August 23 Happy Birthday to Former Tigers or Detroit Wolverines

Raul Casanova started his major league career as Tiger.  The catcher is the son of former Washington Senators catcher Paul Casanova who played in the 1960’s and 1970’s.  Raul played three years with the Tigers from 1996 through 1998.  Only 1997 was he the starter.  If you are wondering how we got a catcher in the days of Randy Smith, it was through a trade with the Padres.  Raul came to the Tiges with Richie Lewis and Melvin Nieves for Cade Gaspar, Sean Bergman and Todd Steverson.  A Randy Smith trade just isn’t a trade without a catcher involved and/or the trade being with the Padres or Astros.  Raul was an average defensive catcher and unfortunately a below average bat.  He was a career .236 hitter.  After Detroit Raul played for the Brewers,

Allen McDill pitched part of 13 games for the Tigers in 2000.  He pitched a total of 10 innings and did not record a win.  He posted a 7.20 ERA.  He had pitched a total of 10 innings with the Royals in 1997 and 1998 before coming to the Tigers as a free agent.  He was released in June on 2000 and signed by the Cardinals but never got to the parent club.  Granted free agency after the 2000 season by the Cards he signed with the Red Sox and pitched a career high 14.2 innings for the Sox in 2001.  He was done in the majors after that.

Jeff Manto played nine seasons in the majors on eight teams, one being the Tigers.  He played for the Indians for Indians at the beginning of the 1998 season but was waived and the Tigers picked him up on April 24.  He got in 16 games for the Tiges and hit .267 as primarily a first baseman.   But Jeff was third in the depth chart behind Tony Clark and Frank Catalanatto.  So on June 12 the tigers released him and he was resigned by the Indians. 

George Kell Cult baseball players

Phil Page

Heinie Elder

Red Downs

Below is a 1907 Dietsche postcard of Red Downs from my collection.