Remembering 1935: The Tigers' First World Series Championship Came Down to Goose Goslin and Tommy Bridges

When discussing the greatest moments in Detroit Tigers history, the World Series championships of 1968 and 1984 generally receive the most attention. Both teams featured Hall of Fame talent, memorable postseason performances and players whose accomplishments remain part of the organization's identity.

However, Detroit's first World Series championship in 1935 deserves a place alongside those teams, particularly considering how the Tigers finally captured their first title.

On Oct. 7, 1935, Detroit defeated the Chicago Cubs 4-3 in Game 6 of the World Series at Navin Field. Goose Goslin delivered the winning hit in the bottom of the ninth inning, while Tommy Bridges escaped a difficult situation in the top half of the inning to preserve the tie.

The victory gave Detroit its first championship after four previous World Series appearances had ended in defeat.

The Tigers entered the 1935 season looking to finish what they had started a year earlier. Detroit won the American League pennant in 1934 but lost the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games.

The roster featured an impressive collection of talent, including Hank Greenberg, Charlie Gehringer, Mickey Cochrane and Goslin. Cochrane served as the team's player-manager, an arrangement that was common during baseball's earlier decades but has since disappeared from the game.

Detroit finished the regular season with a 93-58 record, winning the American League pennant and earning another opportunity to compete for a championship.

The Cubs presented a formidable opponent. Chicago finished with 100 victories and had assembled a remarkable 21-game winning streak in September to capture the National League pennant.

After dropping the opening game of the World Series, Detroit responded with victories in Games 2, 3 and 4, taking a commanding lead in the series.

Chicago extended the matchup with a Game 5 victory, sending both clubs back to Detroit for Game 6.

The Tigers were also playing without Greenberg, who had suffered a wrist injury during Game 2. His absence removed one of Detroit's most dangerous hitters from the lineup at a critical point in the series.

That placed additional responsibility on the remaining veterans, including Cochrane, Gehringer and Goslin.

Game 6 drew 48,420 fans to Navin Field, where Bridges started against Cubs left-hander Larry French.

Detroit took an early lead before Chicago answered, and the teams eventually entered the ninth inning tied 3-3.

The top of the ninth provided perhaps the most important sequence of the entire game.

Chicago third baseman Stan Hack led off with a triple, placing the potential go-ahead run 90 feet away with nobody out. With the championship potentially slipping away, Bridges retired the next two hitters without allowing Hack to score.

A breaking ball in the dirt nearly changed everything, but Cochrane blocked it and prevented Hack from advancing home.

Bridges eventually retired Augie Galan on a popup to left field, escaping the inning without surrendering a run.

The Tigers then came to bat in the bottom of the ninth with a chance to end the series.

Cochrane reached on an infield single with one out. Gehringer followed with a ground ball that resulted in an out at first, but Cochrane advanced to second after the Cubs failed to complete a double play.

That brought Goslin to the plate with two outs and the winning run in scoring position.

Goslin singled into right field, and Cochrane raced around third base to score the decisive run. Detroit had its first World Series championship, winning the series four games to two.

The final out never needed to be recorded.

What makes the 1935 championship particularly interesting is the collection of circumstances surrounding the final game. The Tigers were missing their most productive power hitter, their starting pitcher narrowly escaped a ninth-inning jam, and the winning hit came from a veteran who had joined Detroit before the previous season.

Bridges deserves just as much recognition as Goslin for the victory. His ability to retire three consecutive hitters after allowing a leadoff triple prevented Chicago from taking control of the game.

Cochrane's defensive work also proved essential, particularly on the blocked breaking ball that could have allowed the Cubs to take the lead.

The championship represented a significant moment for Detroit beyond the baseball field. The city was still dealing with the economic effects of the Great Depression, and the Tigers provided an opportunity for residents to celebrate something together.

Crowds gathered throughout downtown Detroit after the victory, filling streets and celebrating the city's first major league baseball championship.

Detroit would go on to win additional World Series titles in 1945, 1968 and 1984, with each championship producing its own defining moments.

But none of those celebrations would have been the first. That distinction belongs to the 1935 Tigers, a team featuring several future Hall of Famers and a collection of players who helped establish Detroit's reputation as one of baseball's historic franchises.

Ninety-one years later, Goslin's winning single remains one of the most significant hits in team history.