Today he didn't pitch like it.
Dobson, the Yankees right-hander who the Tigers traded away a year after the 1968 World Series championship, fired a complete-game, four-hitter as the Yanks scratched out a run in the fourth inning for a 1-0 win at Tiger Stadium.
Dobson walked none and struck out five. But he was aided by two fortuitous plays.
In the eighth, Aurelio Rodriguez led off with a double. But John Wockenfuss's liner was speared by another former Tiger---shortstop Ed Brinkman---and one quick throw to second base later, the Tigers had two outs and nobody on base as Rodriguez was doubled off.
In the ninth with two outs, Dan Meyer drove a ball into right center field, and instead of stopping at first base, Meyer tried to stretch the hit into a double and he was nailed at second base by center fielder Walt Williams. Brinkman made the tag and the game was over.
"Sometimes it's your day, and sometimes it isn't," Dobson said afterward. "Today was my day, I guess."
Modesty aside, Dobson was brilliant; at one point he retired 13 straight Tigers hitters.
The Yankees got their run when Bobby Bonds delivered a two-out single that scored Alex Johnson---a Detroit native, continuing the theme of ex-Detroiters and ex-Tigers returning to haunt the team.
The "losing" pitcher was Mickey Lolich (6-8), whose fourth complete game of the season wasn't enough, despite allowing only five hits and one run.
As for Dobson, he said beating his old team is no big deal.
"That was a long time ago," Dobson said of the December, 1969 trade to San Diego. "Players get traded all the time. You have to expect it."
For one day, though, the Tigers (25-36) wished they had never made the trade.
The loss ended a modest two-game winning streak, but the Tigers have a chance to take three of four in the series on Sunday, when Yankees lefty Larry Gura faces Tigers righty Tom Walker.
Notes: Mickey Stanley started in center field and batted lead off, giving Ron LeFlore his first rest of the year...Meyer had two of the Tigers' four hits...The Yanks won despite committing two errors...Roy White was doubled off second base in the ninth in a play similar to the one that nailed Rodriguez.
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Tigers record: 25-36 (actual 26-35)
Home: 12-23
Away: 13-13
Last 10: 4-6
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