June 28, 2021, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- Start at GRCC and go anywhere. Every former student has a story to tell about how GRCC gave them the education and opportunity to be successful.
Former Detroit Tigers pitcher Dave Rozema might have been San Francisco Giant, but instead headed to attend what was then Grand Rapids Junior College – a decision that led to him being a member of the Detroit Tigers.
The righthander played in the major leagues from 1977 through 1986, spending eight years with the Tigers and two with the Texas Rangers.
Rozema was born in Grand Rapids and attended Central High School, where he was an All-City pitcher in his junior and senior years, compiling records of 11-3 and 11-5.
Those performances caught the eye of the San Francisco Giants, who drafted Rozema in the 22nd round of the 1974 June amateur draft.
But rather than sign with the Giants, Rozema enrolled at GRJC, where he was able to play for legendary coach Tom Hoffmann.
After time at GRJC, Rozema was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the fourth round of the 1975 supplemental draft.
“As a Raider, I remember the competition. We had a good team,” he said in 2018, appearing at a West Michigan Whitecaps game. “I remember going to school every day, working hard, my job. I really wanted to play baseball.”
When the Tigers called, Rozema said it was a dream come true. He said Hoffmann and football coach Gordon Hunsberger were in his corner, pushing him to do the best he can.
“They kept telling me, ‘Think positive. Stay in shape.’ I thank God for them, because everybody needs a mentor to praise you and keep you motivated.”
Rozema in 1977 impressed Tigers manager Ralph Houk and unexpectedly made the team out of spring training. He made his major league debut at 20 and threw a four-hit shutout against the Boston Red Sox in one of his first starts.
He finished his rookie season with a 15-7 record and a 3.09 ERA, leading the Tigers in wins, earned run average, and complete games – good enough to finish fourth in Rookie of the Year balloting and ninth in voting for the Cy Young Award, which goes to the league’s best pitcher.
In a 10-season major league career, Rozema posted a solid 60-53 record with a 3.47 ERA in 248 games.
He’s also remembered for a colorful personality on and off the field. Rozema was famously injured in a 1982 bench-clearing brawl trying to karate kick Twins pitcher John Castino. The event was commemorated by the Whitecaps with a “bobble foot” bobblehead. He and Tigers slugger Kirk Gibson are brothers-in-law, marrying sisters in a dual wedding ceremony in 1985.
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