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Big League Stew

Wed Sep 16, 2009 3:11 pm EDT

Random photos from the archives: The 1984 Detroit Tigers

By 'Duk

They're celebrating the 25th anniversary of the 1984 World Series title team in Detroit this year and so long as the current team doesn't blow it, Motown will soon be celebrating in style with a division championship — the franchise's first in 22 years.

Of course, it seems almost sacrilegious to put the '84 and '09 squads in the same sentence, but that's not a knock on Curtis Granderson(notes) & Co whatsoever. The '84 Detroit Tigers put together a season for the ages, starting with a no-hitter by Jack Morris on April 7 and the best 40-game start in MLB history (35-5), then finishing with a MVP and Cy Young who was the same guy, 104 wins in the regular season and postseason series victories over the Royals and Padres.    

Sadly, the team is also notable because it's one of the few all-time great teams that didn't feature a single Hall of Famer on its roster. Though it's probably of no consolation to Jack Morris fans, they'll have to settle for the honor of being this week's featured photo set.  

You'll notice I took the 10-picture limit off the title, because I think it's better that way. To see the full photo information, visit the Flickr set. 

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32 Comments

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  1. No more Mr. Nice Guy
    1. Posted by No more Mr. Nice Guy Wed Sep 16, 2009 4:11 pm EDT

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    You cant say Detroit without saying riot
  2. mderosia
    2. Posted by mderosia Wed Sep 16, 2009 4:53 pm EDT

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    Bless you Boys!
  3. Aaron E
    3. Posted by Aaron E Wed Sep 16, 2009 5:35 pm EDT

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    I will never forget that squad, they were dominate from beginning to the end. Best 40 game start ever...35-5 are you kidding me...
  4. von
    4. Posted by von Wed Sep 16, 2009 6:26 pm EDT

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    Bubba Helms, the guy holding the pennant next to the burning police car, was a a LOSER than ended up killing himself years later. The moment captured in this photo was the greatest moment of his life. lol
  5. Ron L. Detroit Sports Nut!
    5. Posted by Ron L. Detroit Sports Nut! Wed Sep 16, 2009 6:45 pm EDT

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    Why add the rioting pics? It really wasn't necessary, and only fuels the fire for idiots comments like post #1. There hasn't been a riot in Detroit since that time, not even during the Malice Green incident. That season was magic for a lot of baseball fans who had nothing to do with that stupidity, and those images only tarnish memory of that great year of Tigers baseball.
    Should have had more pics of the players who made major contributions to that team. Willie Hernandez the AL MVP & Cy Young winner deserves more than just one pic if Gibson and Sparky are worthy of so many. Players like Juan Berenguer & Aurelio Lopez who formed one of the most dominant and fearsome middle relief tandems in history. Petry, Wilcox, Herndon, Lemon, Whitaker, Bergman, Brookens, etc... A lot of deserving players are being dissed here in honor of a smashed taxi, and a rolled over police car.
    Thanx 4 nutin Duk
  6. Roderick
    6. Posted by Roderick Wed Sep 16, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

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    I think you meant L.A. They are the frontrunners of riots in this country.
  7. AnGeL~FaN
    7. Posted by AnGeL~FaN Wed Sep 16, 2009 6:48 pm EDT

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    i always enjoy the old photos mr duk! Thank you very much!
  8. Michael J
    8. Posted by Michael J Wed Sep 16, 2009 6:53 pm EDT

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    That team does have one hall of famer, although Sparky Anderson probably wouldn't be considered part of the roster...
  9. SHARON
    9. Posted by SHARON Wed Sep 16, 2009 7:03 pm EDT

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    Th riots in Detroit were in 1967.
    Some of us lived there and watched the CITY burn.
    1987, the riots were from the Michigan State Spartans
    burning furnitue on their lawns.
  10. RobbyT
    10. Posted by RobbyT Wed Sep 16, 2009 7:46 pm EDT

