Former Detroit Tiger Attends Little League Finale

ESCANABA----The Escanaba Little League regular season is wrapping up this week, with the All-Star district tournaments set to start in two weeks.

In Escanaba Monday night, the 11-12 boys played their final regular season game as Northern Michigan Bank beat Viau's Supermarket, 4-1.

 

The third baseman for Viau's was Scott Hiller, the grandson of Detroit Tigers great John Hiller. And the former Tiger pitcher was on hand to watch the game Monday night.

Hiller pitched for the Tigers from 1965 to 1980, winning 87 games (losing 76) and gathering 125 saves. He had a 2.85 Earned Run Average, and struck out 1,036 batters in his career.

Hiller was a member of the 1968 World Champion Detroit Tigers.

Hiller graciously signed autographs for those in attendance at Karl Dickson Field Monday night, and he cheered for his grandson, giving him a hug after an 0-for-3 performance.

"When you come and watch these games, it kind of reminds me when I started," John Hiller said. "My grandson, Scott here, started about the same age I did. There's nothing better than coming and out and watching kids learn the game of baseball."

And what about the 2015 version of the Detroit Tigers, who started the season strong, but have struggled for the past month and are now five games out of first place?

"They're not playing real good ball right now," Hiller said. "They've got a little better team (than last year) as far as defense and speed, but they're just not clicking, and they're not hitting. But, I think, we've got Victor Martinez back (from injury) and when we get our regular lineup back, I think they'll turn it around."

But Hiller knows that it won't be easy for the Detroit Tigers to win another Central Division championship in 2015. 

"I think it's going to be a battle all year with Kansas City," he said.

The District Ten Little League Baseball and Softball All-Star Tournament schedules will be posted here later this week. WCHT-AM (600) plans to broadcast games all summer long, with game broadcasts also being available on-line at www.rrnsports.com. 

Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see more photos taken during Monday night's game.