  Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 226 Registered: 11-2005 |
Mine is Beiker Graterol, but Jim Walewander is a close second.  http://www.baseball-reference.com/g/gratebe01.shtml Career mark: 1 G, 4 IP, 0-1, 15.75 ERA, 7 R, 7 ER, 4 BB, 2 Ks Thanks for stopping by for a cup. And yes, you can find his name outside CoPa. Hey, he earned his tile on that faithful day back in '99. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 4380 Registered: 11-2004 |
Mine is & was Vern Ruhle who sadly passed away a few days ago. http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/ne ws?slug=ap-obit-ruhle&prov=ap& type=lgns I remember one of my first Tiger yearbooks I got as a kid and the picture of a menacing Vern Ruhle looked funny to me as a kid. I know he pitched for a little while in Detroit and then moved around but he was one of those obscure faces that just struck me for some odd reason. | ||
Zephyrprocess Member Username: Zephyrprocess Post Number: 233 Registered: 08-2006 |
"Light hitting outfielder" Wayne Comer http://www.baseball-reference. com/c/comerwa01.shtml signed my baseball exiting the locker room in 1968, went 1-for-1 in the World Series, then moved on to the expansion Seattle Pilots (along with Ray Oyler) the next year. | ||
Jrvass Member Username: Jrvass Post Number: 23 Registered: 01-2007 |
Milt Cuyler? Harder is trying to remember the '68 team roster. I try to recite it during sex or if I have to pee really bad, but now I'm sharing too much with you all. ;^) http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ Enjoy! James (Message edited by jrvass on January 25, 2007) | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 230 Registered: 11-2005 |
Some more for you. See if you can remember them.  Don Heinkel Rick Schu Edwin Nunez Keith Moreland Lance McCullers Clay Parker Brian DuBois Rob Ritchie Tracy Jones Mark Salas Mike Laga Doug Strange Scott Lusader Torey Lovullo Omar Olivares Mark Thurmond Bill Scherrer Dwight Lowry Barbaro Garbey Gene Kingsale George Lombard | ||
Tayshaun22 Member Username: Tayshaun22 Post Number: 338 Registered: 02-2005 |
Curtis Pride, the deaf baseball player. | ||
Gary Member Username: Gary Post Number: 202 Registered: 02-2004 |
Toss up between Steve Boros, Mike Roarke and Chico Fernandez. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 4399 Registered: 11-2004 |
Tito Fuentes. I remember as a kid getting him confused with the famous latin drummer, Tito Puente. He always had some showmanship skills when he showed up at the plate, tap his bat and make it spin in his hands before hitting. And his shortstop partner, Tom Veryzer (aka, the man at SS before Trammell). He always seem to have this mangy wet hair in all of his photos like he had just been fished out of the Rouge River. | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 3621 Registered: 10-2003 |
I never figured out Tito Fuentes. As I recall he was actually the Tigers first ever signed free agent. He hit .309 for the Tigers and then was gone from baseball one year latter. He was eccentric and wore chains around his neck and was rumored to have some voodoo-like rituals. Googling him up now I see he has gone to a successful career in broadcasting and is currently part of the Giants Spanish language broadcast team. Looks like he's put on a pound or two, like all of us. He was pretty skinny as a Tiger. http://giants.mlb.com/NASApp/m lb/team/broadcasters.jsp?c_id= sf "Tito Fuentes returns to the Giants’ Spanish language broadcast booth for his third straight season. Fuentes previously served as a member of the Spanish language broadcast team from 1981-92, and has since broadcast for FOX Sports International, which is aired in Latin America. An active participant in the Giants’ marketing efforts, he is a regular participant in the Giants Fantasy Camp and Giants Cruise. A former Major League second baseman who played for the Giants from 1965-74, Fuentes also saw big league action with San Diego, Detroit and Oakland. The Havana, Cuba native was a .268 hitter over his 13-year career, and was voted the starting second baseman on the Dream Team for the Giants’ 25th Anniversary team by San Francisco fans in 1982. He and his wife, Elvia, reside in Reno, Nev. " Good for you Tito! | ||
