History of the Detroit Tigers facts for kids

The Detroit Tigers are a professional baseball team from Detroit, Michigan. They started way back in 1894 as part of a minor league called the Western League. In 1901, they became one of the first teams in the American League, which is a major league. The Tigers are special because they are the oldest team in the American League to keep the same name and stay in the same city!

Early Days (1894–1900)

The Tigers team began in 1894. They first played at a place called Boulevard Park. In 1895, the owner, George Vanderbeck, built a new stadium called Bennett Park. This park was their home for the next 104 years! The first game there was an exhibition on April 13, 1896. The team, sometimes called the "Tigers," won big, 30–3. Their first official Western League game at Bennett Park was on April 28, 1896, and they won 17–2.

In 1900, the Western League changed its name to the American League. At first, it was still a minor league. But the next year, it became a major league, competing with the National League.

First Major League Season (1901)

The Tigers officially became a major league team in the American League in 1901. Their first major league game was at home on April 25, 1901. About 10,000 fans watched at Bennett Park. The Tigers were losing 13–4 in the ninth inning. But they made an amazing comeback and won 14–13! The team finished third in the league that year.

They were also the first major league team to have a mascot on their baseball cap. It was a red tiger! Later, in 1903, it was changed to the letter "D." The famous Olde English "D" appeared the next year.

The Ty Cobb Era (1905–1926)

Ty Cobb Joins the Team (1905)

In 1905, an 18-year-old player named Ty Cobb joined the team. He was a very determined player. Many people think he was one of the greatest players ever. With Cobb, and other talented players like Sam Crawford, Hughie Jennings, Bill Donovan, and George Mullin, the Tigers quickly became a strong team.

American League Champions (1907)

In 1907, the Tigers won the American League pennant (championship). Ty Cobb hit .350, and Sam Crawford hit .323. Pitchers Bill Donovan and Ed Killian each won 25 games. The Tigers finished 92–58. They went to their first World Series against the Chicago Cubs.

Game 1 was a rare 3–3 tie because it got too dark to play. But the Tigers struggled after that. They only scored three runs in the next four games. They lost the World Series, 4–0.

American League Champions Again (1908)

The Tigers won the American League again in 1908. They finished 90–63, just a half-game ahead of the Cleveland Naps. Cobb hit .324, and Sam Crawford hit .311 with 7 home runs. Seven home runs was a lot back then!

But the Chicago Cubs beat the Tigers again in the 1908 World Series. The Cubs won in five games. This was the Cubs' last World Series win until 2016.

Third Straight Pennant (1909)

In 1909, Detroit had a great season, winning 98 games. They won the American League pennant by 3.5 games. Ty Cobb had an amazing year. He won the "batting triple crown." This means he led the league in batting average (.377), home runs (9), and RBIs (107). He also led the league with 76 stolen bases. Pitcher George Mullin won 29 games.

In the 1909 World Series, the Tigers played the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Tigers played better this time, taking the series to seven games. But they lost the final game 8–0 at Bennett Park.

Ups and Downs (1910–1914)

The Tigers finished third in 1910 and second in 1911. They were behind a very strong Philadelphia Athletics team. In 1912 and 1913, the team finished in sixth place. A special moment in 1912 was when George Mullin pitched the team's first no-hitter. He didn't let any St. Louis Browns players get a hit!

Ty Cobb continued to be an incredible hitter during these years. He won the AL batting title every year.

A Record-Breaking Season (1915)

In 1915, the Tigers won a club record 100 games! But they just barely missed winning the AL pennant. The Boston Red Sox won 101 games. The 1915 Tigers had an amazing outfield with Ty Cobb, Sam Crawford, and Bobby Veach. They were the top three in RBIs and total bases in the league. Cobb also set a stolen base record with 96 steals. Baseball experts say the 1915 Tigers outfield was one of the best ever.

Changes and New Stars (1916–1920)

The Tigers finished third in 1916. For the rest of the decade, they stayed in the middle of the standings. Ty Cobb was still the main star. But a new outfielder, Harry Heilmann, started to shine. He was a great hitter.

Manager Hughie Jennings left the Tigers after the 1920 season. He had won 1,131 games as manager. Ty Cobb himself became the manager in 1921. But even with Cobb leading, the Tigers didn't win a pennant during his six years as manager.

