Detroit's six long-term, one-team-only players is the most of any franchise; the first of them was Hooks (or Hookie) Dauss. A stocky righthander with nicknames deriving from his assortment of sharp-breaking curves, Dauss won 221 games in a fifteen-year career, the most for any pitcher while wearing a Tiger uniform. It is a record easily overlooked, for Dauss toiled mostly in the second division. Still, he achieved ten winning seasons and a winning percentage considerably better than his team's.
He was a friendly, good-natured fellow; some thought that with more aggression he might have won more games. Still, Hookie led the league in hit batsmen three times and is tenth on the lifetime list. (ADS)
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FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»August 24, 1914: In the 2nd game of a twinbill at Washington, Detroit's Hooks Dauss and four Nats pitchers combine to plunk a record seven batters, a major-league record that will remain unmatched until 1971. Hooks hits three while Jim Shaw, Al Bentley, Harry Harper, and Jim Stevens hit four. The Tigers win 11–0 and take the opener as well, 3–1.
»April 16, 1916: Now with Cleveland, Boston's Tris Speaker doubles against the Tigers Hooks Dauss, the first of 41 that will tie him with teammate Jack Graney for the American League lead, and one of an all-time career high of 792. The Indians top Detroit, 4–3.
»June 18, 1917: Hooks Dauss shuts out the Senators to give the Tigers a 1–0 win, their 3rd straight over Washington. Only one man advances as far as 2B. Nats pitcher Harry Harper gives up the run in the 4th after Ty Cobb walks, steals second (one of his three) aided by a passed ball, a wild pitch, and Sam Crawford's ground out.