Author of 3 books since leaving Tigers beat: Big 50 (2017); Joy in Tigertown with Mickey Lolich (2018) and "3"- honored by HoF with 2015 J.G. Taylor Spink Award
Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Tom Gage
Contemporary Turkish Prison Diary: Reflections on the Writings of Said Nursi and Aleksander Solzhenitsyn
Albayrak, a humanist Muslim theologian, has written a remarkable book. In A Contemporary Turkish Prison Diary, he reviews the prison experiences chronicled by the Kurdish religious leader Said Nursi (1877-1960), imprisoned by both Russian and Turkish authorities, and the characters in the fiction of Russian novelist Alexander Solzhenitsyn (1908-2008), imprisoned by Stalin. Albayrak then juxtaposes these with his own twenty-two months incarceration in a Turkish prison.
Letter: Anchorage wildfire preparation, cooperation and support left us feeling hopeful
We recently attended the Anchorage Wildfire community town hall hosted by the Anchorage Fire Department’s Wildfire Division, and left feeling more hopeful than we have in a long time. In a time marked by division and the loss of institutional knowledge, this event reminded us what’s possible when communities and agencies work together. The event was informative and accessible, with an online option that made it easier for more people to participate.
Letter: Thanks to Southcentral Foundation
We want to thank the Southcentral Foundation for offering vaccines to all Alaskans. Our experience went off without a hitch, the clinic was very well organized and everyone working there was so upbeat and friendly. Sue Goodglick and Tom Gage Anchorage Have something on your mind? Send to letters@adn.com or click here to submit via any web browser. Letters under 200 words have the best chance of being published.
The Big 50 | Triumph Books
© Copyright 2019 Triumph Books. All rights reserved.
Ballpark Reading | Triumph Books
Davey Johnson is best known for managing the New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds, and Baltimore Orioles—and taking all three clubs to their respective league championship series during his time at the helm. When teams needed to improve, they hired Johnson, and he delivered, memorably leading the Mets to the 1986 World Series title. Yet even as he raised the bar of their success, all three clubs parted ways with Johnson, a pattern that puzzles him to this day.
Mickey Lolich and Tom Gage- "Joy in Tigertown"
The 1968 World Series remains one of the most iconic in major league history. Featuring Bob Gibson in MVP form, Al Kaline, and Mickey Lolich, it was baseball at its best. Told with the vibrant first-hand perspective of Lolich himself and the expertise of award-winning Detroit journalist Tom Gage, this is the remarkable saga of that 1968 season which culminated in Tigers glory.
What is going on in Turkey? Who is Fethullah Gülen?
Recep Tayyip Erdogan is the president of Turkey, a NATO member nation that hosts our nuclear weapons. Evidence indicates he’s an Islamist. Erdogan’s fundamentalist convictions led to persecution of two of whom I’ve written and published: the late Çelic Gülersoy, referred to as “Next to Ataturk” and Fethullah Gülen. The latter has been compared to Gandhi, Luther, Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr., but Erdogan accuses him of launching the recent military coup.
World Series 2015: Collins knows the honest truth: Mets in deep trouble
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Managers have two choices when their team is down 0-2 in the World Series. They can go to the interview room after the second game, as the Mets’ Terry Collins did on Wednesday night following the Royals’ 7-1 victory, and try to waltz their way with transparent hope through the questions. They can say all the right things about, oh, yes, how their team is still battling, and that they’re not out of it because they’re headed home now — and anything can happen at home.
World Series 2015: With Royals close to title, Ned Yost's detractors are quiet - for now
Notice how nobody is noticing him anymore? WORLD SERIES 2015: Best photos from Mets-Royals showdown | Collins knows Mets are in trouble | Five takeaways after Game 2 The manager of the Kansas City Royals, who are up 2-0 over the New York Mets in the World Series as it heads to Game 3 at Citi Field on Friday night, has had his detractors — in the past. And more than his share of second-guessers — in the past. But that’s the key phrase: in the past.
World Series 2015: Game 1 drama should have 'em coming back for more
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — What do you want from the first game of a World Series? MORE: World Series in photos | Spector: Mets well-equipped to come back If you’re a fan of a team that’s in it, you want your team to win, of course. In that case, Royals fans, you are tired but happy campers today because your team downed the Mets 5-4 on Tuesday night in Game 1 of the World Series. On Eric Hosmer’s bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the 14th inning, to be exact.
