1976 Detroit Tigers season
Encyclopedia
The 1976 Detroit Tigers
season was a season in American baseball
. The team finished in fifth place in the American League East
with a record of 74-87, 24 games behind the New York Yankees
. They were outscored by their opponents 709 to 609. The Tigers drew 1,467,020 fans to Tiger Stadium in 1976, ranking 4th of the 14 teams in the American League
.
drew sell-out crowds to Tiger Stadium. Fidrych led the major leagues with a 2.34 ERA
, won the AL Rookie of the Year award, and finished with a 19-9 record.
Aurelio Rodríguez
also became the first American League third baseman
other than Brooks Robinson
to win the Gold Glove Award
at third base since 1959.
John Hiller
Ron LeFlore
Dave Roberts
Aurelio Rodríguez
Rusty Staub
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...
season was a season in American baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
. The team finished in fifth 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...
with a record of 74-87, 24 games behind the New York Yankees
1976 New York Yankees season
The 1976 New York Yankees season was the 74th season for the Yankees in New York, and the 76th season overall for the franchise. The team finished with a record of 97-62, finishing 10½ games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles to win their first American League East title.In the ALCS, the Yankees...
. They were outscored by their opponents 709 to 609. The Tigers drew 1,467,020 fans to Tiger Stadium in 1976, ranking 4th of the 14 teams 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...
.
Offseason
- October 22, 1975: Gene Michael was released by the Tigers.
- December 6, 1975: Leon RobertsLeon RobertsLeon Kauffman Roberts is a former major league outfielder who played for the Detroit Tigers , Houston Astros , Seattle Mariners , Texas Rangers , Toronto Blue Jays , and Kansas City Royals...
, 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:...
, Gene PentzGene PentzEugene David Pentz is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played all or part of four seasons in the majors, from until for the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros.-External links:...
and Mark LemongelloMark LemongelloMark Lemongello is a retired professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1976-1979. He played for the Houston Astros and the Toronto Blue Jays...
were traded by the Tigers to the Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
for Milt MayMilt MayMilton Scott May is a former professional baseball player and coach who played in the Major Leagues from to for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, and San Francisco Giants. May was a catcher who hit for a fairly high batting average during the era in which...
, Dave RobertsDave Roberts (pitcher)David Arthur Roberts was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for eight teams from 1969 to 1981. He was second in the National League with a 2.10 earned run average in for the San Diego Padres, after which he was traded to the Houston Astros, where he spent the...
and Jim CrawfordJim Crawford (baseball)James Frederick Crawford is a former professional baseball pitcher. Crawford pitched in all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball between 1973 and 1978. He appeared in 181 games, all but 14 in relief....
. - December 12, 1975: 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:...
and Billy BaldwinBilly Baldwin (baseball)Robert Harvey Baldwin was a backup outfielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1975 through 1976 for the 1975 Detroit Tigers and the 1976 New York Mets. Listed at 6'0", 175 lb., he batted and threw left handed....
were traded by the Tigers to the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
for Rusty StaubRusty StaubDaniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman. He enjoyed a 23-year baseball career with 5 different teams...
and Bill LaxtonBill LaxtonWilliam Harry Laxton is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Laxton pitched in all or part of five seasons in the majors between and .- Early career :...
. - February 3, 1976: 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....
was purchased from the Tigers by 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...
.
Regular season
1976 was the year of "The Bird" in Detroit, as rookie pitcher Mark FidrychMark Fidrych
Mark Steven Fidrych , nicknamed "The Bird", was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched his entire career for the Detroit Tigers ....
drew sell-out crowds to Tiger Stadium. Fidrych led the major leagues with a 2.34 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...
, won the AL Rookie of the Year award, and finished with a 19-9 record.
Aurelio Rodríguez
Aurelio Rodríguez
Aurelio 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...
also became the first American League third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
other than Brooks Robinson
Brooks Robinson
Brooks Calbert Robinson, Jr. is a former American professional baseball player. He played his entire 23-year major league career for the Baltimore Orioles . Nicknamed "The Human Vacuum Cleaner", he is generally acclaimed as the greatest defensive third-basemen in major league history...
to win the Gold Glove Award
Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
at third base since 1959.
