The 1977

1977 in baseball

-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Los Angeles Dodgers ; Reggie Jackson, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: None*National League Championship Series MVP: Dusty Baker...

 Detroit Tigers

Detroit Tigers

The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...

finished in fourth place in the American League East

American League East

The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...

 with a record of 74-88, 26 games behind the New York Yankees

1977 New York Yankees season

The 1977 New York Yankees season was the 75th season for the Yankees in New York and the 77th season overall for the franchise. It culminated in the 21st World Series championship in franchise history, and its first under the ownership of George Steinbrenner...

. They were outscored by their opponents 751 to 714. The Tigers drew 1,359,856 fans to Tiger Stadium in 1977, ranking 7th of the 14 teams in the American League

American League

The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...

.

Regular season

With 212 hits, 100 runs scored, and a .325 batting average

Batting average

Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...

, center fielder

Center fielder

A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...

 Ron LeFlore

Ron LeFlore

Ronald LeFlore is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played six seasons with the Detroit Tigers before being traded to the Montreal Expos, retiring as a Chicago White Sox in . He stole 455 bases in his career, and was an American League All-Star selection in 1976...

 was the team's most valuable player, and the recipient of the "Tiger of the Year" award. First baseman

First baseman

First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...

 Jason Thompson led the team with 31 home run

Home run

In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...

s and 105 RBI

Run batted in

Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...

s, and second baseman

Second baseman

Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...

 Tito Fuentes

Tito Fuentes

Rigoberto "Tito" Fuentes Peat is a retired second baseman who played for 13 seasons in the Major Leagues between 1965 and 1978...

 was the team's only other .300 hitter, with a .309 batting average and 190 hit

Hit (baseball)

In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....

s. Designated hitter

Designated hitter

In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...

 Rusty Staub

Rusty Staub

Daniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman. He enjoyed a 23-year baseball career with 5 different teams...

 also had a solid season with a .278 batting average, 173 hits, 22 home runs, and 101 RBIs. Highly touted rookie Steve Kemp

Steve Kemp

Steven F. Kemp is a former Major League Baseball outfielder from 1977 to 1986 and 1988. He is of Armenian heritage.-Professional career:...

 (the first pick in the 1976 amateur draft

1976 Major League Baseball Draft

-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1976 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The 1976 Arizona State University team, considered by many to be the best collegiate team ever, played a major role in the draft. Floyd Bannister was picked number one...

) hit .257 with 18 home runs and 88 RBIs.

The rookie sensation of 1976, Mark Fidrych

Mark Fidrych

Mark Steven Fidrych , nicknamed "The Bird", was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched his entire career for the Detroit Tigers ....

 pitched well in 1977 (2.89 ERA), but tendinitis limited "The Bird" to 11 games. The pitching star of 1977 for Detroit was rookie Dave Rozema

Dave Rozema

David Scott Rozema , nicknamed "Rosey", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.-Early years and 1977 rookie season:...

 who went 15-7 with a 3.09 ERA and finished eight in the American League Cy Young Award voting.

1977 also saw the debut of Steve Kemp

Steve Kemp

Steven F. Kemp is a former Major League Baseball outfielder from 1977 to 1986 and 1988. He is of Armenian heritage.-Professional career:...

 (debut April 7, 1977), Dave Rozema

Dave Rozema

David Scott Rozema , nicknamed "Rosey", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.-Early years and 1977 rookie season:...

 (debut April 11, 1977), Jack Morris

Jack Morris

John Scott "Jack" Morris is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played in 18 big league seasons between 1977 and 1994, mainly for the Detroit Tigers, and won 254 games throughout his career...

 (debut July 26, 1977), Lance Parrish

Lance Parrish

Lance Michael Parrish, aka "Big Wheel", is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Detroit Tigers , Philadelphia Phillies , California Angels , Seattle Mariners , Cleveland Indians , Pittsburgh Pirates , and the Toronto Blue Jays...

 (debut September 5, 1977), Alan Trammell

Alan Trammell

Alan Stuart Trammell is a retired American baseball shortstop of the Detroit Tigers from to . Trammell, nicknamed "Tram", played his entire career with the Tigers, highlighted by a World Series championship in and an American League East division championship in . Although his arm was not...

 (debut September 9, 1977), and Lou Whitaker (debut September 9, 1977).

