Detroit's Demise

Sparky looks on, as the 84' team fizzles out early.

Back in 1984, the Detroit Tigers came roaring out of the gates with a Major League record 35-5 start, first place the entire length of the season. We all know the story, Willie Hernandez's Cy Young & MVP season, Gibby's shot off Gossage in the World Series; so why can I not get them to win in APBA Baseball? LOL!

No, seriously?

During a 4-game exhibition series against the 1986 New York Mets, they ended up getting swept! So when they were matched up against the 1980 Kansas City Royals, who have only two 'B' Starting Pitchers and only one 'B' reliever (Dan Quisenberry), and a mediocre lineup -- I figured they would be going on to Round 2 in the Wagner Bracket of my APBA Tournament of Champions.

Counting the exhibition series and the tournament series against K.C., the 84' Tigers' combined record is a miserable 2-7! It doesn't help the fact that the 1968 Detroit Tigers were sent home in the first round (losing their series 3-1), but their match-up against the 1929 Chicago Cubs was a tough one. The Tigers only had to worry about George Brett, and apparently Clint Hurdle who had Tiger fans cursing his name.

Hurdle, went 8-for-19 (.421), HR, 2 2B's & 3B, plus 6 RBI's. He went 3-for-7 in the clincher, a triple shy of the cycle with 3 ribbies. He only got as much playing time due to Amos Otis's struggles at the plate.

Lance Parrish and Chet Lemon, each had 3 HR's in the series; while Lou Whitaker (the lead-off man) had a lousy series, batting .136 (3 hits in 22 at-bats)!



The tournament will continue soon, while I continue to calculate results & statistics, while also working on plenty of series recaps from the tournament as well. I also have bought poster-boards to show my tournament in the near future (I tell ya fitting in 64 teams is tough!).