The 1984 World Series put the American League champion Detroit Tigers against the National League champion San Diego Padres. The Tigers won the World Series, 4 games to 1. The Detroit Tigers were the overwhelming favorite, managed by the great Sparky Anderson and lead on the field by short-stop and World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Alan Trammell and the great Kirk Gibson in the outfield. The Tigers pitchers were lead by 19-game winner Jack Morris, 18-game winner Dan Petry, 17-game winner Milt Wilcox, and reliever Aurelio Lopez. Far from a blowout, the San Diego Padres remained close in all five games. The Padres were managed by Dick Williams and lead on the field by the great Tony Gwynn in right field, and Steve Garvey at first base. The Padres pitchers were lead by 15-game winner Eric Show, 14-game winner Mark Thurmond, 14-game winner Ed Whitson, and reliever Rich "Goose" Gossage. The Tigers were the best team in Major League Baseball from the first game till the end of the season, collecting the most dominating baseball performance in the 1980's. The 1984 World Series was broadcast by NBC and announced by Vin Scully and Joe Garagiola. The Padres dedicated their National League playoff and World Series appearance to their owner McDonald's founder Ray Kroc, who died several months before the 1984 World Series. In the video you will see players wearing the letters "RAK" on the left sleeve of their jerseys in honor of Ray Kroc. Ray's wife, Joan Kroc, was a renowned philanthropist in the San Diego area even after she had sold the team.
