Tag: 1982

The Friday Fungo: June 14

June 14, 1984: Off Day

After losing two of three to the Blue Jays, the Tigers travel to visit another A.L. East rival, the Brewers, for a three-game weekend set at County Stadium.

Record: 44-16 — 6 games up on Toronto

So here’s another June 14 game. This one from 1978:

June 14, 1978: Royals 7 – Tigers 1

W: Paul Splittorff (8-5) – L: Jack Billingham (5-4) | Boxscore

Record: 31-27 — Fifth place, 91/2 games back of Boston

Highlights

  • The Tigers scratched out just four hits off of Splittorf who threw a complete-game gem.
  • Billingham was roughed up for eight hits and four walks in six innings, and allowed five earned runs.

Miscellany

  • Venue:  Royals Stadium
  • Umpires: HP – Dave Phillips, 1B – Larry McCoy, 2B – Steve Palermo, 3B – Don Denkinger
  • Time of Game: 2:05
  • Attendance:  21,025

Mike Laga – 1B #4

The first paragraph of the 1984 Tigers Yearbook profile on Mike Laga pretty much summed it up:

“Mike Laga has been called the Tiger first baseman of the future. And despite the presence of a veteran star like Darrell Evans, it seems clear the Tigers still have high hopes for Laga.”

I’d go so far as to say we still have high hopes for Laga.

We heard so much about the left-handed hitting slugger but he didn’t capitalize on his brief visits to Detroit from 1982 through 1986 — and as I recall, injuries were a problem.

1982: Laga made his debut on Sept. 1, 1982 against the Angels and faced Ken Forsch, flying out to left. Two days later he hit his first homer, a two-run shot, off the A’s Rick Langford. He played in 27 games for ’82 Tigers, essentially the starting first baseman in September.

1983: The bulk of his season was spent in Evansville with a dozen games in Detroit: 21 at bats, no homers, .190 average.

1984: Laga again was a September call up but appeared just nine games: but he hit .545 — six for 11.

1985: Another nine-game stint. Thirty six at bats, two home runs, .167 average.

1986: Laga made the Opening Day roster and appeared in 33 games before being sent to Nashville. The Tigers traded him to the Cardinals, as a player to be named later, along with Ken Hill for catcher Mike Heath.

His final numbers with Detroit: 72 games, .239 avg., eight home runs, 28 RBI and a .691 OPS.

Birthdays

Michael Hollimon, Mike Laga, Bill Fahey and the late Hal Manders

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 439 9/9: Rarity: 12

See you tomorrow.

The Wednesday Fungo: June 12

June 12, 1984: Blue Jays 12 –Tigers 3

W: Jim Clancy (5-6) – L: Jack Morris (11-3) | Boxscore

Record: 44-15 — 7 games up on Toronto

Highlights

  • All the highlights in this one belonged to the Blue Jays. They took it to all three Tigers pitchers.
  • Morris: Three innings, eight hits, six runs.
  • Sid Monge: Four innings, six hits, three runs.
  • Oh, here’s one Tigers highlight: Lou Whitaker went three for four with a single, double and triple

Miscellany

  • Venue: Exhibition Stadium
  • Umpires: HP – Jerry Neudecker, 1B – John Hirschbeck, 2B – Steve Palermo, 3B – Dave Phillips
  • Time of Game: 2:43
  • Attendance: 40,437

Elias Sosa #36

Here are five things to know about right-hander Elias Sosa, who spent one year in Detroit:

  1. Sosa was sent to the Tigers by the Expos on March 30, 1982 as part of a conditional deal. I have no idea what that means.
  2. He made his Tigers debut on April 12, 1982, pitching the ninth inning in a 9-5 Tigers loss.
  3. Of his 38 appearances, 23 were multiple innings, and he averaged 12/3 innings of work.
  4. Sosa’s longest outing was a five-inning stint on July 12 against the White Sox.
  5. His final line: 3-3 record, 4.43 ERA and four saves. The Padres purchased his contract from the Tigers on Oct. 7, 1982.

Birthdays

Avisaíl García, Scott Aldred and the late Matty McIntyre

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 437 9/9: Rarity: 14

See you tomorrow.

The Saturday Fungo: May 18

May 18, 1984: Tigers 8 – A’s 4

W: Dan Petry (6-1) – L: Bill Krueger (1-1) | Boxscore

Record: 30-5

Highlights

  • The Tigers scored five first-inning runs and built up a 6-1 lead.
  • After a rain delay, the game was called with one out in the top of the sixth inning.

Miscellany

  • Venue: Tiger Stadium
  • Umpires: HP – Durwood Merrill, 1B – Dan Morrison, 2B – Marty Springstead, 3B – Jim McKean
  • Time of Game: 2:08
  • Attendance: 41,136

On this Date in 1982 …

Larry Herndon hit three home runs in an 11-9 win over Oakland, and became the 14th player in major league history to hit home runs in four consecutive plate appearances. On May 16, he homered in his final at-bat to give the Tigers a 7-6 victory over the Twins. — Courtesy of Baseball Reference, of course.

Birthdays

Joakim Soria, the late Don Lund and Rufe Gentry

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 412 9/9: Rarity: 99

See you tomorrow.