Detroit Tigers: Ten best pitching performances in team history

Before winning it all in 1935, the Tigers suffered a major heartbreak in the 1934 World Series. They had a 3-2 lead against a loaded Cardinals squad, before dropping games six and seven to lose.

However, before the heartbreak was an outstanding handful of games, including a 12-inning marathon in game two. The Tigers won on a walk-off single by Hall of Famer Goose Goslin, driving in Charlie Gehringer. The real hero of the game, however, was starting pitcher Schoolboy Rowe.

Rowe tossed all 12 innings, giving up two runs on seven hits. He struck out seven and amazingly did not walk any. Even though the Tigers went on to lose, Rowe’s performance in game two was one of the best in team history.

Rowe himself was also one of the best in team history, winning 19 or more games three years in a row between 1934-1936. He was a three-time All-Star and twice finished in the top-ten in MVP voting, even after missing two years serving in World War II.

Rowe finished up his career in 1949 with 158 wins and a 3.87 ERA. He went on to become the Tigers pitching coach in the 1954 and 1955 seasons. He passed away of a heart attack at age 50 in 1961.