The Detroit Tigers Part 3 continued from Part 2
which was published on January 3, 2025
which was published on January 3, 2025
2007
During the offseason, the Tigers traded for outfielder Gary Sheffield, who had been a part of the 1997 World Series champion Florida Marlins managed by Jim Leyland(330). In addition to acquisitions, Dombrowski developed a productive farm system. Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya, the most notable rookie contributors to the 2006 team, were followed by Andrew Miller, who was drafted in 2006 and called up early in the 2007 campaign, and minor league Cameron Maybin, an athletic five-tool outfielder ranked #6 in Baseball America’s 2007 Top 100 Prospects. (331)
On June 12th, Verlander threw the Tigers’ first no-hitter since 1984 (Jack Morris) and the first in Comerica Park history, in a 4 – 0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers(332). The Tigers had the best record in baseball in late July but lost a few players to injuries and started to play poorly in the second half(333)(334)(335)(336). The Tigers were officially eliminated from playoff contention on September 26th, 2007, when the New York Yankees clinched a wild card berth(337)(338). The Tigers, at 88 – 74, finished second in the AL Central. (339)
Magglio Ordonez captured the AL batting title in 2007 with a .363 average, becoming the first Tiger to win it since Norm Cash did so in 1961. (340)
2008
Going into the 2008 season, the franchise traded for prominent talent in Edgar Renteria (from the Atlanta Braves) and Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis (from the Florida Marlins)(341)(342). However, the Tigers, who now boasted the second-highest team payroll in the majors at over $138 million,(343) began the regular season by losing seven straight games(344). The Tigers climbed back, and at the midway point of the season, they were 42 – 40(345). In the end, the team finished miserably, slumping to a 74 – 88 record(347). Justin Verlander finished with his worst season as a pro, as he went 11 – 17 with a 4.84 ERA(347). The Tigers also lost closer Todd Jones to retirement on September 25th, 2008(348). Despite the disappointing season, the team set an attendance record in 2008, drawing 3,202,654 fans to Comerica Park. (349)
2009
Going into the 2009 season, the Tigers acquired starter Edwin Jackson from the 2008 AL Champion Tampa Bay Rays and called up rookie and former #1 draft pick Rick Porcello(350)(351). Justin Verlander bounced back from an off 2008 to win 19 games. He posted a 3.45 ERA and led the AL in strikeouts (269) to finish third in the AL Cy Young balloting(353)(354)(355). Fernando Rodney assumed the closer role in spring training, replacing the retired Todd Jones(356). Rodney responded with 37 saves in 38 tries, while Bobby Seay, Fu-Te Ni, Brandon Lyon, and Ryan Perry shored up the middle relief that plagued the team in 2007 – 2008.(353)(357)(358)(359)(360)
Despite the improvements, the Tigers once again found themselves struggling to hold a lead in the AL Central. The team entered September with a 7-game lead in the division, but would up tied with the Minnesota Twins at 86 wins by the final day of the regular season(361)(362). The season ended on October 6th with a 6 – 5 loss in 12 innings to the Twins in the tie-breaker game, leaving the Tigers with an 86 – 77 record(362)(363). The Tigers spent 146 days of the 2009 season in first place but became the first team in Major League history to lose a three-game lead with four games left to play.(362)(364)
2010
Entering the 2010 season, the Tigers parted ways with Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson as part of a three-way trade with the New York Yankees and Arizona Diamondbacks; in return, they picked up outfield prospect Austin Jackson and pitchers Phil Coke, Max Scherzer, and Daniel Schlereth(365). Jackson made the Tigers opening day roster and was American League Rookie of the Month for April(366). 2010 also saw the debut of Brennan Boesch, who was named AL Rookie of the Month for May and June.(367)(368)
At the All-Star break, the Tigers were a half-game out of first place in the AL Central, behind the Chicago White Sox(369). However, a slow start after the break and injuries to three key players sent the Tigers into yet another second-half tailspin(370)(371)(372). The Tigers finished the season in third place with an 81 – 81 record, 13 games back of the division-winning Minnesota Twins(372)(373). While playing outstanding baseball at home, the Tigers were just 29 – 52 on the road. (374)