Ravine Member Username: Ravine Post Number: 574 Registered: 01-2006 |
Lowell, I believe you are correct about Tito being our first-ever free agent signing. I remember being all worked up about the fact that we finally caught up to the rest of the marketplace. The fact that he didn't seem like anybody real special didn't even bother me; it was the fact that we actually signed a free agent. But then, we were rather slow to integrate, too. | ||
Kenp Member Username: Kenp Post Number: 186 Registered: 03-2006 |
Tito Fuentes was a slap hitter. One of his best tricks was to square to bunt and at the last second take this strange looking full swing to pop it over the drawn in infield. I believe he only signed for one year, and he wasnt offered a new contract despite a +300 batting avg. Sweet Lou was the reason. | ||
Ravine Member Username: Ravine Post Number: 575 Registered: 01-2006 |
Well, that's a pretty good reason! | ||
Beadgrl Member Username: Beadgrl Post Number: 113 Registered: 07-2006 |
Whatever happened to Jim Walewander? I remember him being a punk rock fan. I think he came to spring training one year with a mohawk. The Dead Milkmen were a fav of his, or so i read. | ||
Umstucoach Member Username: Umstucoach Post Number: 122 Registered: 04-2006 |
Paul Gibson -- he had Harry Carey glasses | ||
Alsodave Member Username: Alsodave Post Number: 780 Registered: 10-2003 |
Bruce Kimm--I think he only caught when Fidrych was pitching. Let's throw in Milt May, too! | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 232 Registered: 11-2005 |
Paul Gibson. We traded him to the Mets for another obscure former Tiger, Mark Carreon. What about Wendell Magee? | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 4416 Registered: 11-2004 |
I always thought that John Wockenfuss had one the greatest names in all of sports. And that moustache, sideburn, muttenchop thing that he called facial hair always made him look like a walrus as well. I wonder what he's doing now. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 4417 Registered: 11-2004 |
Besides John Wockenfuss was also the guy we traded to get Willie Hernandez... so maybe he wasn't SO obscure but I really don't ever really recall him playing much other than pinch hitting. | ||
Detroitej72 Member Username: Detroitej72 Post Number: 472 Registered: 05-2006 |
Hey Rawk, how about:Bubba Trammell and HArry Spillman. | ||
The_rock Member Username: The_rock Post Number: 1532 Registered: 11-2003 |
George Vico, first baseman, '48 and '49. I have a duplicate of his mitt. R.I.P. Ernie and I once had a nice chat about him and his glove. | ||
Ray1936 Member Username: Ray1936 Post Number: 1122 Registered: 01-2005 |
Ah, yes. He could stretch for a throw like no one else could, then or now. Harry Heilmann, then the tiger's announcer, called it the "Vico Splits". Remember, rock? About that time the Tigers outfield was Hoot Evers, Johnny Groh, and Vic Wertz. Helluva crew. | ||
Eric_w Member Username: Eric_w Post Number: 7 Registered: 02-2007 |
Ray Oyler played shortstop from 1965-1968. great glove-no hit. | ||
Eric_w Member Username: Eric_w Post Number: 8 Registered: 02-2007 |
Ray Oyler played shortstop from 1965-1968. great glove-no hit. | ||
Michmeister Member Username: Michmeister Post Number: 118 Registered: 10-2006 |
I remember Tito Fuentes had a MONSTER year for the Tigers-.309, around 190 hits, 10 triples even a couple of stolen bases to top it all off. At todays market he would have the contract of a lifetime the following year. Ernie called his the "neato-Tito" bunt. | ||
Christos Member Username: Christos Post Number: 53 Registered: 12-2006 |
