Hall of Fame Baseball Player by baseballhistorian.com

Harmon Killebrew led the league in homers six times and in RBI's three times. Played in eleven All-Star games and drove in more than 100 runs nine different times. He hit 573 career home runs, which was the fifth highest in history as we entered the year 2000.

In 1959, Harmon Killebrew hit two homers in a game five times in a three week period. July 18, 1962, he hit 2 grand slams in one game. In 1963, he hit 4 homers in a doubleheader- an AL record. 1969, Killebrew was MVP; hitting 49 home runs and driving in 140 runs, leading the league in both. Killebrew struck out often but also drew a lot of base on balls. In his career he struck out 1669 times and walked 1559 times in 22 years. Hall of Famer, .256 lifetime batting average and 1584 lifetime RBI's.

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Minnesota Twins Baseball History

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Rod Carew punched hits all over the baseball diamond as he amassed 3053 career hits; becoming only the 15th person to get 3000 hits. In 1977, he hit .388. Rod Carew career.... .328 lifetime batting average, 445 doubles, 112 triples, 353 stolen bases (stole home 17 times), scored 1424 runs and had 1015 RBI's. This Hall of Famer won seven batting titles, was voted MVP in 1977 and played in 18 straight All-Star games; every year except his last year.

Freehan was regarded as one top handlers of pitchers, and is credited with helping shape the Detroit Tigers' pitching staff into winners, including Mickey Lolich & Denny McLain.

Good-natured but an agressive team player Bill Freehan was the 'man in charge behind home plate,' recalled Ken Harrelson, a former major league outfielder and long-time White Sox announcer. 'Freehan knew everything that was going on.'

In 1967 Bill Freehan finished third in the MVP award after leading the Tigers to within one game of winning the pennant. And in 1968 he was second in the voting trailing only teammate pitcher Denny McLain, who won 31 and lost just 6 games.

Freehan hit 25 homers in 1968 and helped make the Detroit Tigers the World Champions. His close-to-the- plate batting stance, Freehan set a record by being hit by pitches 24 times in 1968 including three in one game.

In 1971, he hit three HR's in one game against the Red Sox.

Bill Freehan won five 'Gold Gloves' in his 15 year career, all with the Detroit Tigers. When he retired he held the major league career record for most chances, most putouts and highest fielding pct for a catcher.

A graduate of the University of Michigan, after he finished his great playing career he became the university's baseball coach. Bill Freehan's career stats: .262 BA, 241 D, 35 T, 200 HR's, 1591 hits in 1774 games.

Lolich finished his career 12th on the all-time strikeout list with 2,832, second only to Steve Carlton among left-handers.

Mickey Lolich captured the sporting headlines in 1968 by upstaging Hall of Famer, Bob Gibson, in the World Series. Lolich won complete games in Games 2 & 5 and faced and beat Gibson and the St. Louis Cardinals in Game 7 by the score of 4-1 as the Tigers won the World Championship. In this World Series, Lolich pitched three complete games and allowed only five runs an ERA of 1.67.

In 1971, Lolich was 25-13, ERA 2.92, started 45 and completed 29 with 4 shutouts; he led the AL in wins and strikeouts with 308. Again in 1972 he was 22-14, GS 41, GC 23 and posted his career best ERA of 2.50. Lolich never won the Cy Young but ended 2nd - three times.

In 1976, the Tigers traded this aging, popular pitcher to the New York Mets. He retired after one season but came back in 1978 & 1979 as a San Diego Padre starter and reliever.

Mickey Lolich career stats: 217-191, ERA 3.26 in 3638 innings, gave up 3366 hits, had 2832 strike outs and hurled 41 shutouts. We tip our cap to Mickey Lolich, a diligent worker and an outstanding pitcher, you were top-of-the line in our book.

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Detroit Tigers Baseball History presented by Baseball Historian

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Brooks Robinson excelled in the Playoffs and World Series; fans could not believe their eyes at this Hall of Famer's fieldings.

Brooks Robinson has the highest fielding average for 3rd. baseman in baseball history, he has the records for most chances, most putouts and most double plays. He won 16 straight Gold Gloves and led the American League in assists 8 different times.

Brooks Robinson played in 18 All-Star games and was Most Valuable Player in 1964.

Brooks Robinson's career; played 2896 games, batted over 10,000 times, got 2848 hits, pounded 482 doubles and drove in 1357 runs. Truly 'The Games Greatest Fielding 3rd. Basement'.

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