ALCS 2015: Winter getting closer for Blue Jays after Royals ice Game 4
TORONTO — For their fans, but mostly for the Blue Jays themselves — whether they admit it or not — raw concern about how much longer the American League Championship Series will last arrived like a fast-moving front in the seventh inning on Tuesday. Without a ticket, it had shown up at Rogers Centre earlier in the day, when Toronto starter R.A. Dickey struggled, his knuckleball getting smacked.
ALCS 2015: Blue Jays get what they need to stay alive against Royals
TORONTO — The T-shirt looked rather forlorn, getting no attention from buyers at an outside concession stand. “Toronto Wants It More” were the words printed on it. But neither the shirt, nor the slogan, seemed to convince the five fans looking at the merchandise. Then again, that’s the kind of uncertainty an elimination game creates. What good is a T-shirt of hope if all hope is capable of disappearing in a matter of hours?
ALCS 2015: Royals' confidence written on Cueto's face
TORONTO — When all else failed — and, without question, all else did fail for Johnny Cueto on Monday night — there was nothing he could do, but toss his chewing gum while departing the mound. . . And leave us all with a departure far more compelling than his performance. MORE: Top photos from the ALCS | Goins goes from goat to hero Make no mistake, Cueto was awful as Kansas City’s starting pitcher in Game 3 of the American League Championship Series at Rogers Centre.
Verlander up to 99 mph in 7th as Tigers beat White Sox 7-4
DETROIT (AP) - Justin Verlander hit 99 mph in escaping a bases-loaded jam during his final inning, and Victor Martinez hit his 200th career home run as the Detroit Tigers beat the Chicago White Sox 7-4 on Wednesday. Verlander (4-8) threw five straight fastballs 98-99 mph in striking out Geovany Soto to end the seventh and exited with a four-run lead. He allowed three runs on five hits with eight strikeouts.
Verlander up to 99 mph as Tigers beat White Sox 7-4
DETROIT (AP) — In possibly his most encouraging start of the season, Justin Verlander reached back to past, but familiar, territory with his velocity on Wednesday."That's the first time I've seen him at 99 (mph) since I've been here," Detroit Tigers' second-year manager Brad Ausmus said after a 7-4 victory over the Chicago White Sox at Comerica Park.What's more, said Verlander, "it felt great.
Verlander up to 99 mph in 7th as Tigers beat White Sox 7-4
Verlander up to 99 mph in 7th as Tigers beat White Sox 7-4 DETROIT (AP) — Justin Verlander hit 99 mph in escaping a bases-loaded jam during his final inning, and Victor Martinez hit his 200th career home run as the Detroit Tigers beat the Chicago White Sox 7-4 on Wednesday. Verlander (4-8) threw five straight fastballs 98-99 mph in striking out Geovany Soto to end the seventh and exited with a four-run lead. He allowed three runs on five hits with eight strikeouts.
Montas struggles in 1st start; White Sox fall to Tigers 7-4
DETROIT (AP) - The first time wasn’t a charm for Frankie Montas, but the Chicago White Sox right-hander had fun all the same. And managed to throw some impressive pitches, too. Making his first major league start, Montas allowed six runs on six hits in a 7-4 loss to the Detroit Tigers on Wednesday at Comerica Park. “Things didn’t go like I wanted,” Montas said.
Gage: Goodbye for now, maybe longer; it's been a long, good run
DETROIT -- Goodbye, press box. Maybe for a little while, maybe for longer. But this is my last column for FOXSportsDetroit.com -- and you know what? I'm getting darn tired of saying this is my last column for someone. It's happened twice this year. I wrote my farewell from the Detroit News in March, followed by my greeting as a new employee with FOXSportsDetroit.com.
Gage: Two victories were celebrated at Comerica Park Sunday
DETROIT -- It wasn't just another day at the ballpark. Might have started out to be -- but the innings of life have previously been to known to transcend baseball's impact. And now they have again. Eventually, two victories were celebrated on Sunday at Comerica Park. One man's personal triumph, then a dramatic victory in the ninth by the Tigers.
News from Associated Press
DETROIT (AP) -- Carlos Sanchez hit a three-run triple off Joba Chamberlain in the 10th inning Thursday, and the Chicago White Sox held on to beat the Detroit Tigers 8-7. With the score 5-all, Chamberlain (0-2) walked Melky Cabrera with one out, hit Avisail Garcia with a pitch and then allowed pinch-hitter J.B. Shuck's two-out infield single to shortstop. Sanchez tripled past first baseman Miguel Cabrera and all the way to the right-field wall on a 1-2 pitch, putting Chicago ahead 8-5.
