Mark Wagner

Aug. 20, 1984: Tigers 14 – A’s 1

W: Jack Morris (16-8) – L: Curt Young (6-2) | Boxscore

Record: 82-44 — 10.5 games up on Toronto

Highlights

The Tigers blasted Oakland starter, Saginaw native and Central Michigan product, Young in his two innings: eight hits, six earned runs and two homers. He was replaced by Chuck Rainey who fared worse: 4^1/3 innings, 10 hits and eight runs.

All told, the Tigers amassed 20 hits. Larry Herndon, Darrell Evans and Doug Baker each had three hits, and Alan Trammell, Kirk Gibson and Chet Lemon contributed two each. Lemon, Gibby and Lance Parrish had homers.

The most-notable part of this game? Former Tigers infielder Mark Wagner pitched the final inning and two-thirds, allowing just two hits, a walk and striking out one (Johnny Grubb.)

Miscellany

Venue: Tiger Stadium
Umpires: HP – Durwood Merrill, 1B – Dan Morrison, 2B – Tim Welke, 3B – Marty Springstead
Time of Game: 2:45
Attendance: 38,431

Birthdays

Gene Kingsale, Jose Paniagua and the late George Zuverink, Beau Bell and Ross Reynolds

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 506 8/9 — Rarity: 123

See you tomorrow.

Aug. 13, 1984: Off Day in Detroit

The Angels are coming to town for a three-game series, starting with a doubleheader to make up for a May 13 rainout.

Aug. 13, 1980: Tigers 2 – Red Sox 1

W: Dan Petry (8-6) – L: John Tudor (3-2) – S: Aurelio López (17) | Boxscore

Record: 59-50 — Third place, 8.5 games behind the Yankees

Highlights

Petry pitched seven innings, scattered nine hits and struck out four. Tudor was good, too: six innings, four hits and two unearned runs.

Al Cowens and Mark Wagner drove in the Tigers runs, and Steve Kemp had two hits.

The Tigers made four errors: Petry, John Wockenfuss, and two by Tom Brookens.

Miscellany

Venue: Tiger Stadium
Umpires: HP – Fred Spenn, 1B – Al Clark, 2B – Steve Palermo, 3B – Larry McCoy
Time of Game: 2:56
Attendance: 24,565

Birthdays

Dustin Garneau, Román Colón, Jarrod Washburn, Eddie Gaillard and the late George Susce

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 499 5/9 — Rarity: 6

A mic-drop Grid.

See you tomorrow.

The Monday Fungo

Mark Wagner – #5

Infielder Mark Wagner debuted on Aug. 20, 1976, in a 3-2 Tigers win over the Twins at Tiger Stadium. He went 2 for 3 with an RBI, highlighted by a single, off lefty Eddie Bane, in his first major league at bat.

Here are four things to know about the guy nicknamed Peanut:

In five seasons with Detroit, the most games he played was 75, in 1979. He hit .271 with one homer and 13 RBI that year.
His first career home run came on May 11, 1977 at Tiger Stadium off the Twins’ Geoff Zahn. The Tigers won, 8-3.
On Dec. 10, 1980, the Tigers traded him to the Rangers for Kevin Saucier.
On Aug. 20, 1984, playing for his third and last club, the A’s, Wagner pitched the final 1-2⁄3 innings against the Tigers in relief of Chuck Rainey. He faced seven batters:
- Gave up hits to Doug Baker and Marty Castillo
- Walked Barbaro Garbey
- Struck out Johnny Grubb
- Yielded a sac fly to Dave Bergman but the run was charged to Rainey.

Random Game: April 26, 1977

White Sox 10 – Tigers 7 (14 innings)

W: Lerrin LaGrow (1-0) – L: Steve Foucault (0-1) | Boxscore

More proof of how baseball has changed over the past 50ish years: A 14-inning game and Ralph Houk used only three pitchers: Dave Rozema started and went 7 innings, John Hiller went 6 in relief, and Steve Foucault pitched the 14th, giving up three runs.

This was Rozema’s third career start and appearance.
Aurelio Rodriguez and Phil Mankowski teamed up to go 5 for 6 on the day.
Fellow St. Clair Shores native Jim Essian hit a paid of doubles in 6 at bats.
LaGrow went six innings in relief agains his former team.
Ron LeFlore had a rough day at the plate: 1 for 7, but he doubled in a run.

Miscellany

Umpires: HP – Don Denkinger, 1B – Larry McCoy, 2B – Durwood Merrill, 3B – Dave Phillips.
Time of Game: 3:58.
Attendance: 6,396.
Start Time Weather: 60° F

Birthdays

Nick Castellanos, Jack Hannahan, Mark Wagner and the late Les Mueller.

Today’s Grid

⚾️ Immaculate Grid 337 8/9 — Rarity: 132

See you tomorrow.