Mercifully, the Detroit Tigers season will come to an end tomorrow afternoon in Minnesota. Brad Ausmus will be out as manager, offseason’s hot stove will begin, and everyone will be looking forward to the 2018 season.
At least this season did bring us Tigers fans one thing: Andrew Romine, super utility man, played all nine positions in one game. In doing so he joined a rather select group of guys, only four, that have ever done this.
Romine was on MLB’s Radio Network to talk about what playing all nine positions would mean:
#Tigers Andrew Romine on playing all nine positions in tonight's game. Plus his pitch repertoire: "A slow ball & an even slower ball." pic.twitter.com/mmMwEgX9zA
— MLB Network Radio on SiriusXM (@MLBNetworkRadio) September 30, 2017
And, while some may see it as a side-show distraction that dishonors the game, the reality is it’s a nice footnote in a rather ugly season for the Tigers. With the game essentially meaning nothing, the Twins already have secured their spot in the playoffs, this game was the perfect opportunity for the ultra-versatile Romine to accomplish the feat.
A bright spot in an otherwise painful season! Loved every minute of this game! Nicely done, Romine! #SuperUtility ❤️🐯⚾️#RomineAllNine pic.twitter.com/f2E2x8LqID
— Cari Thumel (@CariThumel) October 1, 2017
Romine started in left field, then proceed across the other outfield positions in the next two innings. He then took over at third base in the fourth, shortstop in the fifth, and second base in the sixth.
In the seventh inning, Romine took over at catcher. This relegated Bryan Holaday to second base duties. After a few batters, Romine replaced Holaday at second base as James McCann came in to catch. There’s an interesting tidbit that went along with these moves:
The Tigers are the first team since the 2007 Astros to have two players play C and 2B in the same game.
One of those Astros?
Brad Ausmus.
— Jeremy Frank (@MLBRandomStats) October 1, 2017
Romine took over on the hill in the eighth inning and was tasked with facing Miguel Sano, the Twins most dangerous hitter–in a one-run game! After falling behind in the count, Romine got Sano to ground out to third basemen Jeimer Candelario, then was promptly removed for lefty Daniel Stumpf, and took over at first base, completing the rare feat.
Now, to their credit, the fans at Target field did a great job of acknowledging Romine’s feat. Below is a video of the moment he joined the select club.
It's official: #Tigers' Andrew #RomineAllNine pic.twitter.com/DV9dfkNw9Q
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) October 1, 2017
Interesting to note that Romine recorded the first out of the game on a fly ball to left field and he also recorded the 27th out on a ground ball to first base.
Andrew Romine, who began night in LF by catching a Zack Granite liner, ends it at 1B by retiring Granite on hard-hit grounder for 3-2 win.
— Jason Beck (@beckjason) October 1, 2017
At the end of the night, this was all about Andrew Romine. Usually, no one player is bigger than the game itself, but tonight he was. Beyond that, what tonight did was highlight the type of player Romine has been for the Tigers and it was a celebration of that. He’s done everything that he’s been asked to do, and tonight he got a piece of history. Our caps off to Andrew Romine, our super utility guy!
#Tigers LIVE Postgame 9.30.17: Andrew #RomineAllNine pic.twitter.com/3yZMgZNIY2
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) October 1, 2017
