Spring Training kicks into gear today

LAKELAND, Fla. (WXYZ) - Monday, February 20th-- it’s a holiday right?

While the calendar may say “Presidents Day," baseball fans will tell you otherwise.

Today is the official start of Spring Training.

Pitchers and catchers begin workouts this morning at Joker Marchant Stadium.

But that didn’t stop some of the other players from filing in over the past week.

On a team poised to compete for a World Series title, it's not surprising the players are eager to get to work.

"You get limited with the stuff you can do around the house," center fielder Austin Jackson said.

Jackson was one of a small handful of players at the team's facility Sunday morning.

"I just wanted to come down, get in the spring training mode; getting up early, swinging it every day, and working out everyday."

Starting Pitcher Doug Fister tossed with Duane Below for twenty minutes Sunday, gearing up for the curtain to be pulled and camp to open Monday. It will be his first spring training as a Tiger.

"It's a matter of getting back in the swing of things, really more mental than physical at this point," Fister said, referring to the pre-camp workouts.

"We've been preparing for it and we're just ready."

It's been nearly 130 days since the Tigers lost to the Rangers in Game 6 of the ALCS. A distant memory now, but the Tigers are confident in what can come of that experience.

"The clubhouse after that game was definitely a little down but at the same time, we saw the positives in everything we did last year. I think that sparked us a little bit," Jackson said.

Add Prince Fielder to the mix, and that spark becomes a fire.

"You got the big guy coming over to hit next to the other big guy. It's definitely motivation for everybody," the center fielder continued.

Jackson said he was stunned by the move, and had to pinch himself.

He likened it to playing a video game.

"It's like being a little kid again. I've compared it to playing MLB 2K. You never really have two guys that are that good on one team. It's kinda like a cheat when you get that."

Fister experienced the overwhelming news of Fielder's signing with a group of teammates.

"I was out on the [Tigers] Caravan, getting ready to go to Grand Rapids. We heard the news and started talking about it. It's been a hot topic," the pitcher said with a grin.

Fielder is expected at camp no earlier than Tuesday, but with Miguel Cabrera showing up Saturday, it's not crazy to rule out a No. 28 sighting today.

Justin Verlander spent early Sunday afternoon on the golf course, tweeting he was enjoying his last day of freedom before baseball really begins.

The only question: How much magic is in store for this Tigers team?