Chuck Scrivener – #9
If ever there were a time to break into major leagues, the forlorn Tigers of the mid-1970s presented a golden opportunity … unless you happened to play middle infield.
That was the scenario facing Chuck Scrivener who, it appeared, had the talent to be a big leaguer. I mean, he was drafted four times over three years:
- Twins in the 17th round of the 1966 MLB June Amateur Draft
- Braves in the 4th round of the 1967 MLB January Draft-Secondary Phase
- Giants in the 8th round of the 1967 MLB June Draft-Secondary Phase
- Tigers in the 2nd round of the 1968 MLB January Draft-Secondary Phase
Here’s a snapshot of Scrivener’s career:
- Played nine seasons in the Tigers minor-league system before making his major-league debut on Sept. 18, 1975 against the Indians. He started at shortstop, batting leadoff, and struck out looking against Jim Bibby. Scrivener finished the night 0 for 4.
- He hit two career home runs:
- The first on Aug. 8, 1976, off Cleveland’s Tom Buskey in the bottom of a seven-run Tigers fifth, a solo shot to left. He went 3 for 4, part of the Tigers’ 15-hit attack in a 15-5 win.
- The second came on Sept. 25, off the Yankees’ Dick Tidrow, a sixth-inning, three-run homer that cut New York’s 10-3 lead to 10-6.
- The first on Aug. 8, 1976, off Cleveland’s Tom Buskey in the bottom of a seven-run Tigers fifth, a solo shot to left. He went 3 for 4, part of the Tigers’ 15-hit attack in a 15-5 win.
- His final four appearances came as a defensive replacement, capped by his last Sept. 29, 1977, against his hometown Orioles, subbing in for rookie Alan Trammell.
- Scrivener’s final plate appearances came on Sept. 22, 1977, against Boston’s Don Aase — a strike out and flyout — before being lifted for pinch-hitter Tim Corcoran.
- With Trammell and Lou Whitaker establishing themselves, there was no path for Scrivener in Detroit. After spending 1978 in Evansville, hitting .262, the Tigers released him on Dec. 4. A month later, he signed with the Blue Jays, but didn’t appear in a game, in Toronto or in the minors.
Chuck Scrivener: By the Numbers
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Birthdays
Blaine Hardy and the late Mike Strahler, Marty McManus and Hub Pernoll
Today’s Grid
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 347 9/9 — Rarity: 26
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See you tomorrow.
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