A Hitting Machine (1921)

In 1921, the Tigers had an incredible hitting team. They got 1,724 hits and had a team batting average of .316. This was the highest team batting average in American League history! Harry Heilmann and Ty Cobb were the best hitters in the league. But the team's pitching wasn't good. So, the 1921 Tigers finished in sixth place.

On August 19, 1921, Cobb got his 3,000th career hit. He was 34 years old, making him the youngest player to reach that milestone.

More Great Hitters (1922–1926)

The Tigers continued to have good teams when Ty Cobb was player-manager. They finished as high as second place in 1923. But they still needed better pitching to win a pennant. Harry Heilmann hit .403 in 1923! He was the last AL player to hit over .400 until 1941. In 1925, Heilmann won the batting title again.

Cobb retired from the Tigers in November 1926 after 22 seasons. He later played two more seasons with the Philadelphia Athletics.

The Tigers Break Through (1927–1940)

Building a Strong Team (1927–1933)

After Cobb left, the Tigers had a few average seasons. But they were building a strong team. They added powerful first baseman Hank Greenberg and pitchers Tommy Bridges and Schoolboy Rowe. They already had second baseman Charlie Gehringer.

In 1927, Harry Heilmann almost hit .400 again, finishing at .398. He won his fourth AL batting title.

After the 1933 season, the Tigers added catcher Mickey Cochrane. He became their player-manager, which means he played and managed the team.

American League Champions (1934)

The Tigers won the 1934 American League pennant with a great record of 101–53. This was a team record for wins at the time. The Tigers' infield, including Hank Greenberg and Charlie Gehringer, was amazing. Schoolboy Rowe led the pitching staff, winning 16 games in a row!

The Tigers played the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1934 World Series. It was a tough series, and the Tigers lost in seven games. The final game was difficult, with the Cardinals winning 11–0. There was also an incident where a Cardinals player, Joe Medwick, was removed from the game for his own safety after fans threw things at him.

First World Series Champions! (1935)

The 1935 Tigers team had four future Hall of Fame players: Hank Greenberg, Mickey Cochrane, Goose Goslin, and Charlie Gehringer. They won the AL pennant again with a 93–58 record. Greenberg was named the AL MVP. He hit .328 and led the league in home runs (36) and RBIs (168).

The Tigers finally won their first World Series in 1935! They beat the Chicago Cubs, 4–2. In Game 6, Goose Goslin hit a game-winning single, scoring Mickey Cochrane for a 4–3 victory. It was a thrilling win!

After the season, the team's owner, Frank Navin, passed away. Walter Briggs Sr. took over the team.

More Great Seasons (1936–1939)

The Tigers were expected to win the pennant again in 1936. But they finished second to the New York Yankees. They also finished second in 1937. The team dropped further in the standings in 1938 and 1939. Hank Greenberg gave fans a lot of excitement in 1938. He almost broke Babe Ruth's single-season home run record, finishing with 58 homers.

American League Champions (1940)

In 1940, the Tigers won the AL pennant in a very close race. They finished 90–64, just one game ahead of the Cleveland Indians. Before the season, Hank Greenberg moved from first base to left field to make room for Rudy York. This move worked out great! York hit .316 with 33 home runs. Greenberg hit .340 with 41 home runs and 150 RBIs. Greenberg won his second AL MVP award.

Bobo Newsom was the ace pitcher, winning 21 games. A surprising hero was 30-year-old rookie Floyd Giebell. In his third major league start, he pitched the pennant-clinching game against Cleveland's star pitcher, Bob Feller. Giebell shut out the Indians for a 2–0 victory!

The Tigers lost the 1940 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds in seven games. Bobo Newsom pitched bravely, but the Tigers lost the final game 2–1. This was the third time the Tigers lost a World Series in a deciding Game 7.

The War Years (1941–1945)

During World War II, Hank Greenberg and other players served in the military. This made it hard for the Tigers to win. They finished no higher than fifth place from 1941 to 1943. But in 1944, they finished second. This was thanks to pitchers Hal Newhouser and Dizzy Trout, who won 29 and 27 games. Newhouser won the AL MVP award that year. The Tigers were in first place late in the season but finished one game behind the St. Louis Browns.

