Jim Harbaugh to serve as Tigers first base coach in spring game

(AP) After a successful one-day stint as the Oakland A’s first base coach last spring, University of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh is set to reprise his role again this year. Only this time, Harbaugh will be suiting up for the Detroit Tigers when they face the Pittsburgh Pirates during a split-squad game on Wednesday afternoon.

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Harbaugh was already scheduled to be in Brandenton, Fla. with the Wolverines football team for their spring practice this week. For the most part, it’s a business trip. But the avid baseball fan can never pass up an opportunity to put on a uniform and relay signals of a different sort on the baseball field.

From the Detroit News:

Harbaugh will coach first base for the Tigers for at least one inning in the game, sources 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.

Wait a second now. Harbaugh may actually coach both teams. Who does he think he is, Will Ferrell?

No, his day won’t be nearly that crazy. But this is another reminder that Harbaugh holds baseball near and dear. In fact, Harbaugh made it clear before throwing out the first pitch at a Tigers game last summer that he actually aspired to be in the major leagues

“I wanted to be a baseball player,” Harbaugh said at the time. “I really wanted to be a Major League shortstop or a pitcher or a catcher. Be a big leaguer.”

Life obviously took Harbaugh down a different path, which ultimately led him to a 13-year career in the NFL and now an established career in coaching. Harbaugh has enjoyed success at both the college and NFL level, and is currently among the most recognized coaches in any sport.

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With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that Harbaugh listed shortstop and catcher among his baseball positions. Even in baseball, he was a field general, which leads us to believe he could start coaching baseball tomorrow and find success.

Not everyone likes his style, of course. He can be brash at times, and apparently isn’t immune to wearing out his welcome. That could prove problematic in the daily grind that is baseball season. Still though, he’s Jim Harbaugh. Give him a uniform, turn him loose and enjoy the show.

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