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{{short description|American baseball player (born 1953)}}
{{good article}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Frank Tanana
|image=Frank Tanana.jpg
|image_size=230px
|caption=Tanana with the California Angels in 1974
|position=[[Pitcher]]
|bats=Left
|throws=Left
|birth_date={{birth date and age|1953|7|3}}
|birth_place=[[Detroit|Detroit, Michigan]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=September 9
|debutyear=1973
|debutteam=California Angels
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=October 1
|finalyear=1993
|finalteam=New York Yankees
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Win–loss record (pitching)|Win–loss record]]
|stat1value=240–236
|stat2label=[[Earned run average]]
|stat2value=3.66
|stat3label=[[Strikeout]]s
|stat3value=2,773
|teams=
* [[Los Angeles Angels|California Angels]] ({{mlby|1973}}–{{mlby|1980}})
* [[Boston Red Sox]] ({{mlby|1981}})
* [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] ({{mlby|1982}}–{{mlby|1985}})
* [[Detroit Tigers]] ({{mlby|1985}}–{{mlby|1992}})
* [[New York Mets]] ({{mlby|1993}})
* [[New York Yankees]] ({{mlby|1993}})
|highlights=
* 3× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1976 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1976]]–[[1978 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1978]])
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders|AL ERA leader]] (1977)
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders|MLB strikeout leader]] (1975)
}}
'''Frank Daryl Tanana''' (born July 3, 1953) is an [[United States of America|American]] former professional [[baseball]] left-handed [[pitcher]]. In a [[Major League Baseball]] career that stretched from 1973 to 1993, he pitched for the [[Los Angeles Angels|California Angels]], [[Boston Red Sox]], [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]], [[Detroit Tigers]], [[New York Mets]], and [[New York Yankees]]. He [[Strikeout|struck out]] 2,773 batters in his career. He won playoff-clinching games for the teams he was on twice: once for the Angels in 1979, and once for the Tigers in 1987.

Raised in northwest [[Detroit]], Tanana was a [[1971 Major League Baseball Draft|first-round draft pick]] by the Angels in 1971. He made his debut with the team in 1973 and won 14 games his rookie year. Tanana and fellow starter [[Nolan Ryan]] formed one of the toughest pairs of [[starting pitcher]]s to hit against in baseball. Tanana led the [[American League]] (AL) in [[strikeout]]s in 1975, then made the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|AL All-Star team]] three years in a row. He won 19 games in 1976 and led the AL with a 2.54 [[earned run average]] (ERA) in 1977. In 1979, he won the game that clinched the Angels' first-ever playoff appearance. Injuries began to take their toll on him by the end of his tenure with the Angels, and he changed his style from relying on a hard [[fastball]] to throwing a repertoire of slower pitches, using deception to get hitters out instead.

Tanana was traded to Boston for the 1981 season; he went 4–10 with the Red Sox before becoming a [[free agent]] and signing with the Rangers. He tied for the AL lead in losses his first year with Texas, then failed to make their [[starting rotation]] at the beginning of the 1983 season, though he returned to it in June. In 1984, he had a 15–15 record for the team, his most wins since 1978. After getting off to a poor start with Texas in 1985, he was traded to Detroit, the team he rooted for growing up.  Tanana would stay with the Tigers through 1992, pitching eight seasons with the club. He threw a shutout in the final game of the 1987 season to clinch a playoff spot for the team, winning 15 games that year. In 1988, he won 14 games; in 1989, he posted a 3.58 ERA. He was removed from the rotation for a time in 1990, only winning nine games that year, but the next season, he became the Tigers' first pitcher besides [[Jack Morris]] to start on [[Opening Day]] since 1979. This was the fifth Opening Day start of Tanana's career, as he had made four for the Angels in the 1970s. He won 13 games apiece in 1991 and 1992 before pitching one more season with the Mets and the Yankees in 1993.

After becoming a [[born-again Christian]] in November 1983, Tanana became a leader among baseball's Christian community. He has continued to serve in the ministry following his retirement, serving as an elder in his church, assisting the Tigers' chaplain, and performing [[Bible study (Christianity)|Bible studies]] and [[marriage counselling]]. He lives in [[Farmington Hills, Michigan]].

==Early life==
Tanana grew up in the northwest part of [[Detroit]], [[Michigan]].<ref name="No Second Banana">{{cite magazine|last=Fimrite|first=Ron|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1977/07/11/621887/this-guy-tananas-no-second-banana|title=This Guy Tanana's No Second Banana|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=July 11, 1977|access-date=February 22, 2020}}</ref> His father, also named Frank, had played professional baseball in the 1950s and was on the 1955 Eastern League championship team, the [[New Britain Rock Cats|Reading Indians]], before he left baseball and joined the [[Detroit Police Department]] to support his family.<ref name="Lukas">{{cite news|last1=Lukas|first1=Paul|title=Tanana and the Indians|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1955&dat=19710616&id=piArAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Zp4FAAAAIBAJ&pg=6728,3746147&hl=en|access-date=June 21, 2016|work=[[Reading Eagle]]|date=June 16, 1971}}</ref> After young Frank got done with homework, he and his friends would spend the rest of the afternoon playing various sports.<ref name="Tiger Trade"/><ref name="No Second Banana"/> He rooted for the hometown [[Detroit Tigers]] growing up, listing [[Al Kaline]], [[Mickey Lolich]], [[Willie Horton (baseball)|Willie Horton]], and [[Mickey Stanley]] among his favorite players.<ref name="no surgery"/>

Tanana attended [[Detroit Catholic Central High School]], an all-boys school; though it was seven miles from his home, he was attracted to it after seeing their basketball team featured on the front page of a newspaper sports section. He made all-state twice in basketball, but it was in baseball he excelled, as he had a 32–1 [[Win–loss record (pitching)|record]] in his high school career. In a cocky moment his senior year, he threw [[Sidearm (baseball)|sidearm]] to a hitter and injured his shoulder. He pitched through the injury for the rest of the year until leaving the mound after the fourth inning of the championship game, when the pain got to be too much for him. Thinking the injury would hurt his baseball chances, he had just about decided to attend [[Duke University]] on a basketball scholarship when the [[Los Angeles Angels|California Angels]] made him their first-round draft pick in [[1971 Major League Baseball Draft|1971]].<ref name="Tiger Trade"/><ref name="No Second Banana"/>