World Series Champions Again! (1945)

With the end of World War II, Hank Greenberg and other players returned from the military. The Tigers won the AL pennant in 1945 by just 1.5 games. Hal Newhouser became the first pitcher in AL history to win the MVP award two years in a row. He also won the "pitching triple crown," leading the AL in wins (25), ERA (1.81), and strikeouts (212).

With Newhouser, Virgil Trucks, and Dizzy Trout pitching, and Greenberg leading the hitting, the Tigers finally won a Game 7 in the World Series! They beat the Chicago Cubs 9–3. Some baseball experts say this World Series wasn't the best played because many stars were still in the military.

A Long Drought (1946–1967)

Winning Seasons, No Pennants (1946–1950)

After their 1945 World Series win, the Tigers had winning records for the rest of the 1940s. They finished second in the AL three times but didn't win another pennant.

In 1946, the Tigers got George Kell, a third baseman who became a Hall of Famer. He hit over .300 for eight straight seasons. Kell won the batting title in 1949 in a very close race.

The 1950 season was tough. The Tigers won 95 games, which was great. But they finished three games behind a strong New York Yankees team.

Tough Times (1951–1960)

Over the next 10 years, the Tigers struggled. They only had three winning seasons and never finished higher than fourth place. The 1952 team had a very bad season, winning only 50 games. This was the worst in Tigers history until 2003. But even in that tough year, pitcher Virgil Trucks threw two no-hitters!

In 1953, a young outfielder named Al Kaline joined the team. He was one of the few players who never played in the minor leagues. Kaline was an amazing player. He hit over .300 nine times and won 10 Gold Gloves for his great defense. In 1955, at just 20 years old, Kaline hit .340 to become the youngest batting champion ever!

In 1958, the Tigers became one of the last teams to add a Black player to their roster when Ozzie Virgil Sr. joined the team.

A Strong Comeback (1961)

In 1961, the Tigers started to get better. They won 101 games, a huge improvement from the year before! But they still finished eight games behind the New York Yankees. This was one of the few times a team won 100 games but didn't make the playoffs. First baseman Norm Cash won the batting title with a .361 average. He also hit 41 home runs and had 132 RBIs.

The 1961 team also had Black players like Bill Bruton and Jake Wood. Later in the 1960s, players like Willie Horton, Earl Wilson, and Gates Brown helped the Tigers rise in the standings.

Building a Core (1962–1966)

The Tigers continued to have winning records throughout the 1960s. In 1963, pitchers Mickey Lolich and Denny McLain joined the team. Outfielders Willie Horton, Mickey Stanley, and Jim Northrup also became key players.

In 1966, the team finished third. Manager Chuck Dressen and acting manager Bob Swift both had to leave due to health issues. Frank Skaff took over as manager. After the season, the Tigers hired Mayo Smith as their new manager.

A Close Race (1967)

In 1967, the Tigers were in one of the closest pennant races ever. They had to play two doubleheaders (four games) on the last two days of the season. They needed to win both games on the final day to force a playoff. They won the first game but lost the second. This meant the Boston Red Sox won the pennant. The Tigers finished just one game behind Boston. Pitcher Earl Wilson led the major leagues with 22 wins. He, Denny McLain, and Mickey Lolich formed a strong pitching trio.

World Series Champions and Division Titles (1968–1972)

Glory in '68: World Series Champions! (1968)

The Tigers finally returned to the World Series in 1968! They took first place in May and never gave it up. They finished with an amazing 103–59 record. Pitcher Denny McLain had an incredible season, winning 31 games! No pitcher has won 30 games since then. McLain won the AL MVP and Cy Young Award for his efforts.

The 1968 World Series

In the 1968 World Series, the Tigers played the defending champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals had a great pitcher, Bob Gibson, and a fast outfielder, Lou Brock. This was the first time the Tigers and Cardinals met in the World Series since 1934. Manager Mayo Smith made a bold move. He played center fielder Mickey Stanley at shortstop, even though Stanley had never played there before. This allowed him to play a strong outfield of Willie Horton, Jim Northrup, and Al Kaline.

In Game 1, Gibson was amazing, striking out 17 batters. The Cardinals won 4–0. But pitcher Mickey Lolich helped the Tigers get back into the series with wins in Games 2 and 5. A big moment came in Game 5. With the Tigers down 3-1 in the series and losing in the game, Willie Horton made a perfect throw to home plate. He threw out Lou Brock, who was trying to score. The Tigers came back to win that game, 5–3. In Game 6, McLain won his only game of the series, a big 13–1 victory.