Among the season highlights were Miguel Cabrera hitting .328 with 38 home runs and an AL-best 126 RBI, earning the AL Silver Slugger Award at first base, and finishing second in the AL MVP race (earning 5 of 28 first-place votes)(375)(376). Jackson (.293 average, 103 runs, 181 hits, 27 stolen bases) finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting(377)(378). Justin Verlander enjoyed another strong season (18 – 9 record, 3.37 ERA, 219 strikeouts). (377)
The Near Perfect Game
On June 10th, 2010, Armando Galarraga was pitching a perfect game against the Cleveland Indians with two outs in the top of the ninth inning when first base umpire Jim Joyce made a controversial call, ruling Jason Donald safe at first. Video replay showed he was out(379)(380). A tearful Joyce later said, “I just cost that kid a perfect game. I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw until I saw the replay.”(380) Galarraga would later tell reporters that Joyce apologized to him directly and gave him a hug(379). The next day, with Joyce umpiring home plate, Galarraga brought out the lineup card and the two shook hands(381). Despite nationwide support for overturning the call, which included supportive statements from the Governor of Michigan and the White House, commissioner Bud Selig let the call stand. However, he said he would look into expanding instant replay in the future. (382)
Division Winners (2011 – 2014)
2011: First AL Central Championship
The Tigers returned with much of their roster from 2010, while adding relief pitcher Joaquin Benoit, catcher/DH Victor Martinez, and starting pitcher Brad Penny. (383)(384)(385)
On May 7, Verlander took a perfect game against the Toronto Blue Jays into the 8th inning. After a walk to J.P. Arencibia, Verlander coaxed a double play grounder and went on to the 9th inning to complete his second career no-hitter by facing the minimum 27 batters. It was the seventh no-hitter in Tigers history(386). On August 27th, Verlander defeated the Minnesota Twins, 6 – 4, to become the first Tiger since Bill Gullickson in 1991 to win 20 games in a season. Verlander also became the first major league pitcher since Curt Schilling in 2002 to reach 20 wins before the end of August. (387)
In May, the Tigers were as many as eight games back of the first-place Cleveland Indians. However, they would start to play better. (388)(389)
The Tigers sent five players to the 2011 All-Star Game(390). Catcher Alex Avila was voted in as a starter, while Justin Verlander, Jose Valverde, and Miguel Cabrera were added as reserves(390). Verlander was unavailable to play in the All-Star game due to the rule that starting pitchers who play the Sunday beforehand were ineligible(391). Shortstop Jhonny Peralta was later added to the All-Star team when the Yankees’ Derek Jeter was unable to play due to injury.(390)(392)
As a three-way battle for the division title developed between the Tigers, Indians, and Chicago White Sox, the Tigers put together an 18 – 10 record in August to begin to pull away(389)(393). Starter Doug Fister, who was acquired at the trade deadline, provided an immediate spark, going 8 – 1 over the final two months of the season with a sparkling 1.79 ERA(394)(395). After a loss on September 1st, the Tigers reeled off a 12-game winning streak to put any thoughts of another late-season collapse to rest. The streak consisted of four consecutive three-game sweeps over their AL Central Division rivals. It was the Tigers’ longest winning streak since the 1934 team won 14 straight(396). On September 16th, the Tigers clinched the AL Central Division title with a 3 – 1 win over the Oakland Athletics. It was their first AL Central title since joining the division in 1998, and the first division of any kind since 1987.(388)(389)
Members of the 2011 Tigers won statistical awards in 2011. Verlander won the pitching triple crown, leading the AL in wins (24), ERA (2.40), and strikeouts (250). On November 15th, Verlander was a unanimous selection for the AL Cy Young Award(397). In a much closer vote six days later, Verlander also won AL MVP, becoming the first pitcher to do so since Dennis Eckersley in 1992(398). Valverde was the AL saves leader with 49 (in 49 opportunities), winning the 2011 MLB Delivery Man of the Year Award(201). Cabrera won the AL batting title with a .344 average, while also leading the AL in on-base percentage (.448) and doubles (48). (399)(400).
