1999 Detroit Tigers season

1999 Detroit Tigers
Major League affiliations
Location
Other information
Owner(s) Mike Ilitch
General manager(s) Randy Smith
Manager(s) Larry Parrish
Local television WKBD
(Frank Beckmann, Al Kaline)
FSN Detroit
(Kirk Gibson, Josh Lewin)
Local radio WJR
(Ernie Harwell, Jim Price)
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The 1999 Detroit Tigers had a record of 69–92 and finished in third place 27½ games behind the Indians. After a century of baseball at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull, the 1999 season was the last for the team at Tiger Stadium. On September 27, 1999, Robert Fick had the final hit of the final game at Detroit's Tiger Stadium, a rooftop grand slam, which was the stadium's 11,111th home run.[1] In the 2000 season, the Tigers moved to Comerica Park.

Offseason

Regular season

Highlights

Gabe Kapler

Season standings

AL Central W L Pct. GB Home Road
Cleveland Indians 97 65 0.599 — 47–34 50–31
Chicago White Sox 75 86 0.466 21½ 38–42 37–44
Detroit Tigers 69 92 0.429 27½ 38–43 31–49
Kansas City Royals 64 97 0.398 32½ 33–47 31–50
Minnesota Twins 63 97 0.394 33 31–50 32–47

Record vs. opponents

1999 American League Records

Sources:

Team ANA BAL BOS CWS CLE DET KC MIN NYY OAK SEA TB TEX TOR NL 
Anaheim — 3–9 1–9 5–5 1–9 5–5 7–5 6–4 6–4 8–4 6–6 7–5 6–6 3–9 6–12
Baltimore 9–3 — 5–7 7–3 1–9 5–5 6–4 8–1 4–9 5–7 5–5 5–7 6–6 1–11 11–7
Boston 9–1 7–5 — 7–5 8–4 7–5 8–2 6–4 8–4 4–6 7–3 4–9 4–5 9–3 6–12
Chicago 5–5 3–7 5–7 — 3–9 7–5 6–6 8–3–1 5–7 3–7 4–8 6–4 5–5 6–4 9–9
Cleveland 9–1 9–1 4–8 9–3 — 8–5 7–5 9–3 3–7 10–2 7–3 5–4 3–7 5–7 9–9
Detroit 5–5 5–5 5–7 5–7 5–8 — 7–4 6–6 5–7 4–6 3–7 4–5 5–5 2–10 8–10
Kansas City 5–7 4–6 2–8 6–6 5–7 4–7 — 5–8 5–4 6–6 7–5 2–8 4–6 3–7 6–12
Minnesota 4–6 1–8 4–6 3–8–1 3–9 6–6 8–5 — 4–6 7–5 4–8 5–5 0–12 4–6 10–7
New York 4–6 9–4 4–8 7–5 7–3 7–5 4–5 6–4 — 6–4 9–1 8–4 8–4 10–2 9–9
Oakland 4–8 7–5 6–4 7–3 2–10 6–4 6–6 5–7 4–6 — 6–6 9–1 5–7 8–2 12–6
Seattle 6–6 5–5 3–7 8–4 3–7 7–3 5–7 8–4 1–9 6–6 — 8–4 5–8 7–2 7–11
Tampa Bay 5–7 7–5 9–4 4–6 4–5 5–4 8–2 5–5 4–8 1–9 4–8 — 4–8 5–8 4–14
Texas 6–6 6–6 5–4 5–5 7–3 5–5 6–4 12–0 4–8 7–5 8–5 8–4 — 6–4 10–8
Toronto 9–3 11–1 3–9 4–6 7–5 10–2 7–3 6–4 2–10 2–8 2–7 8–5 4–6 — 9–9

Transactions

Roster

1999 Detroit Tigers
Roster
Pitchers Catchers

Infielders

 Outfielders Manager

Coaches

Final game at Tiger Stadium

The final game at Tiger Stadium was played on September 27, 1999, between the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals. The Tigers were victorious 8–2. The winning pitcher was Detroit starter Brian Moehler. The losing pitcher was Jeff Suppan.

