Events from October 10th to October 15th from Detroit sports history, include notable performances by Mickey Lolich, Alan Trammell, Kirk Gibson, Magglio Ordonez, Justin Verlander, and Anibal Sanchez. As well as firsts and milestones by Gordie Howe and Nicklas Lidstrom.
October 10
On October 10, 2012, Jose Valverde surrenders three runs to the A’s in the bottom of the ninth to lose Game Four of the AL Division Series in Oakland. “Papa Grande” blows a 3-1 lead and a chance to send Detroit to the AL Championship Series. The tigers are visibly stunned in the dugout as their closer blows the save.
On October 10, 2011, the Lions score 14 points in the third quarter to pull away from Chicago and win 24-13 on Monday Night Football. The victory over the Bears improves the Lions to 5-0, their best start in more than three decades. They lose the following week but make the playoffs with a 10-6 record, their first postseason appearance in twelve years.
On October 10, 1983, after more than 20 years as the sole owner of the team, John E. Fetzer sells the Detroit Tigers to pizza magnate Tom Monaghan. Monaghan pays more than $50 million for a team that Fetzer invested less than $6 million in when he was part of a group that purchased the Tigers in 1956.
On October 10, 1972, the Tigers defeat the Oakland A’s in Game Three of the American League Championship Series on a shutout by Joe Coleman, who sets a MLB record with 14 strikeouts in a playoff game. The win at Tiger Stadium keeps the Tigers alive in the best-of-five series.
On October 10, 1968, Mickey Lolich pitches his second complete game victory in four days in Game Seven of the World Series, as the Tigers win the world championship over the St. Louis Cardinals. It’s Lolich’s third complete game win of the Fall Classic.
On October 10, 1945, the Tigers win Game Seven by the score of 9-3 over the Chicago Cubs to earn their second World Series title. Hal Newhouser gets the win, striking out 10 enemy batters.
On October 10, 1908, in the opener of their second straight World Series against the Cubs, the Tigers lose, 10-6 at Bennett Park. Leading 6-5 entering the ninth, for the second straight year, Detroit fails to wrap up a Game One victory. The Cubs bang out six straight singles and steal two bases to score five runs and stun the Detroit crowd.
October 11
On October 11, 2012, Detroit ace Justin Verlander manhandles the A’s in Game Five of the AL Division Series, pitching a four-hit shutout to advance the Tigers to the next round of the playoffs. The win comes one day after the Tigers blew a two-run lead in the ninth inning.
On October 11, 2011, the Tigers defeat the Rangers, 5-2 in Game Three of the American League Championship Series to take a 2-1 lead. Doug Fister pitches into the eighth inning, allowing just two runs, and the Tigers get home runs from Victor Martinez, Jhonny Peralta, and Miguel Cabrera in the victory at Comerica Park.
On October 11, 1972, the Tigers rally for a thrilling victory over the Oakland A’s in Game Four of the American League Championship Series. Trailing by two runs in the bottom of the 10th inning at Tiger Stadium, Detroit tallies three runs, the last on a single by Jim Northrup, to tie the best-of-five series.
On October 11, 1960, John E. Fetzer purchases shares from his partners that gives him majority control of the Detroit Tigers. Fetzer will be an owner of the team until 1983.
On October 11, 1907, Detroit hosts their first World Series game, at Bennett Park. Unfortunately, the Tigers lose to the Chicago Cubs, 6-1, to fall behind in the Series, 3 games to none.
October 12
On October 12, 2013, the Tigers nearly throw the first multi-pitcher no-hitter in postseason history in Game One of the American League Championship Series. Starter Anibal Sanchez and relievers Al Alburquerque, Jose Veras, and Drew Smyly hold the Red Sox hitless through eight innings at Fenway Park. Closer Joaquin Benoit enters in the ninth and records one out but then allows a single to Daniel Nava. Benoit gets the last two outs and secures Detroit’s 1-0 win in the series opener.
On October 12, 2011, with a chance to take a commanding 3 games to 1 lead in the ALCS, the Tigers lose a heartbreaker to the Rangers, 7-3 in extra innings. Closer Jose Valverde allows four runs in the 11th to take the loss.
On October 12, 1972, the Tigers lose 2-1 to Oakland in Game Five of the American League Championship Series. Vida Blue pitches four shutout innings of relief to hold down the home team at Tiger Stadium. Woodie Fryman and John Hiller hold the A’s to four hits but an error by shortstop Dick McAuliffe leads to Oakland’s winning run.
On October 12, 1909, George Mullin shuts out the Pirates on five hits as Detroit beats Pittsburgh, 5-0 in GAme Four of the World Series at Bennett Park. The victory ties the series at two games apiece.
On October 12, 1908, the Tigers finally win their first World Series game, blasting the Cubs, 8-3 in Game Three of the Fall Classic. Ty Cobb collects four hits and steals two bases in the win.