Notable transactions

• April 12, 1977: Willie Horton was traded by the Tigers to the Texas Rangers
  Texas Rangers (baseball)
  The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
  
   for Steve Foucault
  Steve Foucault
  Steven Raymond Foucault was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1973 to 1978 for the Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, and Kansas City Royals. Foucault attended South Georgia College...
  
  .

Roster

1977 Detroit Tigers
Roster
Pitchers		Catchers Infielders		Outfielders Other batters		Manager Coaches

Starters by position

Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Pos	Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
C		115	397	99	.249	12	46
1B		158	585	158	.270	31	105
2B		151	615	190	.309	5	51
3B		96	306	67	.219	10	32
SS		125	350	69	.197	2	28
CF		154	652	212	.325	16	57
LF		151	552	142	.257	18	88
RF		132	450	118	.262	21	61
DH		158	623	173	.278	22	101

Other batters

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
	94	286	79	.276	3	27
	75	222	51	.230	8	23
	53	164	45	.274	9	25
	55	103	29	.282	3	15
	61	72	6	.083	0	2
	22	48	7	.146	1	3
	12	46	9	.196	3	7
	19	43	8	.186	0	0
	11	32	8	.250	0	2
	14	25	2	.080	0	1
	15	24	6	.250	2	2
	1	4	1	.250	0	0
	4	4	1	.250	0	0
	2	1	0	.000	0	0

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
	28	218.1	15	7	3.09	92
	38	209.1	8	18	4.17	60
	22	129.1	4	10	5.15	46
	11	81	6	4	2.89	42
	14	66.1	3	5	5.70	27
	7	45.2	1	1	3.74	28
	5	14.1	0	2	12.56	4

Other pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
	32	132.7	5	7	4.41	58
	37	126	7	8	4.79	91
	20	106.3	6	2	3.64	82
	8	27.1	2	1	5.27	13

Relief pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; GF = Games finished; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	W	L	SV	GF	ERA	SO
	44	7	7	13	34	3.15	58
	45	8	14	7	27	3.56	115
	30	1	2	0	13	4.83	49
	19	1	0	2	12	3.38	19

Award winners

Ron LeFlore

Ron LeFlore

Ronald LeFlore is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played six seasons with the Detroit Tigers before being traded to the Montreal Expos, retiring as a Chicago White Sox in . He stole 455 bases in his career, and was an American League All-Star selection in 1976...

• Tiger of the Year Award from the Detroit baseball writers
• Finished 20th in AL MVP voting

Dave Rozema

Dave Rozema

David Scott Rozema , nicknamed "Rosey", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.-Early years and 1977 rookie season:...

• Finished 8th in the AL Cy Young Award voting

Jason Thompson

• Finished 21st in AL MVP voting

League top ten finishers

Fernando Arroyo

Fernando Arroyo

Fernando Arroyo was a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers , Minnesota Twins , and Oakland Athletics ....

• #4 in AL in losses (18)

Mark Fidrych

Mark Fidrych

Mark Steven Fidrych , nicknamed "The Bird", was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched his entire career for the Detroit Tigers ....

• AL All Star Team, pitcher

Tito Fuentes

Tito Fuentes

Rigoberto "Tito" Fuentes Peat is a retired second baseman who played for 13 seasons in the Major Leagues between 1965 and 1978...

• AL leader in innings played at second base (1327)
• AL leader in putouts at second base (379)
• AL leader in double plays at second base (115)
• AL leader in errors at second base (26)
• AL leader in complete games at second base (144)
• #2 in AL in singles (156)
• #8 in AL in hits (190)
• #8 in AL in triples (10)
• #9 in AL in sacrifice hits (13)

Steve Kemp

Steve Kemp

Steven F. Kemp is a former Major League Baseball outfielder from 1977 to 1986 and 1988. He is of Armenian heritage.-Professional career:...

• AL leader in games in left field (148)
• AL leader in complete games in left field (146)
• AL leader in innings played in left field (1316)

Ron LeFlore

Ron LeFlore

Ronald LeFlore is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played six seasons with the Detroit Tigers before being traded to the Montreal Expos, retiring as a Chicago White Sox in . He stole 455 bases in his career, and was an American League All-Star selection in 1976...