Season chronology
- April 20: Milt MayMilt MayMilton Scott May is a former professional baseball player and coach who played in the Major Leagues from to for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, and San Francisco Giants. May was a catcher who hit for a fairly high batting average during the era in which...
‚ acquired by the Tigers in December‚ broke his ankle crashing into the wall behind home plateHome PlateHome Plate is the fifth album by Bonnie Raitt, released in 1975 .-Track listing:#"What Do You Want the Boy to Do?" – 3:19#"Good Enough" – 2:56#"Run Like a Thief" – 3:02...
while chasing a foul ballFoul ballIn baseball, a foul ball is a batted ball that:* Settles on foul territory between home and first base or between home and third base, or* Bounds past first or third base on or over foul territory, or...
. He did not play for the remainder of the season. - April 20: Mark "The Bird" FidrychMark FidrychMark Steven Fidrych , nicknamed "The Bird", was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched his entire career for the Detroit Tigers ....
appeared in his first major league game. - May 15: Mark Fidrych won his first major league start. Fidrych pitched a complete gameComplete gameIn baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
, allowing only two hits in a 2-1 victory over the Indians1976 Cleveland Indians season- Offseason :* November 22, 1975: Oscar Gamble was traded by the Indians to the New York Yankees for Pat Dobson.* December 9, 1975: John Ellis was traded by the Indians to the Texas Rangers for Stan Thomas and Ron Pruitt....
. Fidrych took a no-hitterNo-hitterA no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
through six innings, but gave up a single to Buddy BellBuddy BellDavid Gus "Buddy" Bell is a former third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball. After an 18-year career with four teams, most notably the Cleveland Indians and Texas Rangers, he managed the Detroit Tigers, Colorado Rockies and Kansas City Royals for three seasons each...
in the seventh. Aside from his fine pitching, Fidrych drew attention for talking to the ball during the game‚ and patting down the mound each inning. Tom VeryzerTom VeryzerThomas Martin Veryzer , is a former Major League Baseball shortstop who played from 1973-1984 with the Detroit Tigers , Cleveland Indians , New York Mets , and Chicago Cubs . Veryzer was drafted by the Tigers in the 1st round of the 1971 amateur draft...
had the game-winning RBIRun batted inRuns batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
for Detroit with a sacrifice flySacrifice flyIn baseball, a sacrifice fly is a batted ball that satisfies four criteria:* There are fewer than two outs when the ball is hit.* The ball is hit to the outfield....
in the fourth inning. - May 25: Mark Fidrych pitched well in his second start, holding the Red Sox1976 Boston Red Sox seasonThe Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing third in the American League East with a record of 89 wins and 73 losses.- Offseason :...
to six hits and two runs, but the Tigers were shut out, 2-0, by Luis TiantLuis TiantLuis Clemente Tiant Vega , born November 23, 1940 in Marianao, Cuba, , is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians , Minnesota Twins , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees , Pittsburgh Pirates and California Angels...
. - May 28: After hitting safely in 30 straight games since April 17, 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...
went hitless in a 9-5 loss to the Yankees1976 New York Yankees seasonThe 1976 New York Yankees season was the 74th season for the Yankees in New York, and the 76th season overall for the franchise. The team finished with a record of 97-62, finishing 10½ games ahead of the Baltimore Orioles to win their first American League East title.In the ALCS, the Yankees...
. LeFlore's hitting streak tied the third longest in team history. - May 31: Manager Ralph HoukRalph HoukRalph George Houk , nicknamed The Major, was an American catcher, coach, manager, and front office executive in Major League Baseball...
let rookie Mark FidrychMark FidrychMark Steven Fidrych , nicknamed "The Bird", was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched his entire career for the Detroit Tigers ....
go 11 innings for a complete game, 5-4 win over the BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. Fidrych gave up a run in the top of the 11th inning, but the Tigers rallied in the bottom of the 11th on singles by Chuck ScrivenerChuck ScrivenerWayne Allison "Chuck" Scrivener is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. He played in three seasons in the majors, from until , for the Detroit Tigers.-Sources:...
