The Tigers drafted Knox in the eighth round in June 1970. None of the Tigers’ picks in the first seven rounds made it up to the big leagues. Knox debuted with the Tigers in 1972 and became the first drafted Bowling Green University player to reach the majors.
Knox made a cameo appearance in the 1972 American League Championship Series. He was added to the playoff roster as a replacement for shortstop Eddie Brinkman, who was forced out of action due to an injury after Game 1. In what turned out to be the decisive Game 5, the Tigers trailed the A’s 2-1 when Willie Horton singled to lead off the bottom of the eighth.