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Home , 1935 World Series, 1945 World Series, 1984 World Series, Bennett Park (Detroit), Charlie Bennett, Comerica Park

TIGERS

bybCG Joanne C. Gerstner

An Imprint of Abdo Publishing www.abdopublishing.com www.abdopublishing.com

Published by Abdo Publishing, a division of ABDO, PO Box 398166, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55439. Copyright © 2015 by Abdo Consulting Group, Inc. International copyrights reserved in all countries. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the publisher. SportsZone is a trademark and logo of Abdo Publishing.

Printed in the of America, North Mankato, Minnesota 052014 092014

Editor: Chrös McDougall Copy Editor: Nicholas Cafarelli Interior Design and Production: Christa Schneider Cover Design: Christa Schneider

Photo Credits: Mark Duncan/AP Images, cover, 31; AP Images, 1, 14, 17, 19, 20, 23, 26, 42 (top and bottom), 44; Amy Sancetta/AP Images, 4, 43 (bottom); Jeff Roberson/AP Images, 7; Library of Congress, 8, 11, 13, 42 (middle); Focus On Sport/Getty Images, 25; Walter Iooss Jr.//Getty Images, 29; Ron Heflin/AP Images, 33, 43 (top); John Swart/AP Images, 34; Duane Burleson/AP Images, 37, 43 (middle); Paul Sancya/AP Images, 39; Jim Mone/ AP Images, 41; Carlos Osorio/AP Images, 47

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014932916 Cataloging-in-Publication Data Gerstner, Joanne 1971- / by Joanne Gerstner. p. cm. — (Inside MLB) Includes bibliographical references and index. ISBN 978-1-62403-469-5 1. Detroit Tigers ( team)—History—Juvenile Literature. I. Title. GV875.D6G47 2015 796.357’640977434—dc23 2014932916 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter 1 ...... Restoring the Roar, 4 Chapter 2 ...... From Wolverines to Tigers, 8 Chapter 3 ...... , Then a Title, 14 Chapter 4 ...... The Era, 20 Chapter 5 ...... The Roar of '84, 26 Chapter 6 ...... From Low to High, 34 Timeline, 42 Quick Stats, 44 Quotes and Anecdotes, 45 Glossary, 46 For More Information, 47 Index, 48 About the Author, 48 CHAPTER 1 RESTORING THE ROAR O n a beautiful October afternoon in 2006, fans filled Park in Detroit for a special day of baseball. The fans could barely stay in their seats. The Detroit Tigers were hosting the Oak- land Athletics in the Championship (ALCS). The Tigers led the series 3–0. With one more win, they would advance to the for the first time since 1984.

The game stayed close would be going to the World throughout. With two outs in Series. With an , they would the bottom of the ninth inning, go to . the Tigers and A’s were tied at Ordonez was one of the 3–3. Two runners were on base top batters for the Tigers in as Tigers Magglio 2006. He had .298 with 24 Ordonez stepped to the plate. home runs and 104 runs batted With a base hit, the Tigers in (RBIs) that season. He had

MagglioMagglio OrdonezOrdonez celebrates his three- homer as he runs around the bases. The sent the Tigers to the .Series.

RESTORING THE ROAR 5 already hit a home run in this would have tied them for the game. When he saw a he worst record in major league liked, he hit another one. Just history. like that, the Tigers won 6–3. Tigers’ fans were very The fans went wild. embarrassed by all of the los- Ordonez raised his arms above ing. The once-proud team had his head while he jumped and become a national joke. skipped around the bases. But the Tigers avoided that When he arrived at home plate, 120th loss. Three years later, the entire Tigers team grabbed they were back among the top him in a big hug. teams in baseball. The Tigers have a long his- The Tigers’ dream 2006 tory in season ended at the World (MLB). But in 2003, they lost Series. They made eight errors 119 games. That was the worst against the in team history. One more loss (NL) champion St. Louis Cardi- nals in the World Series. That Stillill the Woorsrst was the most in World Series The ffinished an MLB- history. worst 40–120 in their firstfirst season,season, The had the most 1962. NoNo other MLB team has lost trouble. They committed a tthathat manmanyy gamesgames in a season. But thethe 2003 Detroit TigersTigers came close. World Series-record five errors. TheThe TiTigersgers had 118 losses with six Pitchers and gamesgames still to play.play. TheyThey looked likelike theythey would tie or break the record. struggled But they won five out of their last six fielding bunts and throwing to ggamesames to avoid beingbeing a bad partpart ofof bbaseballaseball historyhistory. first base. Their throws were wild and the errors proved

6 DETROIT TIGERS After a great regular season, outfielder and the Tigers struggled in the 2006 World Series. costly. The Cardinals beat the Ivan Rodriguez, and Tigers four games to one. Carlos Guillen. They Although the Tigers did not teamed with young players win the World Series, the fans in such as pitchers Verlander and Detroit were still happy. After and out- all, their team was winning fielder Curtis Granderson to once again. And, with a young create a solid core. team, the Tigers appeared The Tigers again showed ready to keep winning. a commitment to winning. The The Tigers had brought proud tradition that is Detroit in established veterans like Tigers baseball lived on. Ordonez, ,

RESTORING THE ROAR 7 CHAPTER 2 FROM WOLVERINES TO TIGERS B aseball has been a big part of life in Detroit for more than 100 years. The sport has been played professionally in the city since 1879.

