Official Blog | Saturday | March 20th, 2010

Mar
09

The Detroit Tigers’ Pixie Shortstop Donie Bush

By Steve Thomas

Long before shortstops were expected to bat .300 and hit for power, the Detroit Tigers fielded a miniature fielding machine named Donie Bush.

detroit-tigers-donie-bushHis career with the Tigers began in 1908 and blossomed the next year as Bush became the team’s full-time shortstop for the 1909 American League champions. Bush, 22 at the time, stood at 5′ 6″ and weighed a mere 140 lbs. Over the course of his 14 year Major League career, the switch-hitting Bush accumulated 1804 hits, 1158 walks, and scored 1280 runs. He also had an impressive .937 fielding percentage. His lifetime batting average was .250.

During his rookie season, Bush led the American League in games played (157), plate appearances (676), sacrifice hits (52), and walks (88).

Bush is often overlooked by Tigers fans because he played in the shadows of Ty Cobb, Sam Crawford and Harry Heilmann. But during the 1909 World Series, Cobb and Crawford slumped, and Bush was the star of the show as he played the role of counterpart to Pittsburgh Pirates’ SS Honus Wagner.

In the ‘09 World Series, Bush batted .318 with 7 hits, 5 walks, 5 runs and 3 RBIs. At short, Bush had 9 putouts, 18 assists and 3 double plays. The Series went seven games, but Detroit lost the deciding game at Bennett Park. It was their third consecutive World Series appearance to end in disappointment.

In his day, Donie Bush would have been the pride of Detroit baseball. He may have been small, but he left a large impression on the Tigers faithful. It is with great pride that we remember Tigers great Donie Bush.

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Mar
08

Detroit Lions Make Early Off-Season Splash

By Jeff Lutz

The news that the Lions had kicked off their own offseason with a number of free agent signings, and for once, a trade that seems like a steal, may be a shock to most of us that picked up the paper or read online about the news. We have grown accustomed to hear the negative news about the Lions, the jokes and the disappointment that has come with one losing season after another. Each coach has brought their own system and the players associated with that system, leaving behind a trail of despair with stains of losing. Time will only tell whether this week will mean something on the field, but the warnings have been sent that this team has no intentions to lie down to the rest of the NFL.

Kyle Vanden Bosch.

Kyle Vanden Bosch is a fantastic addition to any team. Sure, his production has declined in recent years, but listen to Titans defensive players and they will mention his leadership. Listen to community members in Lincoln, Neb. and Nashville and they will mention his charity. When Jim Schwartz rang the KVB door bell at midnight, he made the commitment necessary to demonstrate where the Lions need to be.

This team has begun to fortify that defensive line with players who know how to win, and help is soon to be on its way.

When the Lions make their draft selection in a few weeks time, the massive amount of holes on the team will have decreased. Though the latest moves have not created a game-changing scenario, the next draft pick will not have the entire weight of the team on their shoulders. Think how differently this team would play if Calvin Johnson had some support around him, or if Ernie Sims had joined the team when there were champions around him. No matter which player the Lions select this April, he will be surrounded by more winners than his predecessors.

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Mar
07

“Black Mike” and Detroit’s Roaring ’30s

By Steve Thomas

We know of him as “Mickey” or “Black Mike,” but his real name was Gordon Stanley Cochrane. He was born 107 years ago in Bridgewater, Massachusetts in the spring of 1903 to Scottish immigrant parents.

For Detroit Tigers fans, however, his life began in 1934 when owner Frank Navin was unable to acquire Babe Ruth in the off-season and instead brought Cochrane onboard to serve as player-manager. The Tigers traded Johnny Pasek and $100,000 to the Philadelphia Athletics to acquire him.

mickeycochraneCochrane was a fiery ballplayer and a fabulous catcher. He proved to be the missing ingredient the Tigers needed to bring a championship to Detroit. Cochrane led the Tigers to two consecutive World Series appearances — and their first World Championship in 1935.

