Team 103: The 1989 Tigers
By Blake VandeBunte • Nov 2nd, 2009 • Category: Alan Trammell, Charles Hudson, Dave Bergman, Frank Tanana, Greg Gohr, John Doherty, Lou Whitaker, Mike Henneman, Sparky Anderson, Top 109 Teams, Willie Hernandez- Year: 1989
- Record: 59-103
- Win %: .364
- Win % Change: -179
- Run Differential: -199
- Pythagorean Record: 61-101
- AL Finish: 14th of 14
- Manager: Sparky Anderson
- Best Transaction: The re-signing of Dave Bergman. Seriously. No slight disrespect intended here for Bergman, but if re-signing a guy like Bergman is your best transaction, then you are in serious trouble. The Tigers didn’t make a meaningful trade, free agent signing or draft pick in 1989. Bergman played for the Tigers 1984-1992, so keeping him on board was probably a popular move for the fans. That’s the best I can come up with.
- Worst Transaction: The draft. This is before the Randy Smith era, so the blame here falls on Bill Lajoie. Lajoie spent the Tigers first round pick, number 21, on Greg Gohr. Sadly, Gohr and John Doherty left the biggest mark on the franchise of anyone drafted in 1989. It’s no wonder the Tigers struggled in the seasons following this, they just didn’t have much young talent.
- Upper: Lou Whitaker. The Tigers second baseman (one of the best of all-time) had one his better offensive years in the midst of the misery that was the 1989 season. Whitaker slugged a career-high 28 homers, which was good for seventh in the American League and amazing for a second baseman. This was before guys like Chase Utley were slugging 30 homers a year from that position, Whitaker was truly ahead of his time. What exactly is the difference between Whitaker and Ryne Sandberg who is in the Hall of Fame?
- Downer: Pitching. Again. Pitching has been a problem in Detroit for the bulk of my life time. In 1989, no team in the AL gave up more runs than the Tigers and no team saved few games or threw fewer shut outs. Only one Tigers starter (Frank Tanana) had an ERA+ better than 88 and the bullpen was in constant flux. Willie Hernandez was a mess while offseason addition, Charles Hudson failed miserably. The upside to the bullpen bombing was that Mike Henneman was able to step into the closer role and pitch very well.
- Summary: Part of the reason this season was so disappointing is that the Tigers were only two years removed from the ALCS. This is like the 2008 Tigers, but even worse in a lot of ways. This club still had Trammell and Whitaker and should have had a better supporting cast around them to win a few ball games. Keep in mind, that Sparky Anderson was still managing the club. This was Sparky’s worst team in Detroit. This club was actually decent at home (38-43), but went 21-60 (!!!) on the road. That’s almost unbelievable. Things turned around 1990 thanks to Cecil Fielder. The pitching still sucked, though.
Blake VandeBunte is a posting fiend.
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Definately agree with the “Upper.” Whitaker and Tramell should be in the Hall! no ifs and or buts about it.
I took a class this summer on baseball and statistics and wrote my final paper on the Hall of Fame cases for Whitaker, Trammell, and Morris. Ryne Sandburg was my comp for Lou Whitaker. Sandburg is the NL version of Whitaker. Seriously, they are basically the same player.
This was the year that Sparky had to take a leave of absence that lasted nearly a month due to the stress. They initially stated that Sparky had family issues to attend, but the truth was he was exhausted,. Dick Tracewski managed while Sparky recouped.
I still think Whitaker and Trammell have a shot to make it. The Veteran’s Committee will come through for those guys. I have faith.
I hope you’re right about Tram and Lou, Blake, because they definitely belong. I personally think they both belong even moreso than Morris does.
How in the world does a team finish 39 games under .500 on the road? I didn’t even think that was possible. What a ridiculous but incredible stat.