In Game 7, Lolich pitched again, facing Gibson. Both pitchers were excellent. In the seventh inning, the Tigers finally broke through. Jim Northrup hit a triple that scored two runs. Bill Freehan then hit a double to score another run. The Tigers added one more run. The Cardinals only scored one run. The Tigers won the game, 4–1, and the World Series, 4–3! The Tigers became only the third team to win the World Series after being down 3–1. Lolich was named the World Series Most Valuable Player for his three wins.

New Divisions (1969–1971)

In 1969, baseball leagues were split into divisions. The Tigers were placed in the American League East. They didn't win the title that year, even though Denny McLain had another great season, winning 24 games. The Baltimore Orioles won the division.

The Tigers had a tough 1970 season. Manager Mayo Smith was replaced by Billy Martin. Martin was known for his strong personality. The Tigers also made a great trade, getting pitcher Joe Coleman, shortstop Eddie Brinkman, and third baseman Aurelio Rodríguez.

Martin's Tigers won 91 games in 1971. But they finished second to the Orioles again. Mickey Lolich had an amazing season, leading the AL with 308 strikeouts. Coleman also won 20 games.

AL East Champions (1972)

Joe Coleman, Eddie Brinkman, and Aurelio Rodríguez were very important in 1972. The Tigers won their first AL East division title! A player strike at the start of the season made the schedule unusual. The Tigers won the division by just half a game. Brinkman was named Tiger of the Year for his amazing defense at shortstop. Mickey Lolich won 22 games, and Coleman won 19. Pitcher Woodie Fryman joined the team in August and helped them win the division.

The 1972 ALCS

In the 1972 American League Championship Series, Detroit played the Oakland Athletics. In Game 1, Mickey Lolich pitched great, but the Tigers lost in extra innings. Oakland won Game 2, 5–0.

When the series moved to Detroit, the Tigers started to play better. Joe Coleman pitched a shutout in Game 3, striking out 14 batters. Game 4 was another close game. The Tigers tied it in the 10th inning, and Jim Northrup hit a single to win the game, 4–3! This tied the series at two games each.

In the final Game 5, the Tigers took an early lead. But Oakland came back and won 2–1. A controversial call at first base helped Oakland score a run. The Athletics won the AL pennant and went on to win the World Series.

A Slow Decline (1973–1978)

The 1973 season saw the Tigers drop to third place. Joe Coleman won 23 games, but other pitchers struggled. Willie Horton and Jim Northrup had good hitting seasons. Manager Billy Martin was replaced in September.

A bright spot in 1973 was relief pitcher John Hiller. He had a great season after a health issue, getting 38 saves. This was a Tigers record for many years.

After the season, the Tigers hired Ralph Houk as their new manager. The team had many aging players from the 1960s. The Tigers didn't have a winning season from 1974 to 1977. Al Kaline retired after the 1974 season, getting his 3,000th career hit. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980.

The Year of The Bird (1976)

Tiger fans got excited in 1976 when 21-year-old rookie Mark Fidrych made his debut. Fidrych, known as "The Bird," was a fun player who talked to the baseball. He had an amazing season, finishing with a 19–9 record and leading the league with a 2.34 ERA. Fidrych won the AL Rookie of the Year award.

Aurelio Rodríguez won the Gold Glove Award at third base in 1976.

New Talent Arrives (1977–1978)

Injuries limited Fidrych's playing time in 1977 and 1978. But new talented players started to join the team. Jack Morris, Lance Parrish, Alan Trammell, and Lou Whitaker all made their debuts in 1977. Whitaker had a great rookie season. The Tigers won 86 games in 1978, their only winning season under manager Houk.

The "Bless You Boys" Era (1979–1987)

In 1979, Sparky Anderson became the Tigers' manager. He had won two World Series with the Cincinnati Reds. When Anderson saw the young talent on the Tigers, he famously said they would win a pennant within five years.

A local sports anchor, Al Ackerman, started using the phrase "Bless You Boys" for the Tigers. It became a popular saying, especially in 1984.

The Roar of '84: World Series Champions! (1984)

The 1984 season was amazing for the Tigers. In late 1983, owner John Fetzer sold the team to Tom Monaghan, the founder of Domino's Pizza.

