Top Ten Greatest Tigers Players by Position

[kalinecountry]

“They called me all the names, ‘Con,’ ‘Jailbird,’ the whole thing. They were pretty vicious. Some of the guys wanted to go up into the stands after those people, but I told them to just let it lay. It made me do better. It made me try harder. I decided that they could beat me physically, but no way were they going to beat me mentally. And do you know something, I hit the ball hard that season and led the league in hitting".
Gates Brown Hit .321 at Durham, Carolina League,`61. "I took a little English, a little mathematics, some science, some hubcaps, some wheel covers.” Gates Brown when asked what he had majored in back in high school. Signed from Mansfield Reformatory in Ohio by ex-Tiger and then scout Pat Mullin. Location for “The Shawshank Redemption”.

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[kalinecountry]

When superstars bid adieu: Lessons from the final games for Kaline and Cabrera

Farewells and how they intersect with our Detroit sports world. Final games bring wishes for highlight worthy moments.

www.vintagedetroit.com

When superstars bid adieu: Lessons from the final games for Al Kaline and Miguel Cabrera.
Vintage Detroit

 

[kalinecountry]

Missed Opportunities – All About Baseball with Byron Copley

byroncopley.com

Missed Opportunities.
ByronCopley.com

 

[kalinecountry]

Appreciation post for Jim Schmakel, longtime Tigers Clubhouse Manager, who announced his retirement.
Jim started with the Tigers in 1978, but began his baseball career a decade earlier. Here he is (bottom row, far left) as a batboy in the 1966 Toledo Mud Hens team photo.
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[kalinecountry]

You’re looking at 1,101 HRs. Mid to late '60's 3/4/5 Hitters.

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[kalinecountry]

Today In 1934: Hank Greenberg towers over his Detroit Tigers teammates at Spring Training camp in Lakeland, Florida! Left to right: Gehringer, Rogell, Walker.
Tigers have been in Lakeland for over 100 years.

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[kalinecountry]

Sparky Anderson shares a laugh with Lou Whitaker during a photo session at Tiger Stadium on June 14, 1979, following his introduction to the media as the team's new manager. Whitaker was on the disabled list at the time (and looking sharp).

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[kalinecountry]

I wrote a poem for the late Ernie Harwell, beloved voice of the Detroit Tigers | Letters

The late Ernie Harwell's contributions to the Detroit Tigers are truly immeasurable. In honor of his legacy, I have crafted a heartfelt poem.

www.freep.com

I wrote a poem for the late Ernie Harwell, beloved voice of the Detroit Tigers | Letters.
Freep

 

[kalinecountry]

https://www.vintagedetroit.com/ernie-and-two-guys-named-al/

Ernie and two guys named Al.
Vintage Detroit

 

[kalinecountry]

"How I Won The Batting Championship" - Detroit Tigers star Harry Heilmann (Baseball Magazine - March 1922) Harry hit for a .394 BA in 1921, beating teammate Ty Cobb, who hit .389! Babe Ruth finished third at .378!

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[kalinecountry]

Players who had at least a 200 OPS+ over 3 seasons with 1,000 + PAs

I got all the data from Baseball Reference and Stathead. I had Stathead call up all the guys in the AL/NL in each age group starting from 17...

cybermetric.blogspot.com

Players who had at least 200 OPS+ over 3 seasons with 1,000 + PAs. One Tigers player, and one who played for the Detroit Wolverines in the NL.

 

[kalinecountry]

“First, it was so hot and rainy in Florida in the summer. Also,white kids didn’t play against black kids in Florida. I chose to come up and live with my grandparents, who lived on perimeter of Detroit. I played amateur baseball downtown and I got into tough competition".
Bill Freehan

"Bill Freehan was one of the greatest men I’ve ever played alongside, or had the pleasure of knowing".
Willie Horton

Horton was signed by the Tigers as a catcher, the Tigers then asked Willie Horton to play the outfield because this kid, Bill Freehan had showed up!!!
There are only 19 catchers elected to the HOF!!! In my HOF!!!

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[kalinecountry]

31 of the best Detroit Tigers to ever play the game

Today we celebrate the legends who have donned the Old English 'D', showcasing the brilliance of those who defined the team's legacy.

www.freep.com

31 of the best Detroit Tigers to ever play the game.
Freep

 

[kalinecountry]

https://www.vintagedetroit.com/opening-day-event-planned-at-the-elmwood-cemetery-gravesite-of-one-of-detroits-first-baseball-stars-big-sam-thompson/

Opening Day Event Planned at the Elmwood Cemetery Gravesite of One of Detroit’s First Baseball Stars, “Big Sam” Thompson.
Vintage Detroit

 

[kalinecountry]

Friday Open Thread: Who are your top 5 Tigers of all time?

No limits on time frame, no skill level requirements.

www.blessyouboys.com

Friday Open Thread: Who are your top 5 Tigers of all time?
No limits on time frame, no skill level requirements.
BYBTB

 

[kalinecountry]

Inside-the-park home runs are one of the most exciting events in baseball. Hall of Famer Sam Crawford, who was born #OTD in 1880, hit 12 of them in 1901 – a single-season record that stands to this day.

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[kalinecountry]

"Billy Martin said I was his workhorse and he gave me a load of confidence. I liked the guy and he made all the difference for me in my career. He was the best manager I ever played for. He knew what was going on and was always two innings ahead of the other manager.
One game, I got out of the inning and when I walked into dugout Martin said,‘Who the F*** were you looking at?’ I said ‘I was getting shelled, thought you might make a move. Billy said, ‘don’t you remember, I said that you are in game until at least sixth no matter what score is?
I never used ice. I would stand in the shower after a game, soak my arm under hot water for 30 minutes. Water was scalding hot. My arm would be red, but it would feel fine and I’d be throwing on the sidelines in two days. I never had a sore arm".
Mickey Lolich

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[kalinecountry]

One day Gates Brown wasn't in the Tigers starting lineup, so he grabbed two hot dogs from the clubhouse. Manager Mayo Smith told him to pinch hit. He stuffed the hot dogs in his jersey to hide them from his manager."I always wanted to get a hit every time I went to the plate. This was one time I didn't want to get a hit. I'll be damned if I didn't smack one in the gap and I had to slide into second-head first, no less. I was safe at second with a double. But when I stoop up, I had mustard and ketchup and smashed hot dogs and buns all over me. The fielders took one look at me, turned their backs and damned near busted a gut laughing at me. My teammates in the dugout went crazy."Gates Brown was then fined $100 and when Mgr. Smith asked him what he was doing, the hitter came clean:"I said, 'I was hungry. Besides, where else can you eat a hot dog and have the best seat in the house?''

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