The Tuesday Fungo: May 21

May 21, 1984: Travel Day to the West Coast

After sweeping the A’s over the weekend, the Tigers head West to face the Angels, Mariners and A’s once again.

Record: 32-5, 8.5 games up

On the Air: May 21, 1978 – Red Sox @ Tigers

Here’s your boxscore.

Bob Molinaro #34, #37

The Tigers drafted outfielder Bob Molinaro in the second round of the 1968 June Amateur Draft from Essex Catholic High School in Newark, N.J.

He played in parts of seven minor-league seasons before making his debut on Sept. 18, 1975 against the Indians. He batted fifth, played right field and went hitless in two at bats, facing Jim Bibby — but he walked in his first plate appearance.

In his second game, on Sept. 20 against the Red Sox, he went 3 for 4 and got his first major-league hit — a triple — off Luis Tiant. He appeared in six games in ’75.

Molinaro spent the 1976 season in Evansville and was a September call up in 1977, appearing in four games before being selected off waivers on Sept. 22 by the White Sox.

He had two tours with White Sox, and short stints with Baltimore, the Cubs and the Phillies before wrapping his career how it started: September games with the Tigers.

After being released by the Phillies, Detroit signed him as a free agent on Sept. 1, 1983 and he appeared in eight games, five as a pinch runner, three as pinch hitter. He was 0 for 3 with a walk.

Molinaro’s final big-league game was Oct. 2, 1983 against the Brewers. He was a pinch runner for John Wockenfuss in the eighth inning. The Tigers released him on Oct. 21.

Birthdays

Jacob Turner, Andrew Miller, Bryce Florie, Bob Molinaro, and the late Earl Averill and Doc Ayers 

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 415 7/9: Rarity: 230

See you tomorrow.