This was just going to be another luncheon at Comerica Park for the fantasy camp send off to Lakeland, Florida. Only this time, Kevin and I were going to interview former Tiger, Dave Bergman. There are two luncheon’s a year, at the COPA, for those of us who still long to wear a Tiger uniform and spend the weekend playing ball under the lights of a major league ballpark with former stars of our childhood.
When you think about the magical 1984 season for the Detroit Tigers, “hard working blue collar team” comes to mind. The 1984 Tigers cruised to a franchise-record 104 victories, besting their previous record of 103 set in 1968. Starting off at a 35-5 pace they easily won the Division, winning by a staggering 15 games over the Toronto Blue Jays. One of the players on that team was Dave Bergman. He played in the majors for a total of nineteen seasons; nine of those seasons were in Detroit. He also had a stint with the New York Yankees, Houston Astros, San Francisco Giants and a brief stay with the Philadelphia Phillies before he and pitcher Willie Hernandez were sent to the Tigers for John Wockenfuss and Glenn Owens.
Many Tiger fans will remember June 4th, 1984. It was the Monday Night Game of the Week, Roy Lee Jackson was on the mound for the Blue Jays and there were two men on base with two outs in the 11th inning. Bergman had a count of 3-2 and proceeded to foul off seven more pitches, for a thirteen pitch at bat. After seven minutes at the plate Bergman picked up a low pitch and slammed it into the upper deck of Tiger Stadium for a three-run walk-off home run.
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It’s playoff time and the Tigers are division champs. During spring training they said this club would finish 3rd or 4th, so here we are, facing off with the Yankees, in the first round.
Isn’t it sounding a little like 2006? I think this 2011 squad is a step up from our 2006 team, with many stars in the powerful lineup to the array of great pitching arms. Here’s hoping that this team can bring the championship trophy back to the “D”, although it’s a long way to go, with some good teams standing in their way.
We all should be proud of the way they’ve played this season. Go get ‘em boys … or should we say “Bless you Boys”.
As we head for the homestretch at the end of the season, and post season play is within reach for the Tigers, I would like to pose the question we hear on television daily … who’s your Tiger? I am going with Tiger relief pitcher Phil Coke. Why Phil, you ask? He’s not hitting .325, nor does he have 10 wins or 30 saves, but he is my Tiger, simply because I can see a different view of players than most fans. Phil does not pull any punches. Most players read off of a script and give you every answer as it’s written for them. Phil does not do that … he tells you like it is. He is one of the last guys off the field during batting practice because he is usually signing things for the fans. He reminds me of Todd Jones, with his smirk, some wise cracking, and being ready to play while giving his best when called into the game.
Drafted in the 26th round of the 2002 draft, Phil debuted with the Yankees on September 1st, 2008. He went to a World series with the Yankees and was involved in a three team trade in December 2009 bringing him to Detroit along with Austin Jackson. This year he was cast into the starting rotation with 14 starts, but his record does not reflect his pitching. Career wise he has a 14 and 17 record. Since rejoining the bullpen he has been instrumental in holding games for our closing staff, e.g., in Tampa, on August 23rd, he pitched two innings while fanning five batters.
Being part of the media allows me to talk to the players and ask some of those questions that sometimes cross lines. I respect the fact that Phil takes the time to answer my questions and school me on some baseball knowledge and is always straight with me. That’s why I choose Phil Coke as MY Tiger.
Well, its official. The lockout is over and we will have football this season.
That also means that we will have fantasy football. It’s a win-win for everyone.
The lions are looking to go into the 2011 season on the momentum they built up last year with 4 straight wins.
Free agency is also on the move and the Lions will be looking towards having more players sign on the dotted line.
Look for the sports show to start rolling on cable before football season begins. More details to follow.
Exciting stuff in Detroit sports. Lets also keep an eye on the division leading Detroit Tigers as they make a run for the post season.
Recently, I got to enjoy another perk of sports media, when I sat down with former Major Leaguer Pat Sheridan. What made this so enjoyable, is that I grew up watching the players from this era.
Pat was drafted in the 3rd round by the Kanas City Royals in 1979. He grew up in the area and went to Wayne Memorial and then Eastern University.
His debut game was Sept 16th, 1981 - he played ten more years - with the Royals, Toronto, Giants, Tigers and the Yankees. I remember his Tiger days from 86-89. In the 1987 ALCS he hit a homerun for the only win the Tigers could muster against Minnesota. In 1985 Pat was on the World Series Royals championship team and played for the Giants world series team that lost to Oakland in ‘89.
During our talk I enjoyed the stories he had of the Royals and of the Tigers. He never hesitated to sign the baseballs I had for him, and I even left with some “Pat Sheridan” baseball cards that he gave me. A true professional in all respects. The great thing is that he still calls Michigan his home and lives and works here. Thanks for being one of those players I grew up watching, that wore the Olde English D and are still representing Major League Baseball as professionals.
It was a great day today, at Comerica Park, as the Tigers retired Sparky Anderson’s number eleven. A great manager in any league, he was the first to win a World Series in both the National and American leagues.
In 1984 he led the Tigers to a World Series win over the San Diego Padres. It was their first series title since ‘1968′. In ‘1987′ they lost in the ACLS series to the Minnesota Twins.
During the ceremony today at the COPA, players from Sparky’s tenure were there to pay tribute. From my vantage point in the press box, when his number eleven was uncovered on the wall, it brought a tear to my eye.
I was able to interview some of the players I grew up watching in my youth. The 1984 team was a force, with a 35-5 start on the season they never looked back.
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Thanks to everyone who came and hung out with the ST60 crew at Kickers All Star Grill in Canton at the softball fields. We met a lot of new friends and had a great time. Mel and the staff took good care of us and the food was yummy. The trivia questions were flying and although we stumped a few of ya, many of the questions were answered. Thanks also to our sponsors the “M-Den” and “Fanatic U” for supplying merchandise for us to give out at the event. The ST60 crew can’t wait till next time. Check out some of the pics of the event from our great photo taker Roger K … can you say Pulitzer prize?
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