Detroit Tigers: Eyebrow-Raising Transactions #10-1

3. Billy Martin

Sometimes, bad transactions involve managers. In this case, the managerial transaction that involved Billy Martin was one that should not have happened. Martin is best known as one of the New York Yankees who spent his time with Mickey Mantle, Phil Rizzuto, and the rest of the gang. But, eventually, after his baseball playing antics were over, he became a top manager with a bit of a temper.

The Tigers ended up firing Billy Martin in 1973 after he told reporters that his pitchers were throwing illegal pitches. Even though the Tigers had three successful seasons with Martin, they could not take his brazen behavior. This was too bad. After Martin left Detroit, he managed the Texas Rangers, then returned to the New York Yankees where he led them to the AL Pennant in 1976 and to the World Series in 1977. In 1976, the Tigers were 74-87 and in 1977, they were 74-88. In each season, they finished more than 20 games behind their former manager’s team, the Yankees.

Next: A Bitter Trade That Should Not Have Happened