KALAMAZOO (WKZO AM/FM) — For only the fifth time in Major League History, a single player has played all 9 positions in a ball game.
Utility player Andrew Romine of the Tigers was given the opportunity to brighten up the end of what has been a dismal season for the Detroit squad.
The original plan was to have Romine do it Sunday, the last game of the season, but because rain threatened to wash out the final game in Minnesota they moved the attempt to Saturday night.
Romine not only contributed a number of stand-up defensive plays, but managed to get the only batter he faced as pitcher to ground out.
He made the first defensive out, a fly ball to left, and got to make the last out when the batter smacked an infield hit to Romine at first base.
His only flub was a passed ball when he played catcher, which was the only position he had never played for the Tigers. He used one of his brother’s mitts behind the plate. Austin Romine is a catcher for the Yankees.
It took some logistics to make it happen substituting players to meet league rules and some strategy too. Manager Brad Ausmus moved him from the pitching mound to first base in the 8th to make it official.
Romine finished 1-of-3 for Detroit and recorded an out on five pitches. The Tigers won 3 to 2.
Ausmus is scheduled to manage his last game for the Tigers today, if they are able to get the game in between raindrops.