==Minor league career==
Tanana was assigned to the [[Idaho Falls Angels]] of the [[Rookie League|rookie-level]] [[Pioneer League (baseball)|Pioneer League]] in 1971, but tendinitis in his shoulder prevented him from pitching. Instead, he received [[cortisone]] treatments. "I tell you, I didn't have many friends on that team," Tanana said. "Here were guys being cut off the team, and I, who couldn't throw, was staying because I had this bonus."<ref name="No Second Banana"/> Arm feeling better in 1972, he pitched for the [[Single-A (baseball)|Single-A]] [[Quad Cities Angels]], posting a 7–2 record. In 1973, he spent most of the season with the [[Double-A (baseball)|Double-A]] [[El Paso Sun Kings]]. "He [[Strikeouts|struck out]] 14 in his first game for us," El Paso (and later Angel) manager [[Norm Sherry]] said. "Right then, I knew he could pitch."<ref name="No Second Banana"/> Tanana also pitched a couple games for the [[Triple-A (baseball)|Triple-A]] [[Salt Lake City Angels]] before getting called up in September and added to the Angels [[Starting pitcher|starting rotation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=tanana001fra|title=Frank Tanana Minor League Statistics & History|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 23, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tananfr01&t=p&year=1973|title=Frank Tanana 1973 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 23, 2020}}</ref>

==Major league career==
===California Angels===
Along with [[Nolan Ryan]], Tanana anchored the pitching staff of the California Angels from 1973 to 1979. This led to the saying, "Tanana and Ryan and two days of cryin'", an indication of just how much the two meant to the rotation. (This was a variation on "[[Warren Spahn|Spahn]] and [[Johnny Sain|Sain]], then pray for rain," referring to the pitchers of the Boston Braves of the late 1940s.)<ref>{{cite book |first=Dick |last=Enberg |title=Oh My! |year=2011 |publisher=Skyhorse |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1nVwcmQXDyEC&pg=PA118 |page=118 |isbn=978-1-61321-005-5 }}</ref> The duo were considered two of the toughest pitching teammates in history, drawing comparisons to [[Sandy Koufax]] and [[Don Drysdale]] of the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]].<ref name="No Second Banana"/><ref name="Polish"/> Tanana described pitching with Ryan as "exciting," saying, "He was just an amazing athlete, and you know we both wanted to be the best pitcher on the team, so it was good for both of us—that good, healthy competition. We had a wonderful staff."<ref name="no surgery"/>

Tanana made four starts with the Angels in September 1973. His major league debut was September 9, in the second game of a [[Doubleheader (baseball)|doubleheader]] against the [[Kansas City Royals]]. Tanana only lasted four [[Innings pitched|innings]], giving up four [[Run (baseball)|runs]] and taking the loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA197309092.shtml|title=California Angels at Kansas City Royals Box Score, September 9, 1973|work=Baseball-Reference|date=February 24, 2020}}</ref> His next start, on September 14, also was against Kansas City—Tanana threw a [[complete game]] this time, only allowing two runs (one earned) to earn his first major league victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL197309140.shtml|title=Kansas City Royals at California Angels Box Score, September 14, 1973|work=Baseball-Reference|date=February 24, 2020}}</ref> He threw a complete game [[Shutouts in baseball|shutout]] in the Angels' last game of the year on September 30, allowing just two [[Hit (baseball)|hits]] in a 3–0 win over the [[Minnesota Twins]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL197309300.shtml|title=Minnesota Twins at California Angels Box Score, September 30, 1973|work=Baseball-Reference|date=February 24, 2020}}</ref>

In his first full season, Tanana was named the Angels' number two starter, behind Ryan.<ref name="1974 Tanana"/> An elbow injury during the season caused Tanana to lose seven games in a row at one point; Tanana could not remember losing more than two games in a row before in his career. "My confidence was taking a beating, but I knew it wouldn't last forever," he said.<ref name="No Second Banana"/>  After losing his 19th game September 22, Tanana was in danger of losing 20 games his rookie season, as there were still seven games to go.<ref name="1974 Tanana">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tananfr01&t=p&year=1974|title=Frank Tanana 1974 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 22, 2020}}</ref> In his next start, September 27, he gave up two runs and was losing until [[pinch-hitter]] [[Doug Howard (baseball)|Doug Howard]] drove in two runs in the seventh inning to give him and the Angels a 3–2 victory over the [[Minnesota Twins]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=799&dat=19740928&id=55dPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=W1IDAAAAIBAJ&pg=936,7406133&hl=en|title=Angels 3, Twins 2|work=The Bryan Times|date=September 28, 1974|access-date=February 22, 2020}}</ref> Then, in the last game of the year against the [[Oakland Athletics]], he threw a shutout in a 2–0 victory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL197410010.shtml|title=Oakland Athletics at California Angels Box Score, October 1, 1974|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 22, 2020}}</ref> In 39 games (35 starts) his rookie year, Tanana had a 14–19 record, a 3.12 [[earned run average]] (ERA), 12 complete games (four shutouts), and 180 strikeouts in {{frac|268|2|3}} innings pitched.<ref name="reference">{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/t/tananfr01.shtml|title=Frank Tanana Stats|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 26, 2020}}</ref> The 180 strikeouts were seventh in the [[American League]] (AL) (teammate Ryan led the league with 367), the four shutouts were tied for sixth (with five other pitchers), and Tanana did not lead the league in losses, as four other pitchers tied him for third behind Lolich (21) and [[Clyde Wright]] (20).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1974-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1974 AL Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 22, 2020}}</ref>

[[File:Anaheim Stadium 1991.jpg|thumb|left|265px|Anaheim Stadium was the site of Tanana's home games when he was with the Angels]]
In the first game of a doubleheader on June 21, 1975, Tanana struck out 17 batters in a 4–2 victory over the Texas Rangers, becoming the first left-hander in AL history to have that many strikeouts in a game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL197506211.shtml|title=Texas Rangers at California Angels Box Score, June 21, 1975|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 22, 2020}}</ref> "Everybody stood up and applauded for me in the ninth inning," he remembered. "I felt invincible."<ref name="No Second Banana"/> He threw 13 shutout innings on September 22 against the [[Chicago White Sox]], yet left with a [[no decision]] because neither [[Jim Kaat]] nor [[Rich Gossage]] had allowed a run thus far—the game would go to 16 innings before the Angels eventually won 3–0. Tanana struck out 13.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL197509220.shtml|title=Chicago White Sox at California Angels Box Score, September 22, 1975|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 25, 2020}}</ref> At season's end, Tanana's 269 strikeouts led the American League; it would be the only time from 1972 to 1979 that anyone other than teammate Ryan, injured, led the AL in strikeouts.<ref name="1975 pitching leaders"/><ref name="No Second Banana"/><ref name="Growing Up"/> Tanana placed fourth in ERA (2.62), tied for third with three others with five shutouts, and had a 16–9 record on the season.<ref name="1975 pitching leaders">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1975-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1975 AL Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 25, 2020}}</ref> He and Kaat tied for fourth in AL [[Cy Young Award]] voting after the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1975.shtml#all_AL_CYA_voting|title=1975 Awards Voting|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref>

