Saw in today's Free Press that the San Diego Padres named Ted Simmons bench coach. Simmons, a Highland Park native, played at Southfield High and was an eight-time All Star catcher.
So what other Detroiters have played in the majors?
Willie Horton, of course. Also Ted Sizemore (who batted second behind Lou Brock on the Cardinals) and Alex Johnson (who won a batting title w/ the Angels and later played a season w/ the Tigers).
Who else can we add to the list?
JJ Putz of Seattle is from Trenton - can he help our bullpen?
ReplyDeleteYes -- and he's a free agent.
ReplyDeleteFormer KC slugger John Mayberry is from Detroit and went to Northwestern HS.
ReplyDeleteHow could I overlook Frank Tanana of Catholic Central HS?!
ReplyDeleteI have a hunch if you go back a few years, you can find many Detroit area guys who were not only MLB, but Tigers. Scouting wasn't was it is today. (Gehringer was from Fowlerville, fer example.)
ReplyDeleteJohn Smolz - Warren
Mickey Stanley - Grand Rapids (OK, not exactly the west side, but you get the idea.)
The other factors include smaller number of teams, and a relatively larger population in Detroit.
My dad went to school with Tanana's grandfather at Chadsey - his nickname was "Tanana the Banana"
ReplyDeleteAlso to Gregg's point - Bob Kuzava was and still is from Wyandotte - he played for the Yankees in the 40's. HIs cousin was Msgr. Ray Kuzava who was principal at SHS High School.
What about Bob Welch and Bob Owchinco of Eastern Michigan fame. They were both good pitchers. Also Ted Mahan who caught for a lot of years in the majors and just retired a couple of years ago.
ReplyDeleteMy nephew Keith Johnson adds Steve Avery from Trenton, who finished his career with the Tigers, Cy Young winner Pat Hentgen, Kirk Gibson from Waterford, Rookie of the Year and self-proclaimed druggie from Pontiac Steve Howe, Brighton's Drew Henson,and how could we all forget Ron LeFlore?
ReplyDeleteIs Henson still playing for the Lions?
one more i wanted to add, my friend and neighbor and current inmate #469375 in michigan departmrnet of corrections , macomb county's own Larry Sorensen
ReplyDelete