ARLINGTON -- Doug Brocail was struggling in his role as a relief pitcher with the Detroit Tigers.
It was 1997, his first season in Detroit, and Hall of Famer Al Kaline pulled him aside. He asked Brocail why he wasn't challenging hitters inside.
His home park Tiger Stadium featured a 325-foot right field foul line plus an upper deck overhang that could turn routine fly balls into home runs. That proved intimidating to a right-handed pitcher like Brocail.
"Because of that short porch out there," Brocail answered.
"So challenge them inside," Kaline said. "If they swing and miss, go higher.