The Detroit Tigers: 1984 Trivia Quiz

Answer: Bless You, Boys!

Local sportscaster Al Ackerman was the one who came up with this. Throughout the year, he managed to get many local and national celebrities on tape saying, "Bless You, Boys," including Pope John Paul II when he came to town that summer.

Answer: Glenn Wilson and John Wockenfuss

Wilson and Wockenfuss went to the Phillies on March 24, 1984. Bergman proved to be an excellent clutch hitter, no more so than when he hit a HR in the bottom of the 10th on June 4 to beat the Toronto Blue Jays. This was especially important as, in spite of their great start, the Tigers entered the game only 4.5 games ahead of the Jays, who had been almost as hot at the Tigers.

As for Willie, well, he did win the MVP AND Cy Young awards that year. Not everyone was happy with the trade though, as Wockenfuss was a fan favorite, having been with the team since the mid-1970s.

Answer: 18-2

The Tigers won their first 9 games of the season before losing their 1st. They then reeled off another 7 wins in a row before losing again.

Answer: True

The Tigers powered 187 pitches out of the park that year, led by Lance Parrish's 33 dingers. They also led in team ERA at 3.49, with Dan Petry pacing the staff at 3.24. The Tigers also led in runs scored (829), least runs allowed (643), and saves (51).

Answer: 0

The Big 3 of the Tigers moundsmen in 1984 were Jack Morris with 19 wins, Dan Petry's 18 wins, and a career-high 17 wins from Milt Wilcox. Juan Berenguer was instrumental with his 11 wins in spot starts and relief appearances. 'Senior Smoke' Aurelio Lopez, added 10 wins as the set-up man for Hernandez.

Answer: Chicago White Sox

Morris no-hit the ChiSox 4-0 on a cold blustery Saturday in early April in old Comiskey Park, striking out Greg Luzinski for the final out. His was the first no-hitter thrown by a Tiger pitcher since Jim Bunning blanked the BoSox 3-0 in 1958. In the intervening 26 seasons, the Tigers were no-hit themselves 4 times, twice in 1967 by Steve Barber and Stu Miller of Baltimore, and Joel Horlen of the White Sox, and twice in 1973, by Stave Busby of the Royals and Nolan Ryan of the Angels.

Incidentally, the Tigers won the game against Baltimore in 1967, beating the O's 2-1.

Answer: 2

Both Doug Bair and Milt Wilcox pitched for Sparky when he managed the Big Red Machine. Bair's time came at the end of Sparky's run in Cincy, pitching for him in Anderson's final season in 1978. Wilcox was more familiar with Captain Hook, having taking the mound for Sparky in his first two seasons in Cincinnati (1970-71).

Answer: 15

The Tigers led the league wire-to-wire, having never spent a day out of first place, clinching the East with a 3-0 against the Milwaukee Brewers on September 18. The Tigers were only the 4th team in major league history to lead their league from Day 1. The first three were the 1923 New York Giants, the 1927 New York Yankees, and the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers.

Answer: False

1984 marked the final year that the League Championship Series was a best-of-5 affair. The Tigers totally dominated the Royals, winning the series 3-0, as Milt Wilcox held KC to 2 hits in 8 innings in Game 3. Kirk Gibson was the star of the Hit Parade, batting .417 (5-for-12), with a home run and 2 RBIs, and was chosen MVP of the ALCS.

Answer: Andy Hawkins

Hawkins was brilliant in relief of Ed Whitson in Game 2, holding the Tigers to just 1 hit in 5.1 innings. He was also the losing pitcher of record in Game 5. Detroit absolutely killed the starting pitching of San Diego, who had a dismal 13.94 ERA against Detroit. Alan Trammell was voted MVP of the Series, batting .450 with 2 HRs (both in Game 4) and 5 RBIs. Jack Morris paced the pitchers, going 2-0 with a 2.00 ERA and 13 K in 18 innings pitched. Willie Hernandez picked up 2 saves in the Series, and Sparky Anderson become the first manager in major league history to manage a Series winner in both leagues, having won two with Cincinnati in 1975 and 1976.