Sparma was a star quarterback at Ohio State, but quit after three years because of
differences with coach Woody Hayes. He signed for a bonus with the Tigers in 1963,
and had mixed success, often battling control problems. After going 2-7 in 1966,
he rebounded for a 16-9 mark in 1967. He lost his spot in the rotation after a run-in
with manager Mayo Smith late in 1968, but, called on to start in an emergency on
September 17, he defeated the Yankees to clinch the pennant.
(JK)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»September 18, 1965: On Mickey Mantle Day at Yankee Stadium, 50,180 fans see Mantle play his 2,000th game. Joe DiMaggio and Bobby Kennedy are on hand as Mantle is given a barbecue grill in the shape of a prairie schooner and a six-foot Kosher salami weighing 100 pounds. In Mantle's first at bat, Detroit's Joe Sparma comes off the mound to shake his hand. Mick then flies out. Detroit wins, 4–3, with reliever Denny McLain getting the win.
»May 17, 1968: Joe Sparma takes a one-hitter into the 9th against the Senators, but Frank Howard homers to give the Nats a 3–2 lead. In the bottom of the inning, Jim Northrup wins the game, 7–3, with a grand slam, one of five he will hit this season. Howard homers for the 5th straight game; it is his 8th and the most anyone has hit in a 5-game span.
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