Many Tigers historians consider the 1934 Detroit Tigers to be the best team the franchise ever fielded. Cochrane joined forces with Hank Greenberg, Charlie Gehringer, Billy Rogell, Goose Goslin, Schoolboy Rowe, Tommy Bridges and Elden Auker that year to compile a 101-53 regular season record which still stands as the team’s all-time best winning percentage at .656.

Unfortunately, the St. Louis Cardinals’ Gas House Gang defeated the Tigers in seven games in the World Series. Cochrane won the American League’s Most Valuable Player award in 1934 by batting .320 with a .428 on base percentage, 76 RBIs, and 32 doubles. He was the first catcher to be named the American League MVP.

The very next season, the Tigers were back at it in the post season — this time against the Chicago Cubs. The Tigers limped through the season at times and almost lost the pennant to the New York Yankees as the season came to an end. But they clung to a three game lead that gave them their second American League Pennant in a row.

The Cubs, on the other hand, were red hot when the 1935 World Series began. The team won an amazing 21 games in a row during the month of September. Every indication was that the Cubs were going to steam roll the ailing Tigers who ended the season by losing 6 of their last 7 games. Momentum was definitely on the side of the Cubs.

After losing Game 1 to the Cubbies, Hank Greenberg suffered a broken wrist in Game 2 and missed the remainder of the Series. Detroit won the game, but it looked as though fate, once again, was working against the Tigers.

Even without Greenberg, the Tigers continued to battle against Chicago. The Series ended at Detroit’s Navin Field on October 7 in the sixth and deciding game. Fittingly, it was Mickey Cochrane who crossed the plate in the ninth inning to score the winning run that gave Detroit its first World Championship since the Detroit Wolverines held the title in 1887.

What Cochrane gave to Detroit was a much-needed emotional lift as the population suffered through the Great Depression. As a result of his effort, many Detroiters think of the 1930s as a golden age despite the economic woes that plagued them. To this day, Detroit owes a tremendous debt of gratitude to “Black Mike” and the roaring Tigers of the 1930s.

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Mar
06

Abbott & Costello’s Baseball Classic “Who’s On First?”

By Steve Thomas

Abbott & Costello’s “Who’s On First?” routine has been a part of American pop culture for over 70 years. It was first performed by the pair in 1937 shortly after they formed their burlesque team. This was back in the days when they were appearing in vaudeville revues and the like.

In Cooperstown, New York, a video of “Who’s On First?” is shown in a never-ending loop at the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Time Magazine rated “Who’s On First?” the greatest comedy sketch of the 20th century.

The general premise behind the exchange has Costello (a peanut vendor named Sebastion Dinwiddle) talking to Abbott who is Dexter Broadhurt, the manager of the mythical St. Louis Wolves. However, before Costello can get behind the plate, Abbott wants to make sure he knows every one’s name on the team.  What follows is an intricately woven exchange between the two legends of comedy.

Here is a clip of the comedy duo performing “Who’s On First?” in the 1945 movie, The Naughty Nineties.

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Mar
05

Remembering George Kell’s Tiger Pre-Game Show

By Bill Dow

Growing up in the 1960s, one of my favorite Saturday afternoon delights was tuning into the WJBK telecast from Tiger Stadium for George Kell’s pre-game show called “Tiger Warm Up.” (Black and white television, mind you.)

Standing behind the batting cage, Kell would greet the fans with, “Good afternoon everybody, this is George Kell for another Tiger Warm Up, and my guest today is Tiger first baseman Norman Cash.” Or perhaps, ”Minnesota’s fine manager Sam Mele.”

In the background you could hear that glorious sound of the balls being launched out of the batting cage and sometimes see your favorite player walk into the cage to take their cuts. In the meantime, Kell, in his warm and familiar Arkansas accent would ask each guest aspects of the game and perhaps what their outlook was for the coming season.

