Tigers 1 – Royals 0
W: Milt Wilcox – L: Charlie Leibrandt – S: Willie Hernández | Boxscore
Tigers win series, 3-0.
Highlights
- In a runaway season, perhaps it was appropriate to have a nail biter to clinch the pennant.
- I was at this game with my brother and girlfriends at the time, sitting in the lower deck centerfield bleachers, perched as dead-center as you could get. We were there early and just could not believe we were at a Tigers playoff game.
- The Tigers got on the board early in this one, in the bottom of the second, scoring in the most boring way possible. Bárbaro Garbey hit an infield single, Chet Lemon followed with grounder to third; George Brett threw out Garbey at second. Then, Darrell Evans hit a single to center, Chet took third. Marty Castillo hit into a force out at second, Chet scored. Tiger 1, Royals 0.
- Speaking of Brett, he had a 1 for 4 night, and every time he came up we held our breath. Two of his outs were unpleasant: A short fly out to right in his first at bat, and a drive to deep-ish center in his third. Off the bat they seemed destined for the seats.
- Here’s an understatement: Wilcox dazzled that night [video], allowing just two hits and two walks over eight innings. He also struck out eight. Meanwhile, poor Charlie Leibrandt was almost as good: 8 innings, 3 hits, 4 walks and 6 strikeouts in his eight innings. I did not feel bad about this at the time.
- After Castillo caught the final out, we watched the bedlam from the section where the batting cage was stored. After a while, Gibby, Milt and Sparky were all brought out there on a golf cart and driven under the bleachers. I’d later find out that’s where the Tigers had set up an interview room for the postseason. Tiger Stadium had an “interview room”?
- Before we left, I asked one of Detroit’s finest if he would hand me a chunk of outfield sod that was lying at his feet. He reluctantly did, folding it so it would fit in a space in the fence. That weekend, I planted it in my parents’ backyard and it took root and I like to think it’s still there.
Miscellany
- Venue: Tiger Stadium
- Replacement Umpires: HP – Bill Deegan, 1B – Jon Bible, 2B – Randy Christal, 3B – Doug Cossey, LF – Dick Runchey, RF – Dick Zivic
- Time of Game: 2:39
- Attendance: 52,168
Birthdays
Buddy Kennedy, Victor Reyes, Marc Krauss, Randy Bockus, Rod Allen, and the late Frank Doljack and Davey Crockett.
Today’s Grid
⚾️ Immaculate Grid #552: 7/9 — Rarity: 210
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See you tomorrow.
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