Detroit Tigers Links 1/4/14: West Michigan Ballpark Fire, Jack Morris, and the Hall of Fame

Oct 16, 2012; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers former player Jack Morris waves to the crowd before game three of the 2012 ALCS between the New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

FD Chief: West Michigan Ballpark fire caused by heater – WOODTV.com

"Plainfield Fire Chief Dave Peterson said the fire started when a work crew was using a heater in a suite. The heater started a small fire, but the work crew thought they put the small fire out. The work crew left the area after they thought the fire was out; they returned to the area and found the whole place up in flames."

Fifth Third Ballpark fire aftermath: ‘If we rebuild it, they will come once again’ – Peter Wallner – MLive

"“It will be difficult,” Baxter said of having repairs done by the season opener. “… Can it be done? I’ve heard some early things that it is possible, but, clearly, it’s going to be very difficult.”The team has been in contact with the Detroit Tigers’ organization, Baxter said, and the parent club offered support to its Class A affiliate."

2014 MLB Hall of Fame profile: Jack Morris – Brian Kilpatrick – SB Nation

"If Morris makes it into Cooperstown this year, it probably won’t be as a result of any of the statistics listed above. Instead, what the writers will remember – and, perhaps, give him too much credit for – will be his performance during the 1984 and 1991 World Series, during which Morris went a combined 4-0 while allowing only seven runs in 41 total innings. The crown jewel of those starts was, of course, Morris’ 10-inning performance in Game 7 of the ’91 series against the Atlanta Braves, in which he held the opposition scoreless in the Minnesota Twins’ victory. Morris was named the Most Valuable Player of the series."

There’s a Ballpark on Fire, It Would Appear – Carson Cistulli – NotGraphs

"It’s not entirely clear what the proper course of action ought to be for the average citizen. Any demonstration of concern is, at some level, disingenuous — an attempt, like all reactions to news from afar, to participate in a drama that belongs to another community. On the other hand, this is presumably an event that will negatively impact at least one person’s life — and, for that reason, a development that naturally appeals to the human capacity for empathy."