Alan Trammell Turns 50. How the…?

I read somewhere recently that Alan Trammell once managed the Tigers. For three seasons, in fact.

Hmm. I don’t recall that.

What I do remember, though, is the Trammell pictured here in this 1977 Topps card (which was part of a Burger King giveaway collection). And I remember the Trammell who was the face of the franchise for 20 years.

Tram turns 50 today. How is that possible? I mean, really?

Did you know that he was born in Garden Grove, Calif., the town in which Steve Martin grew up? Garden Grove is also the location of the Hilton Garden Inn hotel I stayed in during the Tigers/Angels series last July.

Theoretically, I could drive over to Hohokam Park in Mesa, where the Cubs train, this morning to wish him glad tidings. If I didn’t have a haircut appointment and boatload of work to get done I’d be all over that.

Happy Birthday, Tram.

P.S. Two other Tigers from the 1970s also celebrate birthdays today:

• Jack Billingham, 65
• Bill Slayback, 60