Thomas Jefferson Davis (Tommy) Bridges

Thomas Jefferson Davis “Tommy” Bridges

Detroit Tigers Player (1930 – 1943, 1945 - 1946)

Tommy Bridges was born in Gordonsville, Tennessee and attended the University of Tennessee. Bridges signed with Detroit in 1930 and made his Major League debut later that same year. From 1931 through 1943, Bridges was one of the best pitchers in baseball, helping the Tigers win the 1935 World Series by pitching and winning the deciding game 7. Bridges served with the U.S. Army in World War II missing the entire 1944 season and coming back for one start before the 1945 World Series with the Tigers winning their second World Series. In all he is one of only two players to appear in four World Series with the Tigers. During his career, Bridges had a record of 194 - 138 with an ERA of 3.57 and 1.674 strikeouts appearing in six All-Star games. Tommy Bridges was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame in 1963. He passed away on April 19, 1968 at 61 years of age.