Tom Timmermann
Encyclopedia
Thomas Henry Timmermann is a former Major League Baseball
pitcher
who played for six seasons with the Detroit Tigers
(1969–1973) and Cleveland Indians
(1973–1974). Born in Breese, Illinois
, Timmermann was a tall — 6 in 4 in (1.93 m) — right-handed pitcher who attended Southern Illinois University
. He was signed by the Detroit Tigers
as an amateur free agent in 1960, but did not make his Major League debut until June 18, 1969, when he gave held the New York Yankees
hitless in 1-1/3 innings as a reliever. In his first three seasons with the Tigers, he was used almost exclusively as a relief pitcher. As a 28-year-old rookie in 1969, Timmermann had a 2.75 ERA (well below the league average 3.74) and a 4-3 record in 31 games (30 as a reliever).
After a fine rookie season, Timmermann appeared to be a rising star. His second year proved to be the best of his career. In 1970, Timmermann finished 3rd in the American League with 27 saves and 6th in the league with 43 games finished. He appeared in 61 games, all as a relief specialist, and compiled a record of 6-7 with a 4.11 ERA. At the end of the 1970 season, Timmermann was voted "Tiger of the Year" by the Detroit chapter of the BBWAA—an award given to Denny McLain
the prior two years and to Mickey Lolich
the following year.
In 1971, he appeared in 52 games (2 as a starter), with a 7-6 record, and a 3.86 ERA. In 1972, the Tigers moved Timmermann into the starting rotation, and he started 25 games and made 9 relief appearances. He compiled an 8-10 record in 1972, with a 2.89 ERA. On June 15, 1973, the Tigers traded Timmermann to the Cleveland Indians
. Timmermann started 15 games for the Indians in 1973, and made 14 relief appearances, with a record of 8-7. Timmermann pitched only 4 games for the Indians in 1974. He played his final Major League game on April 26, 1974.
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...
who played for six seasons with 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...
(1969–1973) and Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(1973–1974). Born in Breese, Illinois
Breese, Illinois
Breese is a large town in Clinton County, Illinois, United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 4,221 which the majority are of German ancestry.-History:...
, Timmermann was a tall — 6 in 4 in (1.93 m) — right-handed pitcher who attended Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University
Southern Illinois University is a state university system based in Carbondale, Illinois, in the Southern Illinois region of the state, with multiple campuses...
. He was signed 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...
as an amateur free agent in 1960, but did not make his Major League debut until June 18, 1969, when he gave held the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
hitless in 1-1/3 innings as a reliever. In his first three seasons with the Tigers, he was used almost exclusively as a relief pitcher. As a 28-year-old rookie in 1969, Timmermann had a 2.75 ERA (well below the league average 3.74) and a 4-3 record in 31 games (30 as a reliever).
After a fine rookie season, Timmermann appeared to be a rising star. His second year proved to be the best of his career. In 1970, Timmermann finished 3rd in the American League with 27 saves and 6th in the league with 43 games finished. He appeared in 61 games, all as a relief specialist, and compiled a record of 6-7 with a 4.11 ERA. At the end of the 1970 season, Timmermann was voted "Tiger of the Year" by the Detroit chapter of the BBWAA—an award given to Denny McLain
Denny McLain
Dennis Dale "Denny" McLain is a former American professional baseball player, and the last major league pitcher to win 30 or more games during a season —a feat accomplished by only thirteen players in the 20th century....
the prior two years and to Mickey Lolich
Mickey Lolich
Michael Stephen Lolich is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1962 until 1979 who played the majority of his career with the Detroit Tigers.-Baseball career:...
the following year.
In 1971, he appeared in 52 games (2 as a starter), with a 7-6 record, and a 3.86 ERA. In 1972, the Tigers moved Timmermann into the starting rotation, and he started 25 games and made 9 relief appearances. He compiled an 8-10 record in 1972, with a 2.89 ERA. On June 15, 1973, the Tigers traded Timmermann to the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. Timmermann started 15 games for the Indians in 1973, and made 14 relief appearances, with a record of 8-7. Timmermann pitched only 4 games for the Indians in 1974. He played his final Major League game on April 26, 1974.