Competing for a roster spot, Santiago's positive personality shines
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. -- Ramon Santiago looks around the room each morning and he can almost see the Olde English 'D' of the Detroit Tigers instead of the block 'C' of the Cincinnati Reds.
And that, he says, is a good thing.
Santiago, 34, played 10 years for the Detroit Tigers, one of baseball's best and most consistent teams over the past few seasons. And while he didn't play much, it says tons about his citizenship and character and team-oriented personality that he was as much a part of Detroit as the Ford Motor Company.
"This team reminds me of the Tigers," he said. "It has been in the playoffs (two of the three of the last four years). It has a lot of talent. It has good starting pitching, good relief pitching, good hitting, good defense -- we have everything."
Santiago is a shortstop, but he can also play second base and third base. And even though he was a role player in Detroit he always was one of the most popular players because of his off-the-field givebacks to the community.