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EditorsEditor's note This is the American LeagueLeague- on pappap- the stretch after doing sursur- his best He never regained baseman Don Wert hamham- fifth ofoi a part series on er that is prisingly well most of the that form and finished withwith- pered by a pulled leg muscle majorm a j 0o r 20league baseball They were last year too season a average still bestbest- most of the season ranked teams Trouble was they never The main problem on papa- in the league second to Baltimore's Brooks could put their eight regulars per for Detroit again is inin- The injury that was most Robinson By JERRY STACK on the field at the same time the bullpen The Tigers hope painfulato Detroit's title Dick McAuliffe 1239if and Missourian Sports Writer enEven when they did there relievers Mike Marshall chancechances came June 27 when 22 homers had his troubles Detroit's Paper Tigers are usually was one limping ersFred Lasher John Hiller and Al KalineKalme adjusting to second base possibly the best team in thethe- Various Detroit players Pat Dobson all yearsecondsecond- earear- and 25 homers in a rare where he booted 21 He also missed more than games men can last in another penpen-penpen- display of anger slammed was plagued by a swollen as dislocated toes a broken nant race his bat down on the bat rack hand finger a painful bone spurspur- In September McLain fell smashing the little finger on At shortstop the Tigers even the mumps and NationNation- when he got up from his his right hand abound with the stereotype al Guard dutyduty- kept the TiTi- sofa dislocating two toes KalineKalme missed six weeks good field-no hit players with gers from their first pennant His effectiveness was limited Ive got to feel he said Ray Cyclerno1207 leading the in 22 years for the final two weeks of the that somewhere in those six way Dick and Because of the multitude season In June Detroit was weeks I would have won a rookie Tom Matchick may of injuries the Tigers tied without Lolich's services for gaTIegame for the team But I get a shot at short this seasea- for second with Minnesota 15 days while he was with didn't and that's where wewe- son one game behind Boston his National Guard unit lotlolostt it Another rookie trying to t This season Detroit's Where the Tigers were Emphasizingit just how dede- crack the starting lineup is front line pitching solid hurt most last vearyear was inin- pleted the Tiger front line first baseman Don Pepper hitting and sound defense the outfield was last vearyear is the fact who faces the unenviable should again make the TiTi- Willie Horton that Detroit catcher Bill task of pushing aside CashCash- gers a strong contender forfor- bothered by a bone spur on Freehan played in more 1242I and 22 homers or Ed the AA. LL. flag his left heel among other gamegames than any other reguregu- Mathews and 19 homhom- Despite their inconsistency things sat out 40 games lar The veteran starall-star ersers' and high ERAsERA's all above Somehow he managed 19 and 20 homers saw action in As a team the Tigers'Tigers the Tigers'Tigers Big four ofof- homers 67 RBI's and a games batting average and Earl Wilson Denny batting average An sea Freehan also heads a home runs were second only McLain 2211Joe son operation has himoffback steady Detroit defense to Boston last year t 1617 16 and Mickey LolichLoUch 1414- in stride He andand KalineKalme won Golden The same gang of cripples 913 totaled more victories Then in June Jim NorthNorth- Glove awards in 1967 while will return in 1968 t 69 than any other starting niprup the Tigers'Tigers footedfleet-footed Norm CaCashh committed fewer Paper Tigers may be good quartet in the majors came dodown errors than any other ALAL- but healthy ones are always The TigersTigers' young reliev- with the mumps when he first baseman better DENNY McLAIN ers however faltered inin- was batting and playing The defensive play of third Tomorrow New York

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