Dave Rozema
Encyclopedia
David Scott Rozema nicknamed "Rosey", is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
.
in the 22nd round of the amateur draft, but did not sign. He played for Grand Rapids Community College
in 1974 and was drafted in January 1975 by the Detroit Tigers
.
In 1976, Rozema played for the Montgomery Rebels in the Tigers' farm system and led the league with a 1.57 ERA. The Rebels were 86-51 in 1976 and won the league championship.
Rozema debuted in the major leagues at age 20 with the Detroit Tigers in 1977. On April 21, 1977, he shut out the Boston Red Sox
, 8-0, for his first major league win. In his rookie season, Rozema was 15-7, finished 8th in the voting for the American League Cy Young Award
and finished among the league leaders with a 3.09 ERA (7th in the AL), a .682 winning percentage (.682), 16 complete games (8th in the AL), a 138 Adjusted ERA+
(5th in the AL), and a 2.71 strikeout to walk ratio (6th in the AL).
Rozema finished fourth in the 1977 Rookie of the Year voting behind Eddie Murray
, but he was selected as The Sporting News
Rookie Pitcher of the Year. He was part of a phenomenal group of rookies with the 1977 Tigers that also included Jack Morris
, Alan Trammell
, Lou Whitaker, Lance Parrish
and Steve Kemp
.
of 124. In 1979, he again had an above-average Adjusted ERA+
of 124, but he started only 16 games and had a record of 4-4. In 1980 and 1981, Rozema's ERA fell off to a rate only slightly better than the league average, as he won six games (1980) and five games (1981).
on May 14, 1982, a bench-clearing brawl erupted after Twins pitchers hit both Chet Lemon
and Enos Cabell
. Rozema came running out of the dugout and attempted to deliver a flying karate kick to the Twins' John Castino
. Rozema missed and tore eight ligament
s in his knee and had to be carried off the field on a stretcher. He had knee surgery the next day and was put on the disabled list for the rest of the 1982 season.
In October 2006, Sports Illustrated selected Rozema as one of the "10 Greatest Characters in Detroit Tigers History". His selection was based on (1) the "karate kick" misfire, (2) a subsequent injury the same year in which Rozema fell on a flask in his back pocket and needed 11 stitches in his hip, (3) an incident in which he shoved a bar glass into the face of Alan Trammell
resulting in 47 stitches near Trammell's eye, (4) missing a team bus when he overslept after judging a wet T-shirt contest, and (5) using Brillo pad
s to wash his new car.
On July 9, 2008, the minor league team in Rozema's home town, the West Michigan Whitecaps
, gave away an unusual promotional item, "Dave Rozema Karate Kick Bobbleleg" figures. These figurines were highly coveted; the lines outside the game to be one of the first 1,000 people into the stadium were larger than usual.
Rozema played on the 1984 Tigers team
that won the World Series
. Rozema started 16 games for the 1984 Tigers, compiling a 7-6 record and 3.74 ERA in 101 innings pitched but did not appear in the post-season.
On December 27, 1984, Rozema signed as a free agent
with the Texas Rangers
in a contract for a total of $500,000 to $600,000. He appeared in 34 games for the Rangers in 1985 (all but four in relief) and had a 4.19 ERA in 88 innings pitched. After compiling a 5.91 ERA at the start of the 1986 season, Rozema was released by the Rangers on May 6, 1986. He was signed as a free agent by the Chicago White Sox
on May 20, 1986, but did not play.
His last game in Major League Baseball was on April 30, 1986. For his career, Rozema had 60 wins, 53 losses and a 3.47 ERA.
of the Senior Professional Baseball Association
and London Majors
of the Intercounty Baseball League
in London, Ontario
, Canada
.
On December 22, 1985, Rozema and his former teammate Kirk Gibson
married sisters, JoAnn and Sandy Sklarski in a double ceremony at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
.
In 2003, Crain's Detroit Business reported that Rozema was working as a salesman for Disposal Management LLC of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
, selling the company's services to waste generators in the Detroit area.
Rozema is currently part of the popular Detroit Tiger Fantasy Camps and pitches batting practice to fans at Comerica Park. Baseball fans of all ages get the chance to hit under the lights at Comerica Park against a former big league pitcher. The first session of 2010 was so popular a second session was added.