The 1984 team started with a fantastic 9–0 record! Pitcher Jack Morris threw a no-hitter in the fourth game of the season. They kept playing great, winning 35 of their first 40 games. They cruised to a franchise-record 104 victories. The Tigers led their division from the very first day until the end of the season. They finished a huge 15 games ahead of the Toronto Blue Jays. Closer Willie Hernández won both the Cy Young Award and AL MVP, which is very rare for a relief pitcher.

The 1984 ALCS

The Tigers played the Kansas City Royals in the American League Championship Series. In Game 1, Alan Trammell, Lance Parrish, and Larry Herndon all hit home runs, and the Tigers won 8–1. In Game 2, the Tigers scored two runs in the 11th inning to win 5–3. The Tigers completed the sweep in Game 3 at Tiger Stadium, winning 1–0. The Tigers were going back to the World Series!

The 1984 World Series

The Tigers faced the San Diego Padres in the 1984 World Series. In Game 1, Larry Herndon hit a two-run home run, and Jack Morris pitched a complete game. The Tigers won 3–2. The Padres won Game 2 to tie the series.

When the series moved to Detroit, the Tigers took control. In Game 3, Marty Castillo hit a two-run home run, and the Tigers won 5–2. In Game 4, Alan Trammell hit two home runs in his first two at-bats! Morris pitched another complete game, and the Tigers won 4–2, taking a big lead in the series.

In Game 5, Kirk Gibson hit a two-run home run in the first inning. The Padres tied the game, but the Tigers took the lead again. In the eighth inning, with the Tigers leading 5–4, Kirk Gibson came to bat. The Padres manager wanted to intentionally walk him. But Sparky Anderson, the Tigers manager, told Gibson, "He don't want to walk you!" Gibson was ready. He hit a huge three-run home run into the upper deck! This sealed the game and the series.

Aurelio López pitched well in relief, and Willie Hernández got the final out. The Tigers won the game, 8–4, and the World Series, 4–1! The Tigers led their division from the first day of the season until they won the World Series. Sparky Anderson became the first manager to win the World Series in both the American and National Leagues.

AL East Champions (1987)

After two third-place finishes, the 1987 Tigers started slowly. But they soon started winning. They got pitcher Doyle Alexander in a trade. He pitched great, winning 9 games without a loss. The Tigers were in a tight race with the Toronto Blue Jays in September. The two teams played seven very close games.

The Tigers clinched the division title in a 1–0 victory over Toronto on October 4. Frank Tanana pitched a complete game shutout, and Larry Herndon hit a home run for the only run. Detroit finished with the best record in the majors (98–64).

In the 1987 American League Championship Series, the Tigers were upset by the Minnesota Twins, 4–1. This was their last playoff appearance until 2006.

A New Approach (1988–1995)

The Tigers couldn't build on their 1987 success. Kirk Gibson left the team. In 1988, they were in first place for much of the year but finished second. In 1989, the team had a very bad season, winning only 59 games.

The team tried to rebuild by focusing on power hitting. Sluggers Cecil Fielder, Rob Deer, and Mickey Tettleton joined the team. In 1990, Fielder led the American League with 51 home runs! He was the first player to hit 50 since 1977. The Tigers improved by 20 wins in 1990 and had a winning record in 1991. But the team still needed better pitching.

In August 1992, Mike Ilitch, the owner of Little Caesars Pizza, bought the team. One of his first actions was to rehire Ernie Harwell, a beloved announcer who had been let go. Later that season, Sparky Anderson won his 1,132nd game as Tigers manager, setting a new team record. The team had a winning season in 1993, but it would be their last for a long time.

On October 2, 1995, Sparky Anderson retired from baseball.

Randy Smith Era (1996–2002)

From 1994 to 2005, the Tigers didn't have a winning record. This was the longest stretch in team history. In 1996, they lost a team record 109 games.

In 1998, the Tigers moved from the AL East to the AL Central division.

In 2000, the team moved from Tiger Stadium to their new home, Comerica Park.

Comerica Park was criticized at first because it was very hard to hit home runs there. The team tried to bring in slugger Juan González for the first season at Comerica Park. But he only hit 22 home runs and said the park's size was a big reason he didn't want to stay. In 2003, the team changed the fences to make it easier to hit home runs.

In late 2001, Dave Dombrowski became the team president. In 2002, the Tigers started the season 0–6. Dombrowski fired the general manager and manager. The team finished 55–106.