Somehow these simple interviews put me right into the game and set me up for the upcoming telecast. My only regret was that I was not going to be sitting in one of those green seats and seeing the game in all that Technicolor.

Compared to today’s often overhyped baseball coverage, like the 24-hour MLB network shows and all the fancy pre-game stuff, Kell’s simple “Tiger Warm Up” seems rather outdated. But for me, back when there were only four television stations to tune into and there were very few baseball games to watch except for the odd Tiger telecast or NBC’s game of the week, Kell’s pre-game show was just perfect.

Oh and by the way. If “Tiger Warm Up” was being taped down at Comerica Park today, you wouldn’t even hear the wonderful background sound of the balls being knocked out of the batting cage. Why? Because of all the extremely loud and obnoxious high decibel crap being blown out of the loudspeakers during batting practice.

Memo to the Tigers’ new president Tom Wilson: Turn it down. Or better yet, off.

Detroit Tigers announcer George Kell on the field at Tiger Stadium during his pre-game show "Tiger Warm Up."

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Mar
04

The Detroit Tigers’ New Coke

By Jeff Lutz

Doesn’t it always happen this way? Team makes blockbuster trade, team gets throw-in player to even up deal, throw-in becomes best player in trade. While the Tigers wouldn’t mind him being a close second to Austin Jackson, Phil Coke needs to make an impact this year if the Tigers plan on doing anything late in the season.

Coke may be the answer to the fifth spot/lefty scenario. While Dontrelle Willis and Nate Robertson have the big contracts associated with their southpaw arms, Coke has the drive of a player looking for a big deal similar to his pitching competitors. His immediate impression on Leyland and Co. was also a solid one, as he made it clear from day one that he was willing to do whatever it takes to get a spot on a Major League roster.

If the Tigers do plan to make Coke a starter, the stretching out phase should begin immediately. If the Tigers were to break camp with only four legitimate starters (while waiting for Coke), the potential is there for the relievers to get overtaxed. An overexerted bullpen in April and May does not fit well for chances in September and beyond. I’ve always felt that spring training lasts too long for these players, but in Coke’s case, the amount of chances to take the mound may be a good thing.

Also to note: the Tigers may not be sounding the warning bell, but the players that have been thrown out on the field the first two games show that this team is looking for immediate impact players. Jackson and Sizemore will be under a heavy microscope during these few weeks, as will players like Bonderman and Robertson.

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Mar
03

Listen To a Rare Ty Cobb Radio Interview

By Steve Thomas

Ty Cobb shaped and defined Detroit baseball more than any other player. The Georgia Peach’s aggressive, gritty style of play is the foundation upon which the Detroit Tigers franchise is built.

While there is ample video footage of Cobb during his playing days, very little audio exists. That’s because video cameras didn’t capture sound in those days.

This clip provides audio from a radio interview that Ty Cobb gave on the Coca-Cola Top Notchers program in 1930. The interview is conducted by famous sportswriter Grantland Rice.

I can tell that the interview was scripted because I’ve heard other, more candid talks by Cobb. In any event, it’s still amazingly cool to hear Cobb’s voice — and to hear him share insights from his remarkable career.

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Mar
02

The Forgotten Detroit Tigers’ Season of 1915

By Steve Thomas

It’s fairly easy to recall most of the years the Detroit Tigers have won 100 games or more because most times the feat included a memorable post season.  However, there are two seasons in which the Tigers won at least 100 games and finished in second place.

One year is still relatively fresh in Tigers fans’ minds.  In 1961, the Tigs won an impressive 101 games and finished eight games behind the New York Yankees.

The other year is one most fans overlook.  It was the magical season of 1915.  That year, the Tigers won exactly 100 games in a 154 game season and finished second to Babe Ruth’s Boston Red Sox. 

 Ty Cobb led the Tigers with a .369 average and orchestrated an incredible offensive attack.  He stole 96 bases (including home six times), scored 144 runs, had 99 RBI, and boasted a .486 on-base percentage. 