The pregame ceremony

Prior to the final game at Tiger Stadium, a ceremony was held. It was emceed by then current Tiger broadcaster and Ford C. Frick Award recipient Ernie Harwell. At the ceremony, owner Mike Ilitch spoke along with then Michigan governor John Engler, then Detroit mayor Dennis Archer and Commissioner of Baseball Bud Selig. Also featured at the ceremony was longtime Tiger right fielder and Hall of Famer Al Kaline.

Instead of both managers exchanging lineups before the game, both clubs appointed honorary captains. Representing the Tigers was Kaline and representing the Royals was former MVP and Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett.

“ Well, here's Robert Fick. Another man who's counted on in the future, wearing Norm Cash's number 25..remember, Al told him he'd hit a home run today. AND HE DID! There she goes! And it is...on the roof! Robert Fick, a grand slam that hits the roof and comes back! Kaline called it! How do you like that? Look at these flashbulbs! What a moment! – Frank Beckmann on WKBD television, calling Fick's eighth inning grand slam off Jeff Montgomery, the final home run hit at Tiger Stadium. ”
“ Tigers lead it 8–2. Two down in the ninth inning. Jones is ready. He delivers. Here's a swing and a miss. The game is over, and Tiger Stadium is no more. – Ernie Harwell, calling Carlos Beltrán's strikeout to end the game on WJR radio. ”

The postgame ceremony

The game ended at 7:07 pm. The grounds crew then surrounded home plate. Groundskeeper Charlie McGee, using a pick axe, dug up home plate at 7:13. It would then be transported by Tiger pitchers Matt Anderson, Jeff Weaver, and Francisco Cordero, with police escort, to Comerica Park.

Ernie Harwell then read a history of Tiger Stadium accompanied by music from the movie Field of Dreams. He introduced a film containing images of such Tiger legends as Ty Cobb, Sam Crawford, Hughie Jennings and Harry Heilmann. In addition, the Tigers Hall of Famers were honored: Heinie Manush, Mickey Cochrane, Charlie Gehringer, Hank Greenberg, Hal Newhouser, George Kell, and Harwell.

Following remarks from Willie Horton and former manager Sparky Anderson, there emerged from the center field gate players from times past, including Mark Fidrych, Bill Freehan, Dick McAuliffe, Dave Bergman, Mickey Stanley, Willie Horton, Kirk Gibson, Cecil Fielder, Al Kaline, the combination of Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker, and Elden Auker. A line was formed from the center field flagpole to home plate, along which was passed the flag that had flown from the pole in dead center over the finale.

After Auker passed the flag to catcher Brad Ausmus, players threw souvenirs into the stands as some reached over and put dirt from the warning track into plastic bags. It was at this time that Harwell gave his final goodbye: "Tonight, we say good-bye. ... Farewell, old friend Tiger Stadium. We will remember."

At 8:19, the scoreboard was shut off. At quarter to nine, a final team picture was taken, and by 9 the stands were empty. As the last of the fans left, a sign was hung on the famous right-center field overhang which read: "Today, there is crying in baseball. So long, old friend."

Ernie Harwell's farewell

"Ladies and gentlemen, less than six months ago, we began a warm season of farewells, and with each passing day we came a little bit closer to this historic occasion.

"The Lions, Joe Louis and Nelson Mandela. 6,873 regular-season games, 35 postseason contests and a trio of spectacular All-Star Games, Tiger Stadium has been home to this great game of baseball. But more than anything, it has been a cherished home to our memories.

"Will you remember that last base hit? The last out? How about that last pitch? Or maybe it's the first time as a child when you saw that green, green grass that will forever be etched into your mind and soul.

"Tonight, we say good-bye. But we will not forget. Open your eyes, look around and take a mental picture. Moments like this shall live on forever.

"It's been 88 moving years at Michigan and Trumbull. The tradition built here shall endure along with the permanence of the Olde English D. But tonight we must say good-bye.

"Farewell, old friend Tiger Stadium. We will remember."

