run to lead the Tigers to a 3-2 victory. In the decisive Game 5, Herndon caught the final out, a fly ball to left field off the bat of Padres star Tony Gwynn. Afterward, Herndon said of Gwynn's fly ball that he "just wanted to squeeze it" and added, "This is the best feeling I've had since I've been in baseball." Final years Herndon's offensive production dropped off in 1985 and 1986, with batting averages of .244 and .247 and an identical .386 slugging percentage both year. In 1987, Herndon's offensive production rebounded. He compiled career highs in batting average (.324), on-base percentage (.378), and slugging percentage (.520). On October 4, 1987, the Tigers played their final regular-season game against the Toronto Blue Jays. If Detroit won, they win the American League East division title. If they lost, there would be a playoff against Toronto for the title. Herndon hit a solo home run, and the Tigers defeated the Blue Jays, 1–0. In the 1987 American League Championship Series, Herndon compiled a .333 batting average, collected two runs batted in, and scored a run. In December 1987, Herndon signed a five-month contract extension with Herndon. During the 1988 season, an arthritic knee limited Herndon's ability to continue to play effectively in the outfield. As a result, he appeared in only 76 games, 53 of them as the designated hitter and only 15 in left field. He compiled a career-low .224 batting average and appeared in his last major-league game on October 2, 1988. Herndon attended spring training with the Oakland A's in 1989 but announced his retirement in March. He had undergone multiple surgeries on both knees and cited long-standing knee injuries as the reason for his retirement. Career statistics In 1,537 games played over 14 seasons, Herndon compiled a .274 batting average (1334-for-4877) with 605 runs, 186 doubles, 76 triples, 107 home runs, 550 RBI, 353 base on balls, a .322 on-base percentage and a .409 slugging percentage. Defensively, he posted a .972 fielding percentage at all three outfield positions. In the 1984 World Series and the 1984 and 1987 American League Championship Series he recorded a .310 average (9-for-29) with two home runs and six RBI. Coaching career In October 1991, Herndon was hired as the Tigers' hitting coach, replacing Vada Pinson. He held that position for eight years from 1992 to 1998. In 2005, Herndon was hired