Rich Monteleone – #36
Before the names of Kyle Sleeth, Kenny Baugh, Justin Thompson and even Scott Aldred and Steve Searcy evoked images of a star-studded starting rotation for the Tigers, there was one name* that personified unfulfilled promise for Tiger fans: Rich Monteleone.
Anyone who has followed the Tigers at least since the late 1970s likely remembers the name. Detroit’s first-round pick in the 1982 amateur draft, 20th overall.
Monteleone, we were told, would slide into the rotation behind Dan Petry and someday become the Tigers’ ace.
So we waited. And waited.
And each Spring Training we’d follow his progress and wonder if this was the year Monteleone would break through. But that year never came. After the 1985 season the Tigers traded him to the Mariners for Darnell Coles.
Though Monteleone failed to live up to the expectations of a number-one draft choice in Detroit, he managed to carve out a nice 10-year career in the majors with the Mariners, Angels, Yankees and Giants.
He retired after the 1996 season with a record of 24-17 and 3.87 ERA.
*1981 first-rounder Ricky Barlow was another early ’80s star in the making. He made it only as far as Triple-A Toledo, in 1987.
3 Things to Know About Matt Sinatro – #52
- The catcher appeared in 13 games for the 1989 Tigers, all in July.
- He went 3 for 25 as a Tiger; his best game at the plate was on July 8, when he went 2 for 3 against the Blue Jays.
- On Aug. 5, 1989 the Mariners purchased his contract from the Tigers.
Birthdays
Rich Monteleone, Matt Sinatro and the late Marv Owen
Today’s Grid
⚾️ Immaculate Grid 355 9/9 – Rarity: 137
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See you tomorrow.
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