With Ryan coming off a year in which he had missed time with injury, Tanana was named the Angels' Opening Day starter for 1976. As it turned out, 1976 would be the first of four straight Opening Day starts for Tanana.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ANA/opening.shtml|title=Los Angeles Angels Opening Day Starters|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=April 3, 2020}}</ref> He was named an [[1976 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] for the first time in 1976. The Angels' offense did not always score a lot for him; on August 27, 1976, he and [[Catfish Hunter]] of the [[New York Yankees]] each pitched 13 scoreless innings in a game where both men received a no-decision. It was the second year in a row Tanana had thrown 13 scoreless innings without getting a decision, but the Angels would lose this one in 15, 5–0.<ref>{{cite web|last=Lundblad|first=Jeremy|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/statsinfo/post/_/id/4081/1st-pitch-pitches-are-piling-up|title=1st Pitch: Pitches are piling up|work=ESPN|date=June 24, 2010|access-date=February 25, 2020}}</ref> At season's end, he was among the league leaders once again in wins (19, tied with [[Mark Fidrych]] and [[Ed Figueroa]] for fourth), ERA (2.43, behind Fidrych's 2.34 and [[Vida Blue]]'s 2.35), strikeouts (261, second to a healthy Ryan's 327), and complete games (23, tied with [[Jim Palmer]] for second behind Fidrych's 24).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1976-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1976 AL Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 26, 2020}}</ref> With a 19–10 record, he came close to winning twenty games, missing the mark because of a midseason injury and also an August 22 outing against the Yankees where, having allowed only two hits going into the ninth, he started taking it easy, gave up six runs and was removed, and received a no decision, though the Angels eventually won 11–8 in eleven.<ref name="No Second Banana"/> As it turned out, 19 wins would be his career high.<ref name="reference"/>  He came in third in Cy Young voting behind Palmer and Fidrych and also got votes for the [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|AL Most Valuable Player (MVP)]] award.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1976.shtml|title=1976 Awards Voting|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref>

For the second year in a row, Tanana made the [[1977 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] in 1977.<ref name="reference"/> In July, ''Sports Illustrated'' forecasted that he might reach 25 wins on the season.<ref name="No Second Banana"/> From April 29 through July 3, he threw 14 straight complete games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tananfr01&t=p&year=1977|title=Frank Tanana 1977 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 27, 2020}}</ref> Shortly after the streak, though, he got an inflamed tendon in his left arm and had to be shut down for almost two weeks. After he returned, his arm was still tired, and the Angels had to shut him down for the rest of the year after September 5.<ref name="Slow Lane"/> Still, [[United Press International]] called the 1977 season his best year. He led the AL in [[earned run average]] (ERA) (2.54) and [[shutouts in baseball|shutout]]s (7) while posting a 15–9 record.<ref name="Tiger Trade">{{cite web|author=United Press International|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2706&dat=19850621&id=bglbAAAAIBAJ&sjid=Hk4NAAAAIBAJ&pg=4077,1207695&hl=en|title=Tigers obtain Tanana|work=The Michigan Daily|date=June 21, 1985|access-date=February 21, 2020}}</ref> His 205 strikeouts were good for third in the league, behind Ryan's 341 and [[Dennis Leonard]]'s 244.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1977-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1977 AL Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 28, 2020}}</ref> He finished ninth in Cy Young voting after the season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/awards_1977.shtml|title=1977 Awards Voting|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref>

Tanana started the 1978 season strong, with a 1–0 shutout of Oakland on Opening Day.<ref name="1978 OD">{{cite web|title=Angels Opening Day 1978|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL197804070.shtml|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=October 25, 2008}}</ref> He was named to the [[1978 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] for the third year in a row. Through the end of July, he had a 14–6 record and a 2.99 ERA. However, his numbers were not as good in his final 11 starts; though his record was 4–6, his ERA hopped up to 5.22.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tananfr01&t=p&year=1978|title=Frank Tanana 1978 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> Still, Tanana finished the year with an 18–12 record, tying with [[Lary Sorensen]] and [[Fergie Jenkins]] for ninth in the AL in wins. He threw ten complete games and tied with four others for fifth in the league in shutouts, with four.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1978-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1978 AL Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> His 3.65 ERA was the highest of his career at the time, though, and his strikeout total dropped to 137, even though he threw 239 innings.<ref name="reference"/>

By the end of 1978, Tanana had stopped throwing as hard, relying on changing speeds of his pitches to get hitters out instead of a devastating fastball. Though he had recovered from the tendinitis that had plagued him in 1977, fear of the pain coming back caused him to alter his delivery and go with a slower approach.<ref name="Not Enough Pop">{{cite magazine|last=Fimrite|first=Ron|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1979/04/16/not-enough-pop-to-come-out-on-top-angel-frank-tananas-quotcomebackquot-was-a-mixture-of-fastballs-and-meatballs|title=Not enough pop to come out on top|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=April 16, 1979|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> After giving up six runs in two innings on June 10, 1979, against the [[Detroit Tigers]], Tanana was shut down for a couple months with shoulder tendinitis.<ref name="Slow Lane"/><ref name="1979 Tanana">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tananfr01&t=p&year=1979|title=Frank Tanana 1979 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> The injury kept him out two months of the 1979 season with a shoulder injury, but through intensive therapy, he was able to pitch in September.<ref name="1979 Tanana"/> Limited to 18 games (17 starts), he had a 7–5 record, a 3.89 ERA, and 46 strikeouts in {{frac|90|1|3}} innings.<ref name="reference"/>

