The 1926-1946 Detroit Tigers

[Dean Gordon]

The New Start (1926)

As the 1925 season rolled to a close, and the Detroit Tigers finished in their customary spot - last in the American League, Ed Bolden and Andrew Foster, the new owners of the team, knew they had to do something to break the cycle of suckitude that the team was stuck in. The Tigers had finished last in six of the previous eight campaigns, and were arguably the worst franchise in the majors, with only a single pennant (1905) to show for 42 years of hard work since entering as an expansion team in 1882 (to further illustrate the point, the Tigers had not even managed to break .500 in seventeen - 17 - seasons). That much concentrated crap had turned off the fans to the point where, in 1924, they managed to draw only 261k fans, as compared to the NY Yankees, who became the first team to draw 1 million while on their way to their fifth straight title.

Looking for a savior, they turned to DA Gordon, who had been the helmsman of the New York Yankees since 1901. Despite a rather pedestrian record for the first twenty seasons (3 pennants, 1 title in 1914), he had finally figured out the right formula for success and had guided the Yankees to five successive titles, thanks to a lineup that was anchored by stars Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Rogers Hornsby and Gabby Hartnett. He was more importantly known as a groomer of talent, and as an assistant to American League president Ban Johnson, had been an enthusiastic supporter of full integration. The latter was a subject that was dear to the hearts of the new owners, who still perceived a certain bias towards colored ball players, and Gordon gave his word that he would view all ballplayers without a consideration as to the color of their skin.

One of the advantages of the Tigers' organization was their farm system - having been so wretched for so long had produced some excellent young players who had allowed the Columbus Clippers (AAA minor team) to take five of the past eight International League championships, and allowed the Caroline Mudcats (AA) to finish no worse than 2nd in each of the team's four seasons of existence (the International League started in 1882, the AA Eastern League in 1922).

Turkey Stearnes, Oscar Charleston, Bullet Rogan, Satchel Paige and Bill Foster were all part of the organization when Gordon came over, and through trades (with completely emptied the top rated minor league system) and free agency, he managed to field this lineup:

CF Cool Papa Bell
3B Luke MacNeur
2B Charlie Gehringer
LF Oscar Charleston
1B Turkey Stearnes
RF Bullet Rogan
SS Willie Wells
C Tex Mcdonald

Buck Leonard - utility
Judy Johnson - utility
Martin Dihigo - utility
Borek Poklop - utility
Tomas Moreno - utility


Bill Foster
Satchel Paige
Boom Boom Beck
Smokey Joe Williams

Hilton Smith
Chet Falk
Peaches Davis
Slim Embrey
Archie Campbell

From a team that had fielded zero players of color the previous season, Gordon assembled a team that boasted twelve for opening day, and with firebrand Ty Cobb managing the team (Cobb had recently retired after a stellar Hall of Fame career for the Yankees), the Tigers finished 87-67, good enough for seven games back of the Yankees (who beat the Brooklyn Dodgers in seven game to take their sixth straight title), their best finish since 1906.

The stars of the 1926 campaign were easily Bill Foster, who managed a solid 18-15 record on a 2.58 ERA, Cool Papa Bell, who stole 60 bases on a .275 average, and Turkey Stearnes, who drove in 93 runs off of 15 HR and a .295 BA.

With a starting rotation that averaged 21 years old (aside from Smokey Joe, who at 41 years young managed a 9-9 record), and a lineup that, aside from Rogan and McDonald, was sub-30, this should be the type of team - speed and defense oriented - that brings back the excitement of major league baseball to Michigan.


[edit - just noticed that there is a dynasty section - will move this over to there]