Tommy Bridges
When the Detroit Tigers finally gave little Tommy Bridges a chance to pitch in their rotation, the right-hander paid off. He won 20 games for three straight seasons, from 1934-1936, as the Bengals won pennants in each of the first two years. He won one game in the 1934 Fall Classic, and pitched two complete game victories, including the clincher, in the '35 Series. He was a key member of the Tiger rotation through 1943, until he entered the U.S. Army in World War II. When he returned, he was hired a coach, but returned to duty as a player at his own request in 1946 before being released. Bridges pitched four seasons in the Pacific Coast League, leading the loop in ERA and also hurling a no-hitter at the age of 42. Hall of Fame catcher Rick Ferrell called Bridges' curveball the best he'd ever seen.
Quotes About Bridges
"[He] had a heart of gold. He had the courage when the chips were down, and you had to hit him and hit him hard to beat him." — Ossie Bluege
Played For
Detroit Tigers (1930-1946)
Factoids
On August 5, 1932, Detroit righty Tommy Bridges retired the first 26 batters against the Senators. Dave Harris was sent in as a pinch-hitter by Washington manager Walter Johnson, and banged out a single to ruin the perfect game bid. The following season, Bridges hurled two more one-hitters.
Born
Thomas Jefferson Davis Bridges was born on December 28, 1906, in Gordonsville, TN.
Died
April 19, 1968, Nashville, TN
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: P
Primary Team: DET
Major League Debut
August 13, 1930
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1930
Luke Appling
Joe Kuhel
Pinky Higgins
Ben Chapman
Hank Greenberg
Lon Warneke
Tommy Bridges
Lefty Gomez
Dizzy Dean
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1956 |
BBWAA |
3 |
1.6% |
1958 |
BBWAA |
11 |
4.1% |
1960 |
BBWAA |
4 |
1.5% |
1962 |
BBWAA |
1 |
.6% |
1964 |
BBWAA |
15 |
7.5% |
1964 |
Run Off |
1 |
.4% |
1966 |
BBWAA |
16 |
5.3% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1934 World Series
1935 World Series
1940 World Series
1945 World Series
Post-Season Notes
In Game Six of the 1935 World Series, the Tigers needed to win to secure their first World Championship. With the score tied, 3-3 in the top of the ninth, Cubs' third baseman Stan Hack opened with a triple against Bridges. Facing Billy Jurges, Bridges froze him with a curveball for a strikeout. He coaxed Larry French to ground out back to the mound, and then got Augie Galan to fly harmlessly, stranding the go-ahead run. In the bottom of the inning, Goose Goslin drove in Mickey Cochrane with the Series-winning run. Squirming out of the situation in the top of the ninth, was the highlight of Bridges' career.
Transactions
"I could have had my release any time," Bridges told The Sporting News in 1946 after the Tigers let him go in mid-September. "The club consented to give it to me now. They paid me in full. I didn't ask to be restored as coach. By the way, if I had it to do all over again, I'd choose Detroit as my club."
All-Star Selections
1934 AL
1935 AL
1936 AL
1937 AL
1939 AL
1940 AL
Learn More about Tommy Bridges
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