The 1972 Detroit Tigers: Billy Martin and the Half-Game Champs

by Todd Masters

Overview

After winning the 1968 World Series, the Detroit Tigers looked to be sliding their way into obscurity. Though they still had some marquee players, including Kaline, Cash, Lolich and Freehan, the dynastic Baltimore Orioles seemed to have passed them by. But then in a move that stoked the competitive fires of the team, Detroit hired manager Billy Martin, the star second baseman on Yankees teams that won five World Series and whose managerial debut in 1969 ended in the league championship series. Told against the backdrop of a momentous summer in American history, this is the story of a great team's last hurrah.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786448203
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	03/16/2010
Series:	Sport & Leisure/Baseball/Teams
Pages:	279
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.10(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

SABR member Todd Masters has followed the Detroit Tigers for more than 40 years. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vi

Preface 1

Introduction: A Summer to Remember 5

I Ascending to the Mountaintop ... and Tumbling Back Down 9

II Dark Clouds Gather Over Sunny Skies 27

III Strike One! 42

IV The Race Begins 51

V Measuring Up to the Competition 70

VI Hitting Their Stride 89

VII Out of a Hat and into the Lineup 106

VIII Down to the Wire 129

IX Showdown in Motown 157

X California, Here We Come! 179

XI "I'm Proud of Every One of You Guys" 199

XII Extra Innings 225

XIII End of an Era 234

Appendix (Final Standings and Individual Statistics) 251

Chapter Notes 255

Bibliography 263

Index 265