April 7 in Tigers and mlb history:
1873 - John McGraw is born in Truxton, New York. A fiery third baseman for the 1890s Baltimore Orioles, McGraw will achieve much more recognition as an innovative, autocratic field manager. In his 31 years at the helm of the New York Giants, McGraw's teams will gain 10 National League pennants, finish second 11 times and take home three World Series trophies. He ranks second all-time with 2,840 wins as a manager. In 1933, he will return from retirement to manage the National League in the very first major league All-Star Game. As a player, he was credited with helping to develop the hit-and-run, the squeeze play and other strategic moves. McGraw will be elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee in 1937.
1918 - Bobby Doerr is born in Los Angeles, California. A hard-hitting second baseman, Doerr will bat .288 in 14 seasons with the Boston Red Sox and reach the 100-RBI mark six times during his career. Doerr will gain Hall of Fame honors in 1986.
1971 - The dismissal of Curt Flood's suit against Major League Baseball is upheld by a three-judge U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The verdict will be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
1983 - Major League Baseball, ABC, and NBC agree to terms on a six-year television package worth $1.2 billion. The two TV networks will continue to alternate coverage of the playoffs, World Series, and All-Star Game through the 1989 season with each of the 26 clubs receiving $7 million per year in return. The last package gave each club $1.9 million per annum.
1984: Jack Morris of the Detroit Tigers pitches a no-hitter against the Chicago White Sox. Morris strikes out eight and walks six in shutting down the Sox at Comiskey Park. Morris becomes the first Tiger since Jim Bunning, who accomplished the feat in 1958, to toss a no-hitter.
1986 - At Tiger Stadium, Boston Red Sox outfielder Dwight Evans becomes the first player to hit the first pitch on Opening Day for a home run. Jack Morris throws the gopher ball but gets the victory as Detroit edges Boston, 6 - 5, behind two home runs by Kirk Gibson.
Tigers players birthdays:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lafited01.shtml
Ed Lafitte 1909, 1911-1912.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Ben_Petrick
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/petribe01.shtml?redir
Ben Petrick 2003.
from Baseball Reference
