'84 Tigers gather for reunion

By: Michael Niziolek

The game may have been rained out, but the '84 Tigers Championship Reunion went on as scheduled Monday at Comerica Park. Here is a taste of a few of the sights In-Play! Magazine captured at the event....but make sure to check out the next issue of the magazine for in-depth coverage of the event and thoughts from Lance Parrish, Jack Morris, Alan Trammell and more!

Lance Parrish signing seats from old Tigers Stadium.....

Sparky Anderson joking with Alan Trammell while the group gets ready for the team photo...

Former Tigers and coaches from the '84 Championship team posing for the team photo...

FUN, FACTS AND FIGURES FOR TODAYS TIGERS GAME SEPT 30

FUN, FACTS AND FIGURES FOR TODAYS TIGERS GAME SEPT 30 VS THE MINNESOTA TWINS
In Play! Magazine

Tigers (Lyon) Blow Golden Opportunity

The wheels continue to wobble out of control for Tigers pitching, particularly the closers.

With the game tied 1-1 in the top of the 10th Tiger closer Brandon Lyon blew the game with back to back wild pitches moving the man on first to third and then loading the bases.

The Twins would score two runs to make it 3-2 going into the bottom of the 10th.

Granderson tried his best to help out with a solo shot to right field to make it 3-2, but it wasn't enough as the Tigers drop the first game of the double header 3-2.

Minnesota is now one game back in the A.L. Central with first place up for grabs in game two of today's double header later on tonight.

In Play! Magazine

Fun, Facts and Figures for Game 1 of Today's Double Header Sept 29

Fun, Facts and Figures for Game 1 of Today's Double Header vs the Minnesota Twins.

In Play! Magazine

TIGERS VERSUS TWINS GAME 9/28 POSTPONED DUE TO RAIN

Makeup Game Scheduled as Part of Split Doubleheader Tomorrow at 12:05 p.m.

DETROIT – Tonight’s scheduled game against the Minnesota Twins at Comerica Park has been postponed due to rain and impending rain.

The game will be made up tomorrow as the first game of a split doubleheader, which will begin at 12:05 p.m. The afternoon game will be followed by the regularly scheduled game at 7:05 p.m.Tickets for tonight’s game will be honored for the first game on Tuesday at 12:05 p.m.

Gates for tomorrow’s first game will open at 10:30 a.m.

In Play! Magazine

Choke Time! By Denny McLain

Choke Time!
By Denny McLain
In Play! Magazine

Now it is real easy to point out the choking going on right now with our Tigers and chocking it is! But, don’t worry, the division is so bad that they will limp into the playoffs despite the play of everyone, people missing tags and cut-off men is a sign of real chokers. But, Leyland has to play the veterans now or he will lose this division.

You don’t play kids when the games are so critical, so Jim, play the real guys, real veterans and win you shall, but to play the kids out there will choke it up pretty bad.

Now, onto the ‘84 Tigers. There is a celebration of the 84 Tigers this Monday (Sept 28) at the ballpark and rightfully there should be. After all, they did celebrate the ‘68 guys.

I heard radio hosts popping off that Sparky Anderson should have a statue out there in the park, or retire his number for his contributions as a manager here in Detroit.

Come on folks! If we are handing out honors and statues in the ball park now for what Sparky did, let’s go back to ‘68 and give Mayo Smith and some other guys from that team a statue as well.

After all, that team did more for the city of Detroit and Michigan in 1968 than any other pro franchise in the history of this city. So let’s stop the silliness of another statue! Before you fly off the handle you should be at least 55 years old so you can remember what shape this city was in 1968.

Ernie Harwell’s name has also been coming up.

Hell, there are some people that don’t think Ernie should have his statue in the entrance to the park. “After all, what did he do but sit on his butt and broadcast games”, they say.

I am talking about the game of baseball and nothing else. I thought that the theme of the ball park was about the game itself, not for things people may or may not do off the field.
After all, if you are going to honor people for contributions to the city and for the Tigers, none were better and more generous then the guys from the ‘68 team. There was no function they didn’t attend when asked…not.

So let’s get real, if Sparky is going to get a statue, than Mayo Smith should get one too.

Stop and get real, cause this disingenuous ass-kissing of Sparky is a bit more than silly.

RAPADA ADDED TO THE ROSTER

The Tigers today announced lefthanded pitcher Clay Rapada has been added to the club’s active roster. He compiled a 4-2 record, 2.76 ERA (45.2IP/14ER), five saves and 47 strikeouts in 42 outings with Triple A Toledo this season. Rapada will join the club in Chicago for tonight's game and wear uniform number 50.

In Play! Magazine