Bless You Boys (Revisited)

The Summer of '83

In the fall of 1983, the Detroit Tigers essentially bid on the right to negotiate with free agent infielder Darrell Evans of the San Francisco Giants. The Tigers in 1983 had battled long and hard but finished runner up in the American League East to the Baltimore Orioles. It was a heart breaker of a season, but we saw the full potential of SS Alan Trammell and 2B Lou Whitaker as they both hit around .320. Kirk Gibson and Lance Parrish continued to grow as sluggers, as well. The pitching staff was tough, with Jack Morris and Dan Petry leading the way. The bullpen was decent with Aurelio Lopez and a support cast. The team was led by the great Sparky Anderson and his excellent and longtime coaching staff. We never understood what a great manager Anderson was until he was gone — and the Tigers seemed to turn over managers on a nearly annual basis. In the fall of 1983, the Tigers brass led by Jim Campbell and Bill LaJoie determined that a player like Evans could be the final piece of the puzzle.

Glenn Wilson, RF of the Future …

Of course, the real final piece of the puzzle arrived in late March when the Tigers dealt Glenn Wilson and longtime Tiger John B. Wockenfuss to the Philadelphia Phillies for reliever Willie Hernandez and journeyman first baseman Dave Bergman. Both would play crucial roles on the '84 Detroit Tigers. Most of the rest is history: 35–5 to start the season, led the division from the first day through the World Series, and many outstanding games throughout the season. It truly was a battle, but the "Bless You Boys" Tigers were the real thing. It seemed like they might be the beginning of a dynasty. More or less, the team was young — and still developing. The Tigers celebrated the World Championship at home when they beat the San Diego Padres in five games. Kirk H. Gibson hit two long bombs in that game, the second one coming late in the game and propelling the Tigers to the Championship. He battled the great reliever Rich "Goose" Gossage and won. He would again battle an ace reliever down the road (see 1988 Los Angeles Dodgers).

The Struggle is Real in 1985

The Tigers in 1985 struggled early, suffered some injuries, and just never really took off. The following season was similar and it seemed like the dream that had shined so bright was quickly fading. Certainly, the Tigers weren't going to wait another 16 years to get a World Championship! In 1987, it all came together as the Tigers put on a great show late in the season, battling for quite a deficit with only a week to go and winning the American League East Division. Some how, they lost the American League Championship Series to the Minnesota Twins. It was quite a season, but the Tigers were getting older and it appeared that the beginning that began late in 1983 was winding down already. When Anderson had arrived in 1979 he said the Tigers would win a Championship in five years. It was nearly ten years later and it seemed like things were winding down. By 1989, the team had bottomed out and Anderson took some time off during the season. He would stay with the team through 1995, but sticking up for the scab baseball players during Spring Training tainted him with management.