The Tigers beat the New York Yankees by a score of 3 – 2 in Game 5 of the ALDS, winning the series 3 – 2(401). They advanced to the ALCS, but they lost to the defending AL Champion Texas Rangers, 4 – 2. (402)
2012: American League Champions
In 2012, the Tigers looked to defend their 2011 AL Central Division title, with the hopes of earning a second consecutive playoff appearance. On January 24th, the Tigers signed free agent All-Star first baseman Prince Fielder to a 9-year, 214 million dollar contract(403). The move came shortly after the Tigers learned that Victor Martinez had torn his anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) during offseason training in Lakeland, Florida, and would likely miss the entire 2012 season(404). Miguel Cabrera moved back to his original position of third base, leading to the eventual release of veteran Brandon Inge on April 26th(406). On July 23rd, the Tigers acquired veteran second baseman Omar Infante, who played for Detroit in 2003 – 2007, and starting pitcher Anibal Sanchez from the Miami Marlins in exchange for starting pitcher Jacob Turner and two other minor leaguers. (406)
At the midway point of the 2012 season, the Tigers were three games under .500 (39 – 42)(407). The team played much better in the second half and, after a fierce battle down the stretch with the Chicago White Sox, the Tigers clinched the AL Central division title on October 1st with a 6 – 3 win against the Kansas City Royals(408). Coupled with the Tigers’ division title in 2011, it marked the first back-to-back divisional titles in team history, and the first back-to-back postseason appearances since 1934 – 1935(409). The Tigers concluded the season with an 88 – 74 record. (410)
On the final day of the season, Cabrera earned the Triple Crown in batting, leading the AL in batting average (.330), home runs (44), and runs batted in (139). No player had accomplished this feat since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967(411). On the mound, starters Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer finished first and second among the American League strikeout leaders, with 239 and 231 respectively(412). Verlander (17 – 8, 2.64 ERA) finished second in the Cy Young Award balloting to David Price of the Tampa Bay Rays. (413)
In the American League Division Series, the Tigers defeated the Oakland Athletics, 3 – 2, earning their second straight trip to the American League Championship Series(414). The Tigers completed a four-game sweep of the New York Yankees in the ALCS to win their 11th AL pennant and earn a trip to the World Series(415). In the World Series, the Tigers were swept by the San Francisco Giants. (416)
On November 15th, 2012, Cabrera was named AL MVP.(417)
2013: American League title defense
The Tigers entered the 2013 season looking to defend their 2012 AL pennant. Key acquisitions in the offseason included signing free agent outfielder Torii Hunter to a two-year, 26 million dollar contract,(418) while also signing their 2012 trade deadline acquisition, pitcher Anibal Sanchez, to a five-year 80 million dollar deal(419). The Tigers also signed free agent catcher Brayan Pena to a one-year contract(420). Moreover, ace starter Justin Verlander signed a 180 million-dollar contract extension(421). The Tigers placed six players on the 2013 American League All-Star team: Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Jhonny Peralta, Torii Hunter, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander. (422)
On September 25th, the Tigers clinched their third consecutive AL Central Division title(423). Tigers’ pitchers struck out 1,428 batters during the regular season, breaking the record of 1,404 held by the 2003 Chicago Cubs(424). Cabrera (.348 average, 44 HR, 139 RBI) was voted the AL MVP for the second straight season,(425) while Scherzer (21 – 3, 2.90 ERA, 240 strikeouts) won the AL Cy Young Award.(426)
The Tigers played the Oakland Athletics for the second straight year in the ALDS and defeated the A’s, 3 – 2(427). The Tigers set a record by striking out 57 Oakland batters in the ALDS(428). With his Game 5 gem, Verlander ran his postseason scoreless streak against Oakland to 30 innings. (429)
The Tigers advanced to their third straight ALCS, where they played the Boston Red Sox for the first time ever in the postseason(430). The Tigers would be defeated in six games. (431)
2014: Changes at the top
Jim Leyland stepped down from his managerial position after eight years with Detroit,(432) and the Tigers hired Brad Ausmus as Leyland’s successor(433). On November 20th, 2013, the Tigers traded Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers for three-time All-Star second baseman Ian Kinsler plus cash considerations concerning Fielder’s remaining contract amount(434). The Tigers later traded starting pitcher Doug Fister to the Washington Nationals for infielder Steve Lombardozzi Jr. and pitchers Ian Krol and Robbie Ray. (435)
To improve a bullpen that often struggled in 2013, the Tigers signed veteran closer Joe Nathan to a two-year, 20 million dollar contract, with a club option for 2016,(436), and later signed Joba Chamberlain to a one-year, 2.5 million dollar deal(437). On May 2nd, 2014, a month into the season, with the bullpen having a combined 5.37 ERA, which was 29th out of 30 in the MLB, the Tigers signed free agent reliever Joel Hanrahan to a one-year contract(438). However, he never came off the disabled list to pitch for the team(439). The team further bolstered the bullpen near the MLB trading deadline, dealing pitchers Corey Knebel and Jake Thompson to the Texas Rangers in exchange for former All-Star closer Joakim Soria on July 23rd. (440)
