According to Baseball Reference, 54 players have worn the number 12 in Tigers franchise history. Casey Mize currently wears it. Let’s look at a few Tigers that wore number 12 during the Fungo’s focus, 1977 through 1994:
In a runaway season, perhaps it was appropriate to have a nail biter to clinch the pennant.
I was at this game with my brother and girlfriends at the time, sitting in the lower deck centerfield bleachers, perched as dead-center as you could get. We were there early and just could not believe we were at a Tigers playoff game.
The Tigers got on the board early in this one, in the bottom of the second, scoring in the most boring way possible. Bárbaro Garbey hit an infield single, Chet Lemon followed with grounder to third; George Brett threw out Garbey at second. Then, Darrell Evans hit a single to center, Chet took third. Marty Castillo hit into a force out at second, Chet scored. Tiger 1, Royals 0.
Speaking of Brett, he had a 1 for 4 night, and every time he came up we held our breath. Two of his outs were unpleasant: A short fly out to right in his first at bat, and a drive to deep-ish center in his third. Off the bat they seemed destined for the seats.
Here’s an understatement: Wilcox dazzled that night [video], allowing just two hits and two walks over eight innings. He also struck out eight. Meanwhile, poor Charlie Leibrandt was almost as good: 8 innings, 3 hits, 4 walks and 6 strikeouts in his eight innings. I did not feel bad about this at the time.
After Castillo caught the final out, we watched the bedlam from the section where the batting cage was stored. After a while, Gibby, Milt and Sparky were all brought out there on a golf cart and driven under the bleachers. I’d later find out that’s where the Tigers had set up an interview room for the postseason. Tiger Stadium had an “interview room”?
Before we left, I asked one of Detroit’s finest if he would hand me a chunk of outfield sod that was lying at his feet. He reluctantly did, folding it so it would fit in a space in the fence. That weekend, I planted it in my parents’ backyard and it took root and I like to think it’s still there.
Miscellany
Venue: Tiger Stadium
ReplacementUmpires: HP – Bill Deegan, 1B – Jon Bible, 2B – Randy Christal, 3B – Doug Cossey, LF – Dick Runchey, RF – Dick Zivic
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
ReplacementUmpires: HP – Bill Deegan, 1B – Jon Bible, 2B – Randy Christal, 3B – Larry Zirbel, LF – Harold Jordan, RF – Mike O’Dell
This win was the Tigers’ 100th of the year, only the sixth time in franchise history to that point, and the first since 1968, they reached that mark. It was also The Cat’s final win and Willie’s final save of the regular season.
Speaking of Morris, he was outstanding: six innings, two hits, four walks and four strikeouts.
The Tigers offensive highlights were homers by Marty Castillo, his fourth of the year, and Kirk Gibson, his 27th.
Detroit’s next home game will be Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.
Miscellany
Venue: Tiger Stadium
Umpires: HP – Mike Reilly, 1B – Don Denkinger, 2B – Rich Garcia, 3B – Al Clark
The Tigers were up 7-0 in third inning and banged out 12 hits off five Blue Jays pitchers. Berenguer eked out a five-inning win, allowing three hits, two runs and striking out four.
The Tigers dropped five runs on Tommy John in the third inning — he allowed only two hits but walked five — and then they scored another run, on reliever Curt Kaufman.
Over the next 32/3 innings, Kaufman gave up six runs on seven hits, three of them solo homers by Chet Lemon and Marty Castillo and Kirk Gibson. When the Angels came to bat in the bottom of the sixth, they were down 11-0. Gibby cranked another in the ninth off Angels lefty John Curtis.
Milt pitched six innings, giving up five hits, three unearned runs, and striking out five.
Miscellany
Venue: Anaheim Stadium
Umpires: HP – Nick Bremigan, 1B – Vic Voltaggio, 2B – Larry McCoy, 3B – Joe Brinkman
The Angels jumped on Peaches for four runs in the first, yet he went the distance allowing the one more run; all in he allowed six hits plus three walks.
Just another dominant performance against the Tigers for rookie Mark Langston. In two starts in 1984, the lefty pitched 171/3 innings, allowed two runs on six hits and struck out 23. In this one, he tossed 81/3, scattering four hits and striking out 11.
Petry went the distance, giving up 10 hits and four earned, and he struck out 11 as well.
The Tigers’ run came on a bases-loaded walk by Marty Castillo in the fourth.
Miscellany
Venue: Tiger Stadium
Umpires: HP – Dave Phillips, 1B – Steve Palermo, 2B – Rick Reed, 3B – John Hirschbeck
Juan Berenguer dominated: 81/3 innings, three hits, 12 strikeouts.
The Tigers had just five hits and Kirk Gibson had the big one: a three-run homer in the sixth off Mariners’ starter Geisel. Marty Castillo and Lance Parrish both doubled.
“Juan Berenguer pitched the game of his career. It certainly was the best game we’ve pitched in the last two months.” — Sparky, “Bless You Boys”
Miscellany
Venue: Tiger Stadium
Umpires: HP – John Hirschbeck, 1B – Dave Phillips, 2B – Steve Palermo, 3B – Rick Reed
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