1999 Detroit Tigers season

1999 Detroit Tigers
Major League affiliations
	American League (since 1901);
	Central Division (since 1998);
Location
	Tiger Stadium (since 1912); Detroit, Michigan (since 1901);
Other information
Owner(s)	Mike Ilitch
General manager(s)	Randy Smith
Manager(s)	Larry Parrish
Local television	WKBD; (Frank Beckmann, Al Kaline) ; FSN Detroit; (Kirk Gibson, Josh Lewin)
Local radio	WJR; (Ernie Harwell, Jim Price)
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The 1999 Detroit Tigers had a record of 69–92 and finished in third place 27½ games behind the Indians. After a century of baseball at the corner of Michigan and Trumbull, the 1999 season was the last for the team at Tiger Stadium. On September 27, 1999, Robert Fick had the final hit of the final game at Detroit's Tiger Stadium, a rooftop grand slam, which was the stadium's 11,111th home run.[1] In the 2000 season, the Tigers moved to Comerica Park.

Offseason

October 6, 1998: Doug Bochtler was selected off waivers by the Los Angeles Dodgers from the Detroit Tigers.[2]
December 14, 1998: Bill Haselman was signed as a Free Agent with the Detroit Tigers.[3]
December 18, 1998: Luis Polonia was signed as a Free Agent with the Detroit Tigers.[4]

Regular season

Highlights

Gabe Kapler

April 12: The Final Opening Day in Tiger Stadium history. Willie Blair and Eric Milton of the Minnesota Twins engaged in a scoreless battle through several innings. The Twins finally won the game in the twelfth inning by a score of 1–0.[5]
April 22: Tood Jones gets career save number 100.[6]
May 6: Gabe Kapler hits his first home run in Tiger Stadium.[7]
May 7–9: The Tigers played the Baltimore Orioles. Shortstop Cal Ripken, Jr. does not appear in one game for the Orioles.[8]
May 15: Alice Cooper tosses out the ceremonial first pitch.[9]
May 16: Tony Clark hits career home run number 100.[10]
May 28: Karim García becomes the 34th player in the history of Major League Baseball to hit a home run over the Tiger Stadium roof in right field.[11]
June 4–6: The Tigers played the St. Louis Cardinals. First baseman Mark McGwire does not hit a home run in the series.[8]

Season standings

AL Central	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
Cleveland Indians	97	65	0.599	—	47–34	50–31
Chicago White Sox	75	86	0.466	21½	38–42	37–44
Detroit Tigers	69	92	0.429	27½	38–43	31–49
Kansas City Royals	64	97	0.398	32½	33–47	31–50
Minnesota Twins	63	97	0.394	33	31–50	32–47

Record vs. opponents

1999 American League Records Sources:
Team	ANA	BAL	BOS	CWS	CLE	DET	KC	MIN	NYY	OAK	SEA	TB	TEX	TOR	NL
Anaheim	—	3–9	1–9	5–5	1–9	5–5	7–5	6–4	6–4	8–4	6–6	7–5	6–6	3–9	6–12
Baltimore	9–3	—	5–7	7–3	1–9	5–5	6–4	8–1	4–9	5–7	5–5	5–7	6–6	1–11	11–7
Boston	9–1	7–5	—	7–5	8–4	7–5	8–2	6–4	8–4	4–6	7–3	4–9	4–5	9–3	6–12
Chicago	5–5	3–7	5–7	—	3–9	7–5	6–6	8–3–1	5–7	3–7	4–8	6–4	5–5	6–4	9–9
Cleveland	9–1	9–1	4–8	9–3	—	8–5	7–5	9–3	3–7	10–2	7–3	5–4	3–7	5–7	9–9
Detroit	5–5	5–5	5–7	5–7	5–8	—	7–4	6–6	5–7	4–6	3–7	4–5	5–5	2–10	8–10
Kansas City	5–7	4–6	2–8	6–6	5–7	4–7	—	5–8	5–4	6–6	7–5	2–8	4–6	3–7	6–12
Minnesota	4–6	1–8	4–6	3–8–1	3–9	6–6	8–5	—	4–6	7–5	4–8	5–5	0–12	4–6	10–7
New York	4–6	9–4	4–8	7–5	7–3	7–5	4–5	6–4	—	6–4	9–1	8–4	8–4	10–2	9–9
Oakland	4–8	7–5	6–4	7–3	2–10	6–4	6–6	5–7	4–6	—	6–6	9–1	5–7	8–2	12–6
Seattle	6–6	5–5	3–7	8–4	3–7	7–3	5–7	8–4	1–9	6–6	—	8–4	5–8	7–2	7–11
Tampa Bay	5–7	7–5	9–4	4–6	4–5	5–4	8–2	5–5	4–8	1–9	4–8	—	4–8	5–8	4–14
Texas	6–6	6–6	5–4	5–5	7–3	5–5	6–4	12–0	4–8	7–5	8–5	8–4	—	6–4	10–8
Toronto	9–3	11–1	3–9	4–6	7–5	10–2	7–3	6–4	2–10	2–8	2–7	8–5	4–6	—	9–9

