SABR Digital Library: Tigers by the Tale: Great Games at Michigan & Trumbull

Tigers by the Tale: Great Games at Michigan & Trumbull
Edited by Scott Ferkovich
Associate Editors: Bill Nowlin and Len Levin
Publication Date: May 26, 2016

ISBN (ebook): 978-1-9438-1620-0, $6.99
ISBN (paperback): 978-1-9438-1621-7, $12.95
8.5″ x 11″, 156 pages

For over 100 years, Michigan and Trumbull was the scene of some of the most exciting baseball ever. This SABR Digital Library book, the collaborative work of 34 members of the Society for American Baseball Research (SABR), portrays 50 classic games at the corner, spanning the earliest days of Bennett Park until Tiger Stadium’s final closing act. From Ty Cobb to Mickey Cochrane, Hank Greenberg to Al Kaline, and Willie Horton to Alan Trammell, the illustrious names of Tiger legends shine forth in these pages. A must-read for those who love the crack of the bat, the glory of green grass, and tales of great games well told.

“For 6,873 regular-season games, 35 postseason contents and a trio of spectacular All-Star Games, Tiger Stadium has been home to this great game of baseball. But more than anything, it has been a cherished home to our memories” — Ernie Harwell, Tigers broadcaster (1960-91, 1993-2002)

“It’s green and it’s beautiful. It has atmosphere. A guy feels like playing here.” — Rocky Colavito, Tigers All-Star outfielder (1960-63)

“I can show you where Gehrig spiked me. I grabbed him by the hair and stuck his nose in the dirt. I’m 155 pounds, and he’s 250 pounds. I was ready to hit him. Babe Ruth says to me, ‘Why you doing that?’ I said, ‘It’s my job.’” — Billy Rogell, shortstop on the 1935 world champion Tigers

“It looked like an impressive battleship, a fortress at Michigan and Trumbull.” — Al Kaline, Tigers Hall of Famer (1953-74)

“It’s obvious the damn thing is falling down.” — Coleman Young, mayor of Detroit (1974-94)

“You know, no fooling, every single time I came off the freeway, right there at Trumbull, when you turn and you see Tiger Stadium, oh, it’s a magnificent sight. It is a beautiful sight if you are a baseball fan.” — Sparky Anderson, manager of the 1984 world champion Tigers

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Below: Find memorable game stories from Tigers by the Tale: Great Games at Michigan & Trumbull

SABR Biography

Tiger Stadium served as the home stadium for the Detroit Tigers from 1912 to 1999. (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library)

Tiger Stadium served as the home stadium for the Detroit Tigers from 1912 to 1999. (National Baseball Hall of Fame Library)

Click here to read more about Tiger Stadium at the SABR BioProject


Game Stories

April 20, 1912: Frank Navin’s field of dreams opens in Detroit

April 25, 1901: Tigers’ ‘magnificent batting rally’ caps 10-run comeback in AL opener

April 28, 1896: There used to be a hay market here: Detroit Tigers open Bennett Park

April 30, 1922: Charlie Robertson’s perfect game

August 24, 1909: An honest slide by Ty Cobb — or malicious intent?

August 4, 1918: Ty Cobb’s single in 18th inning defeats Walter Johnson

July 1, 1945: Tigers’ Hank Greenberg returns to baseball

July 10, 1951: NL stars ‘loaded with power,’ bash AL in Detroit

July 13, 1971: Reggie Jackson hits the light tower at All-Star Game in Detroit

July 14, 1934: Tigers’ ‘G-Men’ pull off a miracle against Yankees

July 15, 1973: Nolan Ryan tosses second no-hitter of season for Angels

July 16, 1909: Tigers-Senators game called after 18 innings in scoreless tie

July 18, 1947: Tigers’ Hutchinson ends Yankees’ 19-game winning streak

July 20, 1947: Detroit fans set record attendance in series finale vs. Yankees

July 4, 1912: George Mullin tosses first Tigers no-hitter

July 8, 1941: Ted Williams hits ‘most thrilling’ home run to win All-Star Game in Detroit

June 13, 1924: Yankees win forfeited game in Detroit as ‘all hell breaks loose’

June 15, 1948: ‘Look at your wonderful lights here’: Tigers win first night game in Detroit

June 15, 1965: Denny McLain sets Tigers record with 14 strikeouts in relief

June 17, 1961: Tigers outslug Yankees and take first place

June 2, 1925: Tigers win 16-15 in a game as ‘wild as bedlam’

June 23, 1950: Hoot Evers helps Tigers set home run record in wild win over Yankees

June 24, 1962: Yankees outlast Tigers in 22-inning game

June 4, 1984: The Dave Bergman Game

May 10, 1927: Ty Cobb returns home to Detroit with Philadelphia A’s

May 15, 1952: Virgil Trucks’s first no-hitter ends with Tigers walk-off

May 28, 1995: ‘It’s silly to give up runs like that’: White Sox outlast Tigers, 14-12

May 4, 1939: Who is that Kid? Ted Williams homers in dramatic Detroit debut

May 7, 1974: LaGrow knuckles under to Wilbur Wood in classic pitchers duel

October 10, 1987: Local kid Pat Sheridan makes good with ALCS homer for Tigers

October 11, 1972: Northrup’s wallop wins it for Tigers in ALCS Game 4

October 14, 1909: Tigers top Pirates in ‘most exciting’ Game Six

October 14, 1984: Gibby cooks the Goose

October 2, 1927: Heilmann takes batting title on season-ending spree

October 2, 1972: Lolich fans 15 as Tigers take over first place

October 4, 1934: Tigers’ Rowe takes Cardinals to ‘School’ in Game 2

October 4, 1987: Tanana beats Toronto to clinch division title

October 5, 1984: Slurves, Yackadoos, and an American League pennant

October 6, 1940: Bobo Newsom honors father with World Series win

October 7, 1935: Tigers’ Goose Goslin wins World Series with walk-off single

October 7, 1968: Jose Feliciano lights Tigers’ fire

October 9, 1934: ‘A case for Judge Landis’: Medwick tossed in World Series melee as Cardinals win Game 7

September 10, 1934: Happy New Year, Hank Greenberg!

September 14, 1968: Denny McLain’s 30th victory

September 14, 1998: White Sox, Tigers use record 18 pitchers in offensive outburst

September 17, 1968: Unlikely heroes Sparma, Wert clinch AL pennant for Tigers

September 20, 1912: Smoky Joe Wood foiled by Tigers after 16 straight wins

September 27, 1999: Tears and cheers: Tiger Stadium hosts final game


Contributors: David W. Anderson, William M. Anderson, Will Bennett, Rich Bogovich, Raymond Buzenski, Marcus W. Dickson, Scott Dominiak, Scott Ferkovich, David Fleitz, Brent Heutmaker, Maxwell Kates, Matt Keelean, Jeffrey Koslowski, Steven Kuehl, Marc Lancaster, Susan A. Lantz, Doug Lehman, Len Levin, Mitch Lutzke, Mike Lynch, John Milner, Jerry Nechal, Bill Nowlin, Dave Raglin, Richard Riis, Ruth Sadler, Jeff Samoray, Terry Sloope, Steve J. Weiss, Mike Whiteman, Phil Williams, Jim Wohlenhaus, and Gregory H. Wolf.

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