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Detroit Tigers: Eyebrow-Raising Transactions #10-1

By Kristen Bentley

Jul 26, 2015; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Hall of Fame Inductee John Smoltz puts on a wig to combat all the comments about how he has no hair during his acceptance speech during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies at Clark Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 26, 2015; Cooperstown, NY, USA; Hall of Fame Inductee John Smoltz puts on a wig to combat all the comments about how he has no hair during his acceptance speech during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremonies at Clark Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 6, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis (22) and shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) during the singing of God Bless America at the seventh inning stretch of the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 6, 2015; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Indians second baseman Jason Kipnis (22) and shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) during the singing of God Bless America at the seventh inning stretch of the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

6. Rocky Colavito

Tigers fans were not the only fans to shake their heads and raise their eyebrows with this trade. The fans of the Cleveland Indians were upset that their favorite player was sent to their rivals to the north. Long after the trade, Colavito was still upset about being sent away from a team that felt like home.

Once he was added to the lineup, he hit between Kaline and Norm Cash. The trio was known as “Murders Row” and they were only stopped by the Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris lineup in 1961. He played in Detroit for four seasons, but was quietly traded in the fall of 1963 for two pitchers and an infielder. Jerry Lumpe, Dave Wickersham, and Ed Rakow did not perform to the same ability as Colavito. Rumor has it that Colavito was sent away to open up a spot for Willie Horton – this is the “nice” rumor. The other rumor is that Colavito was sent away because he wanted too much money, supposedly $1000 more than Kaline made – this is the “not-so-nice” rumor.

He was traded to the Kansas City Athletics in the 1964 season, then he made it back to Cleveland in 1965. But, the Tigers lost out on one of the most consistent hitters in the history of the game.

Next: There Goes One Hall-of-Famer

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