Former Detroit Tiger first baseman Dave Bergman dies at 61

DETROIT (AP) Dave Bergman, a member of the Detroit Tigers' 1984 World Series championship team, has died. He was 61.

The Tigers extended condolences Monday to Bergman's family, calling him ''as spirited a person as he was a player.''

No cause of death was given.

A first baseman and outfielder, Bergman spent nine seasons in Detroit, where he arrived via trade in 1984.

He had a career-high 44 RBIs in helping the Tigers win their first World Series since 1968.

Bergman was selected by the New York Yankees in the second round of the 1974 draft and made his big league debut a year later.

In 17 years, he hit .258 with 54 home runs and 289 RBIs in his career. He also played for the Astros and Giants.

The Evanston, Illinois, native was involved in Detroit-area youth baseball and founded the Grosse Pointe Redbirds.

He is survived by his wife and three children.