Dave Campbell was a Tiger long before he was on ESPN. He came out of Manistee Michigan and went to
the University of Michigan. He was
captain of the baseball team before signing with the Tigers for a $10,000
bonus. He worked his way up the Tigers
farm system. In 1967 he led the
International League in fielding for second basemen and he hit 20 homers for
Toledo. The Mud Hens won the Governor’s
cup with Dave scoring the winning run in the ninth of the final game of the
series against Richmond. Dave also hit
.350 for the playoffs. However, Dave was
blocked on his way to the majors as he was behind Dick McAuliffe who was the
Tiges starting second baseman. But in
late 1967 Dave was given a late season call.
He got in two games as a Tiger in 1967.
In his debut he pinch hit for Tiger shortstop, Ray Oyler. Dave struck out. He was replaced defensively by Dick
Tracewski. Five days later he made his
second appearance, replacing Hall of Famer Eddie Matthews at first. He got one at bat that game but grounded out
to short. 1968 found Dick McAuliffe
still at second and Dave still in Toledo.
He was again brought up for a cup of coffee in 1968 in July when back up
Tom Matchik was in the Army for 2 weeks.
In 9 games Dave had 8 at bats and one hit, a homer, off of the Cleveland
Indians Mike Paul. I was his first major
league hit. But it did not keep him on
the roster. He contemplated giving up
baseball as he was never going to replace All Star Dick McAuliffe and could not
get Tiger GM Jim Campbell (no relation) to trade him. After another bit role on 39 at bats in 1969
Dave got his break as a major leaguer but not as Tiger. He was traded with Pat Dobson to the year old
San Diego Padres for Joe Niekro. Dave
became the Padres starting second baseman.
But he hit only in the low .200’s for three years in row. In 1973 the Padres sent him to the St. Louis
Cardinals for Dwain Anderson and about a month later was traded again to the
Houston Astros with cash for Tommie Agee.
He played one more year in the majors as a back up in Houston before his
major league career was over. As a Tiger
he was a career .102 hitter in 49 at bats over three seasons. For his career he was a .213 hitter with
three years as a starter and the rest as a back up infielder. He started his radio career in 1972 when he
was still playing. He did a few games as
color commentator for the Padres. He has
been working with ESPN since 1990 and has also broadcast for the Padres and
the Colorado Rockies.
Ken Johnson ended his career as Tiger. He started his career as a professional ball
player in 1941. But with World War II
starting in 1941 for the US he soon found himself in the Army in 1943 and was
there through 1945 playing in the south Pacific. The lefty pitcher was playing again in 1946
in the Cardinals farm system and in 1947 he was a late season call up for the
Cards. He debuted against the Boston
Braves and pitched one inning of relief against Warren Spahn. He gave up one hit and one walk but no
runs. He would spend the next three
years as a middle reliever and spot starter for the Cards and compiled a record
of 3-5 before the Cards traded him to Philadelphia and the Phillies. He lasted two seasons in Philly and was in
the rotation in 1952 but was still only 5-8 and had a 4.57 ERA. In the spring of 1952 he was waived by the
Phils and the Tigers signed him. For
Detroit he was again a reliever who in 8 games did not record a decision. On July 15 he was given the ball and the
start for the Tiges against the Washington Senators. It was his first start as a Tiger. He got the side out 1-2-3 in the first but
gave up 3 runs in the second and when he gave up a triple followed by a walk to
open the third he was pulled from the game.
He never pitched in the majors again.
He spent the next couple of years in the Tiger farm system and was done
with baseball in 1956. As a Tiger he was
0-0 in 9 games with a 6.35 ERA. For his
career he was 12-14 with a 4.48 ERA.
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