After winning the 1968 World Series, the Detroit Tigers looked to be sliding their way into obscurity. Though they still had some marquee players, including Kaline, Cash, Lolich and Freehan, the dynastic Baltimore Orioles seemed to have passed them by. But then in a move that stoked the competitive fires of the team, Detroit hired manager Billy Martin, the star second baseman on Yankees teams that won five World Series and whose managerial debut in 1969 ended in the league championship series. Told against the backdrop of a momentous summer in American history, this is the story of a great team’s last hurrah.

SABR member Todd Masters has followed the Detroit Tigers for more than 40 years. He lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Todd Masters
Format: softcover (6 x 9)
Pages: 279
Bibliographic Info: 20 photos, appendix, notes, bibliography, index
Copyright Date: 2010
pISBN: 978-0-7864-4820-3
Imprint: McFarland

Acknowledgments      vi
Preface      1
Introduction: A Summer to Remember      5

1. Ascending to the Mountaintop … and Tumbling Back Down      9
2. Dark Clouds Gather Over Sunny Skies      27
3. Strike One!      42
4. The Race Begins      51
5. Measuring Up to the Competition      70
6. Hitting Their Stride      89
7. Out of a Hat and into the Lineup      106
8. Down to the Wire      129
9. Showdown in Motown      157
10. California, Here We Come!      179
11. “I’m Proud of Every One of You Guys”      199
12. Extra Innings      225
13. End of an Era      234

Appendix (Final Standings and Individual Statistics)      251
Chapter Notes      255
Bibliography      263
Index      265