Detroit Tigers: Eyebrow-Raising Transactions #10-1

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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Jul 17, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A fireworks display after game two of a baseball doubleheader between the Chicago White Sox and the Kansas City Royals at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Caylor Arnold-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Billy Pierce

If you travel to U.S. Cellular Field, you will see #19 in the list of retired numbers. That number belonged to pitcher Billy Pierce who was one of the best pitchers to throw for the White Sox. He began his career with the Detroit Tigers, but was traded in 1948 to the Sox for catcher Aaron Robinson. Once Pierce left the Tigers, he went on to attend seven All-Star Games. He finished in third for the Cy Young Award near the end of his career and he earned several MVP votes throughout his career.

He led the league in several statistics while in Chicago, but his best season was in 1955 when he earned 1.97 ERA, 2.83 FIP, and 1.099 WHIP. Anderson was an average player who hit .244/.390/.765 with Detroit. Meh.

One of the saddest aspects of the trade was that Pierce was from Highland Park, Michigan. He could have been a favorite son with ties to Michigan if the Tigers decided to keep him.

Next: Firing a Manager with a Winning Record

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