That was the passage Ernie Harwell used when he would open the first game of spring training. I can still hear his legendary voice, to this day, bringing those words to life.

It’s Detroit baseball, and it’s back. And, even if they are only exhibition games, we know that the warmth of April, is just beyond the bend.

Being unable to watch, or listen, to today’s game, I tried my best to keep up with the score, inning by inning, on my cell phone.

The Tigers beat the Braves 5 – 4.

Sure, it doesn’t mean much. It’s only spring training. Yet, it was nice to see a winning score next to the name. When you consider the awful year we had, it’s as though a single ray of sunshine burst through the darkness. The renewal of another season is upon us. This one is filled with anticipation, and yes – hope.

Lots of it.

We’ve had a hard winter in Detroit. I suppose it’s all relative, but it was hard for us.

So the flowers, the voice of the turtle, and a distant voice in my head that sounds a lot like Ernie Harwell, are welcomed with open arms.