While the Michigan Wolverines football team is in Florida for spring practice, coach Jim Harbaugh will be taking a little detour to the Grapefruit League to coach first base in a spring training game.
Angelique S. Chengelis of the Detroit News is reporting that Harbaugh will coach first base for the Detroit Tigers in their game against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
“Harbaugh will coach first base for the Tigers for at least one inning in the game, sources Saturday confirmed to The Detroit News on Saturday. There also is the possibility he may don a Pirates jersey and coach an inning for Pittsburgh manager Clint Hurdle, a Big Rapids native and noted Michigan fan.”
This is not the first time that Harbaugh has done this, as he coached first base for the Oakland Athletics during a spring training game last year.
Chengelis also quoted Harbaugh speaking of his love for baseball.
“I wanted to be a baseball player,” Harbaugh said during a news conference last summer before throwing out the first pitch at Comerica. “I really wanted to be a Major League shortstop or a pitcher or a catcher. Be a big leaguer.”
While there’s no reason to doubt the Harbaugh’s love for baseball or that it’s one reason for doing this, one has to wonder if it’s his only reason. This also serves as a nice reminder to rival coaches that Jim Harbaugh and his Wolverines are in Florida a move that has drawn some criticism.
Either way, it’s a brilliant (and fun) way to maintain a high profile, which can only help Harbaugh and Michigan on the recruiting trail.