[sbfinley]

I don't have any scans at the moment but the one player collection I have amassed revolves around 1930's Detroit Tiger's pitcher Tommy Bridges.

Bridges is from my hometown, tiny Gordonsville, Tn. No traffic lights, No Wal-Mart. The only grocery store is still family owned. Hell, my graduating class was only 60 or so people. It's the type of place where everyone marries their high school sweetheart and gets a job in the local mines, mills, or factories. Most of those that go to college end up coming back to teach in the area. So the idea of someone getting out of there and doing something special always appealed to me.

The most interesting thing about Bridges is that his life played out like a Greek tragedy.

He came from the middle of nowhere and made it to the Majors, getting the great Babe Ruth out on his very first pitch. He became the Ace of a very good Tigers squad for the majority of the 30's. In five World Series starts he was 4-1 with a 2.34 era. He went the distance in four of those starts and 8 1/3 in the one he didn't finish. He was a six time All-Star, Averaged 17 wins a season from 32-39, graced the cover of Wheaties, and in a nationwide poll he was named the No. 2 sports hero of 1935, behind Notre Dame football player Andy Pilney. Baseball Reference's list of similar pitchers by stats includes Dazzy Vance, Hal Newhouser, Bob Lemon, and Orel Hershiser. Had he won six more games and hit the 200 win plateau I think he would be closer to the Hall especially with the way the Old Timers committee has been voting recently.

But every rising star has to eventually fall. On numerous occasions, including 4 times in a two season span, he took a no-hitter into the ninth but never succeeded. From all accounts Bridges was sober and of sound state of mind until his military service during WW2. He came back an alcoholic and only won two more major league games. He left his wife for another woman and drifted penniless for several years. In a sick twist of fate he finally got his elusive no-no in 1947 while pitching in the PCL. He led the league in ERA that year but after the war the majors wouldn't touch him. For all the talk about what Ted Williams could have accomplished without military service, it pains me to think about what Bridges would have been not only professionally but personally.

edited to add pic only.....D382 w/Trohpy sticker