January 22 in Tigers and mlb history:
1904 - William H. Yawkey, the 28-year-old heir to a lumber and mining fortune, buys the Detroit Tigers from S.F. Angus for $50,000. New money and Frank Navin's shrewd management will bring three straight pennants to the franchise within a few years.
1929 - The New York Yankees announce they will put numbers on the backs of their uniforms, becoming the first baseball team to start continuous use of the numbers.
The first numbers are based on positions in the batting order; thus, Babe Ruth will wear number 3 and Lou Gehrig number 4.
In a few weeks, the Cleveland Indians announce that they too, will put numbers on the uniforms.
By 1931, all American League teams will use them. It will be 1933 before all National League players are numbered.
1976 - Pitchers Robin Roberts and Bob Lemon are voted into the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Roberts led the National League in starts and innings pitched for five straight seasons and was tops in victories for four consecutive years on his way to 286 career wins. Lemon earned 20 victories six times and won 207 career games.
1988 - As a result of the Players Association's 1985 collusion suit against the owners, arbitrator Thomas Roberts declares seven players no-risk free agents until March 1st, giving them a chance to sign with other clubs despite already having contracts. The seven are Juan Beniquez, Tom Brookens, Kirk Gibson, Carlton Fisk, Donnie Moore, Joe Niekro and Butch Wynegar. Gibson will jump to the Dodgers and become the National League MVP and a World Series hero to boot.
1992 - The New York Mets trade outfielder Mark Carreon and relief pitcher Tony Castillo to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for pitcher Paul Gibson and Randy Marshall.
2002 ? Tigers sign pitcher Jeff Weaver to four-year, $22-million deal. In July, he will be traded to the Yankees as a part of the Carols Pena deal.
Tigers players birthdays:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/thomair01.shtml
Ira Thomas 1908.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/j/jonesto01.shtml
Tom Jones 1909-1910.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/s/shiveiv01.shtml
Ivey Shiver 1931.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/o/oanapr01.shtml
Prince Oana 1943, 1945.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/buchajo01.shtml
Johnny Bucha 1953.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/roberle01.shtml?redir
Leon Roberts 1974-1975.
Tigers players who passed away:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Cesar_Gutierrez
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/g/gutiece01.shtml?redir
Cesar Gutierrez 1969-1971.
from Baseball Reference
