Sports
Lance Parrish
born 1956 · baseball catcher
Power-hitting catcher of the 1984 world champion Tigers, an All-Star and Gold Glove winner who came up through Detroit's farm system.
- Born
Clairton, Pennsylvania
age 70- Birth name
- Lance Michael Parrish
- Also known as
- Big Wheel
- Detroit years
- 1977–1986, 2000s
- Field
- Sports
01 / The Detroit story
The Detroit story
The Tigers drafted Parrish in the first round in 1974 as a seventeen-year-old third baseman from Southern California, and their player-development director Hoot Evers moved him behind the plate to use his strong arm. He rose through the farm system with future teammates Alan Trammell, Jack Morris and Tom Brookens and reached Detroit in 1977. Nicknamed "Big Wheel", he built himself up with weight training and became the best power-hitting catcher in the American League, hitting 33 home runs in 1984 while handling the pitching staff of the world champions. With Detroit he was a six-time All-Star, won three Gold Gloves and multiple Silver Sluggers. He left as a free agent after 1986 and played for several clubs until 1995. He later returned to the organization, including a season as color commentator on Tigers television in 2002 and years as a coach.
Highlights
- Played for the Tigers 1977–1986
- 33 home runs for the 1984 world champions
- Six-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove winner as a Tiger
- Tigers television color commentator in 2002
02 / Their Detroit places
Their Detroit places 1
Where they lived, worked, performed and liked to hang out. Closed and demolished places stay here too, because they are part of the city's history.
Played here · 1977–1986
Tiger Stadium (site)
Demolished · 1912–1999
His home park for ten seasons; demolished in 2008–2009.