Everett considers his 2008 season, when he signed a $2.8 million contract with the Twins and then was unable to throw across the diamond, to be a surprisingly positive experience -- just not on the field.

"It was a great learning experience, for one thing," he said. But he reported to camp with tendinitis in his shoulder, the first time in his career he had been injured.

"From Day 1, it was hurting. Spring training wasn't that bad, but it just gradually got worse and worse, and it just never really recovered," Everett said. "I had no idea what was going on; that's why it was hard for me to take."

After Everett batted only .189 through the first two months of the season and couldn't make anything but the most routine plays in the field, the Twins placed him on the disabled list.

By the end of July, the team had all but given up, and on July 28, it designated him for assignment. For a couple of hours.

Everett was called back before he could leave Minneapolis, his job saved when Alexi Casilla tore a ligament in his right thumb.

"I understood why they did it. I'm not upset at the organization at all," Everett said. "Everyone was playing great. I mean, everybody. And then I got a chance to play and got a chance to show them a glimpse of what I can do. And it was very valuable for me."

He was concerned, however, that his status was being compromised by his ties to former Houston Astros teammate Mike Lamb, a fellow free agent who fizzled and was released in late August. A few days later, Everett went to Gardenhire with a message: I want to be here.

"I probably did get lumped in with Mike a little bit; it was no secret he wasn't happy," Everett said. "I went into Gardy's office in Oakland and told him, 'I think we've got something special here, and I'll do whatever it takes to be a part of it. Whatever you need me to do, I'll do.' "

He batted only 11 times in September but made a memorable contribution: Everett faked a bunt at Tampa Bay, then swung away and doubled off the wall, scoring the go-ahead run in a Twins victory.

A week later, though, the season ended, and so did his Twins career. He went home to Georgia and hired a physical therapist to work on his shoulder all winter. Everett feared his Baseball career was over, but the Tigers gave him a tryout.

"They took a chance and gave me an opportunity," not to mention a $1 million, one-year contract.

Everett has become the Tigers' everyday shortstop, batting .273 in 17 games, including his 1-for-3 performance Monday night against the Twins , and regaining his form in the field.

He's a good fit on Detroit's veteran team, "and this year has been a lot of fun after a couple of tough seasons. ... I'm just going out there and enjoying it right now. I still have aches and pains, but for the most part, I feel healthy. I wish I could have been last year."