Gage: New Tigers book shows numbers don't lie, and never did
Updated JUN 03, 2015 10:55p ET DETROIT -- The name of the book is "Numbers Don't Lie!" And as the tumbling Tigers can currently attest, they don't. It's ironic, at least to me, that as the Tigers confront the indigestion of what's now a six-game losing streak, a former Tigers' beat writer, Danny Knobler, has brought to town his new book about "the biggest numbers in Detroit Tigers' history." Good or bad, they don't lie. They never did.
Gage: Tigers' weird loss to A's a punch in the gut
Updated JUN 03, 2015 12:16a ET DETROIT -- How quickly a vibe turns. And how just as quickly a slap becomes a punch. It seemed to be such an agreeable evening at Comerica Park. The Tigers were back home after getting swept in four straight in Anaheim. What's more, they had a 3-0 lead against the Oakland A's through the sixth inning -- after manager Brad Ausmus had been able to speak optimistically before the game about getting back several of his injured players.
Gage: Home runs will come for Kinsler, they always have
Updated MAY 30, 2015 12:52p ET DETROIT -- He'll hit one soon. I know he will. He's bound to. Because he always has. Through the first 50 games of the Tigers' season, Ian Kinsler has not hit a home run. Among major-league hitters, only Dee Gordon of the Miami Marlins has more at-bats (198-191) without one. As significant solace, Gordon is leading the majors with a .374 batting average. Gordon is not a home-run hitter, though. He has only four in his career. Last year he hit two.
Gage: Remembering former Tigers closer Fred 'The Bear' Gladding
Updated MAY 28, 2015 3:49p ET DETROIT -- He wasn't famous, not in the sense of lasting fame. And I didn't know him well. But I never forgot him. Fred Gladding died last week. A Flat Rock native, he was a Tigers' reliever from the 1960's -- their closer, in fact -- whom I always got a kick out of as a player because of how he would huff and puff on the mound.
Gage: What did I miss? Not much, it appears
DETROIT -- Back to work . . . after riding camels. And what did the Tigers do while I was gone? They were an uninspired 6-6. They spun their wheels. They treaded water. Except for some injuries, time nearly stood still. They were six games over .500 when I left. They went into Tuesday night's game in Oakland six games over as well. They had bouts of being good -- and of being blah. Pretty much like their entire season so far.
Gage: At 200 games, is Ausmus a good manager?
Updated MAY 13, 2015 11:57p ET DETROIT -- Go ahead and criticize Brad Ausmus, if you want. You're a paying customer. It's your right. Then again, maybe you're not a customer at all, but a writer or a talker. As long as you can substantiate your argument, nobody's going to object. Managers are fair game. They know that when they take the job. So do general managers.
Gage: Tigers now 4-0 at home against Twins -- but not lowly Twins
Updated MAY 12, 2015 11:24p ET DETROIT -- He's not their teammate anymore, but Torii Hunter is someone the Tigers should still pay attention to. And judging by how much they conversed with him around the cage before Tuesday night's 2-1 victory in 10 innings over the Minnesota Twins, they do.
Gage: | FOX Sports
Updated MAY 11, 2015 10:40a ET DETROIT -- There's not a trouble spot in the Tigers' batting order. It's more like a troubled chunk of it. And while it hasn't cost them much yet, it would be foolish to think that such immunity will continue. It wasn't so much the frustration the Tigers took away from Sunday night's rain-interrupted 2-1 loss to the Kansas City Royals as it was what they took into the game that fully illustrated the topic.
Gage: Royals, Tigers pack one-two punch in AL Central
Updated MAY 02, 2015 12:05a ET Looks like they're for real again. The Tigers, you mean? Or the Royals? Both. Even with the Tigers not getting a hit until the eighth inning on Friday night in a 4-1 loss at Kauffman Stadium, and the Royals encountering but surviving late trouble, you eventually saw the quality of both teams. For one thing, good teams like the Royals often have a bullpen like the Royals.
Gage: Victor Martinez has earned Tigers' patience
DETROIT -- You're not heavy, Victor You're their brother. An admirable trait of any good team is that it often picks up a struggling comrade -- overcoming whatever void has been created. Therefore, it's a current quality of the Tigers that they are a 15-7 and heading for a big Kansas City series, while absorbing a slow start by Victor Martinez. Case in point: The Tigers had 17 hits in a 10-7 victory on Wednesday over the Minnesota Twins. Andrew Romine had four of them. Two others had three each.