For the first time in Tanana's career, as well as in California's history, the Angels made the playoffs, winning the [[American League West|AL West]], with Tanana allowing one run in a complete game against the Royals on September 25 to clinch the division for the team.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/angels/history/timeline|title=Timeline|work=MLB.com|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Cady|first=Steve|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1979/09/26/archives/angels-take-western-title-fullscale-cheering.html|title=Angels Take Western Title|work=The New York Times|date=September 26, 1979|access-date=March 9, 2020}}</ref> Tanana started Game 3 of the [[1979 American League Championship Series|AL Championship Series]] (ALCS) against the [[Baltimore Orioles]], limiting them to one run through five innings. He was taken out in the sixth, though, after giving up two straight singles and a walk to open the frame. [[Don Aase]] came in and got three straight outs, but the first was a [[sacrifice fly]] off the bat of [[Doug DeCinces]] that scored a run, tying the game for the Orioles and making Tanana ineligible for the win. The Angels ultimately prevailed 4–3, but that would be their only win of the series, as Baltimore beat them in four games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL197910050.shtml|title=1979 American League Championship Series (ALCS) Game 3, Orioles at Angels, October 5|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref>

Tanana slipped to fifth in the Angels' starting rotation in 1980.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/tgl.cgi?team=CAL&t=p&year=1980|title=1980 California Angels Pitching Game Log|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 2, 2020}}</ref> After going 2–6 through the month of May, he had his turn in the rotation skipped at the beginning of June. Through June 4, he had a 7.93 ERA. After that, he pitched better for the rest of the year, with his ERA going down to 3.33 in his last 23 starts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tananfr01&t=p&year=1980|title=Frank Tanana 1980 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 2, 2020}}</ref> In 32 games (31 starts), Tanana had an 11–12 record, a 4.15 ERA, and 113 strikeouts in 204 innings pitched.<ref name="reference"/>

===Boston Red Sox===
On January 23, 1981, the Angels traded Tanana to the [[Boston Red Sox]] along with [[Jim Dorsey]] and [[Joe Rudi]] for [[Steve Renko]] and [[Fred Lynn]] (who the Red Sox worried they would lose to free agency because of paperwork errors).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1981/01/24/sports/angels-obtain-lynn-from-the-red-sox-for-tanana-rudi.html |title=Angels Obtain Lynn from the Red Sox for Tanana, Rudi |first=Joseph |last=Durso |newspaper=[[The New York Times]] |date=January 24, 1981 |access-date=November 30, 2017}}</ref> "I stunk," Tanana summarized his performance for Boston.<ref name="1981 a">{{cite magazine|author=SI Staff|url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1982/04/12/texas|title=Texas|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=April 12, 1982|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> He pitched for the Red Sox for a single season, earning only 4 victories against 10 losses (the 10 losses tied with five others for 8th in the AL in a [[1981 Major League Baseball strike|strike-shortened season]]).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1981-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1981 AL Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> While his 4.01 ERA was better than the previous season, he struggled to pitch at [[Fenway Park]], where he had a 5.36 ERA.<ref name="1981 a"/> "Anything can happen in this ballpark, like in a [[pinball]] game," he later described Fenway.<ref name="Fenway">{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1988&dat=19840418&id=XEIiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=UK0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1298,4228240|title=Rangers 8, Red Sox 4|work=The Argus-Press|date=April 18, 1984|access-date=March 5, 2020}}</ref> He would have finished 3–10, but he threw a shutout against the [[Cleveland Guardians|Cleveland Indians]] on October 3 in his last start of the year (at [[Cleveland Stadium]], not Fenway).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE198110030.shtml|title=Boston Red Sox at Cleveland Indians Box Score, October 3, 1981|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> Despite the finish, he was granted [[Free agent|free agency]] by the Red Sox on November 13, 1981.<ref name="reference"/>

===Texas Rangers===
Tanana signed as a free agent with Texas Rangers on January 6, 1982.<ref name="reference"/> His contract was for $375,000 a year for two years, plus a $75,000 signing bonus.<ref name="1981 a"/> His first season with the Rangers, his ERA went up to 4.21, only 0.20 higher than his previous season with the Red Sox.<ref name="reference"/> However, the Rangers lost 98 games, and Tanana was responsible for 18 of those, tying with [[Matt Keough]] for the AL lead in losses while only earning seven wins.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1982-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1982 AL Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 2, 2020}}</ref>

For the first time in his career in 1983, Tanana was not a part of his team's starting rotation, opening the season as a [[long reliever]] for the Rangers. He had a 1.57 ERA in eight games, though, and returned to the rotation June 10, allowing one run and three hits in six innings in a 4–2 victory over the Twins.<ref name="1983 Tanana">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tananfr01&t=p&year=1983|title=Frank Tanana 1983 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN198306100.shtml|title=Texas Rangers at Minnesota Twins Box Score, June 10, 1983|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> Through August 22, he had a 7–4 record, but he went on a five-game losing streak to end the year, finishing up 7–9.<ref name="1983 Tanana"/> He appeared in 29 games (22 starts), had a 3.16 ERA, and struck out 108 in {{frac|159|1|3}} innings.<ref name="reference"/>

Back in the rotation for good in 1984, Tanana had his best season since 1978 for a Rangers team that finished in last place in its division.<ref name="Slow Lane"/> He threw eight shutout innings April 21 in a 1–0 victory over the Yankees, then threw his first shutout since 1981 on June 13 in a 3–0 victory over the Twins.<ref name="reference"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tananfr01&t=p&year=1984|title=Frank Tanana 1984 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 29, 2020}}</ref> He finished the season with a 15–15 record, a 3.25 ERA, and 141 strikeouts in {{frac|246|1|3}} innings pitched.<ref name="reference"/>

1985 did not start well for Tanana, as he posted a 2–7 record with a 5.91 ERA through his first 13 starts.<ref name="reference"/> Teammates were sympathetic—"He hasn't pitched the way he's capable of pitching, and we haven't played as well as we're capable of playing behind him," assessed fellow starter [[Charlie Hough]].<ref name="Slow Lane"/> Tanana himself was more critical of his performance: "Awful. Absolutely awful."<ref name="Slow Lane"/> He was traded by the Rangers to the [[Detroit Tigers]] for minor-league pitcher Duane James on June 20, 1985.<ref name="Tiger Trade"/>

While with the Rangers, Tanana served as the team's [[Major League Baseball Players Association|player representative]].<ref name="Slow Lane"/>

===Detroit Tigers===
[[File:Frank Tanana 1992.jpg|230px|thumb|Tanana warms up at [[Arlington Stadium]], 1992]]
"It was a wonderful gift from the Lord," Tanana said of getting to come play with the Tigers. "I was raised here and to have the opportunity to play for the Tigers was a dream come true."<ref name="testimony"/>