On July 31st, with just hours left before the end of the non-waiver trade deadline, the Tigers pitcher Drew Smyly and shortstop Willy Adames to the Tampa Bay Rays, and Austin Jackson to the Seattle Mariners in a three-team deal to acquire pitcher David Price from the Rays(441). With the acquisition of Price, the Tigers became the first team in major league history with three consecutive Cy Young Award winners in its starting rotation. (442)
On September 28th, the last day of the regular season, Price pitched a 3 – 0 gem against the Minnesota Twins, and the Tigers clinched their fourth consecutive AL Central Division title(443). The 90 – 72 Tigers finished one game ahead of the Kansas City Royals. (444)
The Tigers faced the Baltimore Orioles in the 2014 American League Division Series, where they were swept, 3 – 0(445). J.D. Martinez became the first player in franchise history to hit home runs in his first two career postseason games. Both were part of back-to-back homers, with Victor Martinez and Nick Castellanos in Games 1 and 2, respectively. (446)
2015: Mid-season Reboot
Brad Ausmus continued to manage the Tigers for a second season. Free agents Max Scherzer and Torii Hunter left for other teams at the end of the year, while Rick Porcello, Eugenio Suarez, Robbie Ray, and prospect Devon Travis were all lost through trades. On the receiving end, the Tigers traded slugger Yoenis Cespedes, relief pitcher Alex Wilson, speedy outfielder Anthony Gose, and starting pitchers Alfredo Simon and Shane Greene. (447)(448)(449)(450)(451)
After winning the first six games of the year in record-breaking fashion, the Tiger's season slowly went downhill(452). Inconsistent pitching, division rivals outperforming expectations, and injuries to multiple players, including Joe Nathan, who only appeared in one game, Victor Martinez, and career first stints on the disabled list for Justin Verlander and Miguel Cabrera, sent the team below the .500 mark as the trade deadline came and the decision was made to “reboot” the team(453)(454). Within two days in late July, the Tigers traded David Price, Joakim Soria, and Cespedes, receiving six well-regarded prospects in return, including Daniel Norris and Michael Fulmer. (455)
On August 4th, longtime general manager Dave Dombrowski was released by the team, with assistant GM Al Avila being promoted to general manager and president of baseball operations. (456)
Despite difficulties, the Tigers still ended up sending four players to the 2015 MLB All-Star Game: Miguel Cabrera received his 10th career All-Star selection and the starting nod, but could not play due to injury; David Price received his 5th career selection as well as the credit for the win for the American League; and J.D. Martinez and Jose Iglesias both received their first career All-Star selections. (457)(458)
The Tigers ended the season in last place in the AL Central Division with a record of 74 – 87(459). The pitching staff was one of the worst in the MLB, ending 27th in ERA, 28th in FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching), and 27th in WHIP (Walks and Hits Per Inning Pitched)(460). However, the team also ended with a team batting average of .270, the best in the MLB,(461) while Miguel Cabrera finished with the highest player batting average in the AL and the MLB (.338), earning his fourth batting title in five years. (462)
2016
Brad Ausmus and the Tigers entered the 2016 season with new pitching coach Rich Dubee and 9 out of 25 members of the 2015 roster being replaced through trades and free agency. Prominent additions included two highly sought free agents, starting pitcher Jordan Zimmerman and outfielder Justin Upton, as well as players acquired through trades: outfielder Cameron Maybin, and the veteran closer Francisco Rodriguez, who led a totally revamped bullpen(463). The Tigers lost two 2016 draft picks due to free agent compensation but, because of their bottom-ten finish in 2015, they kept their first-round pick(464). Key veteran losses include catcher Alex Avila and outfielder Rajai Davis, who both signed free-agent deals with other teams in the division.(465)(466)
The Tigers finished the season with a record of 86 – 75, eight games behind the first-place Cleveland Indians(467). Detroit was the final team to fall out of contention for a wild card spot, losing Saturday and Sunday games to the Atlanta Braves, while the two teams they were chasing, Baltimore and Toronto, got needed wins.(468)(469)
Pitcher Michael Fulmer, acquired from the New York Mets organization in 2015, won the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year Award. (470)
Rebuilding (2017 – 2013)
2017
Mike Ilitch, the Tigers owner since 1992, died at the age of 87 on February 10th, 2017(471). The team remains in an Ilitch family trust, under the leadership of Mike’s son Christopher Ilitch(472)(473). Like the Detroit Red Wings, the Tigers honored their owner in multiple ways, the most prominent being a “Mr. I” uniform patch. (474)