, Jerry ManuelJerry ManuelJerry Manuel , nicknamed "The Sage" is a former major league manager. He previously managed the Chicago White Sox from 1998 to 2003 and the New York Mets from the middle of 2008 to 2010 and played in the majors for parts of five seasons in the 1970s and early 1980s.-Playing career:Manuel played...
, and Tom Veryzer. Ron LeFlore had two triples in the game. - June 1: John HillerJohn HillerJohn Frederick Hiller is a former left-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Detroit Tigers. After suffering a heart attack in 1971, he returned to the team and recorded 38 saves in – a major league record until 1983, and a team record until 2000...
won both games of a double header against the Brewers. The Tigers came from behind to win 8-7 and 7-5. - June 5: Mark Fidrych pitched his second straight 11-inning complete game, beating Bert BlylevenBert BlylevenBert Blyleven is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played from to , and was best known for his curveball. Blyleven was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011...
and the Texas Rangers1976 Texas Rangers seasonThe Texas Rangers season involved the Rangers finishing 4th in the American League West with a record of 76 wins and 86 losses.- Offseason :* November 12, 1975: Dave Nelson was traded by the Rangers to the Kansas City Royals for Nelson Briles....
, 3-2. 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...
scored the winning run in the top of the 11th, and The Bird pitched a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the 11th against the heart of the Rangers lineup (Mike HargroveMike HargroveDudley Michael Hargrove is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and manager. He is currently employed as an advisor with the Cleveland Indians....
, Toby HarrahToby HarrahColbert Dale Harrah is a former professional baseball player who played with the Texas Rangers both before and after their 1971 franchise shift before later being traded to the Cleveland Indians and the New York Yankees...
, and Jeff BurroughsJeff BurroughsJeffrey Alan Burroughs is a former player in Major League Baseball. From through , he played for the Washington Senators , Texas Rangers , Atlanta Braves , Seattle Mariners , Oakland Athletics and Toronto Blue Jays . Burroughs batted and threw right-handed...
). - June 8: The Tigers traded Joe Coleman to the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for cash and a player to be named later. On the same day, the Tigers had the second pick in the baseball draft1976 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The 1976 Arizona State University team, considered by many to be the best collegiate team ever, played a major role in the draft. Floyd Bannister was picked number one...
, selecting pitcher Pat UnderwoodPat UnderwoodPatrick John Underwood was a Major League Baseball Pitcher from to .Underwood was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 1st round of the 1976 Major League Baseball Draft, as the second pick overall....
. - June 11: "Bird"-mania began to take hold in Detroit. A crowd of 36,377 showed up in Detroit for a Friday night game, as Mark Fidrych faced Nolan RyanNolan RyanLynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
. Fidrych gave up only one earned run, and the Tigers came out on top, 4-3. The Tigers won on a walk-off single by Alex JohnsonAlex JohnsonAlexander Johnson Alexander Johnson Alexander Johnson (born December 7, 1942, in Helena, Arkansas is a former professional baseball player. He was an outfielder and designated hitter over parts of 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, California Angels,...
in the bottom of the ninth inning, with Ron LeFlore scoring the winning run. - June 15: The Tigers lost to the Royals1976 Kansas City Royals seasonThe 1976 Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing first in the American League West with a record of 90 wins and 72 losses...
, 21-7. Four Detroit pitchers (Dave LemanczykDave LemanczykDavid Lawrence Lemanczyk was a pitcher with an eight year career from 1973 to 1980. He played for the Detroit Tigers, Toronto Blue Jays and California Angels all of the American League...
, Bill LaxtonBill LaxtonWilliam Harry Laxton is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Laxton pitched in all or part of five seasons in the majors between and .- Early career :...
, Ray BareRay BareRaymond Douglas Bare was a right-handed professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers .- Amateur career :...
, and Steve GrilliSteve GrilliStephen Joseph Grilli is a former right-handed pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and Toronto Blue Jays. Grilli played for six seasons in baseball, but only played in the major league for parts of four seasons...