Tanana threw seven shutout innings in his debut with the Tigers June 23, 1985, helping Detroit beat the Yankees 3–1.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET198506230.shtml|title=New York Yankees at Detroit Tigers Box Score, June 23, 1985|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 6, 2020}}</ref> His ERA went down with Detroit, and he won each of his last five starts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tananfr01&t=p&year=1985|title=Frank Tanana 1985 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 6, 2020}}</ref> In 20 starts for Detroit, Tanana had a 10–7 record, a 3.34 ERA, and 107 strikeouts in {{frac|130|1|3}} innings pitched. In a combined 33 starts between Texas and Detroit, he had a 12–14 record, a 4.27 ERA, and 159 strikeouts in 215 innings.<ref name="reference"/>

On May 29, 1986, Tanana allowed one run against the Twins, coming within one out of a complete game before getting pulled in favor of [[Willie Hernández]] after allowing a double and a walk with two outs in the ninth.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET198605040.shtml|title=Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers Box Score, May 4, 1986|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 7, 2020}}</ref> Twice that year, he had ten-strikeout games—the first in a 14–0 shutout of the [[Seattle Mariners]] on August 23, and the second in only seven innings on September 25, though Tanana allowed four runs and took the loss to the [[Toronto Blue Jays]] that day.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tananfr01&t=p&year=1986|title=Frank Tanana 1986 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> In 32 games (31 starts), he had a 12–9 record, a 4.16 ERA, and 119 strikeouts in {{frac|188|1|3}} innings.<ref name="reference"/>

In the last year of his contract in 1987, Tanana made $662,500.<ref name="1988 arbitration">{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1988&dat=19871208&id=5gooAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SQUGAAAAIBAJ&pg=5777,3320663|title=Tigers Sign Herndon|work=The Argus-Press|date=December 9, 1987|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> He picked up his 2,000th strikeout July 12 against the Angels, though the milestone came in a 5–4 loss.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL198707120.shtml|title=Detroit Tigers at California Angels Box Score, July 12, 1987|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 5, 2020}}</ref> Through August 6, he had a 3.40 ERA, but he struggled after that, posting a 9.00 ERA in his next eight starts and prompting manager [[Sparky Anderson]] to take him out of the rotation in September.<ref name="On Top"/><ref name="1987 Tanana">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tananfr01&t=p&year=1987|title=Frank Tanana 1987 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 6, 2020}}</ref> However, Tanana only missed one start before rejoining the rotation with the Tigers in the middle of a pennant race.<ref name="1987 Tanana"/> On the final day of the 1987 season, Tanana pitched a 1–0 shutout over second-place Toronto to clinch the American League East title for the Tigers. As the final out was recorded, a jubilant Anderson rushed to the mound, embracing and kissing his pitcher.<ref>{{cite book|last1=Palmer|first1=Jim|last2=Dale|first2=Jim|title=Palmer and Weaver: Together We Were Eleven Foot Nine|year=1996|publisher=Andrews and McMeel|location=Kansas City|isbn=0-8362-0781-5|page=157}}</ref> "That game was probably the highlight of my career,” Tanana said.<ref name="Polish"/><ref name="On Top">{{cite web|last=Penner|first=Mike|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-10-05-sp-22453-story.html|title=Tanana Is Back on Top|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=October 5, 1987|access-date=March 6, 2020}}</ref> He went 15–7 in 34 starts as he helped the Tigers win the division, posting a 3.91 ERA and striking out 146 in {{frac|218|2|3}} innings pitched.<ref name="reference"/><ref>{{cite web|last=D'Addona|first=Dan|url=https://www.hollandsentinel.com/sports/20160722/frank-tanana-rejuvenated-career-with-tigers|title=Frank Tanana rejuvenated career with Tigers|work=The Holland Sentinel|date=July 22, 2016|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref>

The Tigers faced the Twins in the [[1987 American League Championship Series|ALCS]]; in Game 4, Tanana was matched up against [[Frank Viola]]. He allowed six hits over {{frac|5|1|3}} innings, walking four batters and giving up four runs (three earned) in a 4–3 defeat. The Twins won the series in five games.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET198710110.shtml|title=1987 American League Championship Series (ALCS) Game 4|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 7, 2020}}</ref>

After the 1987 season, Tanana went to [[arbitration]] with the Tigers. Seeking a two-year contract initially, Tanana ultimately received a one-year, $1.1 million deal, $300,000 more than the Tigers had wanted to pay him.<ref name="1988 arbitration"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Chass|first=Murray|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1988/02/21/sports/notebook-arbitration-in-settlements-size-counts.html|title=Notebook; Arbitration: In Settlements, Size Counts|work=The New York Times|date=February 21, 1988|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> Tanana won eight of his first ten decisions in 1988, matching the best start of his career (he also won eight of his first ten decisions in 1977 and 1978).<ref>{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2202&dat=19880526&id=GRMmAAAAIBAJ&sjid=FP0FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1413,4040229|title=Tigers 4, Brewers 3|work=The Gettysburg Times|date=May 26, 1988|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> His only two complete games of the year came in back-to-back starts, a win against Texas on July 29 and a loss to Kansas City August 3 when he only went eight innings due to it being a road game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tananfr01&t=p&year=1988|title=Frank Tanana 1988 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> In 32 starts, Tanana had a 14–11 record, a 4.21 ERA, and 127 strikeouts in 203 innings.<ref name="reference"/>

On June 9, 1989, Tanana struck out 10 in his first complete game of the year, but the two runs he allowed were the only runs of the game in a loss to Toronto.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1454&dat=19890610&id=j-JOAAAAIBAJ&sjid=lxQEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6921,3616812|title=Jays' Stieb, Wells hurl 4-hitter to topple Tigers|work=Star-News|date=June 10, 1989|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> After Tanana beat the White Sox on August 6, 1989, Anderson praised his pitcher: "Tanana should have at least 15 wins this year. He is pitching the best for me this year since he came over here. He's a real pitcher. He knows what he's doing even when he makes a mistake."<ref>{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=110&dat=19890807&id=iBtQAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3VUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=6683,2811923&hl=en|title=Tanana, Tigers edge Sox|work=Ludington Daily News|date=August 7, 1989|access-date=February 21, 2020}}</ref> He struck out 10 in a two-hit shutout of the Orioles on August 16.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET198908160.shtml|title=Baltimore Orioles at Detroit Tigers Box Score, August 16, 1989|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 7, 2020}}</ref> Tanana's 3.58 ERA would be his lowest ever for the Tigers, save for the 20 starts he made for them in 1985. He had a 10–14 record, striking out 147 batters in {{frac|223|2|3}} innings. He became a free agent after the season but re-signed with the club a week later.<ref name="reference"/>