After a disappointing record through the All-Star break, the Tigers began committing to a rebuild, trading J.D. Martinez,(475) Alex Avila and Justin Wilson in July,(476) plus Justin Upton and Justin Verlander in August(477)(478). On September 22nd, the Tigers announced that the team would not extend manager Brad Ausmus’ contract past the 2017 season, ending his four-year tenure as manager. Under the management of Ausmus, the Tigers had a record of 314 – 322 (.486 winning percentage) and won one AL Central division title in 2014(479). The Tigers went 6 – 24 in September, ending the season in a tie for the worst record in MLB with the San Francisco Giants. However, due to a tiebreaker, the Tigers were awarded the number one overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft. (480)
2018
On October 20th, 2017, the Tigers announced that Ron Gardenhire and the team had reached a three-year agreement for the former Minnesota Twins skipper to succeed Brad Ausmus as the team’s manager(481). While rebuilding with young players, the team also lost slugger Miguel Cabrera and expected ace pitcher Michael Fulmer to extensive stints on the disabled list(482)(483). This led the team to the same 64 – 98 record as the previous year, the fifth worst record in the MLB, but still good for third place in a very weak AL Central Division. (484)(485)(486)
2019
Significant changes to the 2019 season-opening roster include the departure of Jose Iglesias, and the one-year signings of the middle infield tandem of Jordy Mercer and Josh Harrison, both formerly of the Pittsburgh Pirates(487)(488)(489). On March 19th, it was announced that Michael Fulmer would undergo Tommy John surgery and miss the 2019 season(490). The Tigers finished the season with a 47 – 114 record, the worst in all of Major League Baseball, and their second-worst season in franchise history after their 43 – 119 record in 2003(491). The 2019 Tigers tied the 1939 St. Louis Browns for the most home losses (59) during a season in the modern era. (492)
2020
On April 6th, Al Kaline died at the age of 85. Kaline had been affiliated with the team for 67 years, most recently as an executive(493). The Tigers wore a No. 6 patch to honor him(494). In the shortened 60-game season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tigers remained in playoff contention heading into September(495). On September 19th, manager Ron Gardenhire announced his retirement from baseball effective immediately, citing health concerns. Bench coach Lloyd McClendon was named interim manager for the remainder of the season(496). The Tigers ultimately faded down the stretch, finishing with a 23 – 35 record. (497)
2021
On October 30th, 2020, the Tigers hired A.J. Hinch as manager(498)(499). On May 18th, 2021, Spencer Turnbull pitched the eighth no-hitter in Tigers history against the Seattle Mariners. Turnbull became the first Tigers player to throw a no-hitter since Justin Verlander on May 7th, 2011(500). The Tigers finished the season with a 77 – 85 record(501). This outperformed preseason predictions for the team, most of which said the Tigers would finish last.(502)(503)(504)
2022
On August 10th, 2022, the Tigers fired Al Avila as general manager(505). On September 19th, 2022, the Tigers hired Scott Harris as president of baseball operations(506). The Tigers finished the season with a 66 – 96 record and had one of the worst offenses in the league(507). On October 25th, 2022, the Tigers hired Rob Metzler as vice president and assistant general manager. (508)
2023
On September 21st, 2023, the Tigers hired Jeff Greenberg as general manager(509). The Tigers finished the season with a 78 – 84 record, and in second place in the division(510). This was the final season for long-time Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera, who announced he would retire from playing. Following his retirement, he joined the Tigers front office as a special assistant to Scott Harris. (511)
Return to the playoffs (2024)
2024
2024 was expected to be another quiet year for the Tigers. That appeared to be the case for much of the season as the team was 55 – 63 on August 10th. The Tigers then went 31 – 11 to clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2014 on September 27th(512). They finished the season with an 86 – 76 record. (513)
In the American League Wild Card Series, the Tigers swept the Houston Astros 2 – 0, securing their first postseason series win since 2013(514). In the ALDS, the Tigers were defeated by the Cleveland Guardians in five games. (515)
Notes [edit]
1. The 1952 Tigers had the top three losers in the
AL, but not the major leagues.[299]
References and copyrights [edit]
1. Bak, Richard (1998). A Place for Summer: A
References and copyrights [edit]
1. Bak, Richard (1998). A Place for Summer: A
first 4th of July game was in 1894". Vintage
Detroit. Archived from the original on July 16,
Tiger Stadium. Wayne State University Press.
from the original on 2023-04-05. Retrieved
Society for American Baseball Research.
Archived from the original on July 30, 2018.
American Baseball Research. Archived
from the original on September 2, 2018.
0814325124. Archived from the original on
2024-10-01. Retrieved 2020-01-17.
The Detroit Tigers - Part 4 will be published on
January 7, 2025
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