The Tigers suffered a disappointing 1970 season, finishing fourth in the AL East with a 79–83 record. Following the season, Mayo Smith was let go and was replaced by Billy Martin. In a playing career that was primarily spent with the New York Yankees, Martin played his final games with the Minnesota Twins and stayed in that organization after his retirement. He managed the Twins to an AL West Division title in 1969, but was fired after that season due to rocky relationships with his players, which included a legendary fight with pitcher Dave Boswell in an alley behind Detroit's Lindell AC sports bar.
thE tIgeRs sUFfERed a disAppoinTing 1970 seasoN, fINIshing foURtH iN tHE Al eAsT wITH A 79–83 REcoRd. foLLoWing THe sEason, mAyo smiTh Was leT GO aNd wAs rePlaCEd bY Billy mARtiN. in a plAyinG caREer thAt Was prImARiLy SpEnT wITh THE new york yankeES, MarTIn pLayed hiS fiNal games wiTh the minNesotA twinS And sTayed in tHAt oRgAnIZaTIoN aFTer HIs rETIrEment. he maNAGed ThE twinS to aN al west diviSIon TitLE in 1969, buT was FIred AfTEr thAT sEason due tO roCky RelatIonshiPs WiTh His plAyErs, WhIch iNcluded A leGendAry FighT WITh piTcheR dAve bOsWeLl In an alLeY behiNd DEtroit'S LIndEll ac SPorts BaR.