Tom Timmermann

Who is Tom Timmermann?

Thomas Henry Timmermann is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for six seasons with the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians. Born in Breese, Illinois, Timmermann was a tall — 6 feet 4 inches — right-handed pitcher who attended Southern Illinois University. He was signed by the Detroit Tigers as an amateur free agent in 1960, but did not make his Major League debut until June 18, 1969, when he gave held the New York Yankees hitless in 1-1/3 innings as a reliever. In his first three seasons with the Tigers, he was used almost exclusively as a relief pitcher. As a 28-year-old rookie in 1969, Timmermann had a 2.75 ERA and a 4-3 record in 31 games.

After a fine rookie season, Timmermann appeared to be a rising star. His second year proved to be the best of his career. In 1970, Timmermann finished 3rd in the American League with 27 saves and 6th in the league with 43 games finished. He appeared in 61 games, all as a relief specialist, and compiled a record of 6-7 with a 4.11 ERA. At the end of the 1970 season, Timmermann was voted "Tiger of the Year" by the Detroit chapter of the BBWAA—an award given to Denny McLain the prior two years and to Mickey Lolich the following year.