RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
Prior to the start of the season the Tigers, who were coming of 5 losing seasons in 6 years attempted to acquire Babe Ruth from the Yankees to fill both the need for another hitter, and a new manager. However Frank Navin was unable to pull off the deal and was forced to look elsewhere. Navin would end up purchasing Catcher Mickey Cochrane from the Philadelphia Athletics, and named him catcher-manager. The move ended up working out as Cochrane claimed the AL MVP, and led the Tigers to 101-53 record, which was good enough to win the AL pennant by 7 games over the New York Yankees. However the star of the season may have been Schoolboy Rowe who set a Major League record by winning 16 straight decisions. In the World Series the Tigers faced a St. Louis Cardinals team that was known as the Gas House Gang, for their rough style of play. After splitting the first 4 games the Tigers won Game 5 on Charlie Gehringer's HR, and held a 3-2 series lead with the final 2 games in Detroit. However the Tigers would lose Game 6 on Paul Dean's 6th inning single, and would lose Game 7 in an 11-0 rout. During the Game 7 rout a brawl erupted after the Cards Joe Medwick slid hard into 3rd. After the dust settled Medwick had to be removed form the game for his own safety after Tiger fans started throwing bottles, and other debris at him. The loss marked the 4th World Series disappointment for Detroit Tigers.
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Radio Broadcast of Tigers vs Yankees at Navin Field
1934 Broadcast on Detroit's WWJ radio with Ty Tyson calling the Yankees at Tigers game at Navin Field. Johnny Broaca vs Firpo Marberry as New York won 11-7, narrowing the Tigers lead on 1st place in the AL. Game featured #1 Lou Gehrig and #2 Charlie Gehringer in the 1934 AL batting average race.
On September 20, 1934, the New York Yankees faced off against the Detroit Tigers at...
1934 New York Yankees vs Detroit Tigers - Radio Broadcast / On September 20, 1934, the New York Yankees faced off against the Detroit Tigers at Navin Field in Detroit. With the season nearing its end, both teams had different trajectories. The Yankees, who were out of pennant contention, still had star power with players like Lou Gehrig, while the Tigers were fighting for the American League pennant, led by Hank Greenberg and Charlie Gehringer. Starting on the mound for the Yankees was Johnny Broaca, while Detroit's Fred Marberry took the ball for the Tigers. As Detroit aimed to maintain their lead in the standings, this game carried significant weight for their postseason ambitions.
The game saw an explosive start, with the Yankees jumping ahead early, scoring two runs in the first and adding a six-run third inning, capitalizing on a mix of hits and Tigers errors. Detroit struggled to keep pace despite a late surge, including Goose Goslin’s two-run homer in the seventh inning. Key Yankees hitters like George Selkirk and Red Rolfe kept the pressure on Detroit’s pitching staff, who couldn’t contain New York's offense. While Broaca wasn't flawless on the mound, he managed to limit the damage from a Tigers lineup that had multiple scoring chances throughout the game.
New York emerged victorious with an 11-7 win, thanks to consistent hitting and capitalizing on Detroit’s defensive mistakes. While the Tigers would go on to win the American League pennant, this loss was a stumble in their otherwise successful campaign. The Yankees, meanwhile, ended their season on a high note with individual performances from players like Selkirk and Rolfe, although they would finish far from the top of the standings. Hank Greenberg and Goose Goslin, both critical to Detroit’s pennant run, would continue to be key players in the Tigers' push to the World Series.
Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s.
Interview with Baseball Catcher George Susce / Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s. Murdock was chairman of the history department at Marietta College. The interviews were not professionally recorded, and the audio quality is variable.
Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s.
Interview with Catcher Ray Hayworth / Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s. Murdock was chairman of the history department at Marietta College. The interviews were not professionally recorded, and the audio quality is variable.