Most Losses in American League History (2003)

Dombrowski hired former Tigers shortstop Alan Trammell to manage the team in 2003. The team had a very tough season. They lost 100 games before September, joining only one other team in modern MLB history to do so.

Pitcher Mike Maroth lost 21 games for the 2003 Tigers. He was the first pitcher to lose 20 games since 1980.

The Tigers finished with a record of 43–119. This was the worst record in franchise history. It was also the most losses ever in the American League.

Rebuilding the Franchise (2004–2006)

After the tough 2003 season, the Tigers promised to make changes. Dave Dombrowski started signing new players. In 2004, the team signed or traded for talented veterans like Iván Rodríguez and Carlos Guillén. This helped a lot! The 2004 Tigers finished 72–90, a 29-game improvement from the year before.

Before the 2005 season, the Tigers signed two more star players, Troy Percival and Magglio Ordóñez. The team stayed in contention for a playoff spot for a few months but then struggled. Trammell was fired at the end of the season.

A highlight of 2005 was Detroit hosting the Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

In October 2005, Jim Leyland became the new manager. Two months later, closer Todd Jones returned to the Tigers. Veteran pitcher Kenny Rogers also joined the team.

The Return of the Tigers: American League Champions (2006)

After many tough years, the 2006 season brought hope! Young players like pitcher Justin Verlander, centerfielder Curtis Granderson, and relief pitcher Joel Zumaya had impressive rookie seasons. The team started strong and quickly rose to the top of the AL Central. On August 27, the Tigers won their 82nd game, giving them their first winning season since 1993. On September 24, they clinched their first playoff spot since 1987!

The Tigers finished 95–67. They lost their last five games, so the Minnesota Twins won the division title. But the Tigers still made the playoffs as a wild card team.

In the playoffs, the Tigers beat the New York Yankees 3–1. Then, they swept the Oakland Athletics in the ALCS! Magglio Ordóñez hit a walk-off home run in Game 4 to send them to the World Series. They played the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series but lost in five games.

Falling Short (2007–2010)

A Strong Start (2007)

In the offseason, the Tigers traded for outfielder Gary Sheffield. Dombrowski also developed a good farm system. Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya were followed by new young players like Andrew Miller and Cameron Maybin.

On June 12, Justin Verlander threw the Tigers' first no-hitter since 1984! It was a 4–0 win. The Tigers had the best record in baseball in late July. But injuries and poor play in the second half caused them to fall. They finished second in the AL Central with an 88–74 record.

Magglio Ordóñez won the AL batting title in 2007 with a .363 average. He was the first Tiger to do so since Norm Cash in 1961.

High Hopes, Low Finish (2008)

Going into 2008, the Tigers traded for star players Édgar Rentería, Miguel Cabrera, and Dontrelle Willis. The team had one of the highest payrolls in baseball. But they started the season by losing seven straight games. They improved a bit but finished with a disappointing 74–88 record. Justin Verlander had a tough season. Closer Todd Jones retired. Despite the tough season, the team set an attendance record, with over 3.2 million fans coming to Comerica Park.

A Heartbreaking End (2009)

In 2009, the Tigers got pitcher Edwin Jackson and called up rookie pitcher Rick Porcello. Jackson was great in the first half, and Porcello had a solid season. Justin Verlander bounced back, winning 19 games and leading the AL in strikeouts. Fernando Rodney became the closer and had 37 saves.

Despite these improvements, the Tigers struggled to hold their lead in the AL Central. They had a 7-game lead in September but ended up tied with the Minnesota Twins on the last day of the season. The season ended with a 6–5 loss to the Twins in a tie-breaker game. The Tigers spent 146 days in first place but became the first team to lose a three-game lead with four games left.

More Changes (2010)

In 2010, the Tigers traded Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson. They got new players like outfielder Austin Jackson and pitchers Max Scherzer and Phil Coke. Austin Jackson had a great rookie season. Brennan Boesch also had a strong debut.

At the All-Star break, the Tigers were close to first place. But injuries and a slow second half caused them to fall. They finished third with an 81–81 record. Miguel Cabrera had an amazing season, hitting .328 with 38 home runs and leading the AL with 126 RBIs. Justin Verlander also had another strong season.