Rozema can still be seen around the Detroit area on gamedays, where you may find him tailgating, rubbing elbows with fans, and beating them in bagtoss.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
.
Early years and 1977 rookie season
Rozema was originally drafted out of high school in June 1974 by the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
in the 22nd round of the amateur draft, but did not sign. He played for Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids Community College
Grand Rapids Community College is a community college located in the city of Grand Rapids in the U.S. state of Michigan. GRCC offers an Associate's degree, a variety of certification programs, occupational training, and other learning opportunities for the surrounding community.-Campuses:In...
in 1974 and was drafted in January 1975 by the 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...
.
In 1976, Rozema played for the Montgomery Rebels in the Tigers' farm system and led the league with a 1.57 ERA. The Rebels were 86-51 in 1976 and won the league championship.
Rozema debuted in the major leagues at age 20 with the Detroit Tigers in 1977. On April 21, 1977, he shut out the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, 8-0, for his first major league win. In his rookie season, Rozema was 15-7, finished 8th in the voting for the American League Cy Young Award
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
and finished among the league leaders with a 3.09 ERA (7th in the AL), a .682 winning percentage (.682), 16 complete games (8th in the AL), a 138 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...
(5th in the AL), and a 2.71 strikeout to walk ratio (6th in the AL).
Rozema finished fourth in the 1977 Rookie of the Year voting behind Eddie Murray
Eddie Murray
Eddie Clarence Murray , nicknamed "Steady Eddie", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and designated hitter. He was known as one of the most reliable and productive hitters of his era. Murray is regarded as one of the best switch hitters ever to play the game...
, but he was selected as The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
Rookie Pitcher of the Year. He was part of a phenomenal group of rookies with the 1977 Tigers that also included 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...
, 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...
, Lou Whitaker, 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...
and 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:...
.
Middle years: 1978-1981
After a promising rookie year, Rozema never won more than nine games in a season. In 1978, he finished with a 9-12 record, 11 complete games and an 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...
of 124. In 1979, he again had an above-average 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...
of 124, but he started only 16 games and had a record of 4-4. In 1980 and 1981, Rozema's ERA fell off to a rate only slightly better than the league average, as he won six games (1980) and five games (1981).
The 1982 karate kick and reputation as an all-time Tigers character
Rozema got off to a tremendous start in 1982, compiling a 3-0 record and an ERA of 1.63 (Adjusted ERA+ of 248) in his first eight games. In a televised game against the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
on May 14, 1982, a bench-clearing brawl erupted after Twins pitchers hit both Chet Lemon
Chet Lemon
Chester Earl Lemon is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. A three time All-Star, he was a member of the World Series champion 1984 Detroit Tigers.-Early years:...
and Enos Cabell
Enos Cabell
Enos Milton Cabell, Jr. is a former third baseman and first baseman in Major League Baseball who played 15 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, the Houston Astros, the San Francisco Giants, the Detroit Tigers, and the Los Angeles Dodgers. Cabell is a cousin of center fielder Ken Landreaux.Cabell was...
. Rozema came running out of the dugout and attempted to deliver a flying karate kick to the Twins' John Castino
John Castino
John Anthony Castino is a former Major League Baseball player. Castino played as an infielder, primarily at third base and second base, with the Minnesota Twins from 1979 through 1984.-Professional career:...
. Rozema missed and tore eight ligament
Ligament
In anatomy, the term ligament is used to denote any of three types of structures. Most commonly, it refers to fibrous tissue that connects bones to other bones and is also known as articular ligament, articular larua, fibrous ligament, or true ligament.Ligament can also refer to:* Peritoneal...
s in his knee and had to be carried off the field on a stretcher. He had knee surgery the next day and was put on the disabled list for the rest of the 1982 season.
In October 2006, Sports Illustrated selected Rozema as one of the "10 Greatest Characters in Detroit Tigers History". His selection was based on (1) the "karate kick" misfire, (2) a subsequent injury the same year in which Rozema fell on a flask in his back pocket and needed 11 stitches in his hip, (3) an incident in which he shoved a bar glass into the face of 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...
resulting in 47 stitches near Trammell's eye, (4) missing a team bus when he overslept after judging a wet T-shirt contest, and (5) using Brillo pad
Brillo Pad
Brillo Pad is a trade name for a scouring pad, used for cleaning dishes, and made from steel wool impregnated with soap. The concept was patented in 1913...
s to wash his new car.
