Tag: Dennis Kinney

The Monday Fungo

Dennis Kinney

The Tigers picked up southpaw Dennis Kinney from the Padres on Dec. 12, 1980 for Dave Stegman.

After spending most of the ’81 campaign in Triple-A Evansville, Kinney appeared in six late-season games for the Tigers, debuting against the Red Sox in Detroit on Sept. 9, a 6-5 loss.

His final appearance came at County Stadium on Oct. 2 against the Brewers, entering with two out in the fifth in relief of Dan Petry. The Tigers lost, 8-2.

His Tigers career by the numbers:

  • 3.2 innings pitched
  • 4 walks
  • 3 hits
  • 4 runs, all earned
  • 9.82 ERA.

Kinney was released almost a year to the day he was acquired: Dec. 14, 1981. On Feb. 7, 1982, he signed with the A’s.

His final big-league appearance came on May 20, 1982 at Tiger Stadium in a 11-3 Tigers win. Kinney’s line: 3.0 IP, 7 H, 0 SO, 1 BB, 3 ER.

Random Game: May 9, 1981

Angels 15 – Tigers 1

The Tigers scored first on a Kirk Gibson RBI single to plate Al Cowens. And that was it.

Here’s your boxscore.

Details

  • Saturday, May 9, 1981
  • Attendance: 32,040
  • Venue: Anaheim Stadium
  • Game Duration: 2:42
  • Night Game, on grass

Birthdays

Dennis Kinney, Don Lee and the late Rip Collins

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 330 9/9 — Rarity: 74
Screenshot 2024-02-26
One former Tiger today.

See you tomorrow.

The Tuesday Fungo: Jan. 30

Happy 70th Birthday, Dave Stegman.

A University of Arizona alum, Dave Stegman was drafted by Detroit in the first round — second pick overall — of the 1976 amateur draft.

  • He played in eight games in 1978, all in the outfield, and batted .286 in 14 at bats.
  • In ’79 he played in only 12 games and batted .194 — but with one homer!
  • The 1980 season was his last with the Tigers: he appeared in 65 games and hit .177 in 130 at bats.
  • The Tigers shipped him to the San Diego Padres for Dennis Kinney in December 1980.

Learn more about Stegman in the Fungo Archives.

Also born on this date: The late Sandy Amoros and Walt Dropo.

Today’s Nugget

Did you know that long-time Cubs catcher Jody Davis signed with the Tigers in 1990 but never appeared in a game for them? Me neither until last week.

Signed on May 28, Davis spent his time in Toledo, appearing in just three games for the Mud Hens, going 1 for 8, with one run scored. He was released on Sept. 30.

When you consider what’s available on YouTube, it’s a shame there’s no clip of Harry Caray singing “Jody, Jody Davis … king of Wrigley Field” as he did so often in 1984 after a Davis homer.

Today’s Immaculate Grid

One former Tiger today.

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 303 9/9:
Rarity: 34
IMMACULATE!
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
🟩🟩🟩
Play at:
https://immaculategrid.com
@immaculategrid x @baseball_ref

See you tomorrow.

Today’s Tiger: Dave Stegman

Dave Stegman

Dave Stegman
  • Born: Jan. 30, 1954 in Inglewood, Calif.
  • Bats: Right Throws: Right
  • Height: 5′ 11″ Weight: 190
  • Acquired: Drafted by the Tigers in the 1st round (2nd pick) of the 1976 amateur draft.
  • Seasons in Detroit: 3 (1978-80)
  • Uniform Number: 22
  • Stats: .189 avg., 6 HR, 17 RBI, .589 OPS

Dave Stegman debuted with the Tigers on Sept. 4, 1978. As a youngster, Stegman clearly was a stud player. According to Baseball Reference.com:

  • Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 10th round of the 1972 amateur draft, but did not sign.
  • Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 9th round of the 1975 amateur draft, but did not sign.
  • Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 2nd round of the 1976 amateur draft (Secondary Phase), but did not sign.

The University of Arizona alum was drafted by Detroit in the first round — second pick overall — of the 1976 amateur draft.

He played in eight games in 1978 — all in the outfield — and batted .286 in 14 at bats. In 1979 he played in 12 games and batted .194 (but with one homer!).

The 1980 season was his last with the Tigers. That year he appeared in 65 games and hit .177 in 130 at bats.

Detroit shipped him to the San Diego Padres for Dennis Kinney in December 1980.

He never played for the Padres and was spun-off to the Yankees as a player to be named later in April 1981. He didn’t see any major-league action during that strike-shortened year.

The same could almost be said about 1982. He appeared in two games for the Yankees but had zero plate appearances. That had to be a bummer.

On Jan. 26, 1983, Stegman signed a free agent contract with the White Sox. After two unremarkable seasons with Chicago, he was out of baseball.

His final line: 172 games, 320 at bats, 66 hits, 8 HR, 32 RBI, and a .206 average.

Whether or not you remember Dave Stegman, wish him a happy birthday, won’t you?