The Detroit Tigers have become more than the city’s The FamousFamous “D” baseball team. They have been TheT Detroit Tigers Old English D logologo on their cacapsps and jerseysjerseys hashas a source of pride for winning aalsolso become a syyymbol for the city. 10 American League (AL) pen- TheThe main character in a populapopular nants and four World Series ttelevisionelevision show duringduring the 1980s,1980s, Magnum P.I.., offten wore a Tiigers titles. And at times, the Tigers baseballbaseball cap.cap. Detective ThomasThomas have been an embarrassment Magnum, played by actor Tom Selll- ececk, wore a Tiggers hat even thoughh for losing too many games. the show was set in Hawaii. Selleck Songs have been written grewgrew uupp in suburban Detroit andand chosechose toto wearwear thethe hat toto honorhonor the about the team. The famous TTigers—hisg favorite baseball team. Tigers Old English D logo has TheT Tigers has alsoo appeared in movies, television been made popularpp by y Detroit musii- cciansians andd KidK d Rock.Rockk. shows, and music videos.

Detroit Wolverines outfielderoutfielder poses fforor a portrait around 1887. HeHe pplayedlayed forfor the Wolverines ffromrom 1881 to 1888.

FROM WOLVERINES TO TIGERS 9 owner George Arthur Vander- started in the Motor City on beck changed the team’s name May 12, 1879. That is when from the Wolverines to the a team from Detroit played a Creams. They also joined the team from Troy, New York, as minor league Western League. part of the National Profes- The Creams played base- sional Baseball Players league. ball on various fields around The Detroit team soon adopted Detroit until 1896. That is a nickname, the Wolverines. when the team developed a per- The name honored ’s manent baseball home called official state animal. . The Creams also The original Wolverines took on a new nickname that team folded during the 1879 season: the Tigers. season. However, a different Bennett Park’s field would club named the Wolverines serve the team for the next 104 was successful after joining years, expanding and changing the National League in 1881. They even won the 1887 World Chaarrlliie Beennennett Series, which was a forerunner CharlieCharlie BennettBennett isis creditedcredited withwith of the modern MLB champion- inventinginventing the chest protector,protector, thethe shield worn byby over theirtheir ship. The Wolverines beat the torsos.torsos. He had 654 hits,, 37 homhomee St. Louis Browns, 10 games to 5. rruns,uns, and 353 RBIs in 625 gamesgames played in eight years with the Woll- The Wolverines were sold verines. He died in 19271927,, in Detroit,Detroit, after winning the Series. New aatt the aagege 72.72.

This portrait shows Wolverines catcher in 1887. The team later renamed its home ballpark after Bennett.

10 DETROIT TIGERS FROM WOLVERINES TO TIGERS 11 as the Tigers and the game of first pitch on each baseball grew. It would eventu- from 1901 through 1926. ally be known as Tiger . The Tigers joined the newly The original stadium was formed AL in October 1900. named after catcher Charlie They played their first game Bennett. He had played for on April 25, 1901. The Tigers the Wolverines for eight sea- beat the , sons, starting in 1881. He later 14–13, in front of 10,023 fans at played for the Boston Beaneat- Bennett Park. ers until a train accident ended Soon, a bigger stadium was his career in 1893. Bennett built around the playing field. moved back to Detroit and was Tigers games became the pop- embraced by Tigers fans after ular place in the city to go for his accident. He threw out the fun. Baseball games in Detroit had a carnival-like atmosphere. WildWildcat Bleacheerrs Elaborate parades were held WildWildcatcat bleachersbleachers areare standsstands built to celebrate Opening Day. The outsidedf of a stadium. d A mode drnn walls were colorful, version ooff wildcat bleachers can bebe seen on the rooftopsrooftops ofof apartmentapartment filled with advertisements for bbuildiuildings that surround the outfield clothing, soda, taxi services, sections ooff WrigleyWrigley FieldField in .Chicago. and other products. ThThee owners ooff thethe buildingsbuildings sellsell their own tickets ffor Chicagg o Cubs Fans even built their own games. Thehh homeowners around d bleachers outside the outfield BennettBennett Park charged fivefive cents perper tticketicket to watch Tigers games froromm walls of Bennett Park, called their wildcat bleachhers. Thhe willddcat “wildcat bleachers.” They were bleachersbleachers were takentaken downdown in 19111911 when the stadium was expp anded. not official seats, but offered a great view of the field from

12 DETROIT TIGERS , shown around 1913, joined the Tigers in 1903. He led the AL in triples five times during his 15 seasons in Detroit. people’s front and back yards. place out of eight teams. They “Wildcat fans,” as they became did that both in 1901 and 1905. known, tended to be rowdy and But that was about to change. turned the games into a party. Detroit had its baseball Despite the fan support, team, a permanent place to the Tigers were just a medio- play, and soon the city would be cre team in their early years. home to baseball’s first super- During their first six seasons, star: Ty Cobb. the Tigers’ best finish was third

FROM WOLVERINES TO TIGERS 13 CHAPTER 3 TY COBB, THEN A TITLE T housands of players have played in the major leagues, but few had the abilities of Tigers star Ty Cobb. The player who would later be known as “The Genius on Spikes” began playing with the Tigers at the end of the 1905 season. He was only 18 years old when he debuted. Nobody could have imagined the teenager from would soon become baseball’s best player.