October 13
On October 13, 2013, the Tigers lose a heartbreaking game at Fenway Park in the second game of the AL Championship Series. Starter Max Scherzer holds the Red Sox hitless through 5 2/3 innings and strikes out 13 in seven innings before leaving the game with a 5-1 lead. But Joaquin Benoit allows a grand slam to David Ortiz in the eight inning on a ball that eludes right fielder Torii Hunter, who falls head-first into the bullpen in pursuit. The Tigers lose in the bottom of the ninth on a single by Jarrod Saltalamacchia. The loss ties the series at one game apiece.
On October 13, 2012, the Yankees hit two two-run home runs off Jose Valverde in the ninth inning to erase a 4-0 Detroit lead and send Game One of the AL Championship Series into extra innings. The Tigers bullpen steps up in extra frames though, and in the 12th Delmon Young and Andy Dirks deliver run-scoring hits to give Detroit a 6-4 lead and the win at Yankee Stadium. Drew Smyly retires the last six Yankee hitters to close out the victory.
On October 13, 2006, Tiger lefty Kenny Rogers pitches a gem in Detroit’s 3-0 victory over the Athletics in Game Three of the American League Championship Series. In the win at Comerica Park, Rogers allows just two hits in 7 ⅓ innings and Craig Monroe homers to give Detroit a commanding 3 games to none lead.
On October 13, 1984, in Tiger Stadium, shortstop Alan Trammell hits a pair of two-run homers to back Jack Morris’ five-hitter as the Tigers win Game Four of the World Series over the San Diego Padres, 4-2. Trammell will be named MVP of the series.
On October 13, 1947, three members of the Red Wings play in the NHL’s first All-Star Game in Toronto. Ted Lindsay, Jack Stewart, and Bill Quackenbush represent Detroit in the game.
October 14
On October 14, 2012, Anibal Sanchez tosses seven shutout innings and fans seven batters as the Tigers defeat the Yankees 3-0 to take a commanding two games to none lead in the AL Championship Series.
On October 14, 2006, Magglio Ordonez hits a three-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning off Oakland closer Huston Street to send the Tigers to the World Series. With two outs and the game tied 3-3, the Tigers get singles from Craig Monroe and Placido Polanco before Ordonez sends a blast into the left field stands, setting off a celebration at Comerica Park.
On October 14, 1984, the Tigers launch three homers, two of them by Kirk Gibson, to win the World Series in Game Five. Lance Parrish hits the other home run as Detroit wins, 8-4 at Tiger Stadium. It’s the Tigers fourth World Series title.
On October 14, 1929, the Tigers sell one of their greatest hitters away when they send Harry Heilmann to the Cincinnati Reds for cash. Heilmann hit .344 in 1929 but will play only one season with the Reds before retiring. With Detroit, the right-handed hitting outfielder and future Hall of Famer won four batting titles.
On October 14, 1909, for the second time in three days, George Mullin defeats the Pirates in the World Series, taking Game Six by the score of 5-4 at Bennett Park in Detroit. The victory sends Detroit to a deciding Game Seven in Pittsburgh.
October 15
On October 15, 2013, for the third straight playoff game, a Tiger pitcher holds the Red Sox hitless for at least four innings. Justin Verlander strikes out six straight Boston batters in the second and third inning and holds the Sox hitless through 4 2/3 innings before surrendering an infield single. Mike Napoli’s home run off Verlander is the only run of the game and Detroit loses 1-0 at Comerica Park to fall behind 2-1 in the ALCS.
On October 15, 2009, Nicklas Lidstrom collects his 1,000th point on an assist against the Los Angeles Kings in Detroit’s 5-2 victory at Joe Louis Arena.
On October 15, 1995, goalie Mike Vernon plays in his 500th career game in Detroit’s 5-5 tie with the Winnipeg Jets.
October 16
On October 16, 2012, Justin Verlander spins another gem in the postseason as he defeats the Yankees 2-1 in Game Three of the AL Championship Series. Verlander goes 8 ⅓ innings at Comerica Park, allowing just three hits and one run. It’s his third victory in the postseason and gives the Tigers a commanding 3-0 lead in the series.
Gordie Howe makes his NHL debut on October 16, 1946. He scores a goal against Toronto in Detroit’s 3-3 tie with the Maple Leafs.
On October 16, 1909, the Tigers are shelled by the Pirates, 8-0 in Game Seven of the World Series at Bennett Park in Detroit. It’s the third straight season that Detroit has lost the World Series, marking the biggest disappointment of Ty Cobb’s career. The Tiger star never makes it back to the Series in a career that stretches to 1928.
On October 16, 1900, Leon Goslin is born in Salem, New Jersey. The tall ballplayer later earns the nickname “Goose” because of the funny way he walks, and goes on to a Hall of Fame career. The Tigers make a great trade in 1933 to get Goslin, who serves as a valuable run producer in his stint with the team. His RBI-single is the winning run in the 1935 World Series, driving in teammate Mickey Cochrane. In 1968 Goslin is elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
On October 16, 1888, the Detroit Wolverines make a huge blunder when they sell outfielder Sam Thompson to the Philadelphia Quakers for $5,000. The popular Thompson, known for his trademark handlebar mustache and hulking physique, is dealt because ownership is seeking quick cash. After leaving Detroit, Thompson hits .334 and wins two home run crowns in ten seasons with Philly. In 1974 he is elected to the Hall of Fame.