Entering his 18th major league season in 1990, Tanana had won 198 games.<ref name="reference"/> He gave up five runs in seven innings on April 28, against the [[Milwaukee Brewers]], but still picked up the win, the 200th of his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET199004280.shtml|title=Milwaukee Brewers at Detroit Tigers Box Score, April 28, 1990|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 5, 2020}}</ref> The season saw him struggle, though—he had a 6.47 ERA through July 28, prompting the Tigers to re-sign [[Walt Terrell]] to replace him in the rotation.<ref name="1990 Tanana">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tananfr01&t=p&year=1990|title=Frank Tanana 1990 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/tgl.cgi?team=DET&t=p&year=1990|title=1990 Detroit Tigers Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Lowe|first=John|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1990-07-28-9003040111-story.html|title=Terrell Plans to Rejoin Tigers|work=The Chicago Tribune|date=July 28, 1990|access-date=March 7, 2020}}</ref> It was during this time that Tanana got the only [[Save (baseball)|save]] of his career, inducing [[Oscar Azócar]] to hit a foul pop-up and stranding a runner on second in the 14th inning of a 6–5 triumph over the Yankees August 2.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA199008020.shtml|title=Detroit Tigers at New York Yankees Box Score, August 2, 1990|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 7, 2020}}</ref> He rejoined the rotation August 25 and posted a 2.44 ERA for the remainder of the year.<ref name="1990 Tanana"/> In 34 games (29 starts), he had a 9–8 record, a 5.31 ERA, and 114 strikeouts in {{frac|176|1|3}} innings pitched.<ref name="reference"/>

Following [[Jack Morris]]'s departure via free agency in 1991, Tanana became the first pitcher besides him to make an Opening Day start for the Tigers since 1979, also the last year Tanana had made an Opening Day start.<ref>{{cite web|last=Schmehl|first=James|url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2015/04/from_justin_verlander_to_frank.html|title=From Justin Verlander to Mark Fidrych: A look back at the Detroit Tigers' opening day starters|work=mlive.com|date=April 6, 2015|access-date=March 8, 2020}}</ref> He gave up four runs in five innings against the Yankees, leaving with the game tied, but the Tigers beat New York 6–4.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET199104080.shtml|title=New York Yankees at Detroit Tigers Box Score, April 8, 1991|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 8, 2020}}</ref> He threw a shutout against the White Sox April 18, then threw another shutout against the Angels June 7.<ref name="1991 Tanana">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tananfr01&t=p&year=1991|title=Frank Tanana 1991 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 8, 2020}}</ref> Also, June 18, he came within one out of throwing another shutout but left after giving up two straight singles in the ninth; [[Mike Henneman]] finished a 2–0 victory over Oakland.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET199106180.shtml|title=Oakland Athletics at Detroit Tigers Box Score, June 18, 1991|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 8, 2020}}</ref> On September 27, he became the last player to throw a pitch in the history of [[Memorial Stadium (Baltimore)|Memorial Stadium]], allowing one run in a complete game, 7–1 victory over the Orioles.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL199110060.shtml|title=Detroit Tigers at Baltimore Orioles Box Score, October 6, 1991|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=April 13, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last1=Russo|first1=Frank|title=The Cooperstown Chronicles: Baseball's Colorful Characters, Unusual Lives, and Strange Demises|date=2014|publisher=Rowman & Littlefield|isbn=9781442236400|pages=199–203|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=8CgvBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA83|access-date=August 25, 2016|language=en}}</ref> He made 33 starts for the Tigers in 1991, posting a 13–12 record, a 3.77 ERA, and 107 strikeouts in {{frac|217|1|3}} innings pitched.<ref name="reference"/>

Tanana posted a 7.07 ERA in his first six starts of the 1992 season, then had a start skipped after May 7. Used in relief May 12, he picked up the win against California, pitching two scoreless innings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CAL/CAL199205120.shtml|title=Detroit Tigers at California Angels Box Score, May 12, 1992|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 9, 2020}}</ref> He rejoined the rotation after that and posted a 3.96 ERA the rest of the way.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=tananfr01&t=p&year=1992|title=Frank Tanana 1992 Pitching Gamelogs|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 9, 2020}}</ref> There were no shutouts for Tanana in 1992, but he did throw eight scoreless innings for the win in a 6–0 victory over Texas on August 16.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TEX/TEX199208160.shtml|title=Detroit Tigers at Texas Rangers Box Score, August 16, 1992|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 9, 2020}}</ref> In 31 starts, he had a 13–11 record, a 4.39 ERA, and 91 strikeouts in {{frac|186|2|3}} innings pitched.<ref name="reference"/> After the 1992 season, he became a free agent.<ref>{{cite web|agency=Associated Press|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2245&dat=19921104&id=noEzAAAAIBAJ&sjid=KDIHAAAAIBAJ&pg=7381,289181|title=Eric Davis files for free agency|work=Lodi News-Sentinel|date=November 4, 1992|access-date=March 4, 2020}}</ref>

===New York Mets and New York Yankees===
Tanana signed as a free agent with the [[New York Mets]] for the 1993 season. The Mets were interested in him partly as a mentor for left-handed prospect [[Pete Schourek]]. Tanana's manager with the team, [[Jeff Torborg]], was his catcher in his MLB debut in 1973.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1993/02/21/sports/baseball-mets-gain-a-mystic-of-the-southpaw-sect.html|title=BASEBALL; Mets Gain a Mystic of the Southpaw Sect|work=The New York Times|date=February 21, 1993|access-date=March 5, 2020}}</ref> He won seven games for the last-place team but lost 15 (tied for 6th in the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] (NL)) before being traded to the [[New York Yankees]] for [[Kenny Greer]] on September 17, as the Yankees sought pitching help in an attempt to capture the AL East pennant. Tanana lost two of his three starts for the Yankees, and they did not reach the post-season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1993-pitching-leaders.shtml|title=1993 NL Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 9, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/1993SEPTEMBER.stm#day17 |title=September 1993 |work=Baseball Library |access-date=January 31, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070202233321/http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/chronology/1993SEPTEMBER.stm#day17 |archive-date=February 2, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In his last start of the season (and ultimately, his final major league appearance) on October 1, he held the Tigers to four runs (three earned) over {{frac|6|1|3}} innings and left with the Yankees leading 5–4. [[Bobby Muñoz]] blew the lead, costing Tanana the chance for the win, but the Yankees prevailed 9–6.<ref name="last game">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA199310010.shtml|title=Detroit Tigers at New York Yankees Box Score, October 1, 1993|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=April 2, 2020}}</ref> Tanana's combined totals for the season were a 7–17 record, a 4.35 ERA, and 116 strikeouts in {{frac|202|2|3}} innings pitched. Following the year, he again became a free agent.<ref name="reference"/>

