Month: July 2009

Trades for The Ages: Brian Moehler

Dealing Cards.jpgAs the trade-deadline hysteria gains steam, let’s look back on this date in 2002 when the Tigers made another non-blockbuster for three prospects that amounted to bupkis.

Detroit traded righty Brian Moehler and infielder Matt Boone to Cincinnati for infielder David Espinosa and two players to be named. The Reds sent Noochie Varner and Jorge Cordova to the Tigers to complete the deal. As a Red, Moehler went 2-4 with a 6.02 ERA.

Moehler, now 37, was a fan favorite and, of course, the Tigers’ starting pitcher for the first-ever game at Comerica Park. After some arm trouble, there were some doubts that his career would last, but it has. In fact, he’s won 34 games since leaving Detroit. After leaving Cincy, Moehler pitched for Houston, Florida and he’s now back in Houston. This year he’s 7-9 with a 4.92 ERA.

1984 Meets 2009

Old-TV.jpgMy brother and I attended the 1984 ALCS Game 3 Clincher versus the Royals at Tiger Stadium (seated in straightaway centerfield in the lower-deck bleachers) but this was before we had a VCR (remember those?) and I never got to see it replayed.

Twenty-five years later, it’s iTunes to the rescue.

I stumbled on the game as a download from the iTunes Store for a mere $1.99. (!)

You’ll find a boatload of games available for that price in the “Baseball’s Best” section. If you’re going to buy the ’84 game, scroll to Item #87. For whatever reason, the games are not in chronological order.

Do yourself a favor and buy it if only to enjoy Al Michaels‘ afro and the beauty of Howard Cosell interviewing Willie Wilson about his drug-related suspension that included early parts of the ’84 season.

One technical note: You don’t need an iPhone, iPod Touch or iPod with video to view the game; you can watch the game on your computer in iTunes.

Disco Demolition Night 30 Years Later

Disco guy.jpgYeah, so Joel Zumaya and Fernando Rodney ruined our night tonight. We’re used to that. Take heart. The Tigers still cling to first place.

Doesn’t do much for you? Me either.

So instead of cursing the Tigers bullpen, let’s travel back 30 years to July 12, 1979 and revisit Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park, courtesy of Joe LaPointe‘s article in yesterday’s New York Times.

Unlike the commonplace pyrotechnics of Zumaya/Rodney, this doubleheader included the on-field destruction of disco albums between games. Then things got, well, unruly. As Alan Trammell sums it up:

“The outfielders were definitely a little scared and Ronnie (LeFlore) wasn’t usually afraid of anything.”

The thing I remember most about that game was watching Sox owner Bill Veeck limp out on the field with his wooden leg — I had no idea he lost an appendage — to beg the rock-and-rollers to get off the field (and keep their rainchecks!). And I can still hear George Kell trying to describe the action without falling into a “kids-these-days” rant. (Or did he? Does anyone else remember?)

Even Dave Dombrowski, then a 22-year-old gopher for White Sox GM Roland Hemond, had a role in keeping the peace.

Oh, as for the games, the Tigers swept the double-dip 4-1 in the opener and then won the nightcap in a 9-0 forfeit. The victories brought the Tigers within 14 games of the division lead.

What are your memories of Disco Demolition Night?