Lance Parrish and The Enchanted Season

In 1984, the Detroit Tigers started the season 35-5 and never looked back as they led the division wire-to-wire on the way to winning the World Series. Coinciding with the 40th anniversary of that enchanted season, former All-Star catcher Lance Parris wrote The Enchanted Season, an insider's look at that incredible season. Recently I had the opportunity to talk to Lance about his career and The Enchanted Season.

Born in Pennsylvania and raised in California, Parrish was drafted by the Detroit Tigers with the 16th pick in the first round of the 1974 MLB Amateur Draft. After one season each in the Rookie League, A and AA, Lance started the 1977 season in AAA Evansville, but finished the season in Detroit. In 1878, he split time with veteran Milt May, but by 1979, Lance cemented himself as the starting catcher.

From 1980-'86, Lance made the American League All-Star team six times, taking his place among the best catchers in baseball. He averaged 129 games, with 25 home runs, 84 RBIs and a .266 batting average. He also won three Gold Glove awards and five Silver Slugger awards. Those are the stats of an elite catcher.

Parrish signed with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1987 and played there for two seasons. The Phillies traded him to the California Angels after the 1988 season. He made one more All-Star team in 1990. From 1992 until his retirement, Lance moved around a bit, playing with the Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays, with a couple short minor league stints in the mix.

All told, Lance played 1,988 games during his 19 seasons. He hit ,258 with 1,782 hits, 324 HRs, 1,070 RBIs and 856 R. Most baseball writers and fans rank Parrish among the top 25 catchers of all time and I agree.

The 1984 season was the highlight though. Celebrating that season, co-author Tom Gage, Parrish takes the reader onto the field and into the clubhouse as the Tigers dominated Major League Baseball. It's filled with fascinating insight and previously unseen pictures. Parrish delivers a new look into it all.

In our interview, Parrish talks about being drafted, making it to the MLB, playing with the legendary Mark "the Bird" Fidrych, catching the Jack Morris no-hitter and more. Parrish gives into the book that is sure to delight all baseball fans, in and out of Detroit. As a lifelong Chicagoan, I have already ordered The Enchanted Season from Amazon.

Parrish reflects on well-known teammates like Morris, Lou Whitaker, Alan Trammel, Kirk Gibson and Chet Lemon, but he also recalls underrated players like Aurelio Lopez. This is the definitibe book of that amazing season and I can't wait to dive into it.

I thank Parrish for his time and consideration. I also thank him for many great memories during his outstanding career.