Transactions

April 16, 1999: Mel Rojas was traded by the Los Angeles Dodgers with Dave Mlicki to the Detroit Tigers for Robinson Checo, Aposto Garcia (minors), and Richard Roberts (minors).[12]
May 12, 1999: Mel Rojas was released by the Detroit Tigers.[12]

Roster

1999 Detroit Tigers

Roster

Pitchers

14 Matt Anderson

20 Willie Blair

45 Dave Borkowski

26 Doug Brocail

58 Will Brunson

43 Francisco Cordero

40 Nelson Cruz

39 Bryce Florie

52 Beiker Graterol

35 Erik Hiljus

59 Todd Jones

41 Masao Kida

40 Felipe Lira

30 Dave Mlicki

38 Brian Moehler

49 C. J. Nitkowski

53 Willis Roberts

51 Mel Rojas

44 Sean Runyan

22 Justin Thompson

36 Jeff Weaver

Catchers

12 Brad Ausmus

37 Bill Haselman

39 Robert Fick

Infielders

27 Frank Catalanotto

17 Tony Clark

8 Deivi Cruz

9 Damion Easley

46 Luis García

25,21 Gregg Jefferies

48 José Macías

7 Dean Palmer

32 Jason Wood

Outfielders

25 Gabe Alvarez

18 Kimera Bartee

34 Juan Encarnación

24 Karim García

4 Bobby Higginson

21 Brian Hunter

23 Gabe Kapler

29 Luis Polonia

Manager

15 Larry Parrish

Coaches

35 Rick Adair (pitching)

19 Perry Hill (third base)

54 Jeff Jones (bullpen)

13 Lance Parrish (bench)

3 Alan Trammell (hitting)

10 Juan Samuel (first base)

Final game at Tiger Stadium

The final game at Tiger Stadium was played on September 27, 1999, between the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Royals. The Tigers were victorious 8–2. The winning pitcher was Detroit starter Brian Moehler. The losing pitcher was Jeff Suppan.

The pregame ceremony

Prior to the final game at Tiger Stadium, a ceremony was held. It was emceed by then current Tiger broadcaster and Ford C. Frick Award recipient Ernie Harwell. The National Anthem was performed by The Mosaic Youth Theatre of Detroit Singers. At the ceremony, owner Mike Ilitch spoke along with then Michigan governor John Engler, then Detroit mayor Dennis Archer and Commissioner of Baseball Bud Selig. Also featured at the ceremony was longtime Tiger right fielder and Hall of Famer Al Kaline.

Instead of both managers exchanging lineups before the game, both clubs appointed honorary captains. Representing the Tigers was Kaline and representing the Royals was former MVP and Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett.

Well, here's Robert Fick. Another man who's counted on in the future, wearing Norm Cash's number 25..remember, Al told him he'd hit a home run today. AND HE DID! There she goes! And it is...on the roof! Robert Fick, a grand slam that hits the roof and comes back! Kaline called it! How do you like that? Look at these flashbulbs! What a moment! – Frank Beckmann on WKBD television, calling Fick's eighth inning grand slam off Jeff Montgomery, the final home run hit at Tiger Stadium.

Tigers lead it 8–2. Two down in the ninth inning. Jones is ready. He delivers. Here's a swing and a miss. The game is over, and Tiger Stadium is no more. – Ernie Harwell, calling Carlos Beltrán's strikeout to end the game on WJR radio.

