -- including almost 900 in the minor leagues -- Thames had the chance to earn a seven-figure salary.

"I can honestly say that I've worked really, really hard to get to that point," Thames said. "Nothing has ever been given to me."

It should come as no surprise that Thames told his mother, Veterine, about the contract as soon as it was finalized. The two live close together in Mississippi and communicate daily. Thames visits her frequently during the off-season. When he can't make the 35-minute drive, he calls.

This was one day, though, when seeing her meant a trip to the hospital.

Veterine, paralyzed in a car accident when Marcus was 5, has been in and out of the hospital since December. ("The whole off-season, it's been rough," Thames said.) On this particular day, she was battling the flu, and Marcus tried to make her smile with a little teasing.

"Mom, you're supposed to be excited for me," he recalled saying, "but you're getting sicker on me."

Thames sounded upbeat Monday as he spoke about his mother's improving health and the inspiration she continues to be.

"She's strong, and she'll battle through it," he said. "That's why I think I've battled through so much since I've been playing this game.

"She's tough. She's hanging in there."

Her son, meanwhile, is thriving.

Thames hit a two-run home run in the third inning of Wednesday's split-squad victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. He also doubled, raising his spring average to .455 (5-for-11).

Thames, who turns 31 today, has established himself as a power hitter with a total of 44 home runs over the past two seasons. His popularity with fans has soared, thanks to his warm demeanor and growing résumé of clutch, late-game homers.

Before Monday's game, for example, Toledo resident Monica Sigurdson held up a sign in honor of Thames at Joker Marchant Stadium. She met Thames when he played at Triple-A Toledo, and he signed a jersey for her at Comerica Park last year.

Sigurdson, a former softball player at Defiance College in Ohio, returned the favor this spring by giving Thames a Defiance T-shirt.

"I think he deserves more attention," Sigurdson said as her parents stood nearby and voiced their agreement. "He comes through with the big hits."

Thames has been a part-time player for much of the past two seasons, and, with the Tigers' celebrated everyday lineup, at-bats may be scarce this year. Manager Jim Leyland, though, remains one of Thames' biggest admirers.

"He can play on my team anytime," Leyland said Monday. "I think he's a very valuable guy."

Thames understands his role. He needs to be ready to play one of four positions -- leftfield, rightfield, first base or designated hitter -- each time he arrives at the ballpark.

Could he get more playing time elsewhere? Sure. For now, though, he's grateful to be where he is. His mother taught him all about that.

"I'm having fun with it, man," Thames said. "I enjoy being here. I'm not looking over my shoulder. I'm just playing baseball."

Subject: Re: Thames Thu Mar 06, 2008 7:34 pm

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Marcus Thames!

Subject: Re: Thames Mon Mar 10, 2008 7:53 pm

geez! to be 31 again!
_________________
There are three things in my life which I really love: God, my family, and baseball. The only problem - once baseball season starts, I change the order around a bit. ~Al Gallagher, 1971

Subject: Re: Thames Mon Apr 07, 2008 2:45 pm

sorry, it's super blurry.
_________________

LO! (:

"You can give your all. That's all you can do. Play as hard as you can and represent the team in the best manner that you can. If you win, you win. If you don't, well, you can sleep well, because you left it all out there."

- Brandon♥Inge -

Subject: Re: Thames Mon Jun 16, 2008 6:51 pm

Just basically..... clap

for Marcus lately!!!!!!!!!

Subject: Re: Thames Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:14 pm

Without a doubt! Marcus is All-Star material and deserves to be in LF EVERYDAY!!!!!!!
_________________
"I'm glad we're in the other division," Terry Francona, manager of the East-winning Boston Red Sox, told the Associated Press. "That lineup just got scary."

Subject: Re: Thames Mon Jun 16, 2008 9:20 pm

Leyland better have him in the Lineup Tuesday Night

Thames could hit 40 HR

If he plays on a regular basis

Subject: Re: Thames Tue Jun 17, 2008 11:03 am

Yeah, he's definitely on a roll, should be playin' as much as possible!!!