) combined to allow 24 hits and 20 earned runs. George BrettGeorge BrettGeorge Brett , is an American baseball player.George Brett may also refer to:*George Edward Brett , British-born American publisher*George Brett , World War II USAAF general...
went 4-for-5 and Amos OtisAmos OtisAmos Joseph Otis is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets , Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates . He batted and threw right-handed....
drove in five runs. - June 16: The Tigers drew 21,659 on a Wednesday night to watch Mark Fidrych win his fifth game. Fidrych held the Royals to five hits and two earned runs. The Tigers trailed 3-2 going into the bottom of the ninth inning, but the Tigers rallied for two runs off singles by Dan Meyer and Alex Johnson, and a walk by 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...
. Mickey StanleyMickey StanleyMitchell Jack "Mickey" Stanley was a baseball player for the Detroit Tigers from 1964-1978. Stanley was known as a superb defensive outfielder over his 15-year career, though he is best remembered for the last few weeks of the 1968 season.-Early life:Stanley prepped at Ottawa Hills High School in...
ended it with a walk-off single to right field, driving in Johnson. - June 20: The Tigers beat the Twins1976 Minnesota Twins seasonThe Minnesota Twins finished 85-77, third in the American League West. Only 715,394 fans attended Twins games, the lowest total in the American League...
, 7-3, in MinneapolisMinneapolis, MinnesotaMinneapolis , nicknamed "City of Lakes" and the "Mill City," is the county seat of Hennepin County, the largest city in the U.S. state of Minnesota, and the 48th largest in the United States...
, as Mark Fidrych extended his record to 6-1. Jason Thompson hit a three-run home run in the 3rd inning for the Tigers. - June 24: Mark Fidrych drew 26,293 fans to Fenway ParkFenway ParkFenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
for a Thursday night game, as the Tigers won, 6-3. Jason Thompson homered and Fidrych pitched another complete game. - June 28: Mark Fidrych was in the spotlight, as the Tigers faced the Yankees on Monday Night BaseballMonday Night BaseballMonday Night Baseball is a live game telecast of Major League Baseball that airs most Monday nights during the regular season on ESPN and is also available in high definition on ESPNHD. The official name of the game is Monday Night Baseball presented by Vonage. The game starts at 7 p.m...
. In front of a crowd of 47,855 at Tiger Stadium and a national television audience, "The Bird" talked to the ball and groomed the mound, as the Tigers won, 5-1 in a game that lasted only 1 hour and 51 minutes. - July 3: As the country prepared to celebrate the BicentennialUnited States BicentennialThe United States Bicentennial was a series of celebrations and observances during the mid-1970s that paid tribute to the historical events leading up to the creation of the United States as an independent republic...
, Mark Fidrych shut out the OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
4-0 in front of a sell out crowd of 51,032 at Tiger Stadium. Fidrych gave up only four hits and extended his record to 9-1. - July 9: Pitching in front of another sell-out crowd (51,041) at Tiger Stadium, Mark Fidrych held the Royals to one run in nine innings, but Dennis LeonardDennis LeonardDennis Patrick Leonard was one of the Kansas City Royals' most dominating pitchers of the late '70s and early '80s, but a promising career cut short due to injuries. In 1975, his first full year he managed to bust out with a 15-7 record...
shut out the Tigers. The final score was Royals - 1; Tigers - 0. - July 13: Mark Fidrych gave up two runs and was tagged as the losing pitcher in the 1976 Major League Baseball All-Star Game1976 Major League Baseball All-Star GameThe 1976 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 47th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was played on July 13, 1976 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, home of...
. The National LeagueNational LeagueThe National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
All-Stars defeated the American League, 7-1. - July 16: Mark Fidrych won his 10th game, a 1-0 victory over the A's. Another big crowd (45,905) showed up to watch "The Bird" do his thing on the mound at Tiger Stadium.
- July 20: A crowd of over 30,000 shows up on a Tuesday night in Minneapolis to watch "The Bird." Fidrych pitched another complete game and got his 11th win, 8-3. Rusty StaubRusty StaubDaniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman. He enjoyed a 23-year baseball career with 5 different teams...
and Ron LeFlore homered for the Tigers. - July 24: "The Bird" drew another big crowd to Tiger Stadium (37,405), but lasted only 4.1 innings. John Hiller got the win in relief, as Ben Oglivie hit a home run in the eighth inning to give the Tigers a 5-4 win over the Indians.
