Fernando Arroyo – #36
Righty Fernando Arroyo began the 1975 season in Triple-A Evansville, and made his major-league debut on June 28, 1975 against the Orioles, and in relief of Joe Coleman. He appeared in 14 games for the ’75 Tigers, finishing with a 2-1 record and 4.56 ERA.
Evansville was his home for the 1976 season, but he came to Detroit in ’77 and, considering his workload, he appeared to be there to stay.
- 38 appearances
- 28 starts
- 209.1 innings pitched
- 8-18 record
- 4.17 ERA
- 2 complete games
But … Arroyo was back in Evansville for most of 1978, appearing in just two games (4.1 IP) for the Tigers — yet he still appeared in the 1978 Tigers Yearbook. Here’s part of his profile:
Maybe there isn’t such a thing as luck in baseball — but don’t try to tell Fernando Arroyo that.
A veteran of seven minor league seasons, the good-looking right-hander got his first real chance with the Tigers in 1977, when he became a regular starter in mid-May. At the close, Fernando had lost 18 games — but six were by one run and 12 came when the Tigers failed to score, scored once or scored twice. That is not the kind of support to enhance a pitcher’s record.
In Arroyo’s case, it meant one losing streak of six straight, and another period of one victory in 11 decisions.
On Dec. 5, 1979, the Tigers traded him to the Twins for lefty Jeff Holly. (Holly never appeared in a game for Detroit.)
His final line in Detroit: 11-20, 4.48 ERA.
Today’s Random Game: Sept. 19, 1977
Yankees 9 – Tigers 4
W: Dick Tidrow (11-4) – L: Jim Crawford (7-7) | Boxscore
Highlights
- The Yankees pounded three Tigers pitchers, Crawford, Vern Ruhle and Ed Glynn, for 17 hits. Crawford and Ruhle each allowed four runs.
- New York hit five home runs: One each for Thurman Munson, Dave Kingman and Graig Nettles, and two for Reggie Jackson two.
- Rusty Staub and Jason Thompson homered for the Tigers.
- The win was the Yankees’ 92nd on their way to 100. The loss dropped the Tigers to 69-80; they finished the ’77 season at 74-88.
Miscellany
- Umpires: HP – Vic Voltaggio, 1B – Marty Springstead, 2B – Larry Barnett, 3B – Jim Evans.
- Time of Game: 2:30
- Attendance: 17,656
Birthdays
Fernando Arroyo and the late Owen Friend, Boyd Perry, Joe Samuels and Frank Sigafoos.
Today’s Grid
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 354 9/9 — Rarity: 61
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See you tomorrow.
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