Detroit Tigers: The forgotten season of 1972

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DETROIT, MI – SEPTEMBER 23: Relief pitcher Alex Wilson /

How hard is it to repeat as World Series Champions? Just ask the Detroit Tigers of the early 1970’s.

The Detroit Tigers were world champions in 1968, breaking a 23 year old drought. However, it would be another 16 years before they made it back to the World Series, in their magical 1984 season. In the meantime, what happened? Staff writer Jim Kramer takes a look:

A different era of baseball

Following the successful 1968 campaign, the Detroit Tigers struggled to regain their championship ways. The 1969 Bengals finished a distant second place to the Baltimore Orioles.

In the newly established American League Eastern Division, they completed the season with a 90-72 record. That put them 19 games behind the Orioles.

In an era dominated by great pitching, changes were underway to balance the scales.

In 1969, Major League baseball lowered the pitching mound to 10 inches above home plate.

This was an attempt to eradicate pitching dominance. The average major league ERA that year was 2.98. Today we would look at a pitcher with that type of earned run average as dominate. Since the mound was lowered, the ERA for Major League pitchers has been 4.06.

Although it has been only 50 years, the game has changed dramatically.

The 2003 Detroit Tigers are often labeled the ‘worst team ever’. Their cumulative batting average was .240. In contrast, the 1968 World Series Champs had a cumulative batting average of .235.

KANSAS CITY, MO – SEPTEMBER 27: A baseball sits on the field before the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on September 27, 2017 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Brian Davidson/Getty Images) /

Post World Series Seasons

In the years following the championship, the Detroit Tigers struggled to repeat as a champion.

Under the management of Mayo Smith, the Tigers dipped to 4th place in 1970. Knowing that their stars were growing old, the Tigers made a change.

In 1971, the Detroit Tigers hired Billy Martin. Immediately, the Tigers jumped back into contention. While, the majority of Tiger stars from the 1968 team remained, there were significant subtractions.

In 1970, the Tigers traded star pitcher Denny McClain to Washington. In exchange, the Tigers received Aurelio Rodriguez, Ed Brinkman and Joe Coleman.

The 1971 Detroit Tigers finished 91 – 71 in second place.

The 1972 Season

The season began under the pale of a players strike. By the time of resolution, a total of 86 games were lost. That fact would have significant ramifications.

Many of the Tigers’ stars were now aging. Al Kaline and Norm Cash were 37 and a total of 16 players were in their in their 30’s.

‘Billy Ball,’ Martin’s unique managing style, and pitching ultimately led the Tigers to a championship season.

The Tigers were well past their prime and had very few power hitters. Consequently, Martin instituted small ball. It was a form of baseball that became known as Billy Ball.

While Billy Ball produced a substantial run total, pitching was the key to success.

The regulars were led by Kaline, who had a .314 batting average, and Cash who had 22 home runs and 61 RBI. Mickey Lolich and Joe Coleman led the team in wins. Lolich finished the season with 22 wins, struck out 259 batters and had an ERA of 2.50.

But it was the late season acquisition of Woody Fryman that carried the Tigers. While the Bengals were struggling to win games, Fryman had a 10 – 3 record and a 2.06 era in the last months of the season.

Oddly enough, the most significant reason the Tigers would win the division was the early season strike. The Tigers would play one more game than the Red Sox and finish a half game ahead.

DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 18: A detail of a Detroit Tigers hat with an official postseason logo is seen on the bat rack in the udgout againstthe New York Yankees during game four of the American League Championship Series at Comerica Park on October 18, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Post Season Series

In the 1972 American League Championship, the Tigers faced the emerging Oakland Athletics.

Oakland, playing at home, won the first two games of the series.

The most memorable game was the second game of the series. A fight broke out between pitcher Lerrin LaGrow and Oakland shortstop Bert Campaneris.

Campaneris took offense at a ball that hit him in the ankle. The Oakland A’s shortstop thought it was intentional.

A fight ensued. True to form, Martin went after Campaneris and had to be restrained by teammates and umpires.

Both LaGrow and Campaneris received suspensions for the remaining games of the series. The remaining three games were played in Detroit.

Detroit won games three and four. Game three went into extra innings. After the A’s scored two in the 10th, Detroit came back and scored three runs to win it.

Unfortunately, that was the end for the Detroit team.

Season star Fryman was pitted against Blue Moon Odom in game five. Odom and Vida Blue would ultimately combine for the win, 2-1.

There were some heroics in the ninth, however, as Cash reached base. The Tigers, unfortunately, were not able to drive him in.

Next: 2006 Tigers: Where are they now?

The A’s went on to win three straight American League titles.

The Tigers let manager Billy Martin go at the conclusion of the series. Detroit did not see another post season series until 1984.

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How hard is it to repeat as World Series Champions? Just ask the Detroit Tigers of the early 1970’s.

A different era of baseball

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