Nostalgic

Yes, I have been feeling nostalgic about the Tigers lately. It is partly because they were mired in a horrible losing streak that I did not want to believe was happening, and partly because I am in love with baseball history and the Tigers. So, here is what happened on April 17th in Detroit Tiger history.

April 17, 1955 - In his 2nd full season in the big leagues, Al Kaline established himself as a full fledged star to reckoned with for the next 19 seasons. In 1955, Kaline won the American League batting title hitting .340 while knocking out 27 home runs and driving in 102 runs. Kaline finished 2nd in the AL MVP race to Yogi Berra despite having a superior batting average and 53 more hits. Kaline finished the year with 200 hits, the only year he would reach that plateau.

On this day though, Mr. Tiger would have one of the best games of his career. Kaline would hit 3 home runs in Briggs Stadium that day, including 2 in the 6th inning. He finished the incredible day with 6 RBI's. Steve Gromek from Hamtramck, MI would pitch the shut out that day as the Tigers beat the Kansas City Athletics 16-0. Gromek would finish the year with a 13-10 record and an ERA of 3.98.

April 17, 1960 - In one of the most controversial trades the Cleveland Indians have ever made, the Tigers acquired American League home run champ Rocky Colavito from The Tribe for American League batting champ Harvey Kuehn. The Indian fans thought of Colavito as the best player on their club and did not like the trade at all. Kuehn would only play the 1960 campaign in Cleveland, batting .308, before being traded out west to the San Franciso Giants. Colavito, a 2-time All-Star in Detroit, would play 4 seasons while hitting 139 dingers as a Tiger. The 1961 season would be Colvatio's best in the Olde English D. In that season he hit, .290, 45 home runs, 140 RBI's, and 113 walks.

April 17, 1993 - In the Tigers last winning season for 13 years, they scored 20 runs in a game for the 2nd time in a week. In this game they defeated Seattle 20-3.

April 17, 1981 - Happy Birthday to current Tiger, Ryan Raburn.

April 18, 1871 - Happy Birthday to former owner, Frank Navin

April 18, 1880 - Happy Birthday to former Tiger, Sam Crawford

April 18, 1983 - Happy Birthday to current Tiger, Miguel Cabrera