On July 9, 2008, the minor league team in Rozema's home town, the West Michigan Whitecaps
West Michigan Whitecaps
The West Michigan Whitecaps are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the Detroit Tigers, that plays in the Midwest League. Their home games are played in Comstock Park, Michigan, a suburb of Grand Rapids.-Franchise history:...
, gave away an unusual promotional item, "Dave Rozema Karate Kick Bobbleleg" figures. These figurines were highly coveted; the lines outside the game to be one of the first 1,000 people into the stadium were larger than usual.
Later years: 1983-1986
Rozema came back from the injury in 1983 with an 8-3 record and 3.43 ERA in 105 innings pitched.Rozema played on the 1984 Tigers team
1984 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers won the 1984 World Series, defeating the San Diego Padres, 4 games to 1. The season was their 84th since they entered the American League in 1901 and their fourth World Series championship. Detroit relief pitcher Willie Hernandez won the Cy Young Award and was chosen as the...
that won the World Series
1984 World Series
The 1984 World Series began on October 9 and ended on October 14, 1984. The American League champion Detroit Tigers played against the National League champion San Diego Padres, with the Tigers winning the series four games to one....
. Rozema started 16 games for the 1984 Tigers, compiling a 7-6 record and 3.74 ERA in 101 innings pitched but did not appear in the post-season.
On December 27, 1984, Rozema signed as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
with 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...
in a contract for a total of $500,000 to $600,000. He appeared in 34 games for the Rangers in 1985 (all but four in relief) and had a 4.19 ERA in 88 innings pitched. After compiling a 5.91 ERA at the start of the 1986 season, Rozema was released by the Rangers on May 6, 1986. He was signed as a free agent by the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
on May 20, 1986, but did not play.
His last game in Major League Baseball was on April 30, 1986. For his career, Rozema had 60 wins, 53 losses and a 3.47 ERA.
Life after major league baseball
In the early 1990s, Rozema pitched for the St. Petersburg PelicansSt. Petersburg Pelicans
The St. Petersburg Pelicans were one of the eight original franchises that began play in the Senior Professional Baseball Association in 1989. The team went 42-30 in the regular season and won the Northern Division title. Steve Henderson hit .352 for the club, and Lenny Randle batted .349. Milt...
of the Senior Professional Baseball Association
Senior Professional Baseball Association
The Senior Professional Baseball Association was a winter baseball league based in Florida for players age 35 and over . The league began play in 1989 and had eight teams in two divisions and a 72 game schedule...
and London Majors
London Majors
The London Majors are an independent, minor league baseball team of the, semi-pro, Intercounty Baseball League. The team was founded in 1925, and is based in London, Ontario...
of the Intercounty Baseball League
Intercounty Baseball League
The Intercounty Baseball League is a semi-professional baseball organization located in the Canadian province of Ontario. The league was formed in 1919....
in London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
On December 22, 1985, Rozema and his former teammate Kirk Gibson
Kirk Gibson
Kirk Harold Gibson is a former Major League Baseball player and currently the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. As a player, Gibson was an outfielder who batted and threw left-handed...
married sisters, JoAnn and Sandy Sklarski in a double ceremony at Grosse Pointe Memorial Church in Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
Grosse Pointe Farms, Michigan
Grosse Pointe Farms is a suburban city bordering Detroit located in Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. It ranks as the 76th highest-income city in America. The population was 9,479 at the 2010 census. It is bordered by Grosse Pointe on the west, Detroit on the north, Grosse Pointe Woods...
.
In 2003, Crain's Detroit Business reported that Rozema was working as a salesman for Disposal Management LLC of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Bloomfield Hills is a city in Oakland County of the U.S. state of Michigan, northwest of downtown Detroit. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 3,869...
, selling the company's services to waste generators in the Detroit area.
Rozema is currently part of the popular Detroit Tiger Fantasy Camps and pitches batting practice to fans at Comerica Park. Baseball fans of all ages get the chance to hit under the lights at Comerica Park against a former big league pitcher. The first session of 2010 was so popular a second session was added.
Rozema can still be seen around the Detroit area on gamedays, where you may find him tailgating, rubbing elbows with fans, and beating them in bagtoss.