Bless You Boys:The 30th Anniversaryof the1984 World ChampionDetroit TigersBy Darryl Heron

The 1984 Detroit Tigers Season was a magical one for me and one I‘ll never forget.

It was a real boost to a city and a metropolitan community that really needed one!

I fondly look back, 30 years later.I hope you join me on this journey

The Tigers started the season strong with a 9 game winning streak

On April 7, Jack Morris pictched a no hitter

After 40 games into the season they were 35-5

If fact, they never let their lead slip the entire season

Jack Morris was a pictcher that the Tigers could count on, winning 19 games during that season with an ERA (Earned Run Average) of 3.60

Aurelio Lopez, „Senior Smoke“ was that relief pitcher that every bullpin needs.

He finished the seaon 10-1 with 14 saves and a 2.94 ERA.

Willie Hernandez, received the Cy Young Award, becoming one of the few relief pitchers to earn that award!

His record for the year was 9-3 with 32 saves, 1.92 ERA, 112 strikouts, giving up only 6 home runs, 30 runs, and 96 hits. Of 33 save apperances, he recorded 32.

With Lou Whitaker at Second Base and Alan Trammel at Shortstop, you never knew when they‘d get a double play.These two sure stopped plenty of baserunners that year!

Lance Parrish was ever present behind homeplate He 33 runs and 98 RBIs (runs batted in) durring the season

Kirk Gibson was a hometown favorite with a lot of spark and hustle. He had 27 home runs, 91 RBIs, and 29 stolen bases! Pitchers really had to keep their eye on him, when he got on base there was a good chance that he was going to steal a base or two.

All the players & the fans loved Sparky!

Watching that Magic Number...

In September we started looking at the magic number, that combination of wins by the Tigers and losses by the other teams trying to capture the American League East Division Crown neede for theTigers to make the playoffs. Some friends and I were at the game when they clinched the division tittle. The fans and the area were estactic!

1984 ALCS....

The Tigers swept the Kansas City Royals in 3 games in the American League Championship Series.

The Tigers were on their way back to the World Series!

Their last trip to the Series was when the won it in 1968! (I would have my 2nd birthday shortly after that)

Game One-Tuesday October 9th in Kansas City

Jack Morris got off to a bad start with Steve Garvey and Graig Nettles getting on base and Terry Kennedy hitting a two run double. Larry Herndon hit a two-run home run that turned out the be the game winner. Jack Morris pitched the complete game and gave the Tigers the first win of the Series!

Detroit 3 San Diego 2

Game Two-Wenesday October 10th in Kansas City

Kurt Bevacqua got a three-run home run off Dan Petry in the fifth-inning and the Padres ended up tying up the series at 1-1.

Detroit 3 San Diego 5

Game Three-Friday October 12th in Detroit

The Tigers hit starting pitcher Tim Lollar up for four runs, including a two-run homer by Marty Castillo, in the second-inning. Willie Hernandez pitched 2 1/3 innings of relief and Milt Wilcox got the win. Tigers take lead of the Series.

Detroit 5 San Diego 2

Game Four-Saturday October 13th in Detroit

Allan Trammell hit two two-run homers (first and third-innings) and Jack Morris pitched another complete game. Trammell went 9 for 20 against the Padres in the Series. The Tigers are now up 3-1.

Detroit 4 San Diego 2

Game Five-Sunday October 14th in Detroit

The Padres had rallied and were within one run of the Tigers. Bottom of the 8th with runners on second and third and one out. The question now was, if Goose Gossage was going to walk Kirk Gibson or pitch to him. The answer goes into baseball history, Gibson got the pitch he wanted and hit one into the upper deck. The Tigers win the Series!

Detroit 8 San Diego 4

Time to celebrate!

Because it takes a team! 1984 Detroit Tigers Roster

Pitchers Catchers Outfielders

Glenn Abbott Marty Castillo Kirk Gibson

Doug Bair Dwight Lowry Johnny Grubb

Juan Berenguer Lance Parrish Larry Herndon

Willie Hernandez Infielders Ruppert Jones

Aurelio Lopez Doug Baker Rusty Kuntz

Roger Mason Dave Bergman Chet Lemmon

Sid Monge Tom Brookens Nelson Simmons

Jack Morris Scott Earl Other batters

Randy O‘Neal Barbaro Garbey Rod Allen

Dan Petry Howard Johnson Darrell Evans

Dave Rozema Mike Laga

Bill Scherrer Alan Trammell

Milt Wilcox Lou Whitaker

Carl Willis

The Sporting News seemed to be onto something as early as their May 28th issue!

For me I was entering my Senior Year of high school on a high note. Watching my first local professional sports team capture a championship was exciting and addicting. I‘ve been fortunate enough to see several other local teams win championships... but I‘ll never forget the „Roar in 84“ !

„Bless You Boys“!

Sadly, Aurelio Lopez died in at car accident at the age of 44 on Septmber 22, 1992 and Sparky Anderson passed away at the age of 76 on November 4, 2010. Tiger fans won‘t soon forget these two!

I hope that you‘ve enjoyed this trip down memory lane...

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