Player stats

Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Player G AB H Avg. HR RBI
Brad Ausmus 127 458 126 .2759 54
Tony Clark 143 536 150 .28031 99
Damion Easley 151 549 146 .266 2065
Dean Palmer 150560 147 .26338 100
Deivi Cruz 155 518 147 .28413 58
Juan Encarnación 132509 130 .25519 74
Gabe Kapler 130 416 102 .24518 49
Bobby Higginson 107377 90 .23912 46
Luis Polonia 87 333 108 .32410 32
Karim García 96 288 69 .24014 35
Frank Catalanotto 100 286 79 .276 11 18
Gregg Jefferies 70 205 41 .2006 14
Bill Haselman 48143 39 .2734 3
Kimera Bartee 41 77 15 .1950 0
Brian Hunter 18 55 13 .2360 4
Gabe Alvarez 22 53 11 .2082 8
Jason Wood 27 44 7 .1591 1
Robert Fick 15 41 9 .2203 3
Luis García 8 9 1 .111 0 0
José Macías 54 1 .2501 1

Note: pitchers' batting statistics not included

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player G IP W L ERA SO
Justin Thompson 24142.7 911 5.11 83
Jeff Weaver 30 163.7 9 12 5.55 114
Willie Blair 39 134.0 3 11 6.85 82
Brian Moehler 32 196.3 10 16 5.04 106
Dave Mlicki 31 191.714 12 4.60 119

Relief pitchers

Pitching

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player G IP W L SV ERA SO
Todd Jones 65 66.3 4 4 30 3.80 106
Masao Kida 49 64.7 10 1 6.26 50
Matt Anderson 37 38.0 2 1 0 5.68 32
Doug Brocail 70 82.0 4 4 2 2.52 78
C. J. Nitkowski 68 81.7 4 5 0 4.30 66
Dave Borkowski 17 76.7 2 6 0 6.10 50
Bryce Florie 27 51.3 2 1 0 4.56 40
Nelson Cruz 29 66.7 2 5 0 5.67 46
Francisco Cordero 20 19.0 2 2 0 3.32 19
Will Brunson 17 12.0 1 0 0 6.00 9
Sean Runyan 12 10.7 0 1 0 3.38 6
Erik Hiljus 6 8.7 0 0 0 4.15 1
Mel Rojas 5 6.3 0 0 0 22.74 6
Beiker Graterol 1 4.0 0 1 0 15.75 2
Felipe Lira 2 3.3 0 0 0 10.80 3
Willis Roberts 1 1.1 0 0 0 13.50 0

Farm system

Level Team League Manager
AAA Toledo Mud Hens International League Gene Roof
AA Jacksonville Suns Southern League Dave Anderson
A Lakeland Tigers Florida State League Mark Meleski
A West Michigan Whitecaps Midwest League Bruce Fields
A-Short Season Oneonta Tigers New York–Penn League Kevin Bradshaw
Rookie GCL Tigers Gulf Coast League Gary Green

[13]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Reference.com
  2. ↑ http://www.baseball-reference.com/b/bochtdo01.shtml
  3. ↑ http://www.baseball-reference.com/h/haselbi01.shtml
  4. ↑ Luis Polonia Statistics Baseball-Reference.com
  5. ↑ The Final Season, p. 12, Tom Stanton, Thomas Dunne Books, New York, 2001, ISBN 0-312-29156-6
  6. ↑ The Final Season, p. 22, Tom Stanton, Thomas Dunne Books, New York, 2001, ISBN 0-312-29156-6
  7. ↑ The Final Season, p. 49, Tom Stanton, Thomas Dunne Books, New York, 2001, ISBN 0-312-29156-6
  8. 1 2 The Final Season, p. 57, Tom Stanton, Thomas Dunne Books, New York, 2001, ISBN 0-312-29156-6
  9. ↑ The Final Season, p. 70, Tom Stanton, Thomas Dunne Books, New York, 2001, ISBN 0-312-29156-6
  10. ↑ The Final Season, p. 74, Tom Stanton, Thomas Dunne Books, New York, 2001, ISBN 0-312-29156-6
  11. ↑ The Final Season, p. 85, Tom Stanton, Thomas Dunne Books, New York, 2001, ISBN 0-312-29156-6
  12. 1 2 Mel Rojas Statistics Baseball-Reference.com
  13. ↑ Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 3rd edition. Durham, North Carolina: Baseball America, 2007
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