Randy O'Neal poses with his 1984 World Series ring after a presentation at Comerica Park on Wednesday. Photos by Jason Beck/MLB.com

DETROIT -- Forty-one years ago Thursday, Randy O’Neal was a 24-year-old rookie pitcher getting ready for his first Major League start, just called up by the Tigers from Triple-A Evansville. He’d made his MLB debut for the Tigers in relief in Baltimore, where his first two batters were Cal Ripken Jr. and Eddie Murray. Now, he was preparing to start against a Brewers lineup featuring a leadoff hitter named Robin Yount. And O'Neal was starting for a Tigers team that was one win away from clinching its first division title since 1972 and finally putting away a Blue Jays team that had lingered in the rearview mirror for much of the summer.

“I walked the hall

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