November 13, 2024

#13

In 124 seasons, only 15 players have worn number 13* for the Tigers. For me, it will always be Lance Parrish‘s number, which he wore for 10 seasons, 1977 through 1986.

Here’s something: Before The Big Wheel put on number 13 in 1977, the number sat unworn for 13 years after Bill Faul hung it up after two seasons, 1963 and ’64.

With the exception of Alex Avila, who first wore it in 2010, no player of consequence has worn it since Lance … with apologies to Rico Brogna (1992) and Mark Leiter (1993).

*Gio Urshela was the most recent player to wear it, in 2024.

Birthdays

Gerald Laird, Vic Darensbourg, Dan Petry, and the late Steve Bilko and Jim Delsing

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 591: 9/9 — Rarity: 17

And speaking of Lance ….

See you tomorrow.

Oct. 14, 1984: World Series Champions

Game 5: Tigers 8 – Padres 4

W: Aurelio LópezL: Andy HawkinsS: Willie Hernández | Boxscore

Tigers win series, 4-1

Highlights

  • I was going to write about Game 5, but why waste your time when you can relive it down here 👇🏻. If you want the short version from Ernie, try this one.
  • Poor Dan Petry finished the postseason with a 0-1 record and an ERA of 6.00!

Miscellany

  • Venue: Tiger Stadium
  • Umpires: HP – Paul Runge, 1B – Mike Reilly, 2B – Doug Harvey, 3B – Larry Barnett, LF – Bruce Froemming, RF – Rich Garcia
  • Time of Game: 2:55
  • Attendance: 51,901

Postscript

Was there a downside to the Tigers winning this game? For me, yes.

Weeks before the postseason began, I was asked to be on clean-up duty at a small wedding reception for the aunt of my then-girlfriend. I didn’t even think to look at the postseason calendar — I was 16! As luck would have it, I missed the entire game.

Using a phone on the wall at the reception hall, I was left to listen to Ernie and Paul through a phone my sister placed next to the radio at home.

So, the next World Series the Tigers win, will be the first one I ever see.

Birthdays

Miguel Del Pozo, Erik Sabel and the late Vincent Maney

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 561 9/9 — Rarity: 16

See you tomorrow.

Oct. 9, 1984: World Series Game 1

Tigers 3 – Padres 2

W: Jack MorrisL: Mark Thurmond | Boxscore

Tigers lead series 1-0

Highlights

  • The Tigers jumped on Thurmond and got half of their eight hits in the first inning. A Lou Whitaker leadoff double followed by an Alan Trammell single brought home the game’s first run. Lance Parrish and Larry Herndon also singled in the inning but were stranded.
  • The difference in the game was Herndon’s fifth-inning two-run homer off Thurmond.
  • In the bottom of the seventh, we witnessed a dazzling defensive play by Kirk Gibson, who fielded Kurt Bevacqua‘s liner to the right field corner and threw a perfect relay to Whitaker who nailed Bevacqua at third.
  • Morris cruised the rest of the way, scattering eight hits, walking three and striking out nine.

Miscellany

  • Venue: Jack Murphy Stadium
  • Umpires: HP – Doug Harvey, 1B – Larry Barnett, 2B – Bruce Froemming, 3B – Rich Garcia, LF – Paul Runge, RF – Mike Reilly
  • Time of Game: 3:18
  • Attendance: 57,908

Birthdays

Derek Holland

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 556: 9/9 — Rarity 29

See you tomorrow.

Oct. 3, 1984: ALCS Game 2

Tigers 5 – Royals 3 (11)

W: Aurelio López (1-0) – L: Dan Quisenberry (0-1) | Boxscore

Tigers lead series, 2-0.

Highlights

  • The Royals scored two off Dan Petry, who was excellent. He pitched seven innings, allowing just four hits, a walk and two runs; he struck out four.
  •  Willie Hernández took over in the eighth, surrendering two hits and a walk, which led to the Royals knotting the score at three.
  • Señor Smoke tossed three innings of scoreless relief to keep the Tigers in it. As they had back in April, Detroit got to Royals closer Quisenberry late. 
  • The Tigers head home with a chance to clinch the pennant. And I have a ticket.