• AL leader in assists by a center fielder (12)
• #2 in AL in hits (212)
• #2 in AL in singles (156)
• #2 in AL in at bats (652)
• #2 in AL in singles (156)
• #2 in AL in times caught stealing (19)
• #4 in AL in plate appearances (698)
• #4 in AL in strikeouts (121) (tied with Tito Fuentes
  Tito Fuentes
  Rigoberto "Tito" Fuentes Peat is a retired second baseman who played for 13 seasons in the Major Leagues between 1965 and 1978...
  
  )
• #5 in AL in batting average (.325)
• #5 in AL in stolen bases (39)
• #5 in AL in total bases (310)
• #6 in AL in Power/Speed Number (22.7)
• #8 in AL in triples (10)
• #8 in AL in times on base (253)
• #9 in AL in runs scored (100)
• #9 in AL in outs (475)
• #10 in AL in runs created (110)

Dave Rozema

Dave Rozema

David Scott Rozema , nicknamed "Rosey", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.-Early years and 1977 rookie season:...

• AL leader in bases on balls per 9 innings pitched (1.40)
• #5 in AL in Adjusted ERA+
  Adjusted ERA+
  Adjusted ERA+, often simply abbreviated to ERA+ or ERA plus, is a pitching statistic in baseball. It adjusts a pitcher's earned run average according to the pitcher's ballpark and the ERA of the pitcher's league...
  
   (138)
• #6 in AL in strikeout to walk ratio (2.71)
• #7 in AL in ERA (3.09)
• #8 in AL in complete games (16)
• #9 in AL in win percentage (.682)

Rusty Staub

Rusty Staub

Daniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman. He enjoyed a 23-year baseball career with 5 different teams...

• #1 in AL in times grounded into double plays (27)
• #2 in AL in outs (490)
• #3 in AL in sacrifice flies (10)
• #5 in AL in plate appearances (695)
• #7 in AL in at bats per strikeout (13.3)
• #8 in AL in doubles (34)

Jason Thompson

• #6 in AL in home runs (31)
• #6 in AL in sacrifice flies (9)
• #8 in AL in RBIs (105)

Alan Trammell

Alan Trammell

Alan Stuart Trammell is a retired American baseball shortstop of the Detroit Tigers from to . Trammell, nicknamed "Tram", played his entire career with the Tigers, highlighted by a World Series championship in and an American League East division championship in . Although his arm was not...

• Youngest player in the AL (19)

Players ranking among top 100 all time at position

The following members of the 1977 Detroit Tigers are among the Top 100 of all time at their position, as ranked by The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract

The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract

The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract is a reference-type book written by Bill James featuring an overview of baseball decade by decade, along with rankings of the top 100 players at each position. The original edition was published in 1985 by Villard Books, followed by The New Bill James...

 in 2001:

• Lance Parrish
  Lance Parrish
  Lance Michael Parrish, aka "Big Wheel", is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Detroit Tigers , Philadelphia Phillies , California Angels , Seattle Mariners , Cleveland Indians , Pittsburgh Pirates , and the Toronto Blue Jays...
  
  : 19th best catcher of all time (played 12 games as a rookie)
• Lou Whitaker: 13th best second baseman of all time (played 11 games as a rookie)
• Alan Trammell
  Alan Trammell
  Alan Stuart Trammell is a retired American baseball shortstop of the Detroit Tigers from to . Trammell, nicknamed "Tram", played his entire career with the Tigers, highlighted by a World Series championship in and an American League East division championship in . Although his arm was not...
  
  : 9th best shortstop of all time (played 19 games as a rookie)
• Aurelio Rodríguez
  Aurelio Rodríguez
  Aurelio Rodríguez Ituarte, Jr. , was a third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the California Angels , Washington Senators , Detroit Tigers , San Diego Padres , New York Yankees , Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles...
  
  : 91st best third baseman of all time
• Ron LeFlore
  Ron LeFlore
  Ronald LeFlore is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played six seasons with the Detroit Tigers before being traded to the Montreal Expos, retiring as a Chicago White Sox in . He stole 455 bases in his career, and was an American League All-Star selection in 1976...
  
  : 80th best center fielder of all time
• Ben Oglivie
  Ben Oglivie
  Benjamin Ambrosio Oglivie Palmer is a former Major League Baseball left fielder for the Boston Red Sox , Detroit Tigers , and the Milwaukee Brewers . He also played two seasons in Japan for the Kintetsu Buffaloes...
  
  : 64th best left fielder of all time
• Willie Horton: 55th best left fielder of all time (played one game for 1977 Tigers)

Farm system

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Montgomery, Lakeland, Bristol