In reality, 1915 may have been Cobb’s best hope of being a World Series champion.  In 1907, 1908, and 1909, the Tigers were very young and outmatched by both the Chicago Cubs and the Pittsburgh Pirates.  If Detroit had won the American League pennant in 1915, they would have faced the Philadelphia Phillies — a team the Red Sox knocked out 4 games to 1 in the World Series. 

More importantly, in 1915, Cobb, 28, was a seasoned veteran and had Sam Crawford and Bobby Veach in his outfield.  The Detroit trio is still regarded today as one of the greatest outfields of all-time.

Unfortunately for Cobb and the Tigers, Ruth’s first full season was also 1915 and his pitching and hitting abilities proved to be the difference.

The baseball magic in Detroit must have been overwhelming that year.  Navin Field was only four years old, the Tigers drew nearly a half million fans, and the American automobile industry was really starting to blossom.  Detroit was in its heyday and the Tigers were the center of its entertainment world.

1915 may not resonate with Tigers fans today, but it is unquestionably one of the greatest seasons in the team’s 115 year history.

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Mar
01

Congrats to Motown’s Hockey Elite

By Jeff Lutz

At the conclusion of Sunday’s incredible hockey game between the US and Canada, all of us here in the Metro area can honestly say that we were in a win-win situation. Being American, it would have been something unimaginable if Canada had lost to the US on Canadian soil. The Canadian win means that Mike Babcock and Steve Yzerman have the golden touch and we don’t have to hear of 30 million-plus complaints for four years.

To think that the US is still without a men’s hockey gold on foreign soil, is somewhat disheartening. The country that is home to the most elite, professional teams in the world has seen a unique birth and rebirth over the past few decades. Herb Brooks parts I and II were pretty spectacular, as were the silver medal teams of 2002 and 2010. The Motown connection to some of this Olympics’ top players was pretty remarkable, especially those members of Team USA.

Ryan Miller was spectacular in net throughout the games. He and fellow net-minder Tim Thomas are both native Michiganders and really represented our country well over those six games. Red Wing and Michigan native Brian Rafalski had one of the most unbelievable two game spans, concluding with an unbelievable effort against the Canadians in group play. Tim Gleason is a young defenseman who is coming into his own recently, spending time away from his native Clawson. Livonia’s Ryan Kesler felt right at home in Vancouver, and played like he was back at the old ice rink on Six Mile.

Congrats to our Michiganders, our Red Wings and to our Canadian neighbors for an incredible Vancouver Winter Olympics hockey tournament!

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Feb
28

NHL Season Should Not Be Interrupted by Olympics

By Steve Thomas

The start of the 2009 Major League Baseball season was maddening.  Instead of the focus being on the start of the MLB campaign, the International Winter Games took precedence.  Teammates were pitted against each other as they represented their home countries.  It was, in my opinion, a strange and inappropriate way to start a Major League season.

Even worse is this year’s paused action by the National Hockey League to give way to the 2010 Winter Olympics.  It’s hard to imagine that it is in the league’s or the fans’ best interest to entirely stop NHL play mid-season so that certain players can leave their professional teams and represent their countries of origin.

As much as I enjoy watching the Olympics, I strongly believe that a professional athlete’s first responsibility should be to his employer and that, short of a natural or man-made disaster, a season’s schedule should never be interrupted. 

What about potential injuries?  What about teammates playing against one another?  What a shame it would be if  teammates clashing ended up in a season-ending injury.

More than anything, the rhythm of the season has been severely disrupted — and NHL devotees’ attention has been short circuited.  It’s hard to imagine that a two week, mid-season shut down of League activity is in the best interest of the game.

This experimentation with season disruption should stop.  Fans of professional sports teams should know that the leagues they support are 100 percent committed to their respective sports — and that any given season takes precedent over theatrics or other interuptions.  All the leagues should end this experiment immediately and recommit themselves to their own product and their fans.

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