Damn Yankees by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview

Damn Yankees

Page 285

thumb, while a healthy catcher, Duke Sims, played left field instead of Horton. Both of Martin's choices were involved in plays that resulted in A's runs, which a better fielding player might have prevented, though Horton was never accused of being a good fielder. Nevertheless, Martin again received a revised two year contract, through the 1974 season.

The 1973 season was not as successful for Martin and the Tigers. Nevertheless, Martin did have some successes, making John Hiller a successful closer after the pitcher had survived a heart attack, and discovering Ron LeFlore in a Michigan prison.

LeFlore would go on to a successful major league career. Martin wanted Campbell to trade some aging veterans to renew the squad, but Campbell refused. Martin briefly quit during spring training when Campbell did not uphold a fine he had imposed on Horton. Factional conflict within the team, muted by the team's 1972

success, resurged as the team fell behind in the standings after spending much of the summer in a spirited three way race with the Orioles and Yankees. Martin angered Campbell, owner John Fetzer, and other Tigers executives by criticizing the front office in the media. Campbell had defended Martin in the past when Fetzer expressed concern about Martin's off field behavior, but became increasingly less willing to do so. In May of 1973, the Tigers were trailing the lowly Milwaukee Brewers in the