Tom Brookens

Played For
Detroit Tigers (1979-1988)
New York Yankees (1989)
Cleveland Indians (1990)

Best Season: 1980
In the only season he was really a regular, 26-year od Brookens batted a career-high .275 with 25 doubles, nine triples and 10 home runs. Batting in the #9 slot, he drove in 66 runs. His range was very good at third (as it was most of his career) but he made 29 errors.

Born
Thomas Dale Brookens was born on August 10, 1953, in Chambersburg, PA.

Batted:  Right
Threw:  Right

Primary Position:  3B

Primary Team:  DET

College:  Mansfield State

Major League Debut
July 10, 1979

Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1979
Rickey Henderson
Tim Raines
Kirk Gibson
Dickie Thon
Jesse Orosco
Jeff Reardon
Dan Quisenberry
Dave Righetti
Dave Stieb

Nicknames
Brooky

Family Tree
Tom's identical twin brother, Tim, was also drafted by the Tigers and played in their minor league system. Ike Brookens, a cousin, pitched in the Tiger organization in the early 1970s.

Post-Season Appearances
1984 American League Championship Series
1984 World Series
1987 American League Championship Series

Best Strength as a Player
Versatility and willingness to do what ever he could for the team. Tom Brookens never bitched, even though Sparky Anderson was always looking for someone to put in his place.

Largest Weakness as a Player
For a corner infielder, Brookens was a very weak hitter. But he was solid in so many different ways that he ended up having a long career.

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