Gage: Gibson would probably want us to think of others
Updated APR 28, 2015 5:57p ET DETROIT -- My reaction is your reaction. We wish Kirk Gibson the best. All the best. Gibson has Parkinson's Disease -- and while I know a little about Parkinson's, and the extent to which it can change an individual, I can't presume to comment on the medical challenge he's facing. I know it will be one -- because Gibson has already said so. I also know that if anyone is equal to a challenge, it is Kirk.
Who are the MIT -- most important Tigers -- so far?
Updated APR 27, 2015 5:51p ET DETROIT -- If I ask you who are the most valuable Tigers so far, I know what you will say â and should. "It's too early. There are no MVP's so far." True enough, there aren't. But that's not what I am asking. My question is this: With a record of 13-6 as they headed into Monday night's game at Target Field -- an outstanding start, in other words -- who have been the most important Tigers so far? To ask about value has a full-season connotation.
Gage: Can't judge Tigers yet, but soon
Updated APR 25, 2015 5:52p ET DETROIT -- How long does it take to form a fair impression of a team? Sparky Anderson used to say 40 games. Consequently, many of you over the years have also said 40. But many of me (meaning writers) have regarded the 40-game mark as the first fair yardstick as well. It's been a convenient number to use -- a natural one, in fact. For one thing, 40 games roughly represent 25 percent of the season.
Gage: Lou Whitaker part of one-and-done fame
DETROIT -- Lou Whitaker is in town this weekend. Know what that means? That Alan Trammell is, too? No, he often is, but that's not the case this time. Whitaker is a featured guest of the Tigers as part of their annual Negro Leagues tribute. That Whitaker is going to have his number retired? That's not happening, either.
Gage: It just didn't click for Joe Nathan in Detroit
DETROIT -- Joe Nathan was a great closer -- elsewhere. For that, he should be remembered more favorably than he will be as a Tiger. And for that, he will be. The news, of course, is this: Nathan is probably done as a pitcher. He suffered two elbow tears during a rehab appearance on Wednesday in Toledo, needs Tommy John surgery, and despite saying all the right things about wanting to pitch again, he has to know he probably won't. "It's going to be a long process," he admitted, "a difficult process.
Gage: Despite solid start without him, Tigers need Verlander for long haul
DETROIT -- Sorry, but you would be wrong. If you have begun to think, as some perhaps have, that the Tigers can get by without Justin Verlander being a major contributor to the 2015 season, you'd be incorrect. "But they are 11-2 without him," you might reply. Indeed, they are. "Both Shane Greene and Alfredo Simon are 3-0." Yes -- and congrats to them. But it's too much to ask any rotation, while turning over from one season to another, to make up for the loss of both Max Scherzer and Verlander.
Gage: | FOX Sports
DETROIT -- But 10 of them? There is rarely just one reason a team wins a 2-1 game. To tell you the truth, there are rarely only two reasons -- unless you list them under wide-open subheads such as "pitching" and "defense." But as Detroit continues to play fascinating baseball -- stretching its record to 11-2 by edging the Yankees in an excellent ballgame for both teams -- you can easily come up with 10 ways the Tigers won.
Gage: Important day coming up for Verlander
Simulated game conditions aren't a problem. But simulated effectiveness would be. Justin Verlander would have made two starts for the Tigers by now. Instead he's made none because of a cramp in his right triceps that was actually a strain. It is an injury that initially wasn't going to cost him any time, but from which he's still waiting to return 2 1/2 weeks later.
Gage: To swing or not to swing at a first pitch -- Tigers suffer first loss
Updated APR 13, 2015 6:25p ET This is why you always make sure there's an uneven number of people at the table during a baseball discussion. So it doesn't end in a tie. For instance, on the topic of whether or not to swing at a first pitch, I imagine the vote, more often than not, would be split. On one side is the theory of being aggressive. On the other are those who preach patience.
Gage: Good start not accidental for Tigers
Updated APR 11, 2015 10:21p ET CLEVELAND -- Just when you thought shoulder-shrugging time might have arrived, along comes the truest team victory of the five games the Tigers have won so far. The five in a row with which they've begun the season, that is. Or the four that became five when the Tigers outlasted the Cleveland Indians 9-6 on Saturday.
Gage: How good are the Tigers? Don't discount early returns
Updated APR 09, 2015 10:03p ET DETROIT -- Yes, but? Not this time. If you are tempted to say "yes, but consider the opposition" in the wake of what the Tigers did to the Minnesota Twins this week, don't be. After seeing what we just saw, it wouldn't be fair. When any team plays as well as the Tigers just did, it deserves complete credit, no matter who the drubbing was against. That said, we can't afford to be blind about the Twins. They might indeed turn out to be one of the all-time worst teams.