Miscellany

  • Venue: Royals Stadium
  • Replacement Umpires: HP – Bill Deegan, 1B – Jon Bible, 2B – Randy Christal, 3B – Bob Jones, LF – Richard Denny, RF – Carl Nothnagel
  • Time of Game: 3:37
  • Attendance: 42,019

Birthdays

Matt Young, Eric Munson, Tim Hyers, Junior Felix, Steve Foucault, Chuck Scrivener, and the late Joe Wood and Fred House

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 550: 9/9 — Rarity: 2!

See you tomorrow.

Oct. 2, 1984: ALCS Game 1

Tigers 8 – Royals 1

W: Jack Morris (1-0) – L: Bud Black (0-1) – | Boxscore

Tigers lead series, 1-0.

Highlights

  • Alan Trammell had a night. He went 3 for 3 — with a triple and a homer — three RBI, two walks and two runs scored.
  • Morris was terrific: seven innings, one run on five hits, a walk and four strikeouts. Willie Hernández pitched two flawless innings.
  • How in the world did the Royals, with 20 fewer wins than the Tigers, get to host the first two games of this series? Baseball’s ridiculous alternate-year home-field advantage nonsense, that’s how.

Miscellany

  • Venue: Royals Stadium
  • Replacement Umpires: HP – Bill Deegan, 1B – Jon Bible, 2B – Randy Christal, 3B – Larry Zirbel, LF – Harold Jordan, RF – Mike O’Dell
  • Time of Game: 2:42
  • Attendance: 41,973

Birthdays

Alex Lange, Chad Smith, Victor Santos, Matt Walbeck, Dave Beard and the late Earl Wilson

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 549 8/9 — Rarity: 207

See you tomorrow.

Sept. 29, 1984: Tigers 11 – Yankees 3

W: Juan Berenguer (11-10) – L: Ron Guidry (10-11) – S: Roger Mason (1) | Boxscore

Record: 104-57 — 15 games up on Toronto

Highlights

  • Larry Herndon went three for five, including a solo homer, as the Tigers piled 11 hits on Guidry and 16 overall.
  • Berenguer pitched six innings allowing just two-hits … but six walks. Mason earned the three-inning save.

Miscellany

  • Venue: Yankee Stadium
  • Umpires: HP – Rich Garcia, 1B – Al Clark, 2B – Mike Reilly, 3B – Don Denkinger
  • Time of Game: 2:53
  • Attendance: 35,685

Birthdays

Jermaine Clark, Rob Deer, Jim Crawford, Rich Reese and the late Bob Anderson and Tony Rensa

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 546 9/9 — Rarity: 22

See you tomorrow.

Sept. 27, 1984: Yankees 2 – Tigers 1

W: Bob Shirley (3-3) – L: Willie Hernández (9-3) – S: Dave Righetti (31) | Boxscore

Record: 102-57 — 14 games up on Toronto

Highlights

  • Jack Morris started and other than being a little wild (a half-dozen walks), he was trending up for the postseason: seven innings, two hits and one run.
  • The Yankees had only four hits, but it was enough. Willie gave up the go-ahead run in the eighth.
  • The Tigers’ run came on Lance Parrish’s 32nd homer of the year, off Yankees starter Bob Shirley, in the fourth inning.

Miscellany

  • Venue: Yankee Stadium
  • Umpires: HP – Mike Reilly, 1B – Don Denkinger, 2B – Rich Garcia, 3B – Al Clark
  • Time of Game: 2:22
  • Attendance: 16,732

Birthdays

Gary Sutherland and the late Jerry Casale, Dave Wickersham, Whit Wyatt, Josh Billings, Chick Gagnon, Frank Gibson and Cy Ferry

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 544 9/9 — Rarity: 14

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See you tomorrow