LAKELAND, Fla. -- The swing from John Hicks was that classic right-handed pull-power swing that opened eyes last Spring Training and earned him an extended call with the Tigers last year. The resulting home run in Wednesday's win over the Yankees landed in a fan's glove beyond the left-field fence.
The more Hicks swings, the more assured it seems that he'll be a part of Detroit's Opening Day roster as a backup catcher. Depending on how manager Ron Gardenhire assembles his 25-man roster, and whether he uses one of his old tricks from his Twins days, he could have a bigger role than that.