Tom Veryzer - Early Years

Early Years

Upon graduation from Islip High School in Islip, New York, Veryzer was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the first round (eleventh pick overall) of the 1971 Major League Baseball Draft. His older brother, James, had been drafted by the Kansas City Athletics in the 49th round of the 1967 Major League Baseball Draft, but had also moved to the Tigers' organization by 1971 as well.

Veryzer batted just .225 with four home runs and twenty RBIs in his first professional season with the Bristol Tigers, but his slick glove earned him Appalachian League MVP honors. After two and a half seasons in the minors, he was called up to the majors in 1973 at just twenty years old. Although he remained with the club through the rest of the season, he saw very little playing time with All-Star Ed Brinkman at short. However, in his limited playing time, he batted .300 (6 for 20), and had an RBI single off the Minnesota Twins' Dave Goltz in his first major league at-bat. He also drove in the last run ever at the original, unrenovated Yankee Stadium, driving in Marvin Lane with a single off Lindy McDaniel on September 30.