Lance Parrish

Lance Parrish, known as Big Wheel, is recognized as one of the top catchers of his era, noted for his power hitting and defensive skills. A first-round draft pick by the Detroit Tigers, Parrish began his professional baseball career in the minor leagues, where he hit 55 home runs. He earned the nickname Big Wheel for his role in driving the Detroit Tigers' offense during the mid-1980s. Before focusing on baseball, Parrish declined a football scholarship from UCLA to pursue a career in Major League Baseball.

Parrish contributed to the Tigers' World Series championship, was selected as an All-Star eight times, and received six Silver Slugger Awards and three Gold Glove Awards. During the World Series, Parrish hit a pivotal home run against Rich Gossage, helping secure the Tigers' lead. As the cleanup hitter that season, he hit 33 home runs, setting a new American League record for home runs in a season by a catcher.

Parrish concluded his career with 324 home runs, 1,070 RBI, and 1,818 games caught, ranking 13th all-time in games caught. Among catchers with at least 1,000 games, only Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Yogi Berra, Gary Carter, Carlton Fisk, Mike Piazza, and Iván Rodríguez have matched or exceeded 300 home runs and 1,000 RBI. His Hall of Fame Monitor score places him among likely Hall of Fame candidates, reflecting his consistent performance and impact in Major League Baseball.

Following his playing career, Parrish held various roles in baseball, including coaching, managing, and broadcasting. He served as a minor league catching instructor for the Kansas City Royals, managed the San Antonio Missions, and held multiple coaching and broadcasting positions with the Detroit Tigers. Parrish was also named manager of the Erie SeaWolves. His long-standing association with the Tigers as a player, coach, broadcaster, and manager highlights his enduring commitment to professional baseball.