The Near-Perfect Game

On June 2, 2010, pitcher Armando Galarraga was pitching a perfect game against the Cleveland Indians. He had two outs in the ninth inning when the first base umpire, Jim Joyce, made a controversial call. He called Jason Donald safe at first base, even though replays showed he was out. Galarraga lost his perfect game. Joyce later apologized to Galarraga, saying he made a mistake. The next day, Galarraga and Joyce shook hands before the game. The call was not changed, but it led to discussions about using instant replay more in baseball.

Division Winners (2011–2014)

First AL Central Championship (2011)

The Tigers brought back most of their players from 2010. They added relief pitcher Joaquín Benoit, catcher/DH Victor Martinez, and starting pitcher Brad Penny.

On May 7, Justin Verlander pitched his second career no-hitter! It was the seventh no-hitter in Tigers history. On August 27, Verlander won his 20th game, becoming the first Tiger to do so since 1991.

The Tigers were eight games behind the Cleveland Indians in May. But they started to play much better. Five Tigers players were chosen for the 2011 All-Star Game: Alex Avila, Justin Verlander, José Valverde, Miguel Cabrera, and Jhonny Peralta.

The Tigers went on a 12-game winning streak in September. This was their longest winning streak since 1934. On September 16, the Tigers clinched their first AL Central Division title! It was their first division title of any kind since 1987.

Many Tigers players won awards in 2011. Verlander won the "pitching triple crown," leading the AL in wins (24), ERA (2.40), and strikeouts (250). He also won the AL Cy Young Award and the AL MVP award! Valverde led the AL with 49 saves. Cabrera won the AL batting title with a .344 average.

The Tigers beat the New York Yankees 3–2 in the ALDS. They advanced to the ALCS but lost to the Texas Rangers, 4–2.

American League Champions (2012)

In 2012, the Tigers wanted to defend their division title. They signed star first baseman Prince Fielder to a big contract. Miguel Cabrera moved to third base. The Tigers also traded for second baseman Omar Infante and pitcher Aníbal Sánchez.

The Tigers were struggling at the halfway point of the season. But they played much better in the second half. After a close race with the Chicago White Sox, the Tigers clinched the AL Central division title on October 1! This was their first time winning back-to-back division titles. They finished the season with an 88–74 record.

On the final day of the season, Miguel Cabrera achieved the "Triple Crown" in batting! He led the AL in batting average (.330), home runs (44), and RBIs (139). No player had done this since 1967. Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer were the top two strikeout leaders in the AL.

In the ALDS, the Tigers beat the Oakland Athletics, 3–2. Then, they swept the New York Yankees in the ALCS to win their 11th AL pennant! They went to the World Series but were swept by the San Francisco Giants.

On November 15, 2012, Miguel Cabrera was named AL MVP.

American League Title Defense (2013)

The Tigers aimed to defend their AL pennant in 2013. They signed outfielder Torii Hunter and pitcher Aníbal Sánchez. Justin Verlander also signed a large contract extension. Six Tigers players were chosen for the 2013 All-Star team: Miguel Cabrera, Prince Fielder, Jhonny Peralta, Torii Hunter, Max Scherzer, and Justin Verlander.

On September 25, the Tigers clinched their third straight AL Central Division title! Tigers pitchers set a new record for strikeouts in a season. Miguel Cabrera won the AL MVP for the second year in a row. Max Scherzer won the AL Cy Young Award.

The Tigers played the Oakland Athletics again in the ALDS and won, 3–2. Verlander had an amazing streak of 30 scoreless innings against Oakland in the postseason.

The Tigers advanced to their third straight ALCS. They played the Boston Red Sox for the first time in the postseason. The Red Sox defeated the Tigers in six games.

Changes at the Top (2014)

Jim Leyland stepped down as manager, and the Tigers hired Brad Ausmus. The Tigers traded Prince Fielder for second baseman Ian Kinsler. They also traded pitcher Doug Fister.

To improve their bullpen (relief pitchers), the Tigers signed closer Joe Nathan and Joba Chamberlain. They also traded for former All-Star closer Joakim Soria.

On July 31, the Tigers made a big trade. They acquired pitcher David Price from the Tampa Bay Rays. With Price, the Tigers became the first team in history to have three straight Cy Young Award winners in their starting rotation!

On the last day of the season, David Price pitched a great game, and the Tigers clinched their fourth straight AL Central Division title! They finished one game ahead of the Kansas City Royals.

