Tiger of the Week - Tommy Bridges

Tiger of the Week
Tommy Bridges

Detroit's other ace starter in the 1930s besides "Schoolboy Rowe" was Tommy Bridges (HA77), who pitched for Detroit from 1930 through 1946. In 9 of those years, he was among the league's leaders in ERA.

A small man by baseball standards, Bridges was famed for the curve ("the best curve ball of his generation," says Bill James)that his very long fingers enabled. Perhaps his finest moment came in 1935 when, after allowing a triple in the 9th inning to Cubs' hitter Stan Hack, he was able to retire three Cubs without allowing the run to score. This sent to the game to extra innings in which the Tigers won their first World Championship.

Bridges deserves to be better known by not only Tigers' fans but all baseball fans. His lifetime ERA+ of 126 for a 16 year stint is impressive by any stretch, although the war probably lengthened his career by allowing him to face mediocre hitting at a time when his skills would have been declining. Still, this only allowed Bridges to maintain his impressive record for a few years longer rather than providing him a stat "boost."

Brush with baseball immortality

Bridges lost his one bid for baseball immortality, when Dave Harris broke up his perfect game with a two out single in 1932. Harris was sent in as a pinch hitter by Senators' manager Walter Johnson, a move that was criticized as unsportsmanlike by some. Bridges refused to join this chorus, however, saying that he only wanted it if it were against a team trying it hardest.

Sad post career


Bridges pitches in the Pacific League after his big league career was over, where he did notch a no-hitter. Bridges' post major league career, however, was not happy. A "sober, sensible, man" who was "universally liked" and dedicated to his family, Bridges could not cope with life outside the major leagues. His marriage dissolved and he battled alcoholism. After his pitching days ended, Bridges scouted for a variety of clubs, including Detroit. He ended his baseball career in 1968 after 5 seasons scouting for the Mets.

Bridges SABR biography is here.