- July 29: Mark Fidrych took a loss despite pitching a six-hit complete game and not allowing an earned run. The Orioles shut out the Tigers, 1-0, as Lee MayLee MayLee Andrew May is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball. From through , May played for the Cincinnati Reds , Houston Astros , Baltimore Orioles and Kansas City Royals . He batted and threw right-handed. He is the brother of former Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees outfielder...
scored an unearned run in the fourth inning on an error by Detroit second baseman Pedro GarcíaPedro García (baseball)Pedro Modesto García was a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played primarily for the Milwaukee Brewers.In 1973, at age 23, García played his first big-league game for the Brewers...
. Rusty Staub tripled in the bottom of the fourth, but did not score as Willie Horton and Alex Johnson followed with ground balls to third base. - August 7: "The Bird" got his 12th win against the Indians, a complete game six-hitter, by a score of 6-1. Ben Oglivie went 3-for-4 with two RBIs. Dan Meyer and Ron LeFlore scored two runs each.
- August 11: The Tigers beat the Rangers, 4-3, as Mark Fidrych notched his 13th win over Gaylord PerryGaylord PerryGaylord Jackson Perry is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1962-1983 for eight different teams in his career. During a 22-year baseball career, Perry compiled 314 wins, 3,534 strikeouts, and a 3.11 earned run average...
. The Tigers drew 36,523 for a Wednesday game in Detroit. Rusty Staub and Willie Horton both hit home runs for Detroit. - August 17: Despite a losing record, the Tigers drew a season-high 51,822 fans on a Tuesday night, as Bird-mania reached a frenzy. The game featured Mark Fidrych against Frank TananaFrank TananaFrank Daryl Tanana is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He was the California Angels' 1st round draft pick in 1971....
. Fidrych did not disappoint the fans, as the Tigers won 3-2. Fidrych went to 14-4. - August 18: Nolan Ryan struck out 17 Tigers batters. The Angels won, 5-4, in 11 innings.
- August 25: The Tigers beat the White Sox, 3-1, in front of 40,000 fans on a Wednesday night in Detroit. Rookie Mark Fidrych held the White Sox to five hits in a game that lasted only one hour and 48 minutes.
- August 31: Nolan Ryan struck out Ron LeFlore for the 2000th strikeout of his career.
- September 3: The Tigers lost to the Brewers, 11-2, as Mark Fidrych had the worst outing of his young career, and Mike HeganMike HeganJames Michael "Mike" Hegan is an American former Major League Baseball first baseman and outfielder and later radio announcer for the Cleveland Indians. In 1969, Hegan hit the first home run in Seattle Pilots history in his first at-bat.He is the son of longtime Indians catcher Jim Hegan...
hit for the cycle for Milwaukee. Fidrych gave up nine runs (seven earned) in 3.2 innings. - September 12: The Tigers beat Dock EllisDock EllisDock Phillip Ellis, Jr. was a professional baseball player who pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates, among other teams in Major League Baseball. His best season was 1971, when he won 19 games for the World Series champion Pirates and was the starting pitcher for the National League in the All-Star...
, 3-0, in front of 52,707 fans at Yankee Stadium. Mark Fidrych pitched a complete game shutout for his 16th win. - September 18: Mark Fidrych and the Tigers beat the Indians, 4-0. Willie Horton had a double, a home run, and two RBIs, and Fidrych held the Indians to five hits for his 18th win. The Bird continued his pattern of fast-paced games, as the game lasted only 1 hour and 48 minutes.
- September 22: Without The Bird pitching, the Tigers did not draw well. On this date, a season-low 3,616 fans showed up at Tiger Stadium to watch the Indians shut out the Tigers, 3-0.