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    I turned 15 that summer and spent quite a bit of it watching the Tigers from the right field bleachers. Back then $10 would get you a bleacher ticket, a program, a coke, a hot dog, and a box of popcorn. $20 would get you a big ol' stomach ache!
    Great pics (but yeah, did we really need to see the burning car pics again?)
  11. Dubbs
    11. Posted by Dubbs Wed Sep 16, 2009 7:54 pm EDT

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    HOF or no HOF...Jack Morris is still the WORST on air baseball analyst ever! Listening to Jack Morris on the radio is like listening to Joe Mauer on the radio. BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRRRRRRRRRRRING
  12. paolamaroc
    12. Posted by paolamaroc Wed Sep 16, 2009 7:58 pm EDT

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    If I remember correctly, this team went wire-to-wire, first team to do so since the 1927 Yankees. Am I right?
  13. Larry K
    13. Posted by Larry K Wed Sep 16, 2009 8:15 pm EDT

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    Great photos of Gibson, my hero from the '88 Dodgers!
  14. Rockdad50
    14. Posted by Rockdad50 Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:10 pm EDT

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    Duk is a dick!
  15. sway58@...
    15. Posted by sway58@... Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:38 pm EDT

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    Too much Sparky and Gibby. Where's Lou ? Hey ! I worked at Lynch Road where that Plymouth cab was made. Good times. Thanks for the pics
  16. sway58@...
    16. Posted by sway58@... Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:40 pm EDT

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    Too much Sparky and Gibby. Where 's Lou ? Hey ! I worked at Lynch Road where that Plymouth cab was made. Good times. Thanks for the pics
  17. nelsoneddie717
    17. Posted by nelsoneddie717 Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:54 pm EDT

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    I loved the Tigers, especially that year. Got to see them a couple of times. Man, those pictures bring back a lot of memories. 25years later, Bless you still Boys.
  18. livingston county
    18. Posted by livingston county Wed Sep 16, 2009 10:59 pm EDT

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    Go get 'em, Detroit Tigers! Go get 'em Tigerrrrrrrrrrrrs!
  19. Rally
    19. Posted by Rally Wed Sep 16, 2009 11:09 pm EDT

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    I was outside Tigers Stadium the night the Tigers won the series, with friends (including several 20-something young ladies). We could feel the excitement, but could also sense the mood turning volatile. We got out of there and did not experience the rampage (I don't think you can really call it a full-scale riot . . . it was way too contained).
    Detroit got too much bad press over these events and has suffered ever since whenever its sports teams excel. My prediction--no riots until the Lions win the Super Bowl (and, probably, not even then . . . nobody likes to riot in the frozen north during January!).
    Go Tigers!
  20. DukeofEarl
    20. Posted by DukeofEarl Wed Sep 16, 2009 11:26 pm EDT

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    There was nothing better for us fans who live out of town than listening to Ernie broadcast the games of '84. He is the best ever.
  21. Cameron
    21. Posted by Cameron Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:39 am EDT

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    The team may not have a Hall of Famer yet, but they certainly deserve one; Alan Trammell!
  22. jamesf
    22. Posted by jamesf Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:37 am EDT

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    You call that a riot? Be serious! Go Tigs!
  23. DON_DOC_IN
    23. Posted by DON_DOC_IN Thu Sep 17, 2009 8:28 am EDT

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    You can't say Silly Dodgers without saying "A Hole"!
  24. gjason3677
    24. Posted by gjason3677 Thu Sep 17, 2009 8:32 am EDT

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    In my 35 years on this earth, the 84 Tigers are the best and most dominant team I have ever seen
  25. I love Victoria
    25. Posted by I love Victoria Thu Sep 17, 2009 9:37 am EDT

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    Duk... you are so wrong. The 84' Tigers did have a HOF'er. Hall of Fame Brodcaster, Ernie Harwell.
    The best there ever was.

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