DETROIT — Former right-handed pitcher Tom Timmermann, who spent five of his six big-league seasons with the Detroit Tigers, has passed away at the age of 85.
Timmermann settled in the Detroit area after his playing days and was living in Farmington Hills at the time of his passing, according to his obituary.
The Illinois native signed with the Tigers in 1960 and spent nearly a decade working his way through the farm system before reaching the majors in 1969. He made an immediate impact that summer, excelling in relief with a 2.70 ERA and closing the year with a complete-game win in his first big-league start. In 1970, he appeared in a team-high 61 games and earned Tiger of the Year honors from the Detroit chapter of the BBWAA after logging 27 saves.
Timmermann broke into the rotation in 1972, delivering a strong 2.89 ERA over 34 appearances (25 starts). He was traded to Cleveland in 1973 and his career ended after the 1974 season.
Outside baseball, he was devoted to his large and blended family, and later in life he formed a close relationship with his biological son, major leaguer Phil Leftwich, who learned of his adoption as an adult and eventually located his birth father.
If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.