Former Tigers Pitcher Jeff Robinson Dies At Age 52

DETROIT (AP) — Jeff Robinson, who helped the Detroit Tigers to an AL East championship as a rookie in 1987 and went on to pitch in the major leagues through 1992, has died. He was 52.

Robinson's death was confirmed Monday by both the Tigers and the Kansas-based Natural Baseball Academy, where he served as a pitching director, coach and instructor. They did not release any information about the cause of Robinson's death. The Natural Baseball Academy said Robinson died Sunday.

Robinson went 47-40 and made 117 starts for Detroit, Baltimore, Texas and Pittsburgh. The right-hander went 9-6 in his debut season in 1987, and he was 13-6 with a 2.98 ERA the following year.

He made one relief appearance for Detroit in the 1987 AL Championship Series against Minnesota.

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