Though comparatively small, grants by The Thunderbirds go through a less transparent process than used by its charitable arm, Thunderbirds Charities.

The afternoon train was late into the town of Lexington. Mary \u2014 stout, graying, and as taciturn as a desert tortoise \u2014 waited on the train platform, getting antsy.

In a Florida stroke rehab center, former Detroit Tigers outfielder Chet Lemon sits next to his bed strapped into a wheelchair.

Gigi puts on Chet’s shoes and straightens his pants. “Dee dough,” Chet says ... Ricky Weeks, Tim Raines Jr., Bobby Wilson, Brady Singer and, of course, current Tigers slugger Kerry Carpenter. “Chet ...