I think it's important for players, even with all the money they make today, to build an identity outside the game. Otherwise, you're not prepared for life after your skills have vanished. A man needs a challenge to keep his mind churning and his pride burning. Baseball was Tommy's life, and without it, he just didn't seem to know who he was.

On some nights the Tigers sent Tommy ahead to the next town to get extra rest for his next start. On one of those nights I had the pleasure of rooming with George "Birdie" Tebbetts. He was one of the more memorable roommates I ever had, even though we only roomed together one night. He was nicknamed Birdie because he had such a high-pitched voice and was always chirping, never stopped talking. And his voice carried for miles.

We were in New York to play the Yankees and I was scheduled to start the game the next day against Red Ruffing or Lefty Gomez. I always pitched against Ruffing or Gomez.

Mickey Cochrane sent Bridges home to Detroit to get extra rest because he was starting the first game of our next homestand. Art Sheehan, our traveling secretary, asked me if I wouldn't mind letting a young catcher from Providence College room with me. The Tigers were helping Tebbetts get through school; he was going to join the organization as soon as he finished his education.

When I came back from the ballpark, a little redheaded kid was alone in the room, and I took him down to dinner. He told me all about his family and how he was doing at Providence. We went back to the room and I got into my pajamas, jumped in bed, and read the New York Post. Long after I had finished reading the newspaper, he was still fidgeting around, restless as can be, pacing the floor. Finally I said something.

"Hey George, shouldn't you go to bed?" I asked.

"Mr. Auker," he said. "I'm so embarrassed."

"About what?" I asked.

"Well, you know, I always say my prayers before I go to bed," he said. "I don't really know what to do." He had said his prayers every night of his life before going to bed.

"You go over there, get down on your knees on your side of the bed, and I'll get down on my knees next to my bed," I said. "I'll say my prayers and you say your prayers." I got down on my knees next to my bed, bowed my head, and said my prayers. He got down on his knees next to his bed and said his prayers.

He got up and said, "Thank you very much, Mr. Auker." And he went right to sleep. Can you imagine that? He was such a devout Catholic that he just couldn't bring himself to go to sleep before saying his prayers.

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