Cecil Fielder, father of Prince Fielder, played for the Detroit Tigers for more than six seasons, hitting 245 home runs there, 51 of them in his first season in Detroit in 1990.

Tuesday, after the surprising announcement of Prince’s signing with his dad’s former team, the elder Fielder said the signing "shocked" him, according to Steve Schrader of the Detroit Free Press, quoted in USA Today:

"That just shocked me," Cecil Fielder told MLB Radio on SiriusXM. "I just landed in New York… and I got that call — that’s crazy! He’s going to come full circle. You know, he’s been there in Detroit most of his young life, so I think he’ll be comfortable in that place. …

"I know Mr. (Mike) Ilitch is probably pretty excited, because he’s been wanting that kid since he was a little kid, so he finally got his wish."

The two Fielders have at times not been on speaking terms, but Cecil says that could be changing:

"We’re having a few chats. We’re doing a lot better than we were. Time heals all wounds, man. Everybody has to come back together at some point.

"I’m just happy for him. I think everybody was anxious for him to get signed."

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