BoomGaspar Posted July 10, 2023 Share Posted July 10, 2023 This is the first in what will hopefully become a series of posts examining players who have appeared in exactly ONE career game with the Tigers. It may not be updated daily, but hopefully at least a few times per week. With that said, let's begin... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theroundsquare Posted July 10, 2023 Share Posted July 10, 2023 Beiker Graterol? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoomGaspar Posted July 10, 2023 Author Share Posted July 10, 2023 Chris Bando Bando appeared as a defensive replacement for the Tigers on September 13, 1988 in a 9-1 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Having previously served as the backup catcher for the Cleveland Indians since the 1981 season, Bando had been released by the Tribe on August 14 after struggling to a .125 batting average. The Tigers signed Bando on September 2, adding him to the active roster thanks to the September expansion. Despite spending almost a month with the team, he came into a game only once, replacing starting catcher Matt Nokes in the 8th inning, with Nokes having been pinch hit for by Mike Heath (who grounded into a double play) in the 7th. Bando caught reliever Paul Gibson in the bottom of the 8th inning in Toronto, which featured Gibson retiring future Hall of Famer Fred McGriff on a ground ball to third. Bando was released by the Tigers following the '88 season, after which he played in one more career game for the Oakland Athletics. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lordstanley Posted July 10, 2023 Share Posted July 10, 2023 I just checked to see whether he was related to Sal of the A’s. Yes, Sal was his older brother by 12 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigeraholic1 Posted July 10, 2023 Share Posted July 10, 2023 Moonlight Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigerbomb13 Posted July 10, 2023 Share Posted July 10, 2023 I thought about creating another thread about players from the last 10-15 years that I have no recollection of. Now I’ve already forgotten the players I wanted to post. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger337 Posted July 11, 2023 Share Posted July 11, 2023 My favorite is Ed Irwin, but I'll let Boom tell the story. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoomGaspar Posted July 11, 2023 Author Share Posted July 11, 2023 Ed Irwin Ed Irwin played third base for the Tigers on May 18, 1912 as part of a squad of replacement players. Many readers here know the story of Ty Cobb being suspended by American League president Ban Johnson for attacking a heckler in the crowd, and the team's subsequent refusal to take the field until Cobb was reinstated. After Johnson threated to fine Tigers owner Frank Navin $5000 for any forfeited games, the notoriously tight fisted Navin ordered Tigers manager Hughie Jennings to "find players". The Tigers were in Philadelphia to play against the Athletics, and sources report that Jennings recruited any young men he could find in the neighborhood of Shibe Park, the Athletics' home. Irwin was one of those young men, and in his only major league game, he astonishingly hit two triples in three at bats. Tigers starting pitcher Allen Travers, also making his only MLB appearance, said that he was actually pitching well "until they started bunting. The fellow playing third base had never played baseball before." According to Wikipedia, Irwin died four years later when he was "thrown through a saloon window in Philadelphia, a shard of glass penetrating his jugular vein." There is no report on whether the squad of replacement players was issued Tigers uniforms, or if they just played in whatever attire they happened to be wearing when found. Also, this is what the internet offers for an image of Ed Irwin. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigeraholic1 Posted July 11, 2023 Share Posted July 11, 2023 1 hour ago, BoomGaspar said: Ed Irwin Ed Irwin played third base for the Tigers on May 18, 1912 as part of a squad of replacement players. Many readers here know the story of Ty Cobb being suspended by American League president Ban Johnson for attacking a heckler in the crowd, and the team's subsequent refusal to take the field until Cobb was reinstated. After Johnson threated to fine Tigers owner Frank Navin $5000 for any forfeited games, the notoriously tight fisted Navin ordered Tigers manager Hughie Jennings to "find players". The Tigers were in Philadelphia to play against the Athletics, and sources report that Jennings recruited any young men he could find in the neighborhood of Shibe Park, the Athletics' home. Irwin was one of those young men, and in his only major league game, he astonishingly hit two triples in three at bats. Tigers starting pitcher Allen Travers, also making his only MLB appearance, said that he was actually pitching well "until they started bunting. The fellow playing third base had never played baseball before." According to Wikipedia, Irwin died four years later when he was "thrown through a saloon window in Philadelphia, a shard of glass penetrating his jugular vein." There is no report on whether the squad of replacement players was issued Tigers uniforms, or if they just played in whatever attire they happened to be wearing when found. Also, this is what the internet offers for an image of Ed Irwin. Irwin had two triples in three at-bats in the game. He shares the record with Cecil Bolton for most triples in a career with no other hits at two. Irwin was the only member of the replacement Tigers to get a hit in a 24-2 loss. Two members of the coaching staff (Deacon McGuire and Joe Sugden), who were pressed into service for that game, also got one hit each. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoomGaspar Posted July 12, 2023 Author Share Posted July 12, 2023 Don Leshnock Don Leshnock pitched one inning against the California Angels on June 7, 1972. It was his only career major league game despite spending the entire month of June on the Tigers' active roster after being recalled from Toledo on May 30. Leshnock pitched the 9th inning of a 5-1 Tigers loss, during which he struck out Angels pitcher Nolan Ryan and future Tigers batting coach Vada Pinson. He surrendered two hits and no runs, giving him a pristine career ERA of 0.00. Ryan pitched a complete game 3-hitter, striking out 5 Tigers batters to pick up his 5th win of the season. Leshnock spent three more seasons pitching for assorted minor league teams and was inducted into the Youngstown State University Hall of Fame in 1986. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shinzaki Posted July 12, 2023 Share Posted July 12, 2023 Does Tom Selleck's gimmick AB in spring training count? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tigeraholic1 Posted July 12, 2023 Share Posted July 12, 2023 (edited) Bill Leinhauser[edit] Bill Leinhauser Center fielder Born: November 4, 1893 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Died: April 14, 1978 (aged 84) Elkins Park, Pennsylvania Batted: Right Threw: Right MLB debut May 18, 1912, for the Detroit Tigers Last MLB appearance May 18, 1912, for the Detroit Tigers MLB statistics Batting average .000 Home runs 0 Runs batted in 0 Teams Detroit Tigers (1912) William Charles Leinhauser (November 4, 1893 – April 14, 1978) played center field for the replacement Tigers on May 18, 1912. A Philadelphia native, Leinhauser was a noted amateur welterweight boxer.[15] In the replacement game, he took Ty Cobb's spot in center field. He had no hits and struck out three times in four plate appearances. Defensively, he had only one chance and was credited with an assist and no errors.[16] Leinhauser later recalled that he wore Cobb's uniform and used his glove while playing in center field.[15] According to one account, "when Leinhauser's wife found that he had the audacity to replace the great Ty Cobb, she hit him with a skillet."[10] Edited July 12, 2023 by Tigeraholic1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
casimir Posted July 12, 2023 Share Posted July 12, 2023 On 7/11/2023 at 9:32 AM, BoomGaspar said: This picture makes me hope that he talked in that low & mumbley voice that they use for those who wish to remain anonymous. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jim Cowan Posted July 12, 2023 Share Posted July 12, 2023 1 hour ago, casimir said: This picture makes me hope that he talked in that low & mumbley voice that they use for those who wish to remain anonymous. He was one of the original 16-bit players. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoomGaspar Posted July 13, 2023 Author Share Posted July 13, 2023 Jay Sborz Jay Sborz pitched 2/3 of an inning on June 22, 2010 as the Tigers were thumped 14-6 by the New York Mets in interleague action. Sborz, who had been recalled from Toledo earlier in the day, entered the game in the third inning in relief of an ineffective Justin Verlander and had an inauspicious start to his career as he hit the first two batters he faced (on consecutive pitches, no less). He then managed to induce a groundout and a strikeout (though it was Mets pitcher Jon Niese bunting foul), followed by three consecutive hits to Mets batters Jose Reyes, Angel Pagan, and David Wright. At that point, manager Jim Leyland had seen enough and went to the mound (presumably cursing under his breath (barely)) to retrieve the shell shocked Sborz. Two days later, Sborz returned to Toledo, never to be seen on a major league mound again, saddling him with a career ERA of 67.50. He did, however, make it on to several trading cards. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedRamage Posted July 13, 2023 Share Posted July 13, 2023 My Favorite is Matt Kinzer for one very important reason: He's a Detroit double one-and-done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoomGaspar Posted July 14, 2023 Author Share Posted July 14, 2023 Matt Kinzer Matt Kinzer pitched 1 2/3 innings on May 26, 1990 in a 10-4 loss to the Chicago White Sox. Acquired in an offseason trade with the St. Louis Cardinals, Kinzer was assigned to AAA Toledo in Spring Training 1990. He was recalled from the Mud Hens on May 25, making his season debut the next day. Entering the game in the 8th inning with one out and White Sox shortstop Ozzie Guillen on first, he surrendered a walk, a double, and two singles leading to four Chicago runs before finally getting out of the inning. He returned to pitch the top of the 9th, this time issuing only a leadoff walk to White Sox catcher Ron Karkovice before retiring Craig Grebeck, Lance Johnson, and Robin Ventura. Two days later, he returned to Toldeo, never to be seen on a major league mound again. Of note, however (as mentioned by RedRamage), Kinzer is, to date, the only person to have appeared in a game for both the Detroit Tigers and the Detroit Lions. On October 11, 1987, Kinzer served as a replacement player as much of the NFL was on strike. Having been the punter during his time at Purdue University, he punted seven times for 238 yards as the (mainly) replacement Lions beat the (mainly) replacement Packers in overtime by a score of 19-16. Once the NFL players and owners reached an agreement later that week, Kinzer's NFL career came to an end. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chasfh Posted July 17, 2023 Share Posted July 17, 2023 Daniel Fields Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger337 Posted July 17, 2023 Share Posted July 17, 2023 I was surprised that he only played one game for two reasons. First, he was talked about so much on this board. Second, I get him confused with his father. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoomGaspar Posted July 17, 2023 Author Share Posted July 17, 2023 (edited) Daniel Fields Daniel Fields played left field for the Tigers on June 4, 2015 in a 7-5 loss to the Oakland Athletics. Fields was added to the active roster on June 2 to temporarily take the place of Rajai Davis, out on paternity leave. After not starting any of the three games he spent with the Tigers, he was inserted in left field in the third inning on June 4 after starter Yoenis Cespedes reported dizziness and flu-like symptoms. Fields struck out in his first two at bats AND committed an error when a Billy Butler line drive rolled under his glove, but doubled off of Oakland reliever Dan Otero in the 9th inning, eventually scoring on a Tyler Collins home run. Sent back to Toledo as Davis returned after the game, he became the first player since 1949 to hit a double in his only major league game. Fields retired from professional baseball in 2022 while playing for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League. His father, Bruce Fields, played for the Tigers in 1986 and served as their hitting coach from 2003-2006. Edited July 17, 2023 by BoomGaspar 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chasfh Posted July 17, 2023 Share Posted July 17, 2023 1 hour ago, Tiger337 said: I was surprised that he only played one game for two reasons. First, he was talked about so much on this board. Second, I get him confused with his father. He was ranked as high as #7 on the Tigers Top 30 for a couple of years, although he never cracked the MLB Top 100. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chasfh Posted July 17, 2023 Share Posted July 17, 2023 24 minutes ago, BoomGaspar said: Daniel Fields Daniel Fields played left field for the Tigers on June 4, 2015 in a 7-5 loss to the Oakland Athletics. Fields was added to the active roster on June 2 to temporarily take the place of Rajai Davis, out on paternity leave. After not starting any of the three games he spent with the Tigers, he was inserted in left field in the third inning on June 4 after starter Yoenis Cespedes reported dizziness and flu-like symptoms. Fields struck out in his first two at bats AND committed an error when a Billy Butler line drive rolled under his glove, but doubled off of Oakland reliever Dan Otero in the 9th inning, eventually scoring on a Tyler Collins home run. Sent back to Toledo as Davis returned after the game, he became the first player since 1949 to hit a double in his only major league game. Fields retired from professional baseball in 2022 while playing for the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League. His father, Bruce Fields, played for the Tigers in 1986 and served as their hitting coach from 2003-2006. No wonder Dan Otero, a putatively 2½-star pitcher, is doing so terrible on my sim team—he can't even keep Daniel Fields off the bases! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tiger337 Posted July 17, 2023 Share Posted July 17, 2023 2 minutes ago, chasfh said: He was ranked as high as #7 on the Tigers Top 30 for a couple of years, although he never cracked the MLB Top 100. Ranking in the Tigers top 30 will always get you lots of attention in Tigers social media. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chasfh Posted July 17, 2023 Share Posted July 17, 2023 1 minute ago, Tiger337 said: Ranking in the Tigers top 30 will always get you lots of attention in Tigers social media. That may be why we can't stop talking about Austin Bergner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoomGaspar Posted July 18, 2023 Author Share Posted July 18, 2023 (edited) Tom Yewcic Tom Yewcic appeared as a defensive replacement at catcher for the Tigers on June 27, 1957 in a 7-2 loss to the Washington Senators. He entered the game in the 6th inning and batted once, popping out to Senators shortstop (and future Tiger) Milt Bolling. A native of Pennsylvania, Yewcic attended Michigan State University and became a star athlete, quarterbacking the Spartans to an undefeated season and the national championship in 1952, following that up with a Big Ten championship and Rose Bowl victory in 1953. He was also an All-American catcher for the MSU baseball team, capping a senior year in which he was named the MVP of the college world series. Following his graduation from MSU, he signed with the Tigers and toiled in their minor league system both before and after his single game MLB appearance. After the 1959 season, Yewcic switched back to football and became the starting quarterback for the Boston Patriots, then of the AFL. He also punted and played running back for the Patriots, making him one of two players in Patriots history to have passed for a touchdown, caught a touchdown pass, rushed for a touchdown, and punted. You may have heard of the other player, a fellow named Tom Brady. Yewcic was inducted into the MSU Hall of Fame in 2003 and died in 2020 at the age of 88. Edited July 18, 2023 by BoomGaspar 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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