It's in the cards: Weaver soon to be Tigers' ace.(Knight Ridder Newspapers)

Sharp

DETROIT _ Jeff Weaver will start Monday's opener. "If there's pressure on me, I'm not feeling it," he said.

The Tigers are celebrating their 100th anniversary in the American League this season. And doesn't it seem that long since the team developed a dominating starting pitcher?

"I remember watching Jack Morris in the World Series with the Tigers when I

was a kid," said Jeff Weaver, the Tigers' Opening Day starter against the Minnesota Twins. "I think I was like 8 or 9. But I always remember him being an even tougher pitcher the tougher the game. That's what I would like to be at some point in my career, but I still have to remember that I've really only been in the majors for two years and pro ball for three. That's not a lot of time."

But perhaps enough to witness an ace emerging.

All optimism begins with Weaver, the lanky California surfer who's only now understanding the depth of his ability. He might have been the most captivating player in Lakeland, Fla., during spring training. When Weaver got the ball, everyone took notice, looking for little indications to further buoy hopes that the club's No. 1 draft pick (14th overall) in 1998 will be the staff ace by season's end.