The Detroit Tigers have five players headed from Kansas City (where the team finished its road trip on Sunday) to Arizona for the 2011 MLB All-Star Game. Catcher Alex Avila is the only starter, but the Tigers also have first baseman Miguel Cabrera, shortstop Jhonny Peralta, reliever Jose Valverde and pitcher Justin Verlander set to be part of the festivities.
↵Thanks to Verlander, the Tigers' All-Star selections are traveling to Arizona on a private jet. Verlander said he always enjoyed when veterans would do something like this for the Tigers' All-Stars in the past, and he wanted to help make the trip even more memorable this year.
↵↵↵"I'm in a situation now where thankfully I can afford to do something like that," he said. "When I've had it done for me in the past, other teams or other teammates have taken care of me. The tide's turned and I'm able to take care of some guys. I've never forgotten those times."
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In what is a very classy move, Verlander even extended an invitation to Aaron Crow, a rookie who is the Royals' lone All-Star selection, to join the Tigers on the plane. Crow and the five Tigers will fly to Arizona and get set for the Home Run Derby on Monday night and the All-Star Game on Tuesday.