All the visual evidence that shows yes, it really was Jim Harbaugh coaching first base for the Tigers
Allegedly, University of Michigan football coach Jim Harbaugh was acting first-base coach for the Tigers in their Spring Training matchup with the Pirates on Wednesday afternoon. We say allegedly, because by all accounts, he was there.
He was quoted before the game -- revealing that his goals for the day were don't let a Tigers runner get picked off and "don't get hit by a line drive" -- and there is a copious amount of photographic and video evidence of him doing his duties as first-base coach. Things like coordinating with manager Brad Ausmus:
.@BradAusmus07 & @CoachJim4UM ? pic.twitter.com/XiRluCUJm0
— Detroit Tigers (@tigers) March 2, 2016
Delivering the Tigers' lineup card:
And even greeting the opposing team's players:
AND YET. Where are his khakis? Not to make a fuss, but you know -- the khakis that identify Harbaugh like fingerprints on his legs? If this first-base coach is not wearing them, how are we supposed to know it's really him?
See, before Wednesday's game: Khakis.
Thanks coach for stopping by today! @CoachJim4UM #GoBigBlue pic.twitter.com/HcLkHDMgf4
— Jordy Mercer (@jordy_mercer) March 2, 2016
And even back in June, throwing out a first pitch at Comerica Park: Tigers jersey on top, khakis on bottom.
But not so for the three innings he coached Wednesday. Those pants swishing in the breeze as he jogs to the dugout are not khakis.
Off and running! Four runs in the first for the @tigers. All from great first base coaching of course! pic.twitter.com/vA2atBfZlN
— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) March 2, 2016
OK, so maybe MLB Official Rules stipulate that base coaches have to be in team uniform, and for now, the Tigers uniforms do not include khaki pants. And maybe Harbaugh eschewed the khakis last year when he coached for the A's, too. So, it probably was him on Wednesday. After all, this many fans can't be wrong:
And he did a pretty good job too, as the Tigers jumped out to a 4-1 lead in those first three innings under his watch, on the way to a 10-3 win. We just wanted to be extra sure that it wasn't one of his impersonators:
