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.
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.
Longtime baseball manager Ralph Houk has passed away at the age of 90. His career spanned twenty years including one stint with our very own Tigers (1974-78).
His claim to fame was becoming the New York Yankees manager who replaced the legendary Casey Stengel, during the year that Mantle and Maris battled Babe Ruth’s record of 60 homers.
He broke into the major leagues as a catcher with the Yankees but caught less than 100 games in his career. He spent eight seasons as backup to Hall of Fame catcher Yogi Berra.
After becoming manager in 1961, Ralph Houk would go on to win two world series titles with the Yanks.
A legend has passed in our baseball community. New York Yankee owner George Steinbrenner, dead at the age of 80.
He took over the Yankee dynasty around 1973 and brought them seven championships throughout the years. There was never a dull moment, especially with the escapades of manager Billy Martin who was always fired and rehired. “Once a yankee, always a yankee”, was the oft repeated saying.
I thought he was a straight shooter who ran his club the way he determined was best. Rest in peace, George.
In the local scene, ex Red Wing player, Bob Probert passed away recently at the age of 45. Many of us remember him fondly, especially all the fights he had as a player here. Thanks for the memories Bob.
Well, it’s the talk of Tiger town and the country; even the President has chimed in on it. I am sure that our Friday show will revolve around, “the play heard round the world”.
On a warm June night at Comerica Park, history was set to unfold, for the 21st time in baseball history. It would’ve been a first for any Tiger pitcher … to pitch a perfect game. With twenty-seven batters up, twenty-seven batters down, and two outs in the ninth; after some great defensive help a lonely grounder between first base and second lead to the call that everyone dreaded… “Safe”.
How could that be? He was out by at least a step. Major league umpire James Joyce missed the call. Tiger pitcher Galarraga just smiled, first baseman Cabrera put his hands on his head, and Cleveland’s Jason Donald did the same in disbelief, wondering if he really beat out the play.
It was human error… a split decision on a bang bang play. The umpire had no luxury of instant replay, he made a call and thought he was right, until he saw the replay after the game and knew he had made a mistake.
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Hey gang!
As you know, the world of baseball has lost a legend, with the passing of Ernie Harwell. When you think of Tiger baseball, Ernie has to be one of the first thoughts that run through your mind, with his distinct voice and the many colorful phrases he used to describe a homerun or strike out.
My memories of Ernie will always be the summers in the driveway listening to the Tigers on WJR with my dad. We could be working in the yard or just sitting there and that voice just made summer. He will be truly missed by many. The Olde English D has a crack in it today - Rest well - you have touched many, many fans of Tiger baseball and can never be replaced.
Leave us your favorite Ernie story.
Hello all! Spring is beginning to get to me … and to prove it, I let Kevin (of our Sports Talk 60 crew) talk me into attending the Fantasy Campers Luncheon at Comerica Park with him today. I was his guest, as Kevin has played in this event for the last few years.
Every year the Detroit Tigers host a Fantasy Camp, where you can play baseball under the watchful eye and coaching of some of the Tiger all time “greats”. When I say “greats”, it does have something to do with their stats and the way they played, but it also is a dedication to the fans, that they prove, by doing these events year after year.
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