The Sunday Fungo: May 12

May 12, 1984: Angels 4 – Tigers 2

W: Tommy John (3-3) – L: Juan Berenguer (2-2) | Boxscore

Record: 26-5

Highlights

• The Tigers had a 2-0 lead into the fifth when Reggie Jackson blasted a two-run homer off Berenguer. (See the proof below.)

• The Angels tacked on runs in seventh and eighth, the last a solo shot by Rob Wilfong off Aurelio López.

• Tommy John pitched a complete game, and Sparky got ejected in this one for arguing a call at second base and tossing his hat in the air to boot.

Miscellany

• Venue: Tiger Stadium
• Umpires: HP – Jim Evans, 1B – Greg Kosc, 2B – Ted Hendry, 3B – Drew Coble
• Time of Game: 2:32
• Attendance: 38,516

Ron Jackson #15

The 1981 Tigers were in the hunt for a playoff spot as the second-half A.L. East champ, so they picked up right-handed hitting first baseman Ron Jackson for the stretch drive.

Here are a few things to know about his brief time in Detroit:

• He came to Detroit from the Twins on Aug. 23, 1981 for a player to be named later. The Tigers sent Tim Corcoran on Sept. 4 to complete the trade.

• Jackson made his Tigers debut that same August day, batting fifth and playing first base. He went 0 for 4 against the Rangers in a 5-4 Tigers win.

• He became a regular during his brief stint in Detroit, appearing in 31 games and batting .284 with a homer and 12 RBI and a .758 OPS.

• As I remember it, Jackson was a spark plug for the Tigers and it seemed like he would return in 1982. Instead, the Tigers let him go as a free agent (surprise, surprise).

• He signed with the Angels, his original club, in April 1982 and spent two seasons in Anaheim and his final year, 1984, with the Orioles.

Birthdays

Lou Whitaker, Tom Timmermann and the late Dixie Parsons, Hank Borowy, Archie McKain and Joe Dugan

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 406 9/9 : Rarity 30

See you tomorrow.