TTM Stats
- Sent: 5/25/2022 | Received: 6/4/2022 | 9 Days
- ’81 Fleer, ’87 Donruss, ’91 Topps, Custom Card
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 12/7/2022 | Received: 1/17/2023 | 40 Days
- ’86 Fleer, ’87 Fleer, ’87 Topps, ’91 Upper Deck, Custom (returned one card unsigned)
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 6/6/2023 | Received: 6/16/2023 | 10 Days
- ’86 Topps, ’91 Fleer, ’92 Fleer, Custom Card
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 2/1/2024 | Received: 2/29/2024 | 8 Days
- ’76 Topps, ’89 Topps, ’89 Upper Deck, Custom Card
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
- Sent: 10/8/2024 | Received: 10/29/2024 | 21 Days
- ’78 Topps, ’91 Fleer Ultra, ’92 Topps Stadium Club, Custom Card
- Address: Home (address from Sports Card Forum)
The Story of the Autograph
Frank Tanana’s baseball career is a testament to adaptability and longevity. Over the course of 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), Tanana evolved from a fireballing strikeout artist to a savvy finesse pitcher, a transformation that allowed him to thrive in an ever-changing game. His journey is one of resilience, reinvention, and enduring success.
Frank Daryl Tanana was born on July 3, 1953, in Detroit, Michigan. Raised in the suburbs of Detroit, Tanana grew up playing baseball and basketball, excelling in both sports at Detroit Catholic Central High School. His natural talent on the mound caught the attention of professional scouts, and in 1971, the California Angels selected him in the 1st round (13th overall) of the MLB Draft. Tanana quickly climbed through the Angels’ minor league system, thanks to his blazing fastball and devastating curveball. By 1973, at just 20 years old, he made his MLB debut with the Angels.
In the mid-1970s, Tanana formed one of the most formidable pitching duos in baseball alongside Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. Together, they anchored the Angels’ rotation and terrorized hitters with their overpowering stuff. During the stretch from 1975 to 1978, Tanana was among the best pitchers in the game:
- 1975: Led the American League with 269 strikeouts and posted a stellar 2.62 ERA going 16-9 (his first winning season) and received Cy Young votes.
- 1976: Earned his first All-Star selection with a 2.43 ERA and a 19-10 record (a career high in wins), again receiving Cy Young and even MVP consideration.
- 1977: Won 15 games and struck out 205 batters and had a league leading 2.54 ERA and 8.3 WAR, earning his second consecutive All-Star nod.
- 1978: Won 18 games and earned his third consecutive All-Star nod, also receiving MVP consideration.
With a fastball that routinely touched the upper 90s and a curveball considered one of the best in the game, Tanana was a nightmare for opposing hitters.
In 1979, Tanana suffered a significant arm injury that robbed him of his once-elite fastball. Rather than fade away, he reinvented himself as a finesse pitcher, relying on pinpoint control, changing speeds, and a deep understanding of hitters. He struggled at first, and couldn’t get his footing back to be very successful. But ultimately, his reinvention was a success. Though no longer a strikeout machine, he became a durable and effective pitcher for multiple teams. He embraced his role as a crafty veteran who could outthink hitters rather than overpower them.
After leaving the Angels in 1980, Tanana played for six different teams, continuing to deliver reliable performances:
- Boston Red Sox (1981): Briefly pitched in Boston, contributing as a solid starter.
- Texas Rangers (1982-1985): Posted respectable numbers, including a standout 1984 season with a 3.25 ERA.
- Detroit Tigers (1985-1992): Tanana returned to his hometown to pitch for the Tigers, becoming a fan favorite. One of his most memorable moments came in 1987, when he pitched a 1-0 shutout against the Toronto Blue Jays on the final day of the season to clinch the AL East title.
- New York Mets (1993): In the twilight of his career, Tanana joined the Mets and continued to serve as a veteran presence.
- New York Yankees (1993): Closed out his career with a brief stint in pinstripes.
Frank Tanana’s career was defined by both excellence and longevity:
- Record: 240-236
- ERA: 3.66
- Strikeouts: 2,773 (ranked in the top 25 all-time as of his retirement)
- Complete Games: 143
- Shutouts: 34
Tanana is one of only a handful of pitchers in MLB history to record 100 complete games and over 2,700 strikeouts.
Following his retirement in 1993, Tanana embraced his faith and devoted himself to a life of ministry. A born-again Christian, he has been active in spreading his faith through speaking engagements, community outreach, and mentoring young athletes. He and his wife, Cathy, settled in Michigan, where they raised their family. He remains a beloved figure in the Detroit area and continues to be involved in charitable work, including supporting youth sports and faith-based initiatives.
Frank Tanana’s career is unique in the annals of baseball history. Few pitchers have successfully transitioned from power to finesse as seamlessly as he did. His ability to adapt to adversity and remain effective for more than two decades speaks to his intelligence, work ethic, and love for the game.
While his early years with the Angels showcased his dominance, it is his ability to endure and reinvent himself that defines his legacy. Frank Tanana exemplifies what it means to persevere, making him an inspiration both on and off the field.
The Score on Frank Tanana – 7.0
So as you can see below, I like to send to Frank. That’s because he is so great to us in the TTM community. He used to sign a bunch for each request, but these days he tends to sign up to three and then he includes a custom booklet with the return. His signature is always great, it’s always great, and I don’t think I have ever really seen him use a bad marker. There are probably two many below to name a favorite. I would guess that he is one of the guys I have the most cards of in my TTM collection.
Thanks Mr. Tanana! I;m giving these a 7.
To check out other returns I’ve had from him, take a look at these posts:
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Information gathered using Wikipedia and Baseball Reference.