- September 24: Tigers starter Dave RobertsDave Roberts (pitcher)David Arthur Roberts was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for eight teams from 1969 to 1981. He was second in the National League with a 2.10 earned run average in for the San Diego Padres, after which he was traded to the Houston Astros, where he spent the...
shut out the AL East champion Yankees, 3-0. Roberts held the Yankees to five hits, as John WockenfussJohn WockenfussJohnny Bilton Wockenfuss is a former utility player in Major League Baseball who had a twelve year career from 1974 to 1985.-Playing career:...
had a triple and Rusty Staub hit a home run. - October 1: John Hiller got a rare start for the Tigers and pitched a complete gameComplete gameIn baseball, a complete game is the act of a pitcher pitching an entire game without the benefit of a relief pitcher.As demonstrated by the charts below, in the early 20th century, it was common for most good Major League Baseball pitchers to pitch a complete game almost every start. Pitchers were...
, four-hit shutoutShutoutIn team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
over the Brewers at County Stadium. * October 2: In his last start of the 1976 season, Fidrych got his 19th win, beating the Brewers, 4-1. Fidrych held the Brewers to five hits in a game that lasted 1 hour and 46 minutes. - October 3: The Tigers finished the season on a four-game winning streak, beating the Brewers, 5-2. The game was Hank Aaron's last major league game. Aaron hit an RBI-single to shortstop off Dave Roberts in his last at bat in the bottom of the sixth inning.
- November 5: The Cy Young AwardCy Young AwardThe Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
is announced, with Jim PalmerJim PalmerJames Alvin "Jim" Palmer , nicknamed "Cakes", is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He played his entire 20-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in .As of 2008, Palmer and his wife Susan have homes in Palm Beach, Florida, and...
taking the award over Mark Fidrych. - December 4: The AL Gold Glove AwardGold Glove AwardThe Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
at third base was awarded to Aurelio Rodríguez. Rodríguez was the first AL third baseman other than Brooks RobinsonBrooks RobinsonBrooks Calbert Robinson, Jr. is a former American professional baseball player. He played his entire 23-year major league career for the Baltimore Orioles . Nicknamed "The Human Vacuum Cleaner", he is generally acclaimed as the greatest defensive third-basemen in major league history...
to win the award since 1959.
Notable transactions
- June 8, 1976: Joe Coleman was purchased from the Tigers by the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. - June 8, 1976: Jack MorrisJack MorrisJohn Scott "Jack" Morris is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played in 18 big league seasons between 1977 and 1994, mainly for the Detroit Tigers, and won 254 games throughout his career...
was drafted by the Tigers in the 5th round of the 1976 Major League Baseball Draft1976 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The 1976 Arizona State University team, considered by many to be the best collegiate team ever, played a major role in the draft. Floyd Bannister was picked number one...
.
Roster
| 1976 Detroit Tigers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Designated hitters |
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 | 71 | 237 | 64 | .270 | 5 | 27 | |
| 1B | 123 | 412 | 90 | .218 | 17 | 54 | |
| 2B | 77 | 227 | 45 | .198 | 3 | 20 | |
| 3B | 128 | 480 | 67 | .240 | 8 | 50 | |
| SS | 97 | 354 | 83 | .234 | 1 | 25 | |
| LF | 125 | 429 | 115 | .268 | 6 | 45 | |
| CF | 135 | 544 | 172 | .316 | 4 | 39 | |
| RF | 161 | 589 | 176 | .299 | 15 | 96 | |
| DH | 114 | 401 | 105 | .262 | 14 | 56 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 115 | 305 | 87 | .285 | 15 | 47 | |
| 105 | 294 | 74 | .252 | 2 | 16 | |
| 80 | 222 | 49 | .221 | 2 | 16 | |
| 84 | 214 | 55 | .257 | 4 | 29 | |
| 63 | 152 | 40 | .263 | 1 | 6 | |
| 60 | 144 | 32 | .222 | 3 | 10 | |
| 42 | 117 | 24 | .205 | 0 | 6 | |
| 39 | 115 | 30 | .261 | 0 | 12 | |
| 24 | 85 | 23 | .271 | 1 | 4 | |
| 18 | 48 | 9 | .188 | 0 | 5 | |
| 54 | 43 | 6 | .140 | 0 | 2 | |
| 6 | 25 | 7 | .280 | 0 | 1 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 36 | 252 | 16 | 17 | 4.00 | 79 | |
| 32 | 199.2 | 9 | 12 | 3.92 | 88 | |
| 31 | 250.1 | 19 | 9 | 2.34 | 97 | |
| 30 | 134 | 7 | 8 | 4.63 | 59 | |
| 12 | 66.2 | 2 | 5 | 4.86 | 38 | |
| 9 | 32.2 | 0 | 5 | 5.79 | 14 | |
| 5 | 23.2 | 1 | 3 | 6.08 | 17 |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32 | 109.3 | 1 | 8 | 4.53 | 68 | |
| 20 | 81.1 | 4 | 6 | 5.09 | 51 |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 56 | 12 | 8 | 13 | 2.38 | 117 | |
| 36 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 4.64 | 36 | |
| 26 | 0 | 5 | 2 | 4.09 | 74 |
Awards and honors
- Mark FidrychMark FidrychMark Steven Fidrych , nicknamed "The Bird", was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched his entire career for the Detroit Tigers ....