Cobb was a great hitter teammates. Sometimes he even who could play in the outfield fought with fans who yelled at or . He also was a very him from the stands. fast runner and loved baseball In 1907, Cobb got into big strategy. However, Cobb was trouble. He was angry about also known for his quick, mean the condition of the outfield temper. It often got him in during . Tigers trouble. He started fights with catcher Charlie “Boss” Schmidt

Nicknamed the “Georgia“Georgia Peach,” TyTy Cobb established himselfhimself as one ofof the greatestgreatest hitters ofof all time durinduringg his 22 seasons with the TiTigers.gers.

TY COBB, THEN A TITLE 15 “You may have killed, The Genius in Spikeess or probably ruined forever, Ty Cobb was one of Detroit's—andDetroit's—and the greatest ballplayer in the baseball's—firstbaseball's—first superstars.superstars. HiHiss singgle-season averagge (.420(.420 world,” Jennings told the team. inin 19111911),), stolen bases (96(96 in 1915), “. . . Without him, we have no aandnd hits (248(248 in 1911)1911) still are thethe bbestest in Tigers history. He loved ttoo chance to be anywhere in the plaayy aggressiveaggressive baseball. He eveneven pennant race.” sstoletole homehome 35 timestimes in hishis career.career. CCobbobb played 2,8062,806 games forfor ththee Jennings asked the play- TTigers,igers, mostly in the outoutfield.field. That ers to apologize to Cobb, and he iiss more than anyany other TigerTiger inin soon became better friends with history. In 1936, he was one ofof thethe firstfirst fivefive playersplayers inducted into the his teammates. It was a good BaseballBaseball Hall ofof Fame.Fame. thing that he did. Cobb played for the Tigers from 1905 until stopped Cobb from fighting 1926. He set many records that with a stadium groundskeeper. stand to this day. Cobb then became angry with His lifetime batting aver- Schmidt. age of .367 is the highest in Cobb stayed mad. He major league history. He won picked another fight with the batting title 12 times. He Schmidt a few weeks later. also had 4,191 hits during his Schmidt, who was much bigger career. That stood as an MLB than Cobb, easily won the fight. record until broke it He left Cobb with a broken nose in September 1985. and two black eyes along with Cobb’s influence helped a lot of bruises. Tigers turn the Tigers from a mediocre was upset team to the top team in the AL. with his players. Detroit won the AL pennant

16 DETROIT TIGERS Ty Cobb slides into third base. He stole a career-high 96 bases in 1915 and led the AL in stolen bases six times. in 1907, 1908, and 1909. But any more pennants. Cobb also Cobb could not help the Tigers became the Tigers’ manager win the World Series. They lost from 1921 to 1926. It was not each year, twice to the Chicago uncommon for a player to also Cubs and once to the serve as a or manager Pirates. during that time. But Cobb left The Tigers were often the Tigers after the 1926 sea- a winning team during the son. He would not be the last remainder of Cobb’s career. He superstar Tiger, however. even was named AL Most Valu- The team soon added able Player (MVP) in 1911. But , Cobb and the Tigers did not win catcher ,

TY COBB, THEN A TITLE 17 MOVING ON UP , /outfielder Due to stars like Ty Cobb Greenberg, and pitcher and three AL pennants, the Tigers became wildly popular in Detroit . And they man- during the early . As such, the aged to accomplish something team's owners gradually made the Cobb could not: win the World stadium bigger. Bennett Park was Series. the Tigers' first home. The stadium The Tigers had won the was outside of downtown and had 1934 AL pennant but lost to wooden bleachers that held 10,000 the St. Louis Cardinals in the fans. In 1912, owner World Series. Then they won decided to build a new stadium on the AL pennant again in 1935. the same site. This one was made of Only then, on their fifth try, concrete and steel so it could hold did they finally win a World more fans. The new stadium, called Series. Navin Field, held 23,000. The Tigers beat the Cubs New team owner Walter Briggs in the 1935 Series. Tigers added a second level to the stadium outfielder starred in 1935, allowing a total of 53,000 in the six-game series. He fans to watch games. The ballpark hit .385 with three doubles, was renamed Briggs Stadium in a , and four RBIs. 1938, and then in Pitchers and 1961. Not much was done to the stadium in the following years. It were domi- closed in 1999 and the Tigers moved nant, too. They combined into the newly built in to strike out 23 batters in in 2000. 39 innings. The hometown fans were so happy that they

18 DETROIT TIGERS Mickey Cochrane crosses home plate in the ninth inning of Game 7 of the . His run secured the Tigers’ first championship. refused to leave Navin Field the best things to happen to the in Detroit even hours after the city in a long time. Eventually, game ended. Cochrane spoke to the crowd, Like many cities during begging them to go home. They that era, Detroit was struggling finally obeyed, but the 1935 with the Great Depression. The Detroit Tigers remained heroes World Series victory was one of for years to come.

TY COBB, THEN A TITLE 19 CHAPTER 4 THE AL KALINE ERA T he Tigers continued to be one of the best teams in the AL throughout the 1940s. This was largely thanks to players like infielder/outfielder and left-handed pitcher . Greenberg hit lots of home runs and was the AL MVP in 1935 and 1940. Newhouser was a league leader in and wins en route to being named the 1944 and 1945 MVP.

Those two players also games he started and struck out played a big role in the Tigers’ 22 batters. It was the Tigers’ win over the in second World Series title. It the . Green- would take the Tigers 23 years berg batted .304, hit two home to win another one. runs, and drove in seven runs A lot of changes happened in the seven-game series. New- in the coming years. New houser won two of the three players became stars. Third

HalHal Newhouser warms up beforebefore a 1940 ggameame againstagainst the .Yankees. He develodevelopedped into a two-time AL MVP.MVP.

