The fiercely competitive Tyson made it to the majors on his glove work. He was selected
Cardinal Rookie of the Year in 1973, playing 128 games at shortstop. He moved to
second base in 1976 to make room for Don Kessinger and was hitting .305 in July when
he broke his finger making a tag and then refractured it while getting dressed. On
May 8, 1977 against Houston, he started a triple play. Tyson lost the second base
job to Ken Oberkfell in 1979 and was traded to the Cubs.
(FJO)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»July 7, 1975: In an 8–6 loss to the Cardinals, Giants catcher Marc Hill -- as well as the Cards -- ties a mark last accomplished in 1905 when he tags out three Cards runners at home on throws from the outfield. The three Cards dealt out are: Ken Reitz, in the first inning. on a throw from LF Gary Thomasson. Reitz tries scoring from 2B on a Mike Tyson single; Ron Fairly in the 6th inning thrown out by RF Bobby Murcer on a Tyson fly ball; Bake McBride in the 7th thrown out by LF Chris Arnold when he tries to score on a Willie Davis fly.
»June 6, 1981: The Cubs score four runs in the 4th inning, three on a pinch home run from Mike Tyson, to knock rookie phenom Fernando Valenzuela out of the game. The Cubs are victorious over the Dodgers 11–5 at Wrigley.