Tag: Jim Slaton

November 20, 2024

Number 20

Fifty-two Detroit Tigers have worn number 20, and it’s currently worn by Spencer Torkelson. But the first player I remember wearing number 20 was Mark Fidrych from 1976 to 1980.

After that, it belonged to:

*Rich Hebner, in 1982, was the final player to wear number 2 before it was retired.

Birthdays

Tarik Skubal, Jacob Robson, Lino Urdaneta and the late Ron Cash, Lou Berberet, Augie Prudhomme and Ray Powell

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 598 8/9 — Rarity: 176

See you tomorrow-ish.

The Wednesday Fungo: June 19

June 19, 1984: Tigers 7 – Yankees 6

W: Aurelio López (6-0) – L: Ron Guidry (5-5) – S: Willie Hernández (12) | Boxscore

Record: 48-17 — 61/2 up on Toronto

Highlights

  • Carl Willis made his first big-league start: 41/3 innings, nine hits, four earned runs.
  • The Tigers took it to Ron Guidry: a dozen hits and seven earned runs over 71/3.
  • Lance Parrish‘s first-inning two-run homer opened the scoring.

Miscellany

  • Venue: Tiger Stadium
  • Umpires: HP – Steve Palermo, 1B – Dave Phillips, 2B – Jerry Neudecker, 3B – John Hirschbeck
  • Time of Game: 2:49
  • Attendance: 41,192

Doug Flynn – IF #20

The Tigers signed veteran infielder Doug Flynn as a free agent on June 20, 1985, nine days after he was released by the Expos. Here are four things to know about his brief time in Detroit:

  • He debuted on June 22 against the Yankees, starting at second base and batting ninth. He singled off Ron Guidry in his first at bat, one of just four hits Guidry allowed.
  • Flynn’s final line as a Tiger: 32 games, 55 plate appearances, .255 average, no home runs and two RBI.
  • The Tigers re-signed him in the offseason, but released him near the end of Spring Training 1986.

Birthdays

Willis Roberts*, Jim Slaton and the late Eddie Cicotte.

*Roberts appeared in one game for the 1999 Tigers: 1.1 IP, three hits, four runs, one HBP.

See you tomorrow.

🌎 The Monday Fungo: April 22

1984 Game 13: Tigers 9 – White Sox 1

W: Juan Berenguer (1-0) – L: Tom Brennan (0-1) | Boxscore

Record: 12-1

On a cold and wet Easter Sunday, Juan Berenguer delivered one of his best Tigers starts, at least that I can remember. He gave up just two hits — and didn’t allow one until the fifth — with one walk. He struck out seven.

The Tigers had 18 hits, paced by:

Michigan native and fellow WMU alum first baseman Mike Squires was pressed into pitching duty, with two gone in the five-run eighth, for the final out.

Miscellany

  • Umpires: HP – Nick Bremigan, 1B – Vic Voltaggio, 2B – Joe Brinkman, 3B – Larry McCoy
  • Time of Game: 2:58
  • Attendance: 10,603

Jim Crawford – #28

Lefty Jim Crawford was acquired by the Tigers in a Randy Smith-style trade with the Astros on Dec. 6, 1975. He came to Detroit with Milt May and Dave Roberts for Terry Humphrey, Mark Lemongello, Gene Pentz and Leon Roberts.

He appeared in parts of three seasons, 1976-78, as a reliever and spot starter.

Crawford made his Tigers debut on April 20, 1976 against the A’s in Oakland. He came into the game in the ninth, relieving starter Joe Coleman, with the Tigers clinging to a 5-3 lead. Crawford got Bill North to line out but the next batter, Joe Rudi, singled to tie the game. Crawford was lifted for rookie Mark Fidrych who gave up a single to Don Baylor and the A’s won, 6-5.

His final game came on July 27, 1978 against the Orioles. Starter Jim Slaton gave up five runs on nine hits in three innings and Crawford came in to pitch the fourth — and gave up two runs of his own on three hits. Jack Morris relieved him with four scoreless.

Crawford’s final line in Detroit: 10-19, 4.62 ERA and 3 saves.

Birthdays

Tyson Ross, David Purcey

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 386 9/9 — Rarity: 9

See you tomorrow.

The Monday Fungo: Feb. 12

On TV: Tigers vs. Red Sox – June 25, 1985

Jack Morris vs. Bob Ojeda — and what a great lineup. Here’s the boxscore.

Birthdays

Gary Knotts, Chet Lemon, Pat Dobson, Andy Harrington, Harry Arndt.

Weekend Leftovers

Saturday

Happy 75th birthday to Ben Oglivie who, after the Tigers inexplicably traded him for Jim Slaton and Rich Folkers, went on to hit 176 home runs for the Brewers over nine years. He retired after the 1986 season with a lifetime average of .273 and 235 career homers.

The late Tom Veryzer was born on Feb. 11, 1953. He played five years in Detroit (1973-77) before being dealt to Cleveland for Charlie Spikes. His last year in the bigs was 1984 when he was a bench rider for the Cubs. Had Leon Durham fielded a grounder more cleanly in the NLCS that year, perhaps Veryzer could’ve ended his career where it started, at Tiger Stadium. His final career numbers: .241 average, 14 homers, 231 RBI, .966 fielding percentage.

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 316 9/9: Rarity: 30

Two former Tigers managers today.

See you tomorrow.

The Tuesday Fungo: Feb. 6

Today I spent some time dodging raindrops at the practice day of the WM Phoenix Open in Scottsdale. I’m not a golf fan by any stretch, but the people watching is legendary. The tournament is always the week of the Super Bowl and about 10 days before spring training begins in Phoenix. Good times.


A Random Tigers Game: June 24, 1978

Tigers 4 – Yankees 3

W: Jim Slaton (7-4) • L: Dick Tidrow (3-5)

Start Time: 8 p.m.
Attendance: 37,681
Venue: Tiger Stadium
Game Duration: 2:01


Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 310 8/9: Rarity: 144

Two former Tigers today: one player, one manager.

See you tomorrow.

Happy Birthday, Benji & Tommy V

Oglivie_Ben78


Happy 60th to Ben Oglivie who, after the Tigers inexplicably traded him for Jim Slaton and Rich Folkers, went on to hit 176 home runs for the Brewers over nine years. He retired after the 1986 season with a lifetime average of .273 and 235 career homers.

Veryzer_Tom78

Tom Veryzer turns 56 today. He played five years in Detroit (1973-77) before being dealt to Cleveland for Charlie Spikes. His last year in the bigs was 1984 when he was a bench rider for the Cubs. Had Leon Durham fielded a grounder more cleanly in the NLCS that year, perhaps Veryzer could’ve ended his career where it started, at Tiger Stadium. His final career numbers: .241 average, 14 homers, 231 RBI, .966 fielding percentage.

Happy Birthday, gentlemen.