, AL Rookie of the Year Award - Mark Fidrych, Finished 2nd in AL Cy Young Award voting
- Mark Fidrych, Finished 11th in AL MVP Award voting
- 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...
, AL Gold Glove AwardGold Glove AwardThe Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in both the National League and the American League , as voted by the...
at third base
League top ten finishers
Mark FidrychMark Fidrych
Mark Steven Fidrych , nicknamed "The Bird", was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched his entire career for the Detroit Tigers ....
- MLB leader in ERA (2.34)
- MLB leader in Adjusted ERA+Adjusted ERA+Adjusted ERA+, often simply abbreviated to ERA+ or ERA plus, is a pitching statistic in baseball. It adjusts a pitcher's earned run average according to the pitcher's ballpark and the ERA of the pitcher's league...
(158) - AL leader in complete games (24)
- #3 in AL in walks plus hits per innings pitched (WHIP) (1.079)
- #4 in AL in wins (19)
- #4 in AL in win percentage (.679)
- #5 in AL in bases on balls per 9 inning pitched (1.91)
- #5 in AL in shutouts (4)
John Hiller
John Hiller
John Frederick Hiller is a former left-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Detroit Tigers. After suffering a heart attack in 1971, he returned to the team and recorded 38 saves in – a major league record until 1983, and a team record until 2000...
- #4 in AL in games finished (46)
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...
- AL leader in errors by an outfielder (11)
- #2 in AL in stolen bases (58)
- #3 in MLB in times caught stealing (20)
- #4 in AL in singles (137)
- #5 in AL in batting average (.316)
- #5 in AL in runs scored (93)
- #6 in AL in strikeouts (111)
Dave Roberts
Dave Roberts (pitcher)
David Arthur Roberts was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for eight teams from 1969 to 1981. He was second in the National League with a 2.10 earned run average in for the San Diego Padres, after which he was traded to the Houston Astros, where he spent the...
- #2 in MLB in losses (17)
- #2 in MLB in earned runs allowed (112)
- #5 in AL in shutouts (4)
- #9 in AL in complete games (18)
Aurelio Rodríguez
Aurelio Rodríguez
Aurelio 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...
- AL leader in fielding percentage by a third baseman (.978)
- #3 in AL in times grounded into double plays (19)
Rusty Staub
Rusty Staub
Daniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman. He enjoyed a 23-year baseball career with 5 different teams...
- AL leader in games played (161)
- AL leader in times grounded into double plays (23)
- #2 in AL in times on base (266)
- #2 in AL in sacrifice flies (11)
- #3 in AL in plate appearances (690)
- #4 in AL in on base percentage (.386)
- #4 in AL in bases on balls (83)
- #4 in AL in runs created (99)
- #5 in AL in RBIs (96)
- #5 in AL in intentional walks (11)
- #7 in AL in times hit by pitch (7)
- #7 in AL in hits (7)
- #8 in AL in OPS (.818)
- #10 in AL in total bases (255)
Players ranking among top 100 all time at position
The following members of the 1977 Detroit Tigers were ranked among the Top 100 of all time at their position 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:
- 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