1887-1987 Detroit Tigers Pin

[D. Broughman]

I picked up this 3" pin at a garage sale and on the side of the pin it reads 1987 Domino's Pizza. As you can see it reads Detroit Tigers 1887-1987. The Tigers didn't start until 1901 so who is the team pictured on the pin?

[jcmtiger]

This is the Detroit Wolverines, I could tell you more, but on my way out to golf. Joe G. will have more answers if he reads this, also Jay probably will have some answers.

Joe m.

[baseballart]

No idea here, as the only thing I could think of was the Detroit Wolverines but they only played in the NL from 1881 to 1888 http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DTN/

Max

[D. Broughman]

Joe G. came to my house to see my 1889 Trophyball and I forgot to show him this pin. He was showing me some of his collection and talking about their Old Judge book. Very interesting book and the storys he told me of his collection and putting the book together were great. I have seen Detroit Wolverine pictures but not this one. I've seen Kalamazoo Bat pictures too but they are different. D.

[bmarlowe1]

For sure it's late 1880's Det NL, with mgr Bill Watkins (1885-1888). I don't have that exact same photo - but many faces match the photos I have. It should not be too hard to ID the players. It could very well be 1887. Of course they have nothing at all to do with the Detroit Tigers.

top row:
Jack Rowe - ? - Ned Hanlon - Ed Beatin
mid row:
Deacon White - ? - Dan Brouthers - Billy Shindle(maybe) - Sam Thompson - Charlie Ganzell - Lady Baldwin
front row:
Charlie Getzien - Larry Twitchell - Bill Watkins - Hardy Richardson - Charlie Bennett

[D. Broughman]

Tom Monaghan owned Domino's Pizza and the Detroit Tigers at this time. I was wondering if these pins were ever given out at the ball game or at Domino's Pizza anyone know? D.

[HexsHeroes]

I'd guess that the pin is one commemorating the 100th Anniversary of what could be the City of Detroit's first recognized baseball-related "National Championship" team.

I view the pin as one based more on civic pride, as well as one seeped in the excitement Tiger fans continued to experience in 1987. After winning a World Championship in 1984, the 1987 team generated much of the same hope, and by the end of the season, a division-winning team in 1987.

It wouldn't be unexpected (would it ?) for someone to promote the possibility of baseball championships 100 years apart for a given community. In this case, it's Detroit. And the Detroit owner was not one to miss an advertising opportunity, or spending afew dollars to promote his team and city.

Just my guess on why the reason for the creation of this pin.

[Joe_G.]

Hello D.,

Nice pin, I've seen them before but do not have one myself (doesn't really fit my collection). The image was originally taken by Frank N Tomlinson in early 1888 (April). The 1888 team photo seems the rarest of the three years (1886, 1887, & 1888). Detroit had pin-stripe uniforms that final year (you may or may not be able to make that out on the pin). I do not have access to my reference material but I can identify all the players with fairly high confidence (Mark got most of them):

Rowe, Conway, Hanlon, Beatin

White, Sutcliffe, Brouthers, Gruber, Thompson, Ganzel, Baldwin

Getzien, Twitchell, Watkins, Richardson, Bennett

On a parallel, within days of this team photo, Baldwin, Conway, Getzien, Scheibeck (not in team photo), and White were photographed by Fearnaught Studio (Indianapolis). These images would be used by Goodwin and Company in 1888 to introduce these players to the Old Judge baseball card issue.

[bmarlowe1]

Great info Joe. Has the photo been published anywhere?

[D. Broughman]

Very interesting information! Thanks Joe G. and everyone for your input. D.