What about Bill "Maddog" Matlock? Chris Pittaro? Darnell Coles? (not to obscure, I know) | ||
Jrvass Member Username: Jrvass Post Number: 40 Registered: 01-2007 |
FYI... MLB.com is selling tapes and CD's of old Tiger broadcasts. James | ||
Zulu_warrior Member Username: Zulu_warrior Post Number: 3148 Registered: 10-2003 |
Ron LeFlore Every kid watched the Ron LeFlore Story in the 70's | ||
Christos Member Username: Christos Post Number: 63 Registered: 12-2006 |
Luis Slazar Chris Brown Marty Costillo Barbaro Garbey Johnny Grubb Eric King Jim Morrison Billy Bean Billy Beane Ivan DeJesus Gary Pettis Al Pedrique Lloyd Moseby Rusty Meacham Skeeter Barnes Oh yes, I said Skeeter Barnes. | ||
Eric_w Member Username: Eric_w Post Number: 33 Registered: 02-2007 |
Someone asked about the 1968 roster. The starting lineup for the 1968 World Series: I remember most of their numbers but not all. 2b Dick McCauliffe # 3 SS Mickey Stanley # 24 RF Al Kaline # 6 1B Norm Cash # 25 * LF Willie Horton # 23 CF Jim Northrup # 5 C Bill Freehan # 11 3B Don Wert # 8 Reserves: Ray Oyler # 1 * Wayne Comer # ? Jim Price #12 Gates Brown # 26 Tom Matchick # 2 Eddie Matthews *( started game 4 @ 3b) # 7 Dick Tracjewski # 44 pitchers: Denny McClain # 17 Mickey Lolich # 29 Earl Wilson * # 16 ? Joe Sparma * # 21 John Hiller Jon Warden Elroy Face * Darryl Patterson Pat Dobson Don MacMahon * Fred Lasher * deceased | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 4564 Registered: 11-2004 |
Sad to think that so many of the '68 Tigers are no longer with us... especially the like of Norm Cash and Earl Wilson. I still remember them at the tail end of their careers too. | ||
Schulzte1 Member Username: Schulzte1 Post Number: 57 Registered: 01-2007 |
Bill Gullickson, worst 20 game winner ever! | ||
Zephyrprocess Member Username: Zephyrprocess Post Number: 310 Registered: 08-2006 |
Uniform numbers for the 1968 roster can be found here: http://www.baseball-almanac.co m/teamstats/roster.php?y=1968& t=DET | ||
Yaktown Member Username: Yaktown Post Number: 136 Registered: 02-2006 |
Paging Dave Bergman...my gf got his autograph a few years back. She was working some place in Troy and in comes Dave for an appointment. I think he was some sort of salesman. Lance Parrish will be the manager of the Great Lakes Loons in Midland this season. This is their first year there, having moved from Battle Creek. http://www.loons.com | ||
Rhymeswithrawk Member Username: Rhymeswithrawk Post Number: 604 Registered: 11-2005 |
Lance Parrish is far from obscure. Nor is Bergman, really. What about Bill "Maddog" Matlock? Madlock was an All-Star in the National League. Sure, he had only a year or so in Detroit, but he wasn't a nobody. | ||
65memories Member Username: 65memories Post Number: 371 Registered: 10-2003 |
Earl Torgeson, 1st base | ||
Lowell Board Administrator Username: Lowell Post Number: 3780 Registered: 10-2003 |
Lynn Jones -- charter member of the brotherhood of the pine. Great situation player and injury fill-in sub, but couldn't seem to hold up in a regular starting situations. I felt bad that he got traded before the 84 season. A real gentleman too. Speaking of Curtis Pride, I think the was the reason why all pitchers and catchers cover their mouths with gloves when talking on the mound. | ||
Goirish1966 Member Username: Goirish1966 Post Number: 8 Registered: 02-2007 |
purnell goldy | ||
Thnk2mch Member Username: Thnk2mch Post Number: 878 Registered: 02-2006 |
Hank Greenberg I know he wasn't obscure in his day, but I didn't hear a lot about him growing up. | ||
Little_buddy Member Username: Little_buddy Post Number: 11 Registered: 03-2006 |
Jerry Lumpe played second base in the early 60's I think. | ||
Zephyrprocess Member Username: Zephyrprocess Post Number: 356 Registered: 08-2006 |
quote:Here's an effort (from 1998) to correct that: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt02 08261/ | ||
Patrick Member Username: Patrick Post Number: 4310 Registered: 10-2003 |