THE AL KALINE ERA 21 baseman won the The Tigers made a lot of 1949 batting title on the last trades after that. They even day of the season. Pitchers traded away star players such such as and New- as Kell in an effort to build a houser owned the mound. But winning team. But the player the Tigers still turned into a they needed the most was losing team. already on the team: outfielder The 1952 Tigers lost 104 Al Kaline. games. That was the most Kaline came to the Tigers losses in team history. The 1953 in 1953. He became one of season did not get much better. the first high school players The Tigers lost 94 games. to jump straight to the major leagues without spending time Al Kalilinene in the minors. Kaline was only Al Kaline rose fromfrom a shyshy high 18 years old. The skinny ball- school kid from to ononee player looked very much like a of the best outoutfieldersfielders in baseball history. He joined the Tigers in 1953. kid. He was once stopped from In 1955, he became the youngest entering the Tigers’ clubhouse pplayerlayer to win the AL battingbatting title. Kaline twice finishedfinished second forfor thethe during his early years. A secu- AL MVP Award. He played for the rity guard at Briggs Stadium TigersTigers until his retirement in 1974. did not believe Kaline was old The team retired his No. 6 in 1980, making him the first Tiger to havhavee enough to be a player. hihiss numbernumber retired.retired. He alsoalso enteredentered But Kaline dazzled with thethe Baseball Hall ofof Fame in 1980. Kaline remained with the TiTigersgers his talent. He was an excel- afterafter he retired fromfrom the playingplaying lent hitter and very good in field,field, workingworking as a broadcaster andand thenthen as a sspecialpecial assistant.assistant. the outfield. He was also quite polite and a bit shy. Kaline was

22 DETROIT TIGERS Al Kaline, shown in 1959, spent 22 seasons with the Tigers and was selected to the All-Star Game 15 times. content to learn from the older Kaline—along with pitch- players. As he developed into ers and Denny one of the best players in team McLain and sluggers Norm history, the Tigers became a Cash and —led winning team once again. the 1967 Tigers. They nearly

THE AL KALINE ERA 23 THE VOICE OF THE guided the team all the way TIGERS back to the World Series. The Tigers lost the AL pennant on One of the most popular Detroit the last day of the season. The Tigers of all time never actually AL champion played for the team. Radio and television broadcaster went to the World Series. was as famous as the Tigers' biggest The disappointment stars. He broadcast Tigers games stuck with the Tigers. The from 1960 until 2002, making him a players vowed to do better big part of the team for generations in 1968. And they kept their of fans. word. The 1968 Tigers went Harwell was known for a few 103–59 to win the AL pen- distinctive phrases during games. nant. They faced a familiar For a where the player was foe in the World Series: the St. caught looking: “He stood there like Louis Cardinals. It was a very the house by the side of the road and evenly matched World Series, watched it go by.” For home runs: with both teams playing well. “That's looooong gone!” For After six games the Series plays: “That's two for the price of was tied. The teams played a one.” decisive Game 7 at St. Louis. Harwell was inducted into the Cardinals pitcher Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981. He died was on the mound. He had won on May 4, 2010, at age 92. His death his last seven World Series was mourned by fans and the Detroit starts heading into Game 7. Tigers alike. Part of his memorial was held at Comerica Park, allowing fans Meanwhile, Tigers pitcher to say good-bye. Lolich was still a bit tired from pitching three days earlier.

24 DETROIT TIGERS Tigers outfielder Al Kaline hits the ball against the St. Louis Cardinals during the . The Tigers won the Series in seven games.

But Lolich proved to be Denny McLain stronger. He held the Cardinals scoreless until the ninth inning. Pitcher DennyDenny McLain twice won thethe AL Award. He was also ononee Their one run in the ninth was of onlyonly 13 pitcherspitchers to win 30 gamesgames not enough. The Tigers won the in a season. But McLain had a color- ful ppersonalityy. Off the field, he liked game 4–1 to clinch their third toto record albums and givegive orgaorgan World Series title. Once again, concerts.concerts. He also drank a case ofof ccolaola each day and did other thingss the city of Detroit threw a big thatthat made managersmanagers angry.angry. He party to celebrate another dra- retiredretired in 1972 due to an arm injury.injury. matic World Series victory.

THE AL KALINE ERA 25 CHAPTER 5 THE ROAR OF '84 A fter the 1968 World Series, the Tigers managed to reach the 1972 ALCS. But that high soon faded away. The Tigers turned average during the rest of the 1970s, winning as many games as they lost. By 1979, the team was in need of a change. They found it in the form of new manager .

Anderson had helped the Pitcher , short- Reds win the World stop , second Series in 1975 and 1976. Now baseman , catcher he wanted to do the same , and outfielder with the Tigers. He took over had all joined the a Tigers team that had many team between 1977 and 1979. young players. Some had only Anderson worked with the play- recently come up from the ers, teaching them how to work minors. Anderson soon helped hard and become winners. The turn some of them into stars. results soon showed.

ManagerManager SparkySparky Anderson revitalized the TiTigersgers afterafter comincomingg to Detroit forfor thethe 19791979 season.