Gage: Ausmus deserves some credit for Tigers' quick starts
Updated APR 08, 2015 6:59p ET DETROIT -- The music in the Tigers clubhouse was playing, but no one was giddy. You wouldn't expect them to be. Two games aren't enough for a team to overthink a season's start -- even if it has won both with a 15-0 difference in runs. As the Tigers have. But it is more than a "so far, so good" scenario thus far. So far, so dominant is more like it. Two shutouts in a row? Stunning. Alex Avila hitting .750 and Jose Iglesias hitting .857? Yeah, sure.
Gage: Tigers' nearly perfect opener had every element
Updated APR 06, 2015 7:21p ET DETROIT -- What more could you ask for? You even got to boo a little bit. Every game, of course, is the sum of its perfect and imperfect parts. A three-run home run that offsets a two-run error. A big catch canceling out walks that load the bases. When the dust clears, you just hope the team you wanted to win ... won. Isn't it your fan mantra? Whatever it takes? But that's what made Opening Day on Monday at Comerica Park so clearly special.
Gage: 'Buy me some sushi and Cracker Jack' -- ballpark food is changing
DETROIT -- It's time to get into the meat of the matter, literally, when it comes to the season starting for the Tigers on Monday. Myself? I think you're going to like this team despite the fact that they're losing pitchers left and right with spring training about to end. Justin Verlander has a triceps strain. Bruce Rondon has shoulder tendinitis. They'll both begin the season on the disabled list.
Gage: Cespedes transforms Tigers' lineup
Updated APR 01, 2015 6:51p ET Detroit -- Nothing official yet. But with right-hander Phil Hughes on the mound for Minnesota, it looks as if the Tigers' Opening Day lineup will be as follows: Anthony Gose -- CF Ian Kinsler -- 2B Miguel Cabrera -- 1B Victor Martinez -- DH J.D. Martinez -- RF Yoenis Cespedes -- LF Alex Avila -- C Nick Castellanos -- 3B Jose Iglesias -- SS And what do I like best about that lineup? You won't find the answer in the top five spots.
Gage: Nurse Carolyn Stone honored by Tigers for heroics at Lakeland
Lakeland, Fla. -- She had never before thrown a baseball. So she practiced by tossing an orange at a tree. "I missed it entirely the first time, but hit it with the next two. That made me feel better, but I really had no idea how it was going to go." Nothing to it. When it came time for Carolyn Stone of Toledo to throw one of the ceremonial first pitches before Monday's game between the Tigers and Braves at Marchant Stadium, she threw a strike -- or a close enough pitch to be called a strike.
Gage: Davis' home run rob exhibits MLB friendliness
Updated MAR 29, 2015 6:47p ET Clearwater, Fla. -- Which era of baseball do you prefer? The one in which opposing players were the enemy, an era of scowls and growls when it came to fraternization? Or the one in which the first player to congratulate an outfielder who makes a great catch is the hitter the catch victimizes? To some extent, the old animosity never fully existed during spring training -- or was substantially toned down.
Gage: Minor setback aside, Verlander looked close to old self Friday
Updated MAR 27, 2015 5:31p ET Dunedin, Fla. -- Wouldn't you know it? On the day that Justin Verlander looked like himself again, saying it's the best he has felt in two years, his start against the Toronto Blue Jays ended with an early exit. Not because of ineffectiveness, though. But because of a third-inning cramp in his right triceps that he hopes and believes -- or believes and hopes, whichever fits -- will be a minor setback. So minor that he won't have to miss his next start.
Gage: With shake of head, Ausmus makes it 'clear' Nathan is Tigers' closer
Updated MAR 26, 2015 6:03p ET Lakeland, Fla. -- Better be careful, Brad. In Bulgaria, Greece and southern Albania, according to Wikipedia, the shaking of one's head means "yes." Instead of "no." So when you were asked after Thursday's 6-4 triumph over the Baltimore Orioles at Joker Marchant Stadium if there is any ongoing competition for the closer's role, and you responded only with a shake of your head, a Bulgarian beat writer would have taken it the wrong way.
Gage: Tigers entering final, most important stretch of spring training
Lakeland, Fla. -- What really matters in spring training? There are those who believe, minus the variable of injuries, that nothing matters until now -- the last 10 games. Coincidently, the Tigers began playing their last 10 on Wednesday -- not counting the 11thgame, that is. Realizing it might make only borderline sense to say the Tigers have 10 games left with 11 to play, here is the explanation.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Tom
Contact Tom, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack