1937 Detroit Tigers season

Second baseman Charlie Gehringer won both the American League batting title and the AL Most Valuable Player Award.

Rookie catcher Rudy York did not make it into the starting lineup until early August and promptly broke the AL record with 18 home runs in the month.

York finished as the AL leader in at bats per home run (10.7) and with the third highest slugging percentage (.651) in the major leagues.

In contrast to its league-best batting average, the Tigers pitching staff had an ERA of 4.87—ranking seventh among the eight American League teams.

Backup catcher Ray Hayworth had his arm broken by a pitched ball shortly after Cochrane's injury, and Birdie Tebbetts took over the catching duties for most of June and July.

At the beginning of August, rookie Rudy York took over as the team's catcher and set the league on fire with his home run hitting.

Defensively, York was a liability at catcher, leading the AL in passed balls in 1937 despite playing only two months.

In 1940, the Tigers persuaded Hank Greenberg to move to left field, allowing York to take over at first base.

York was among the American League leaders in home runs for 11 consecutive seasons from 1937 to 1947, and his .503 slugging percentage as a Tiger ranks #4 in franchise history.

The Detroit infield remained intact for five years from 1933 through 1937: Hank Greenberg at first, Charlie Gehringer at second, Billy Rogell at shortstop, and Marv Owen at third.

Greenberg had already won the AL MVP award in 1935 and finished third in the 1937 voting behind Gehringer and Joe DiMaggio.

Known for his consistency as a hitter and fielder, Gehringer was given the nickname "The Mechanical Man" by Yankee pitcher Lefty Gomez.

The two fought, and Detroit fans pelted Medwick with fruit and garbage when he returned to left field.

He played on three AL pennant champion teams, and he was the Tigers' leading hitter in the 1935 World Series.

He finished among the AL leaders with 213 hits (3rd), 23 stolen bases (3rd), 149 singles (3rd), 42 doubles (6th), 113 RBIs (9th), and a .335 average (8th).

The trade caused an uproar among Detroit fans, and owner Walter Briggs was forced to issue an announcement from his Miami home that "the deal was made with my approval."

Hall of Famer Goose Goslin also played in 39 games, but his batting average fell to .238 with 43 hits and 35 RBIs.

Stories about Poffenberger's late night drinking and poor training practices caused him to fall out of favor with the team.

Pitcher "Whistling Jake" Wade also had his most productive season in 1937, posting career highs in wins (7), starts (25), complete games (7), strikeouts (69) and innings pitched (165-1/3).

Wade pitched a one-hit shutout in the last game of the 1937 regular season, preventing Cleveland pitcher Johnny Allen from tying the AL record of 16 straight wins.

Infielders Coaches Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg.

= Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in Note: pitchers' batting statistics not included Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; GF = Games finished; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts 1937 Major League Baseball All-Star Game Rudy York Elden Auker Tommy Bridges Pete Fox Charlie Gehringer George Gill: #5 in AL in win percentage (.733) Hank Greenberg Roxie Lawson Marv Owen: AL leader in fielding percentage by a third baseman (.970) Billy Rogell: AL leader in fielding percentage by a shortstop (.967) "Whistling Jake" Wade: #8 in MLB in bases on balls allowed (107) Gee Walker Rudy York The following members of the 1937 Detroit Tigers are among the Top 100 of all time at their position, as ranked by The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract in 2001: LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Beckley[10]