Frank Howard, although he only played for about a season. Hondo was 6'7" and 280 pounds of force to be reckoned with. he hit the left field roof at the corner and he has about distant outfield 8 seats at RFK painted white to mark the spot where his homers landed. He hit one out of Yankee Stadium near where the foul line and facade meet. It was called foul, but many Yankees claimed it left the park fair. | ||
Zephyrprocess Member Username: Zephyrprocess Post Number: 357 Registered: 08-2006 |
He was a September waiver acquisition (i.e., post-trade deadline thus not eligible for the playoffs) in 1972, yes? | ||
Jiminnm Member Username: Jiminnm Post Number: 1265 Registered: 02-2005 |
The Hank Greenberg film was written and directed by Aviva Kempner, Cass Tech class of 1965. For a couple of somewhat obscure Tigers, I'll offer up the "Walking Man" Eddie Yost - 3B in 1959 and 1960. He averaged about 90 walks a season over his long career and had 125 and 135 in his 2 seasons with the Tigers. The other is Ray Boone - infielder (played all positions I think) 1953-58. He hit .280-.300 with the Tigers, but is probably more know for being the father of player and manager Bob Boone, and grandfather to players Aaron and Bret Boone. | ||
Eric_w Member Username: Eric_w Post Number: 162 Registered: 02-2007 |
"Jerry Lumpe played second base in the early 60's I think." Played for us from 1964-1967. Came via trade from Kanas City for Rocky Colovito. Remember the old saying? "Don't knock the Rock" | ||
Whithorn11446 Member Username: Whithorn11446 Post Number: 65 Registered: 03-2007 |
Duke Sims-Acquired by the Tigers as another Billy Martin drinking buddy. At least he hit a home run, which I believe was his last as a Tiger so a relative could receive his free gallons of Marathon gasoline around 1973. I think it was announced on WJR by Ernie. | ||
Astagafa Member Username: Astagafa Post Number: 6 Registered: 05-2007 |
Jake Wood. The only Tiger with some wheels in the early 60's. | ||
Harpernottingham Member Username: Harpernottingham Post Number: 213 Registered: 04-2006 |
All the good ones have been taken already, but I can't forget my man Billy McMillon. He was my Tiger back in 2000-01. | ||
Ravine Member Username: Ravine Post Number: 1113 Registered: 01-2006 |
Hey Harnott, I actually saw your guy hit a Home Run into Center Field at Comerica Park. He didn't end up doing much (or getting a chance to do much) for us, but that HR was rather impressive, yes indeedy. That, in the park which Juan Gonzalez whined about being too big... | ||
J_to_the_jeremy Member Username: J_to_the_jeremy Post Number: 28 Registered: 03-2007 |
Skeeter Barnes's baseball card used to make me laugh all the time. | ||
Ravine Member Username: Ravine Post Number: 1117 Registered: 01-2006 |
J, could you tell us why? The name? The tepid stats? The photo? All of those? | ||
Chitaku Member Username: Chitaku Post Number: 1486 Registered: 03-2006 |
Gary Pettis | ||
Xd_brklyn Member Username: Xd_brklyn Post Number: 260 Registered: 10-2003 |
Have a few--Jim Walewander, Ray Oyler, Eddie Brinkman, Aurelio Rodriguez, and Dick Tracewski, who I believe was the only person to be in uniform as player or coach for both the 1968 & 1984 World Champion Tigers. But my all-time favorite obscure player would be Les Cain. In 1971 at Tiger Stadium, Les Cain threw one pitch and was then pulled by Billy Martin pulled for a reliever. Will never forget that. It seemed unbelievable at the time and I still haven't heard anything like it since. (It wasn't until now that I read Les Cain would later sue the Tigers because Billy Martin forced Cain to pitch while injured.) Also little known trivia, Les Cain was the last Detroit Tiger pitcher to hit a home run before the designated hitter rule. | ||
Catman_dude Member Username: Catman_dude Post Number: 194 Registered: 03-2006 |
Danny Meyer, outfielder Leon Roberts | ||
Dds Member Username: Dds Post Number: 310 Registered: 10-2006 |
Jack Billingham |
