Books and articles about Don Wert

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A fine glove man, Wert led American League third basemen in fielding in 1965. Playing in all of the Tigers' 162 games that year, he led them with 159 hits. He then followed with his best offensive season (.268, 70 RBI). Though he batted just .200 in 1968, his ninth-inning, game-winning single on September 17 clinched the pennant for the Tigers. On October 9, 1970, he was shipped to the Senators with Denny McLain in an eight-player deal. (CC)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » June 24, 1968: Detroit RF Jim Northrup becomes the 6th American League player to hit two grand slams in one game, connecting in the 5th inning off Eddie Fisher and in the 6th off Billy Rohr, as the Tigers bomb Cleveland 14–3. Denny McLain is the victor. First baseman Willie Smith pitches the last three innings, walking just one and allowing one hit and no runs. Detroit's Don Wert is taken to the hospital following a 6th inning beaning which shatters his batting helmet. He will miss just a few games. » September 17, 1968: Detroit clinches the AL pennant with a 2–1 win over the Yankees. Detroit is ahead 1–0 when Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey phones Tiger GM Jim Campbell with the news that the Sox have beaten the Orioles, clinching the pennant for the Tigers. Campbell keeps the score off the radio and the scoreboard, fearing the news will send fans rampaging onto the field. Don Wert singles home the winner in the 9th and the fans tear down the left field screen. » July 15, 1969: With President Nixon attending his 5th game of the season, the Senators beat the Tigers again, 7–3. The Tigers pull off the first triple play of the year when Eddie Brinkman grounds to 3B Don Wert. Tim Cullen, hitting .206, drives in four runs with a single, double and home run. » July 9, 1970: Dalton Jones of the Tigers loses a grand slam against the Red Sox when he passes teammate Don Wert on the base paths. Jones pinch hits for Jim Price and belts a 2-2 pitch from Vincente Romo into the RF upper deck for a grand slam. However, he passes Wert between first and second and is called out, ending up with a 3-RBI single. » July 24, 1970: Chicago's Bill Melton ties the major-league record by striking out seven times in a doubleheader split with Detroit. Melton will strike out his first three times up in his next game, in Baltimore on the 28th, before flying out in the 9th. The Sox win the opener today, 5–2 with six straight singles and five runs in the 9th. The Tigers win the nitecap, 5–4, in the 9th when Don Wert draws a walk from Wilbur Wood with the sacks full.