When Detroit reliever Guillermo Hernandez faltered in 1987, 6’4″ rookie Mike Henneman took up the slack, going 11-3 with seven saves. He scored two wins and a save in the last four meetings with Toronto as the Tigers overtook the Blue Jays for the division title. TSN named Henneman AL Rookie Pitcher of the Year. He recorded 10 saves in the first month of the 1988 season before his arm tightened up. Disabled for a time, he finished at 9-6 (1.87) with 22 saves. He was 11-4 with a 3.70 ERA in 1989.
