1975 Detroit Tigers season
Encyclopedia
The Detroit Tigers
compiled a record of 57-102, the fifth worst season in Detroit Tigers history. They finished in last place in the American League East
, 37½ games behind the Boston Red Sox
. Their team batting average
of .249 and team ERA
of 4.27 were the second worst in the American League
. They were outscored by their opponents 786 to 570.
Ron LeFlore
Mickey Lolich
Dan Meyer
Willie Horton
in 2001:
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
compiled a record of 57-102, the fifth worst season in Detroit Tigers history. They finished in last place in the American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
, 37½ games behind the Boston Red Sox
1975 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing first in the American League East with a record of 95 wins and 65 losses...
. Their team batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
of .249 and team ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
of 4.27 were the second worst in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
. They were outscored by their opponents 786 to 570.
Offseason
- November 18, 1974: Ed BrinkmanEd BrinkmanEdwin Albert Brinkman was a Major League Baseball shortstop. He played fifteen years in the Major League Baseball, led the American League in games played twice, won a Gold Glove Award at shortstop, and had a career batting average of .224...
was traded by the Tigers to the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, and Bob StrampeBob StrampeRobert Edwin "Bob" Strampe is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Detroit Tigers in 1972...
and Dick SharonDick SharonRichard Louis Sharon was a professional Major League Baseball player.Sharon graduated Kennedy Middle School and Sequoia High School in Redwood City, California.-Baseball career:...
were traded by the Tigers to the San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
as part of a three-team trade. The Padres sent Nate ColbertNate ColbertNathan Colbert Jr. , is a former American Major League Baseball player who was a first baseman with the Houston Astros , San Diego Padres , Detroit Tigers , Montreal Expos and Oakland Athletics .Signed by his hometown St...
to the Tigers, and a player to be named later to the Cardinals. The Cardinals sent Alan Foster, Rich FolkersRich FolkersRichard Nevin Folkers is a former left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played from to for the New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers....
, and Sonny SiebertSonny SiebertWilfred Charles Siebert is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1964 to 1975. He finished with a record of 140-114 and a 3.21 ERA. He threw a no-hitter on June 10, 1966 against the Washington Senators. He was originally drafted simultaneously by the Cleveland Indians and the St...
to the Padres. The Padres completed the deal by sending Danny BreedenDanny BreedenDanny Richard Breeden is a former right-handed Major League Baseball catcher who played in 1969 and 1971 for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs....
to the Cardinals on December 12. - December 4, 1974: Woodie FrymanWoodie FrymanWoodrow Thompson Fryman was a Major League Baseball pitcher. A two-time National League All-Star, he is best remembered as the mid-season acquisition that helped lead the Detroit Tigers to the 1972 American League Championship Series.-Pittsburgh Pirates:Fryman was 25 years old when he signed with...
was traded by the Tigers to the Montreal ExposWashington NationalsThe Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
for Tom WalkerTom Walker (1970s pitcher)Robert Thomas Walker is a former professional baseball pitcher. Walker pitched all or part of six seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1972 until 1977, for the Montreal Expos, Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals and California Angels....
and Terry HumphreyTerry HumphreyTerryal Gene Humphrey is a former professional baseball player who played nine seasons for the Montreal Expos, Detroit Tigers, and California Angels of Major League Baseball.-References:...
. - January 9, 1975: Tom BrookensTom BrookensThomas Dale Brookens is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers , New York Yankees , and Cleveland Indians...
was drafted by the Tigers in the 1st round (4th pick) of the 1975 Major League Baseball Draft1975 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1975 Major League Baseball draft..Many baseball draft experts consider the 1975 draft to be the weakest in MLB history.- External links :*- References :...
. - February 1, 1975: Gene Michael was signed as a free agent by the Tigers.
- March 29, 1975: Reggie SandersReggie Sanders (first baseman)Reginald Jerome Sanders , is a retired Major League Baseball player. He played 26 games, mostly at first base, for the Detroit Tigers in .-External links:...
was traded by the Tigers to the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Jack Pierce.
Regular season
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Notable transactions
- June 15, 1975: Nate Colbert was purchased from the Tigers by the Montreal Expos.
