Ironman Avila Keeps Catching Everyday

You have to wonder how much longer Alex Avila can hold up.

Sure, the Yogi Berras of yesteryear might scoff at the fact Avila has caught 13 games in a row without relief -- Yogi used to catch 13 doubleheaders in a row without relief -- but in today's game of cross-country travel, and different climates from city to city because they're so spread out, and multiple relief pitchers per night -- it's not as easy as it used to be.

"We're in the middle of a pennant race," Avila said, "and I'm loving it."

Avila acknowledged, though, "I'm not going to do much" Thursday on the team's day off.

But the odd break in the schedule seems to be all the rest Avila needs.

He's hitting above .400 for August after batting just .197 in July.

It's a little amazing because it was only prior to his junior year at Alabama, in 2008, that Avila became a catcher. He was drafted by Detroit that June, signed and made it to the majors in August of 2009.

He was a sparsely-used backup to Gerald Laird last season but this year, he has exploded into All-Star status. He was recently named the third-best defensive catcher in the league by Baseball America.

Manager Jim Leyland acknowledges he's afraid of wearing Avila out, having to catch him every day in the hot summer weather.

"It's not so much the fatigue as much as it is getting beat up to go along with the fatigue," Leyland said. "But he's in great shape. He's done a good job preparing himself for this. He seems to be craving the challenge. I don't know. The way he's hitting, I don't know if I'm playing Alex enough."

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