January 9 in Tigers and mlb history:
1894 - Boston Beaneaters catcher Charlie Bennett loses both legs in a horrific train accident. In 1900, the Detroit Wolverines, Bennett's first team, will name its ballpark Bennett Park in his honor.
1908 - The Detroit Tigers name Frank Navin president of the team. The Tigers' home ballpark, Bennett Park, will be re-named "Navin Field", which will later become Tiger Stadium.
1952 - The U.S. Marines announce they will recall Boston Red Sox star Ted Williams into active duty to serve in the Korean War. Williams will play briefly during the 1952 season but will not return to the Red Sox lineup on a full-time basis until late in 1953. As a pilot in Korea, Williams will fly 39 missions and will survive a crash-landing brought about by enemy fire.
1980 - Al Kaline and Duke Snider are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Kaline is the 10th player to be elected in his first year of eligibility, while Snider is making his 11th appearance on the ballot.
1990: A spring training lockout of major league players will begin February 15th unless there is a new agreement, according to an announcement made by the owners. The work stoppage will last 32 days.
2009 - Fu-Te Ni, a member of Taiwan's club in the 2008 Olympics and the 2008 CPBL leader in strikeouts, makes history. Ni becomes the first Chinese Professional Baseball League player to sign a deal directly with a major league team, inking a contract with the Detroit Tigers.
2014: The Tigers announce that pitching ace Justin Verlander has undergone core muscle surgery as treatment for a sports hernia suffered during off-season conditioning drills.
Tigers players birthdays:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/barnefr01.shtml
Frank Barnes 1929.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Julio_Navarro
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/n/navarju01.shtml?redir
Julio Navarro 1964-1966.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mankoph01.shtml
Phil Mankowski 1976-1979.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dejesiv01.shtml
Ivan de Jesus 1988.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dolsifr01.shtml
Freddy Dolsi 2008-2009.
Tigers players who passed away:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/roberda05.shtml
Dave Roberts 1976-1977.
from Baseball Reference