Roster
| 1975 Detroit Tigers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 120 | 427 | 105 | .246 | 14 | 47 | |
| 1B | 53 | 170 | 40 | .235 | 8 | 22 | |
| 2B | 129 | 503 | 130 | .258 | 6 | 39 | |
| 3B | 151 | 507 | 124 | .245 | 13 | 60 | |
| SS | 128 | 404 | 102 | .252 | 5 | 48 | |
| CF | 136 | 550 | 142 | .258 | 8 | 37 | |
| RF | 129 | 447 | 115 | .257 | 10 | 38 | |
| LF | 100 | 332 | 95 | .286 | 9 | 36 | |
| DH | 159 | 615 | 169 | .275 | 25 | 92 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 122 | 470 | 111 | .236 | 8 | 47 | |
| 52 | 164 | 42 | .256 | 3 | 19 | |
| 45 | 156 | 23 | .147 | 4 | 18 | |
| 56 | 145 | 31 | .214 | 3 | 13 | |
| 35 | 118 | 27 | .229 | 4 | 13 | |
| 30 | 95 | 21 | .221 | 4 | 8 | |
| 43 | 86 | 23 | .267 | 0 | 2 | |
| 18 | 41 | 10 | .244 | 0 | 1 | |
| 11 | 40 | 9 | .225 | 0 | 1 | |
| 47 | 35 | 6 | .171 | 1 | 3 | |
| 6 | 19 | 5 | .263 | 0 | 1 | |
| 6 | 18 | 1 | .056 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | 16 | 4 | .250 | 0 | 0 | |
| 4 | 8 | 3 | .375 | 0 | 1 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 240.2 | 12 | 18 | 3.78 | 139 | |
| 31 | 201 | 10 | 18 | 5.55 | 125 | |
| 32 | 190 | 11 | 12 | 4.03 | 67 | |
| 32 | 164.1 | 7 | 14 | 4.38 | 75 | |
| 29 | 150.2 | 8 | 13 | 4.48 | 71 |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 115.1 | 3 | 8 | 4.45 | 60 | |
| 26 | 109 | 2 | 7 | 4.46 | 67 | |
| 3 | 14.2 | 0 | 2 | 4.30 | 8 |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L= Losses; SV = Saves; GF = Games finished; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | GF | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 34 | 2.17 | 87 | |
| 21 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 14 | 4.67 | 26 | |
| 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 4.56 | 25 | |
| 13 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 11 | 3.20 | 21 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5.23 | 8 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4.82 | 3 | |
| 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1.35 | 5 |
League top ten finishers
Joe Coleman- AL leader in wild pitches (15)
- #2 in MLB in losses (18)
- #2 in MLB in earned runs allowed (124)
- #4 in AL in hit batsmen(9)
Ron LeFlore
Ron LeFlore
Ronald LeFlore is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played six seasons with the Detroit Tigers before being traded to the Montreal Expos, retiring as a Chicago White Sox in . He stole 455 bases in his career, and was an American League All-Star selection in 1976...
- #2 in AL in strikeouts (139)
- #2 in MLB in times caught stealing (20)
Mickey Lolich
Mickey Lolich
Michael Stephen Lolich is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1962 until 1979 who played the majority of his career with the Detroit Tigers.-Baseball career:...
- #2 in MLB in losses (18)
- #6 in MLB in complete games (19)
Dan Meyer
- AL leader in at bats per strikeout (18.8)
Willie Horton
- #3 in AL in game played (159)
- #4 in AL in at bats (615)
Players ranking among top 100 all time at position
The following members of the 1975 Detroit Tigers are among the Top 100 of all time at their position, as ranked by The Bill James Historical Baseball AbstractThe Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract
The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract is a reference-type book written by Bill James featuring an overview of baseball decade by decade, along with rankings of the top 100 players at each position. The original edition was published in 1985 by Villard Books, followed by The New Bill James...
in 2001:
- Bill FreehanBill FreehanWilliam Ashley Freehan is a former professional baseball player. He played his entire Major League Baseball career as a catcher for the Detroit Tigers...
: 12th best catcher of all time - Aurelio RodríguezAurelio RodríguezAurelio Rodríguez Ituarte, Jr. , was a third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the California Angels , Washington Senators , Detroit Tigers , San Diego Padres , New York Yankees , Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles...
: 91st best third baseman of all time - Ron LeFloreRon LeFloreRonald LeFlore is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played six seasons with the Detroit Tigers before being traded to the Montreal Expos, retiring as a Chicago White Sox in . He stole 455 bases in his career, and was an American League All-Star selection in 1976...
: 80th best center fielder of all time - Ben OglivieBen OglivieBenjamin Ambrosio Oglivie Palmer is a former Major League Baseball left fielder for the Boston Red Sox , Detroit Tigers , and the Milwaukee Brewers . He also played two seasons in Japan for the Kintetsu Buffaloes...
: 64th best left fielder of all time - Willie Horton: 55th best left fielder of all time (played DH for 1975 Tigers)
- Mickey LolichMickey LolichMichael Stephen Lolich is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1962 until 1979 who played the majority of his career with the Detroit Tigers.-Baseball career:...
: 72nd best pitcher of all time