On February 15, 1994, Tanana signed a minor league contract with the Angels, hoping to pitch another year.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1980&dat=19940216&id=AJMiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=H68FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1405,3194707&hl=en|title=Transactions|work=The Item|date=February 16, 1994|access-date=February 21, 2020}}</ref> He competed for a starting spot in their rotation but was released in favor of [[Mark Leiter]] after going 0–3 with a 13.50 ERA in spring training, marking the end of his professional career.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nightengale|first=Bob|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-03-20-sp-36532-story.html|title=Baseball Daily Report: Angels: Tanana Expected to Be Released |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=March 20, 1994|access-date=February 21, 2020}}</ref> In 21 seasons in the major leagues, Tanana had a 3.66 lifetime ERA.<ref name="reference"/>

==Pitching style==
In his prime, Tanana was known for a hard [[fastball]] in the mid-to-upper nineties, to go along with a devastating [[curveball]].<ref name="No Second Banana"/><ref name="no surgery"/> Arm injuries in 1977 and 1979 made him realize that he would not be able to stick around the big leagues very long if he kept throwing so hard.<ref name="Not Enough Pop"/><ref name="Slow Lane"/> As a result, he altered his style, throwing less hard and developing a mixture of off-speed pitches, such as the [[forkball]] and the [[screwball]].<ref name="Slow Lane"/><ref name="Growing Up">{{cite web|last=Foster|first=Chris|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1990-06-19-sp-347-story.html|title=Growing Up Is Key to Tanana's Success|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=June 19, 1990|access-date=March 5, 2020}}</ref> He mixed his repertoire of off-speed pitches very effectively, using deception rather than speed to get hitters out.<ref name="Slow Lane"/> "I have to change speeds and try to get ahead of the hitters in any ballpark," he summarized his style.<ref name="Fenway"/> He and others quipped that he was "the guy who threw 90 in the 70s and 70 in the 90s."<ref>{{cite web|author=Foxsports|url=https://www.foxsports.com/mlb/story/san-francisco-giants-pitcher-tim-lincecum-must-adjust-to-succeed-061012|title=Lincecum needs change, not changeup|work=Foxsports|date=June 10, 2012|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Noble|first=Marty|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/marty-noble-ben-revere-covers-ground-like-former-phillies-outfielder-garry-maddox/c-87100908|title=Revere-sionist history: Phillie center of attention|work=MLB.com|date=July 30, 2014|access-date=March 1, 2020}}</ref> The new style extended his career, and he accumulated 34 shutouts, {{frac|4,188|1|3}} innings pitched, and 2,773 strikeouts.<ref name="reference"/> He is one of only 26 major league pitchers to have [[List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders|struck out at least 2,700 batters]] in his career.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/SO_p_career.shtml|title=Career Leaders & Records for Strikeouts|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 9, 2020}}</ref>

In a 21-year career, Tanana never had any sort of surgery on his arm. "I had sore arms, of course, that just goes right along with pitching. You're going to have sore arms on occasion."<ref name="no surgery">{{cite web|last=Hadorn|first=Chris|url=https://www.mrt.com/sports/article/Former-big-leaguer-Tanana-fortunate-to-avoid-13596331.php|title=Former big leaguer Tanana fortunate to avoid surgery during career|work=Midland Reporter-Telegram|date=February 6, 2019|access-date=March 3, 2020}}</ref> When his arm did get sore, Tanana treated it with physical therapy and strengthening exercises. In a 2019 interview, he speculated that young pitchers were having arm surgery more often because they threw too much when they were young, and they focused too much on baseball when they were young, instead of playing other sports as well during the year.<ref name="no surgery"/>

==Legacy==
As a result of his 21-year career, Tanana is among the career leaders in baseball history in a number of categories. His 240 wins are 58th all-time, and the second-most by a pitcher who never won 20 games in a season ([[Dennis Martínez]] won 245).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/W_career.shtml|title=Career Leaders & Records for Wins|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 9, 2020}}</ref> His 236 losses rank 17th all-time, and he holds the AL record for most [[home runs allowed]] (422).<ref name="reference"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/home_runs_allowed_records.shtml|title=Home Runs Allowed Records|work=Baseball Almanac|access-date=March 9, 2020}}</ref> Tanana's {{frac|4,188|1|3}} innings pitched are the 35th most in baseball history, his 1,704 [[earned runs]] allowed are 21st, and his 17,641 [[batters faced]] rank 37th.<ref name="reference"/>

In 1999, Tanana appeared on the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum|Hall of Fame]] ballot for the first time but received no votes and thus, he was removed from future [[Baseball Writers' Association of America]] (BBWAA) consideration for election (though he could still be elected by the [[Veterans Committee]]).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_1999.shtml|title=1999 Hall of Fame Voting|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 6, 2020}}</ref> He has the most career WAR (57.1 according to Baseball Reference) of any player to appear on the BBWAA ballot and not receive any votes. As of 2024, Tanana's 2,773 strikeouts rank him at number 26 all-time. Also not in the Hall of Fame are [[Roger Clemens]] (#3 with 4,672 strikeouts),{{efn|Clemens's nonelection is due to [[performance-enhancing drugs]] allegations.}} [[Curt Schilling]] (#17 with 3,116), Lolich (#23 with 2,832), and [[David Cone]] (#27 with 2,668).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/SO_p_career.shtml|title=Career Leaders & Records for Strikeouts|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=February 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Loverro|first=Thom|url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/jan/21/roger-clemens-bonds-fall-short-hall-again/|title=Loverro: Bonds, Clemens may eventually get in. But they'll have to do it without me|work=The Washington Times|date=January 21, 2020|access-date=February 22, 2020}}</ref>

