Apr
29 years ago today, Detroit Tigers pitcher Jack Morris no-hit the Chicago White Sox, striking out eight and walking six in a 4-0 win. It was an auspicious start for Detroit, who led the American League East wire-to-wire and won the ’84 World Series 4-1 over the San Diego Padres.
Oct
On this day in 1968, Detroit Tigers pitcher Mickey Lolich won his third game of the ’68 World Series, outdueling Bob Gibson to defeat the St. Louis Cardinals. Although Gibson struck out eight in a losing cause (giving him a record 35 Ks by one pitcher in a Series) Lolich was named World Series MVP.
Jul
On July 19th 1927, Philadelphia Athletics outfielder Ty Cobb doubled in his first at-bat against the Detroit Tigers (his former team), becoming the first major league player to amass 4,000 career hits.
Jul
On this day in 1934, Yankees slugger Babe Ruth hit his 700th home run, a 480-foot shot off Detroit righty Tommy Bridges in Tiger Stadium. Ruth would retire less than a year later with 714 career homers.
Jun
64 years ago today, Indians pitcher Bob Lemon threw the ninth no-hitter in franchise history, a 2-0 win vs. the Tigers.
May
On May 5th 1987, the Detroit Tigers sat 11 games back in the American League East after a 9-16 start. Led by six-time All-Star shortstop Alan Trammell (who finished second in the AL MVP voting), the Tigers eventually won the division by two games before bowing to the AL West champion Minnesota Twins in the ALCS.
Apr
On this day in 1961, New York Yankees rightfielder Roger Maris hit his first home run of the season, off Detroit Tigers righty Paul Foytack in the fifth inning of a 4-3 Yankee win. Before the season, when an AP reporter asked Maris about the probability of a player breaking Babe Ruth’s single-season home run record, he replied, “Nobody will touch it… Look up the records and you’ll see that it’s a rare year when anybody hits 50 homers, let alone 60.” Maris finished the season with 61 home runs, setting a major league record that would stand until 1998.
Oct
On this day in 1945, Chicago tavern owner Billy Sianis bought his pet goat a seat for Game 4 of the World Series, hoping to watch his hometown Cubs defeat the visiting Detroit Tigers. According to legend, the goat began eating other fans’ hot dogs, leading ushers to escort both Sianis and his goat to the exit. Outraged, Sianis decalred, “Them Cubs, they ain’t gonna win no more.” Chicago wound up losing Game 4 (and the series), and “The Curse of the Billy Goat” stuck: the Cubs haven’t returned to the World Series since, the longest title drought in all four of the major American professional sports leagues.
Oct
On October 3rd 1981, the Brewers beat the visiting Tigers 2-1 to clinch their first division title since 1970. Rollie Fingers pitched the ninth and earned the win, and was the first relief pitcher in the history of the American League to win the MVP award. Milwaukee won the second half of the strike-shortened ’81 season and faced the Yankees in a best-of-five divisional playoff, bowing to New York in five games.
Sep
On this day in 1968, Tigers pitcher Denny McLain won his 31st game of the season, a complete game 6-2 victory over the Yankees. With the win, McLain became the last Major League pitcher to win 30 or more games in a season—a feat accomplished by only 13 players in the 20th century.