THE ROAR OF ’84 27 SPARKY By 1984, the Tigers had ANDERSON one of the most talented teams in baseball. They were able to Longtime Tigers manager turn that talent into one of Sparky Anderson was known as the most dominant seasons much for his managerial skills as he was for his superstitions. Anderson in baseball history. The 1984 never stepped on the baseline when Tigers began the season 35–5. he made trips to the mound. He That was the best record any followed the same pattern every day: team had ever had over the having breakfast, going for a walk, first 40 games of a season. and taking a nap before games. They never let up for the rest Anderson also said interesting of the year. The Tigers led things: “If I ever find a pitcher who the AL East from the first has heat, a good curve, and a slider, day of the season to the last. I might seriously consider marrying Until 1984, only the legendary him, or at least proposing.” And: “Me 1927 New York Yankees had carrying a briefcase is like a hot dog accomplished that feat. wearing earrings.” Whitaker and Trammell Anderson retired in 1995, and proved to be the core of the was inducted into the Hall of Fame in team. Both were top fielders 2000. He is the winningest manager and the two players turned in the histories of both the Tigers and many double plays together. the .

Tigers pitcher Jack Morris was 19–11 with a 3.60 average during the 1984 season. He also won all three games he pitched during the postseason.

28 DETROIT TIGERS THE ROAR OF ’84 29 They also had strong seasons and compiled a 19–11 record. at the plate. Trammell batted But the star of the pitching staff .314, while Whitaker was at was Willie Hernandez. The .289. Meanwhile, Parrish led Tigers’ saved 32 games the team with 33 home runs with an and 98 RBIs. (ERA) of only 1.92. He was not Gibson was a fan favorite. only the 1984 He had grown up in Detroit and winner; he was also the 1984 played baseball and football at AL MVP. Michigan State. He drove in 91 It was an overall dominant runs while stealing a team-high season in Detroit. The Tigers 29 bases. had six All-Stars—Parrish, Morris anchored a strong Trammell, Whitaker, outfielder pitching staff. The workhorse , Hernandez, and pitcher struck out 148 batters Morris. Parrish, Trammell, and Whitaker all won AL Gold Gloves. Parrish and Whitaker Dynamic Duo also added AL Silver Slugger ThTheyey becamebecame knownknown simplysimply byby theirtheir nicknames: “Tram”“Tram” and “Sweet“Sweet Awards as the best batters at Lou.” Shortstop Alan Trammell their positions. To cap it off, andand second baseman Lou WhitakerWhitaker Anderson was named the AL were tthehe heartheart ofof thethe Tigers infieldinfield ffromrom 19771977 to 1995.1995. Trammell,Trammell, who Manager of the Year. retired after the 1996 season, joined The Tigers finished the AllK Kaline l and d Ty Cobb C bb as the h onl ly Tigers to play 20 or more years season 104–58. That was an forfor the team. The duo played 1,9181,918 astonishing 15 games better games together,together, turning more thanthan 1,1,200200 doubledouble plays.plays. than the second-place Blue Jays in the AL East. The

30 DETROIT TIGERS Alan Trammell, left, Willie Hernandez, center, and celebrate after the Tigers beat the in the 1984 ALCS.

Tigers’ record was 20 games The Journeourneymenymen better than that of the AL West ManagerManager SparkySparky Anderson was champion Kansas City Royals. kknownnown forfor his abilityability to getget thethe But since the Royals won their most out of every player. Even role players,players, such as outfielderoutfielder RustyRusty division, they met the Tigers in Kuntz,Kuntz, catcher MartMartyy Castillo,Castillo, and the ALCS. outfielderoutfielder RuRuppertppert Jones playedplayed keykey roles duringduring the 1984 season. The Tigers won Game 1 Kuntz had the game-winninggame-winning RBIRBI by a score of 8–1. But the Roy- onon a sacrisacrificefice flyfly in Game 5 ofof thethe als kept it close after that. The World Series. CastilloCastillo,, who was notnot knownknown to be a goodgood hitter,hitter, hit .333.333 Tigers needed extra-innings to inin the World Series. JonesJones batted a win Game 2. The Royals then ccareer-highareer-high .284 that season and hit 12 homehome runs.runs. held the Tigers to only one run

THE ROAR OF ’84 31 in Game 3. But that was enough tried to stretch for the Tigers; they won 1–0. a double into a triple. A triple The Tigers faced the NL would have put him in good champion Padres in position to tie the game. But the World Series. The home- Gibson’s throw from right field town outfielder, Gibson, came got Bevacqua out at third. The up big at the biggest time. Tigers held on to win 3–2. Game 1 was in San Diego. The Tigers came into The Padres were down 3–2 in Game 5 at Tiger Stadium with the seventh when a 3–1 series lead. After the top of the eighth, they led by a score of 5–4. Then, with two outs in Hoomemetoownwn Heroero the bottom of the eighth, Gibson Kirk Gibson was a totopp receiver forfor stepped to the plate against tthehe MichiganMichigan State footballfootball team. HisHis coachcoach suggestedsuggested Gibson also trytry out Padres ace reliever Goose forfor the SSpartanspartans baseball team. GibGib- Gossage. Gibson proceeded to son playedplayed one season ooff baseball,baseball, hittinhittingg .390. He impressedimpressed scoutsscouts smash a three-run home run so much that he was drafteddrafted to playplay to the upper deck in right field. professionallyf in both sports. The TTigersigers selected him to playplay baseball As he ran around the bases, he while the St. Louis Cardinals footballfootball famously pumped his fist, then tteameam selected him to playplay in thethe raised his arms, and finally NNationalational Football League.League. He chosechose ttoo playplay baseball. ManagerManager SparkySparky jumped up and down after he Anderson worked with Gibson,Gibson, crossed home. With an 8–4 makingmaking him into a more discidisciplinplined player.player. The results were seen duringduring lead and lots of momentum, the tthehe 1984 season,season, when Gibson led World Series title was in sight. with his defensedefense and hitting.hitting. Hernandez came in for the top of the ninth to close out the

32 DETROIT TIGERS Kirk Gibson belts his first of two home runs during the fifth game of the . His second home run sealed the Series for the Tigers.