Tanana is in the top 10 among Angels in several categories. His 102 wins with the team are tied for fifth with [[John Lackey]], his 3.08 ERA ranks fifth, and his 1,233 strikeouts rank fifth in franchise history.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ANA/leaders_pitch.shtml|title=Los Angeles Angels Top 10 Career Pitching Leaders|work=Baseball-Reference|access-date=March 9, 2020}}</ref>  His 269 strikeouts in 1975 are still the most by a left-handed pitcher for the Angels.<ref name="almanac"/> Tanana is one of only two pitchers in MLB history (along with [[Rick Reuschel]]) to give up a home run to both [[Hank Aaron]] and [[Barry Bonds]], the top two players on MLB's all-time home run leaderboard.<ref name="almanac">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=tananfr01|title=Frank Tanana|work=Baseball Almanac|access-date=March 9, 2020}}</ref>

==Personal life==
When Tanana first reached the major leagues, he quickly earned a reputation as a partier and drinker.<ref name="No Second Banana"/><ref name="Slow Lane">{{cite web|last=Rosenberg|first=Kurt|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-06-15-sp-12517-story.html|title=Change of Pace: Tanana Once Lived as Fast as He Threw--Now, He's in Slow Lane|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=June 15, 1985|access-date=February 27, 2020}}</ref> He told reporters his idol was himself, that he was already one of the greatest pitchers of all-time, and that "Nothing I do awes me."<ref name="Slow Lane"/> After his injury in 1979, though, Tanana realized his career could be over any day. He also found himself struggling for answers following the 1978 murder of his Angel teammate [[Lyman Bostock]]. On November 6, 1983, while at an Arizona hotel room, Tanana became a [[born again Christian]]. "I understood that I was dead in my sins," Tanana said. "I realized I had no chance of having a relationship with my Holy God. But His Son, Jesus, had lived a perfect life and paid the penalty for my sin. If I trusted my life in Him and asked Him for forgiveness and asked Him to come into my life, that I would be a brand new creature. I would be a brand new person. My sins would all be forgiven. On November 6, 1983, I made that commitment of trusting in Jesus. I have walked with Him ever since."<ref name="testimony">{{cite web|last=Kaminski|first=Steve|url=https://www.mlive.com/whitecaps/2016/07/tiger_fridays_how_a_november_d.html|title=How a November Day in 1983 put Frank Tanana's life on track|work=mlive.com|date=April 2, 2019|access-date=February 27, 2020}}</ref>

Since then, Tanana has been a leader in the Christian community within professional baseball. He credits God for the success of his marriage and the longevity of his career.<ref name="testimony"/><ref name="Polish"/> While he was still playing, he joined the [[Fellowship of Christian Athletes]].<ref name="Slow Lane"/> Since retiring, he has ministered to professional athletes in a number of ways.<ref name="personal faith">{{cite web|last=Chalk|first=Dan|url=https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Personal-faith-a-real-boost-for-ex-Tiger-Tanana-7124320.php|title=Personal faith a real boost for ex-Tiger Tanana|work=Midland Daily News|date=April 13, 2002|access-date=February 27, 2020}}</ref> He and his wife, Cathy, serve on the Pro Athletes Outreach Board of Directors.<ref name="personal faith"/> As of 2002, Tanana was assisting Detroit Tiger chaplain Jeff Totten, and he would also participate in Home Plate events, where Tiger players would speak about their faith in Christ at [[Tiger Stadium (Detroit)|Tiger Stadium]] before games.<ref name="personal faith"/> Tanana has spoken about his faith at different churches. He has participated in [[Bible study (Christianity)|Bible studies]] and performed [[marriage counselling]] since retiring.<ref name="testimony"/><ref name="personal faith"/> Says Tanana, "I've been fortunate and blessed the way my life has turned out."<ref name="Polish"/>

Tanana met his wife, Cathy Mull, at a [[Newport Beach, California|Newport Beach]] [[disco]] in 1977, while she was a dance major at [[Long Beach State University]]. Five hundred guests showed up at their wedding in 1978.<ref name="No Second Banana"/><ref>{{cite web|last=Smilgis|first=Martha|url=https://people.com/archive/once-the-great-lefty-found-miss-right-frank-tanana-became-the-angels-ex-playboy-vol-9-no-22/|title=Once the Great Lefty Found Miss Right, Frank Tanana Became the Angels' Ex-Playboy|work=People|date=June 5, 1978|access-date=March 5, 2020}}</ref> They have four daughters—Lauren, Jill and Kari (twins), and Erin—and several grandchildren. The couple now reside in [[Farmington Hills, Michigan]], and he is an [[Elder (Christianity)|Elder]] at Highland Park Baptist Church in [[Southfield, Michigan|Southfield]]. Frank has coached young athletes at Southfield Christian School.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.detroitpolonia.org/interview-with-west-side-detroit-baseball-legend-frank-tanana-jr/|title=Interview with West Side Detroit Baseball Legend Frank Tanana, Jr.|work=West Side Detroit Polish American Historical Society|date=December 25, 2017|access-date=March 7, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hpbc.cc/leadership-and-staff/|title=Leadership & Staff|work=Highland Park Baptist Church|access-date=March 5, 2020}} (Note: Click "Board of Elders" for Tanana's listing)</ref> In 1996, Tanana was inducted into the National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame,<ref name="Polish">{{cite web |url=http://polishsportshof.com/inductees/baseball/frank-tanana/ |title=Frank Tanana |access-date=October 2, 2013|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928090551/http://polishsportshof.com/inductees/baseball/frank-tanana/ |archive-date=September 28, 2013 |work=National Polish-American Sports Hall of Fame}}</ref> and in 2006, Tanana was inducted into the [[Michigan Sports Hall of Fame]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://michigansportshof.org/inductee/frank-tanana/|title=Frank Tanana|work=Michigan Sports Hall of Fame|access-date=March 2, 2020}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Major League Baseball career wins leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual ERA leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual strikeout leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career hit batsmen leaders]]
* [[Home runs allowed]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career strikeout leaders]]
* [[List of Los Angeles Angels Opening Day starting pitchers]]
* [[List of Detroit Tigers Opening Day starting pitchers]]

== References ==
{{reflist|30em}}

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

==External links==
{{baseballstats|mlb=123084|br=t/tananfr01|fangraphs=1012818|brm=tanana001fra}}

{{1971 MLB Draft}}
{{Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim first-round draft picks}}
{{Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Opening Day starting pitchers}}
{{Detroit Tigers Opening Day starting pitchers}}
{{Sporting News MLB Rookie of the year}}
{{AL ERA champions}}
{{AL strikeout champions}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Tanana, Frank}}
[[Category:1953 births]]
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[[Category:American League All-Stars]]
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[[Category:American League ERA champions]]
[[Category:American League strikeout champions]]
[[Category:Detroit Catholic Central High School alumni]]
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[[Category:American people of Polish descent]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]