January 24 Happy Birthday to Former Tigers or Detroit Wolverines

Andy Dirks has played his entire time in the Tigers organization.  He came out of Wichita State University.  He had also played junior college ball.  He made his pro debut with the West Michigan White Caps in 2008but was sidelined with a broken hand.  He returned to the Lakeland Tigers to end the season.  He continued his trek to the majors and made it to Toledo in 2010 where he hit .375 and drove in 17 runs in 22 games.  In 2011 he split time between Toledo and Detroit.  In Toledo the left handed outfielder hit .325.  In Detroit he hit .251 with 11 walks for an on base percentage of .296 all in 78 games for the Tiges.  Prior to the 2012 season Andy continued to do what he has done in the off season, play ball in the Dominican.  He became a celebrity when he drove in the winning run in the ninth and final game of the Dominican League Championship series.  Then helped them win the Caribbean Series title driving in extra inning run to win one game and making what was called a “spectacular” catch to save a 1-0 win in one of the other games.  He then joined the Tiges in 2012 and helped them to the World Series by hitting .322 with a .370 OBP while becoming the Tiges starting left fielder.   His postseason was not as spectacular as he was a .294 hitter vs. Oakland, .222 vs. New York and .111 vs. San Fran.  He was in left again for 2013 with Austin Jackson in center and Torri Hunter in right.  He hit .256 as a leftie.  He should be in left again in 2014.

Jay Sborz did not buy a vowel with the Tigers.  Maybe he should have.  He worked his way up in the minors from the Lakeland Tigers in 2003 to the Toledo Mud Hens in 2010.  He had started out as a starter but was moved to a reliever as he worked his way up the chain.  He was called up to the Tiges in 2010 and made his debut as a Tiger on June 22, 2010.  He relieved Justin Verlander who had gotten shelled by the Mets giving up 5 runs on 5 hits and 3 walks in only two innings.  Jay came in and also gave up 5 runs.  However, he did it on 3 hits and 2 hit batters in only two thirds of an inning pitched.  He was sent back to the Mud Hens after the debut and never returned.  In fact, he was done in baseball after 2010.  At the age of 25 his major league career was over at 1 game, .2 innings pitched, 5 runs off of 3 hits and the two hit by pitch and an ERA of 67.50.  I am either sad for him that he took it so hard or happy for him that he called it quits and did not linger in the minors for 10 more years and rather got on with his life.

Rufus Smith came out of Guilford College in North Carolina before joining the Tigers.  Rufus played there in 1924 thru 1926 and was teammates with Hall of Famer Rick Ferrell while at Guilford.   Rufus was signed by the Tiges and went to the minors in 1927 and in October was called up for a look see.  On the last game of the season Rufus got the call to start the game and make his major league debut.   He faced the Indians and almost went the distance.  He lasted 8 innings giving up 4 runs (only 3 were earned) on 8 hit and 3 walks.  He was taken out of the game in the ninth with the Tigers trailing 4-3.  Ownie Carroll got the side out without allowing a run.  The Tigers then scored two in the bottom of the ninth to give Ownie Carroll the win.  Rufus was credited with a no decision.  He never got to the majors again.  His teammate, Rick Farrell made his debut in 1929, when Rufus was back in the minors and had only two years left in pro ball.

Joe Cobb made his major debut as Tiger when Ty Cobb was also on the team.  Joe and Ty were of no relation.  Joe had played in the minors only one season when he made his debut in the fourth game of the young 1918 season.   In a game against Cleveland he came in and made his debut as a batter.  He walked.  He did not get to second and never played in a major league game again.  He went to the minors and had a career that lasted until 1931.  He was a good catcher in the minors and was on the starting catcher for the Baltimore Orioles when in 1924 they went 117-48 to become one of the greatest all time minor league teams.  He was a player manager his last year of 1931 with the Harrisburg Senators.