Rare Sports Films

1955
VAN PATRICK'S SPRING TRAINING INTERVIEWS

     Here's over an hour of 1955 Tiger memories every Detroit fan will enjoy! Rare Sportsfilms has assembled a vintage collection of 1955 Detroit Tiger live baseball interviews and presented them all on an 80-minute B & W VHS tape for nostalgic viewing! Van Patrick, the old voice of the Tigers, is shown presenting 25 different interviews with Tiger personnel, all filmed either at old Henley Field in Lakeland or at the minor league complex "Tigertown". Each interview was made for TV use back north on Detroit area stations to promote fan enthusiasm for the upcoming '55 Tiger season. Here's a brief description of each interview:

* G.M. "Muddy" Ruel doesn't seem too optimistic about the team's chances in '55. Discusses youth movement, Jack Phillips, Bud Black and J. W. Porter.

* Trainer Jack Homel - Condition of players and the BIG question of the spring: Newly acquired Ferris Fain's knee.

* First baseman Ferris Fain says his career is not over (it would be after 1955) and talks about hitting in Briggs Stadium and his impressions of hot-hitting J.W. Porter.

* 18-game winner Steve Gromek - Off-season activities at his bowling alley.

* Star shortstop Harvey Kuenn - Work with coach Joe Gordon on making the DP, thoughts on new manager Bucky Harris and who's invited to his upcoming wedding.

* New manager Bucky Harris - Club rundown on the Tigers position by position.

* Young Al Kaline, on the threshold of becoming the youngest batting champ, comments on the changing of the lower RF stands at Briggs Stadium for the upcoming season.

* Centerfielder Bill Tuttle - Getting a good jump on the ball, and the outfield competition this year.

* Sensational young J.W. Porter can also catch as well as play outfield. Uses 35" model bat and talks about his batting style.

* John "Bubba" Phillips - Baseball in the service and his Mississippi football career.

* Pitcher Leo Cristante and infielder Jack Phillips - Both came to the Tigers over the winter in the big trade with the White Sox (w/ Ferris Fain for Ted Gray, Walt Dropo and Bob Nieman).

* Pitcher George Zuverink and second sacker Fred Hatfield - Hatfield is getting his first real shot at becoming a starting player.

* Broadcaster Dizzy Trout and coach Schoolboy Rowe - Trout asks Rowe about all the pranks pulled on him last year (wonder who was responsible?). Rowe describes some of the pranks.

* Club Owner "Spike" Briggs talks about the farm system and the remodeling of Briggs Stadium for Al Kaline - "Kaline's Korner".

* Farm Director John McHale (both take 1 and take 2) - describes "Tigertown" and who he thinks are the top three Tiger prospects.

* Coach Jack Tighe talks about the youth of the Tigers. Then introduction of youngsters Ray Herbert, Paul Foytack, Duke Maas and minor league catcher Tom Yewcic.

* Catcher Tom House - Platooning with Red Wilson and thoughts on young Frank Lary and Duke Maas.

* Pitcher Bud Black - Pitching in the army and his winter trade from the St. Louis Browns.

* Bonus lefty Bob Miller - Off-season college and winter activities.

* Rookie Frank Lary talks about his minor league no-hitters. (1955 would be the first of several great seasons for this outstanding Tiger hurler).

* Billy Hoeft is determined to turn his W-L record of last year around in '55 (And he did it, too!)

* Ned Garver - Always a good interview, articulate Garver talks about how he throws the slider.

* Three men on the Tiger staff who work "behind the scenes" - Briggs Stadium Superintendent Jess Walls, new PR Director Neal "Doc" Fenkell, and new traveling secretary Frank Codway.

* Harvey Kuenn - His impressions of the ballclub for '55 and who he thinks got the best of the big off-season Yankee-Oriole trade.

* Three sportswriters make their A.L. pennant predictions for '55 and explain their picks: Tom Mercy, Flint Journal, Eddie Hayes of the Detroit Times and Lyall Smith, Detroit Free Press.

     You can get your own copy of all 25 vintage Tiger interviews on this 80-minute video for only $29.95 plus $5.00 shipping (Illinois residents must add $2.00 tax).

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