Detroit Tigers: The forgotten season of 1972

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.