The postgame ceremony

The game ended at 7:07 pm. The grounds crew then surrounded home plate. Groundskeeper Charlie McGee, using a pick axe, dug up home plate at 7:13. It would then be transported by Tiger pitchers Matt Anderson, Jeff Weaver, and Francisco Cordero, with police escort, to Comerica Park.

Ernie Harwell then read a history of Tiger Stadium accompanied by music from the movie Field of Dreams. He introduced a film containing images of such Tiger legends as Ty Cobb, Sam Crawford, Hughie Jennings and Harry Heilmann. In addition, the Tigers Hall of Famers were honored: Heinie Manush, Mickey Cochrane, Charlie Gehringer, Hank Greenberg, Hal Newhouser, George Kell, and Harwell.

Following remarks from Willie Horton and former manager Sparky Anderson, there emerged from the center field gate players from times past, including Mark Fidrych, Bill Freehan, Dick McAuliffe, Dave Bergman, Mickey Stanley, Willie Horton, Kirk Gibson, Cecil Fielder, Al Kaline, the combination of Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker, and Elden Auker. A line was formed from the center field flagpole to home plate, along which was passed the flag that had flown from the pole in dead center over the finale.

After Auker passed the flag to catcher Brad Ausmus, players threw souvenirs into the stands as some reached over and put dirt from the warning track into plastic bags. It was at this time that Harwell gave his final goodbye: "Tonight, we say good-bye. ... Farewell, old friend Tiger Stadium. We will remember."

At 8:19, the scoreboard was shut off. At quarter to nine, a final team picture was taken, and by 9 the stands were empty. As the last of the fans left, a sign was hung on the famous right-center field overhang which read: "Today, there is crying in baseball. So long, old friend."

Ernie Harwell's farewell

"Ladies and gentlemen, less than six months ago, we began a warm season of farewells, and with each passing day we came a little bit closer to this historic occasion.

"The Lions, Joe Louis and Nelson Mandela. 6,873 regular-season games, 35 postseason contests and a trio of spectacular All-Star Games, Tiger Stadium has been home to this great game of baseball. But more than anything, it has been a cherished home to our memories.

"Will you remember that last base hit? The last out? How about that last pitch? Or maybe it's the first time as a child when you saw that green, green grass that will forever be etched into your mind and soul.

"Tonight, we say good-bye. But we will not forget. Open your eyes, look around and take a mental picture. Moments like this shall live on forever.

"It's been 88 moving years at Michigan and Trumbull. The tradition built here shall endure along with the permanence of the Olde English D. But tonight we must say good-bye.

"Farewell, old friend Tiger Stadium. We will remember."

Player stats

Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in

Player	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
Brad Ausmus	127	458	126	.275	9	54
Tony Clark	143	536	150	.280	31	99
Damion Easley	151	549	146	.266	20	65
Dean Palmer	150	560	147	.263	38	100
Deivi Cruz	155	518	147	.284	13	58
Juan Encarnación	132	509	130	.255	19	74
Gabe Kapler	130	416	102	.245	18	49
Bobby Higginson	107	377	90	.239	12	46
Luis Polonia	87	333	108	.324	10	32
Karim García	96	288	69	.240	14	35
Frank Catalanotto	100	286	79	.276	11	18
Gregg Jefferies	70	205	41	.200	6	14
Bill Haselman	48	143	39	.273	4	3
Kimera Bartee	41	77	15	.195	0	0
Brian Hunter	18	55	13	.236	0	4
Gabe Alvarez	22	53	11	.208	2	8
Jason Wood	27	44	7	.159	1	1
Robert Fick	15	41	9	.220	3	3
Luis García	8	9	1	.111	0	0
José Macías	5	4	1	.250	1	1

Note: pitchers' batting statistics not included

Starting pitchers

Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
Justin Thompson	24	142.7	9	11	5.11	83
Jeff Weaver	30	163.7	9	12	5.55	114
Willie Blair	39	134.0	3	11	6.85	82
Brian Moehler	32	196.3	10	16	5.04	106
Dave Mlicki	31	191.7	14	12	4.60	119

Pitching