Michael Fulmer, The Ditch-Digging, Pipe-Replacing Ace
By: Will Burchfield
@burchie_kid
Through his brilliant rookie season, Michael Fulmer has dug nary a ditch for himself or his teammates.
At home in Oklahoma, he digs them all the time.
The past few years, it has become an offseason routine of Fulmer's to help out a good friend and his uncle with their local plumbing work in his hometown of Edmond. The honest labor appeals to the humble 23-year-old, who plans to get his hands dirty in the coming offseason as well.
"It's actually kind of fun," Fulmer told the Stoney and Bill Show on Wednesday morning. "We dig ditches and replace the [old] pipes with PVC and it's basically an all-day event. Ya know, hand and shovel and get down and get dirty a little bit."
But the wholesome nature of the work isn't the only reason Fulmer likes to lend a hand.
"It's also a good workout for shoulders and arms," he said, "so I use it as a workout some days."
Fulmer also said he works for the pro shop at a local golf course when he's home, in part for the privilege to play for free. Perhaps that will change when he signs his first big contract, but Fulmer isn't one to be corrupted by celebrity. His modest ways seem impervious to money and fame.
Plus, he said, his game's beginning to improve.
"I've actually gotten a lot better at golf. I would not say I'm good," he chuckled, "but the free practice helps and the head pro out there has been giving me a few tips so it's gone a long way. I'm still not playing well in Spring Training but at least I'm not shooting in the 100's anymore."
He said he has about a 13- or 14-handicap.
If there was such a stat for baseball players, Fulmer would be a scratch pitcher. He is 9-1 on the season with a 2.13 ERA and 1.075 WHIP. Since May 21? 7-1, 0.83 ERA, .811 WHIP. He has emerged as the leading candidate for A.L. rookie of the year, prompting Tigers' fans to come up with a nickname for their rugged, scruffy-faced ace.
The suggestions have ranged from "MF-er" to "The Fulminator" to "Fulmy." Though Fulmer isn't particularly fond of any of those, he is willing to play along with whatever sticks.
"I actually did a signing the other day and a few guys came in and asked me to put 'The Fulminator' on the ball," he laughed.
"Whatever you guys want to call me," he said, "I guess I've been called worse. So I'll answer to pretty much anything."
Though he's always believed in himself, Fulmer admitted his stratospheric success this season has taken him somewhat by surprise. At this time last year, he was with the Mets' Double-A team in small-town Binghamton, New York with a very simple goal in mind.
"I was just trying to stay healthy," he said. "Just trying to put up a good year, that was the big key for me in 2015. But I never would have expected to be in the big leagues at all right now."
The Tigers are thrilled he is. Acquired from the Mets in last year's Yoenis Cespedes trade, Fulmer is perhaps the biggest reason Detroit is still in the playoff race. It's unsettling to think where this team would be without him.
And vice-versa, Fulmer pointed out.
"I'm just thankful for the staff I have around me and the teammates I have in the clubhouse. The catchers and the veteran guys are teaching me everything they can and I'm always trying to learn something new every day. So far its been that way and I've gotten a lot of help, so a lot of credit goes to the team and the staff," he said.
In particular, he said, Justin Verlander, Jordan Zimmermann and Mike Pelfrey have been great sources of advice. And battery-mates Jarrod Saltalamacchia and James McCann have eased his transition from the minors to the bigs.
"Salty and Mac behind the plate have done an amazing job of basically calling pitches, and I'm learning new ways how to get guys out. So it's always a lesson every time I start," said Fulmer.
With Verlander taking the hill on Wednesday afternoon, Fulmer had the day off. He was off to the ballpark in the morning to work out and "play a little game of catch."
He wasn't inclined to kick back in front of the TV and head down to Comerica just before first pitch?
"Oh, not me," Fulmer laughed.