The Tigers played the Baltimore Orioles in the ALDS but were swept, 3–0.

Mid-Season Reboot (2015)

Brad Ausmus continued as manager. Max Scherzer and Torii Hunter left the team. The Tigers traded for slugger Yoenis Céspedes, relief pitcher Alex Wilson, and starting pitchers Alfredo Simón and Shane Greene.

The Tigers started the season well but then struggled. Inconsistent pitching and injuries to key players like Joe Nathan, Victor Martínez, Justin Verlander, and Miguel Cabrera hurt the team. At the trade deadline, the team decided to "reboot." They traded David Price, Joakim Soria, and Cespedes for six promising young players.

On August 4, longtime general manager Dave Dombrowski was replaced by Al Avila.

Despite the difficulties, four Tigers players were chosen for the 2015 All-Star Game: Miguel Cabrera, David Price, J. D. Martinez, and Jose Iglesias.

The Tigers finished last in the AL Central with a 74–87 record. Their pitching was one of the worst in MLB. But the team had the best batting average in MLB. Miguel Cabrera finished with the highest batting average in the AL (.338), winning his fourth batting title.

A Strong Finish (2016)

Brad Ausmus returned as manager in 2016. The Tigers added new players like pitcher Jordan Zimmermann, outfielder Justin Upton, and closer Francisco Rodriguez.

The Tigers finished the season with an 86–75 record. They were eight games behind the Cleveland Indians. Detroit was the last team to be eliminated from playoff contention.

Pitcher Michael Fulmer, who joined the team in 2015, won the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year Award.

Rebuilding (2017–Present)

Starting a Rebuild (2017)

Mike Ilitch, the Tigers owner since 1992, passed away in 2017. His son, Christopher Ilitch, took over leadership of the team. The team honored Mike Ilitch with a special uniform patch.

After a tough first half of the season, the Tigers decided to rebuild. They traded J. D. Martinez, Alex Avila, Justin Wilson, Justin Upton, and Justin Verlander. On September 22, the Tigers announced that Brad Ausmus would not return as manager. The Tigers finished the season tied for the worst record in MLB. This gave them the number one pick in the 2018 MLB Draft.

New Manager (2018)

On October 20, 2017, the Tigers announced that Ron Gardenhire would be their new manager. As the team rebuilt with young players, star slugger Miguel Cabrera and pitcher Michael Fulmer had long stints on the disabled list. The team finished with the same 64–98 record as the previous year.

Worst Record (2019)

In 2019, Michael Fulmer missed the season due to surgery. The Tigers finished the season with a 47–114 record. This was the worst record in all of Major League Baseball and their second worst season in franchise history.

Shortened Season (2020)

On April 6, Al Kaline passed away at age 85. He had been with the team for 67 years. The Tigers wore a special patch to honor him. In the shortened 60-game season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tigers were in playoff contention in September. On September 19, manager Ron Gardenhire announced his retirement. The Tigers finished with a 23–35 record.

New Manager, No-Hitter (2021)

A. J. Hinch was hired as the Tigers' manager before the 2021 season. On May 18, Spencer Turnbull pitched the eighth no-hitter in Tigers history! It was the first no-hitter for the Tigers since Justin Verlander's in 2011. The Tigers finished the 2021 season 77–85.

Struggles and Changes (2022)

In the offseason, the Tigers added pitcher Eduardo Rodríguez and second baseman Javier Báez. They also brought up top young players Spencer Torkelson and Riley Greene. But the Tigers struggled to score runs. Their pitching staff also had injuries and poor performance. Pitchers Casey Mize and Tarik Skubal had season-ending injuries.

The Tigers finished fourth in the AL Central with a 66–96 record. General manager Al Avila was replaced by Scott Harris.

Cabrera's Final Season (2023)

The 2023 season was Miguel Cabrera's last in Major League Baseball. He finished his career as one of the best hitters ever. With the Tigers, Cabrera finished tied for 2nd in home runs and 8th in hits.

The Tigers improved their record from the previous season, finishing 78–84. They finished second in the AL Central. Detroit saw great performances from young players Spencer Torkelson and Kerry Carpenter. Pitcher Eduardo Rodríguez also had a strong season. The Tigers made some trades during the season, sending away players like Michael Lorenzen and Gregory Soto.