RIP Former Detroit Tigers SS Tom Veryzer

greenmonster66

The Detroit Tigers confirmed today that former shortstop Tom Veryzer, 61, died this week.

Veryzer reportedly suffered a stroke last week at his home in Long Island, N.Y.

Veryzer was the Tigers’ starting shortstop after Eddie Brinkman and before Alan Trammell. He played five years with the team, hitting an RBI single in his first plate appearance in 1973. He was traded to the Cleveland Indians in December 1977, after batting just .231 in Detroit.

He also had stops with the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs.

In 12 major league seasons, Veryzer batted .241 with 231 RBIs and 14 home runs.

detroitfan2

One of my favorites as a kid. Very sad news.

Dboneesq

RIP Tom. He was a fellow Long Islander. I believe there was already a post on his passing, as he died almost 4 weeks ago.

lawnmowerman

<< <i>RIP Tom. He was a fellow Long Islander. I believe there was already a post on his passing, as he died almost 4 weeks ago. >>



+1

qualitycards

Sad! 61 is way too young, RIP!

baseballfan

that's sad news

RIP

heritage

RIP
I didn't see the other thread so thank you for making this post.

Stingray

I can still remember he was the first Tiger card I pulled from 77 Topps!! Way too young at 61!!

lawnmowerman

Here's how I remember him.

Wondo

RIP

That 1976 card is exactly as I remember him. I was a 15 year old high school shortstop at the time; a life long Tiger fan. Wore my hair the same way - called myself Veryzer.

detroitfan2

<< <i>RIP

That 1976 card is exactly as I remember him. I was a 15 year old high school shortstop at the time; a life long Tiger fan. Wore my hair the same way - called myself Veryzer. >>



Wondo, I was only 11, but I did rock the same hair cut! What high school were you at?

lawnmowerman

<< <i>

<< <i>RIP

That 1976 card is exactly as I remember him. I was a 15 year old high school shortstop at the time; a life long Tiger fan. Wore my hair the same way - called myself Veryzer. >>



Wondo, I was only 11, but I did rock the same hair cut! What high school were you at? >>



You went to school Tom? I thought you lived in the woods and was raised by wolves?

Wondo

Wyomissing High School outside of Reading, PA. But, I was born in Detroit - went to the series in 1968. Lived in St Clair Shores, Fraser and Clinton Township before we moved in 1970.

jrboles

Thanks for posting as it's the first I heard of it. I knew him from his cards until he came to the Cubs for the 84 season. May he rest peacefully.

mccardguy1

I had a chance to meet Tom and walk to and from Wrigley almost every game day with him when he played for the Cubs. I worked for the team but on game days the parking wasa mess so I just parked on one of the city streets (before you needed a pass and prove you lived in the neighborhood). Tom lived close by and it appeared I almost always parked near his home and saw him each day. We talked a number of times and he was very soft spoken and it seemed a bit of a loner but I count Tom Veryzer as one of the nicest men I had ever met during my time working in MLB.

I had intended to send him a card to sign for me and tell him thanks for friending a lowly front office peon but I never did. For that, I am sad.

detroitfan2

<< <i>

<< <i>

<< <i>RIP

That 1976 card is exactly as I remember him. I was a 15 year old high school shortstop at the time; a life long Tiger fan. Wore my hair the same way - called myself Veryzer. >>



Wondo, I was only 11, but I did rock the same hair cut! What high school were you at? >>



You went to school Tom? I thought you lived in the woods and was raised by wolves? >>



Matt, nowhere did I say I went to school, I just said I had Tom Veryzer's haircut when I was 11. Please try to keep up!

lawnmowerman

Lol!

detroitfan2

<< <i>Wyomissing High School outside of Reading, PA. But, I was born in Detroit - went to the series in 1968. Lived in St Clair Shores, Fraser and Clinton Township before we moved in 1970. >>



Very cool that you liked Tom Veryzer while living in PA! Lived in Detroit and Sterling Heights before going away to MSU (yes Matt, I went to school).

fiveniner

<< <i>RIP Tom. He was a fellow Long Islander. I believe there was already a post on his passing, as he died almost 4 weeks ago. >>




Doug you are right he did pass within the last month.