Series. Just like that, the Tigers an NL team. But it was a spe- were World Series champions cial moment that would have to once more. It was a special win last a long time for Tigers fans. for Anderson. He became the They are still trying to add a first manager to win the World fifth championship. Series with both an AL and

THE ROAR OF ’84 33 CHAPTER 6 FROM LOW TO HIGH T he Tigers only had a few more years of success after winning the 1984 World Series. They overcame the to win the AL East in a dramatic ending to the 1987 season. But then the proved to be too much in the ALCS.

The players who had Anderson became ill during starred for the Tigers in 1984 the season and had to leave the were beginning to leave the Tigers for a while. team. Catcher Lance Parrish Debate also started about had left before the 1987 sea- the fate of Tiger Stadium. The son. Outfielder Kirk Gibson left ballpark had stood in one form afterward. By 1989, the Tigers or another in the same location were a shadow of their former since 1912. But it was starting selves. The 1989 Tigers lost to fall apart. The Tigers were 103 games. Manager Sparky falling apart, too. Anderson

FirstFirst baseman starred fforor the TiTigersgers ffromrom 1990 to 1996. He ledled the leagueleague twice in home runs and three times in RBIs in that time.time.

FROM LOW TO HIGH 35 retired at the end of the 1995 September 27, 1999, with the season. Tigers winning one last time. The Tigers slid into los- The Tigers moved into ing seasons for years. They lost Comerica Park for the 2000 more games than they won from season. But the new setting did 1994 through 2005. Although not bring better baseball. Two MLB expanded the playoffs of the Tigers’ worst seasons in 1995, the Tigers did not ever were to come. In 2002, make the playoffs once. Mean- the Tigers lost 106 games. The while, Tiger Stadium closed on team fired two managers dur- ing that one season. Things were even worse in Comeromerica Parark 2003. Alan Trammell had been CComericaomerica ParkPark in downtown DetroitDetroit one of the stars of the 1984 holds 41,000 people in its twtwoo decks. It features statues of famous World Series championship pplayers,layers, such as TyTy Cobb,Cobb, Charlie team. But as the Tigers’ man- GGehrinehringer, Hank Greenberg, WilliWilliee Horton,Horton, Al Kaline,Kaline, and Hal NewhouserNewhouser ager, the team lost 119 games. iinn the rirightght fieldfield concourse. AnotherAnother It was the worst record in team statue of broadcaster Ernie Harwell is located on the concoursse behind history, and nearly the worst home plate.plate. Large,Large, pouncingpouncing record ever. Trammell lasted TiTigge rs, made of concrete, standstand two more seasons before he was aatt the ballballpark'spark's main entrance. TTherehere is also a merry-go-roundmerry-go-round andand fired in 2005. bbaseball-themedaseball-themed FerrisFerris wheel in thethe The Tigers hired Jim concourse.concourse. The main scoreboard,scoreboard, which is 180 feet (54.9(54.9 m)m) wide,wide, has Leyland to take over as man- twotwo big tiggers perched on each side. ager for the 2006 season. He TheThe titigers'gers' eyeseyes glowglow red duringduring ninightght games.games. brought a new, winning atti- tude to the team. The Tigers

36 DETROIT TIGERS , right, and , left, leave the after the Tigers lost their ninth consecutive game to start the 2003 season. also began adding established Two rookie pitchers played stars like Magglio Ordonez, a big role in that turnaround. Kenny Rogers, Ivan Rodriguez, Justin Verlander was named AL and Placido Polanco. The team Rookie of the Year after going quickly began a turnaround. 17–9 with a 3.63 ERA in 2006.

FROM LOW TO HIGH 37 Reliever was into the playoffs. It was the first among the hardest throwing time since 1987 that the Tigers pitchers in the league. He had were part of the playoffs. 97 strikeouts in 83.1 innings Detroit was a happy base- with a 1.94 ERA as a . ball town again. The Tigers The Tigers had a scare late beat the New York Yankees in the season, though. After in the AL . The a hot start, they had a losing celebration in Comerica Park record in their last 50 games. lasted for a long time. The Then, in the final game of the fans cheered, and the players season, the Twins surpassed returned the love by standing them to win the AL Central. But on the dugouts and spraying the Tigers finished 95–67. That champagne on them. Then they was good enough to earn them beat the in the team’s first wild-card berth the ALCS. Although the Tigers lost Spring Training to the St. Louis Cardinals in TThehe TiTigersgers have called Lakeland,Lakeland, the 2006 World Series, hope Florida their sspringpring trainingtraining homehome since 1934. “Tiger“,”Town,” whichwhich returned in Detroit. stretches over 12 acresacres,, has beenbeen From 2007 to 2010, the improvedimproved over the yearsyears to fitfit thethe Tigers did not have much luck. TTigers'igers' needs. The TigersTigers brieflybriefly left TTigeriger Town fromfrom 1943 to 1945 toto But things changed for them ttrainrain in Evansville,Evansville, Indiana. But theythey beginning in 2011. Unfortu- camecame back forfor goodgood in 1946. JokerJoker Marchant Stadium,Stadium, the main playingplaying nately, sometimes big wins field,field, was built in 1966. There is a bring big upsets. dormitorydormitory forfor players,players, offices,offices, andand bballall fieldsfields forfor practice.practice. On September 16, 2011, the Tigers won the AL Central

38 DETROIT TIGERS Justin Verlander pitches against the Angels in 2006. Verlander was the AL Rookie of the Year that season.

Division title over the Oakland but lost to the . Athletics. It was their first since In 2012, the Tigers beat joining the division in 1998. Oakland again for the division They advanced to the ALCS, title. They went on to sweep the

FROM LOW TO HIGH 39 ALMOST PERFECT Yankees in the ALCS only to be swept themselves in the The Tigers' World Series by the San Fran- was one out away from pitching a on June 2, 2010. To sisco Giants. complete it, he just had to retire In 2013, the Tigers won Indians shortstop Jason their third consecutive division Donald. Donald grounded to Tigers title. They would eventually . lose the ALCS to the Boston Galarraga ran to cover first base. Red Sox four games to two. Cabrera's throw clearly beat Donald Boston would go on to be the for the final out—and the perfect World Series champions. game. But called The team and its fans Donald safe. Everybody was stunned. were heartbroken once again. However, Galarraga did not But the Tigers had proven complain. After the game, Joyce three years in a row that they apologized to the pitcher and they can make it to the end. All shared a hug. The next day, Galarraga were left with the same feeling delivered the Tigers' lineup card to that’s guided them for more Joyce and the two men shook hands than 100 years: there’s always at home plate. Many commended next year. Galarraga for his sportsmanship, including Joyce. “[He] will always be remembered for his grace and class, regardless of what the record books say,” Joyce said when the two Tigers Carlos presented an award together at the Guillen congratulates first baseman Miguel Cabrera after ESPYs award show. Cabrera scored during a 2010 game. Cabrera led the AL in RBIs that season.

40 DETROIT TIGERS FROM LOW TO HIGH 41 TIMELINE

1881 1901

1905

1907 1908 1909 19319344 1935 19419400 1945

42 DETROIT TIGERS 1948 19619600 1968 19841984 19871987 19919999 20002000 20022002 20032003 20020066 2013

43 QUICK STATS

Charlie Gehringer (2B; 1924–42) Kirk Gibson (OF/DH; 1979–87, 1993–95 ) Hank Greenberg (1B/OF; 1930, 1933–41, 1945–46) Harry Heilmann (OF/IF; 1914, 1916–29) Al Kaline (OF; 1953–74) George Kell (3B; 1946–52) Jack Morris (SP; 1977–90) Hal Newhouser (P; 1939–53) FRANCHISE HISTORY Schoolboy Rowe (P; 1933–42) (1881–88) Alan Trammell (SS; 1977–96) Detroit Tigers (1901– ) Lou Whitaker (2B; 1977–95) WORLD SERIES Justin Verlander (SP; 2005– ) (wins in bold) KEY MANAGERS 1907, 1908, 1909, 1934, 1935, 1940, Sparky Anderson (1979–95): 1945, 1968, 1984, 2006, 2012 1,331–1,248; 8–5 (postseason) AL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES Hughie Jennings (1907–20): 1,131–972; 4–12 (postseason) (1969– ) 1972, 1984, 1987, 2006, (2006–13) 700–597; 2012 25–23 (postseason) DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIPS HOME PARKS (1969– ) Bennett Field (1896–1911) 1972, 1984, 1987 (east) Known as Bennett Park 2011, 2012, 2013 (central) (1896–1900) KEY PLAYERS Tiger Stadium (1912–99) (position[s]; seasons with team) Known as Navin Field (1912–37), Briggs Stadium (1938–60) (1B; 1960–74) Comerica Park (2000– ) Ty Cobb (OF; 1905–26) Sam Crawford (OF/IF; 1903–17) * All statistics through 2013 season

44 DETROIT TIGERS QUOTES AND ANECDOTES

Tigers slugger Willie Horton grew up in Detroit. He got to play in Tiger Stadium for the first time at age 14 during a high school all-star game. Horton hit a home run during the game, and was shocked. “It scared me so much the umpire had to tell me to run,” Horton said.

Tigers pitcher Mark “The Bird” Fidrych did things on the mound that had never been seen before. He talked to the baseball. He patted the dirt down on the mound with his hands before every inning, like he was gardening. He was nicknamed “The Bird” after Big Bird on Sesame Street, because he was tall and had blond hair. His best season was in 1976, when he had a 19–9 record and a 2.34 ERA. He was the AL Rookie of the Year. The next year, Fidrych hurt his knee and arm and was not able to pitch well anymore. But for one magical season, “The Bird” was the big star.

Tigers manager Hughie Jennings liked to study. He studied players. He studied teams. And he also studied in school. Jennings went to Cornell University and graduated with a law degree. He worked as a lawyer in the off- season, and clearly also brought his smarts to the . He managed the Tigers from 1907 to 1920, helping the team win three pennants. Jennings liked to have fun, kicking up his leg high in the air, tossing clumps of grass, and yelling “Ee-yah!” while he coached at third base. He thought it helped the Tigers to hit and score.

It was easy for the Tigers to figure out what they should pick for a : a tiger. The Tigers mascot, , appears at every game at Comerica Park. He debuted May 5, 1995. PAWS entertains during games by playing jokes on fans and dancing on the dugouts. According to the team, PAWS likes to vacation in Lakeland, Florida and collects baseball cards for a hobby. 45 GLOSSARY

ace momentum A team’s best pitcher. A continued strong performance based on recent success. berth A place, spot, or position, such as in pennant the baseball playoffs. A flag. In baseball, it symbolizes that a team has won its league clinch championship. To officially settle something, such as a berth in the playoffs. postseason The games in which the best teams contend play after the regular-season schedule has been completed. To be in the race for a championship or playoff berth. retire designated hitter To officially end one’s career. A position used only in the American League. Managers can employ an rookie extra hitter in the who A first-year player in the major comes to the plate to hit instead of leagues. the pitcher. veteran franchise An individual with great experience An entire sports organization, in a particular endeavor. including the players, coaches, and staff. Playoff berths given to the best mediocre remaining teams that did not win Neither good nor bad. their respective divisions.

46 DETROIT TIGERS FOR MORE INFORMATION

Further Reading Places to Visit Bak, Richard. A Place for Summer: A Comerica Park Narrative History of Tiger Stadium. 2100 Woodward Avenue Detroit, MI: Detroit, MI 48201-3470 Press, 1998. 313-962-4000 mlb.mlb.com/det/ballpark/index.jsp Harwell, Ernie. Signed My This has been the Tigers’ home field since Shoe: Tales of the Grand Old Game. South 2000. The team plays 81 regular-season Bend, IN: Diamond Communications, games here each year. Tours are available 1994. when the Tigers are not playing.

Lieb, Frederick. The Detroit Tigers. Kent, National Baseball Hall of Fame OH: The Kent State University Press, and Museum 2008. 25 Main Street Cooperstown, NY 13326 Web Links 888-HALL-OF-FAME To learn more about Inside MLB, visit www.baseballhall.org booklinks.abdopublishing.com. This hall of fame and museum highlights These links are routinely monitored and the greatest players and moments in updated to provide the most current the . Ty Cobb, Hank information available Greenberg, Al Kaline, and manager Sparky Anderson are among the former Tigers enshrined there.

Tiger Town 2301 Lakeland Hills Blvd. Lakeland, FL 33805 863-686-8075 mlb.mlb.com/det/ballpark/ springtraining.jsp Tiger Town has been the Tigers’ spring- training home since 1934.

47 INDEX

Anderson, Sparky (manager), Harwell, Ernie, 24, 36 Rodney, Fernando, 6 27, 28, 30, 31, 32, 33, Heilmann, Harry, 17 Rodriguez, Ivan, 7, 37 35–36 Hernandez, Willie, 30, 32 Rogers, Kenny, 7, 37 Horton, Willie, 23, 36 Rowe, Schoolboy, 18 Bennett, Charlie, 10, 12 Bennett Park, 10–12, 18 Jennings, Hughie (manager), 16 , 32 Bonderman, Jeremy, 7 Jones, Ruppert, 31 Schmidt, Charlie “Boss”, 15–16 Boston Red Sox, 24, 40 St. Louis Cardinals, 6–7, 18, Bridges, Tommy, 18 Kaline, Al, 22–23, 30, 36 24–25, 38 Briggs Stadium. See Tiger Kansas City Royals, 31 Stadium Kell, George, 22 Tiger Stadium, 12, 18, 19, 22, Kuntz, Rusty, 31 32, 35, 36 Cabrera, Miguel, 39, 40 Toronto Blue Jays, 30, 35 Cash, Norm, 23 Lemon, Chet, 30 Trammell, Alan (player and Castillo, Marty, 31 Leyland, Jim (manager), 36 manager), 27, 28–30, 36 Chicago Cubs, 12, 17, 18, 21 Lolich, Mickey, 23, 24–25 Trucks, Virgil, 22 Cincinnati Reds, 27, 28 , 40 McLain, Denny, 23, 25 Vanderbeck, George Arthur Cobb, Ty (player and manager), Milwaukee Brewers, 12 (owner), 10 13, 15–17, 18, 30, 36 Minnesota Twins, 35, 38 Verlander, Justin, 6, 7, 37, Cochrane, Mickey, 17, 19 Morris, Jack, 27, 30 38, 39 Comerica Park, 5, 18, 24, 36, 38 Navin, Frank, 18 Whitaker, Lou, 27, 28–30 Fox, Pete, 18 Navin Field. See Tiger Stadium World Series New York Mets, 6 1887, 10 Galarraga, Armando, 40 New York Yankees, 28, 38 1934, 18 Gehringer, Charlie, 18, 36 Newhouser, Hal, 21, 22, 36 1935, 18–19 Gibson, Kirk, 27, 30, 32, 35 1945, 21 Goslin, Goose, 18 Oakland Athletics, 5, 38, 39 1968, 24–25, 27 Granderson, Curtis, 7 Ordonez, Magglio, 5–6, 7, 37 1984, 5, 31, 32–33, 35, 36 Greenberg, Hank, 18, 21, 36 2006, 6–7, 38 Guillen, Carlos, 7 Parrish, Lance, 27, 30, 35 , 17 Zumaya, Joel, 38 Polanco, Placido, 37

About the Author Joanne C. Gerstner is an award-winning sports journalist. Her work has appeared in , USA Today, the Miami Herald, and over the past 15 years. She also appears on ESPN as an expert guest. Gerstner has covered the biggest sporting events in the world, reporting from the Olympics, the World Cup, the tennis and golf US Opens, the NBA Finals, the Finals, and the Super Bowl. She grew up in Detroit, loving the Tigers and the Red Wings.

48 DETROIT TIGERS