Former Tiger Daniel Fields shares his experience in Detroit

Daniel Fields sat down with us to discuss his background with the Detroit Tigers, and his current status in 2020.

Imagine playing seven seasons in the Minor Leagues to eventually get the call to the Majors for one professional game. That’s the story of former Detroit Tiger Daniel Fields in a nutshell. To this day it’s still a mystery of why he didn’t get a longer chance in the Major League.

“That call is one of the best calls that I’ve ever gotten,” said Daniel Fields in an interview with A Big Den For Cats. “It was like the best feeling of all time and I might’ve shed a couple tears to be honest.”

After being drafted out of high school to fighting through the Minors for five seasons, that answer was expected. It isn’t easy for any 18-year-old to have the maturity to battle day in and day out for year after year for an opportunity at the highest level, but it makes the reward that much sweeter.

“Walking outside the dugout and seeing my family in the stands is one of the best moments I’ve had,” Fields added. He grew up in a baseball family with his father being a coach for the Tigers, and his brother playing in the Cleveland Indians organization. Therefore, to be able to share that moment with his family had to be special as Fields explained.

He then gave some insight on what happened before his game in Spring Training which happened to be a game Justin Verlander was starting. “I’ve been mostly center,” said Fields to Brad Ausmus before the game. “I remember that was the first time playing any other position then center field and I was like I can’t mess up while he’s on the mound,” said Fields in the discussion. Although it’s a comical story, it also shows the type of player he was for Detroit. One that will is willing to anything the team needs when called upon. That was his track record, too. Earlier in his career the Tigers moved him from infield to outfield, a move he took in stride.

“I was able to get a good pitch to hit that was kinda up in the zone and was able to get that first hit,” said Fields. “I was able to get a hit while I was up there, and that’s an experience I’ll never forget.”

Any time a player shares the experience of his Major League debut, it’s a special conversation. He claimed that during his first two at bats he wasn’t settled in, but the magic happened his third time around. Fields was able to connect for a ninth inning double. It’s a moment that will not be soon forgotten.

Fields is still playing in the Atlantic League for the Long Island Ducks, where he has played his last two seasons. In addition, he and his family have started a baseball academy called “All Fields Hitting.” The hope is to be able to play another season with the Ducks if long as the league can work around the hiatus.

You can listen to the full interview with Daniel Fields here. Follow him on twitter @dfields_23.