Detroit Tigers: Top Five Moments of 2017

By Andy Patton | Dec 14, 2017

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - SEPTEMBER 30: Andrew Romine #17 of the Detroit Tigers is congratulated by teammate Shane Greene #61 after getting Zack Granite #8 of the Minnesota Twins out to end their baseball game on September 30, 2017, at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota.(Photo by Andy King/Getty Images) /

6 of 6

Detroit Tigers

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 30: Andrew Romine #17 of the Detroit Tigers is congratulated by teammate James McCann after pitching to the Minnesota Twins in the eighth inning during of their baseball game on September 30, 2017, at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota.(Photo by Andy King/Getty Images) /

Despite being well out of contention, September was a fun month for the Detroit Tigers. It ended with arguably the most memorable game of the season.

Manager Brad Ausmus, who had already been told his contract was not being renewed, decided to finish out his tenure by allowing utility-man Andrew Romine a chance to play all nine positions in one game.

Romine, 31, was not new to pitching. He had tossed 0.2 innings on July 26 in a 16-2 loss to the Royals. He had also pitched once in 2014 and again in 2016, so his appearance on the mound was nothing new.

Behind the plate, however, was a different story.

More from Detroit Tigers History

Catcher was the only position Romine had never played heading into this game. Romine only caught 0.1 innings, catching Blaine Hardy to lead off the seventh. He allowed one passed ball before a series of moves pushed Romine back to second base.

Romine then came in and pitched to start the eighth inning. He faced Miguel Sano and got him to ground out to third base.

He then moved over to first base and remained there for the rest of the game, even fielding the final groundout in the Tigers 3-2 victory.

Romine went 1-3 with a walk and a strikeout at the plate. His passed ball was his only negative fielding stat, and while at second base he was part of a 6-4-3 double play.

Romine, who is now a member of the Seattle Mariners, was the sixth player in MLB history to play all nine positions in a single game. The last time it happened was in 2000, when the Tigers allowed utility man Shane Halter to do it.

The Tigers won that game as well, 12-11.

Next: Morris and Trammell finally hear HOF call

There are sure to be plenty of exciting moments for the Detroit Tigers again in 2018. The beauty of baseball is that once in a lifetime moments can happen on any given day. Fans will want to make sure to take in as much Tigers baseball as possible in 2018, so they don’t miss any.

Home/Detroit Tigers History