Tigers GM Al Avila misses his son at spring training
This off–season, catcher Alex Avila signed with the White Sox after spending seven years with the Tigers. While the Tigers have a new permanent starting catcher in James McCann, the team's general manager is missing Avila more than most for a pretty good reason: Avila is his son.
Detroit GM Al Avila discussed being separated from his son in an interview withUSA Today's Jorge L. Ortiz.
“I miss my son,” Avila said. “I wish he was here because I’d get to see him every day. In fact, last spring training we roomed together. This year I’m by myself. You would think my wife would be here with me today, but she’s actually in Arizona with him and the grandkids.”
The younger Avila signed a one-year, $2.5 million contract with the Chicago White Sox in the off-season. The Tigers will go with McCann at catcher after he established himself with a .264 batting average, seven home runs in his rookie season.
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Last season, Al Avila replaced Dave Dombrowski in the front office and became baseball’s only Latino general manager. Al Avila was among the members of the front office that decided it would be the right move to let his son sign elsewhere.
Alex Avila is coming off a season in which he hit .191 with four home runs and 13 RBIs.
