History of Detroit Tigers in Timeline
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan. Established in 1894 as a Western League team, they are a charter franchise of the American League and the only Western League team remaining in its original city. Notably, Ty Cobb, an early star for the Tigers, was the first player from the team inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936.
1900: Western League renamed American League
In 1900, the Western League renamed itself the American League, remaining a minor league.
1900: Tigers' Win Percentage 7th-Worst Since 1900
The 2003 Tigers' .265 win percentage is the major's seventh-worst since 1900.
1901: Establishment as a major league franchise
In 1901, the Tigers were established as a major league franchise.
1901: Tigers' First American League Season
The Detroit Tigers first American League season was in 1901, which is referenced in the faux vehicle identification number tag on the right side of the team's new City Connect jersey.
1901: Start of Win/Loss Record
The Detroit Tigers overall win-loss record starts from 1901.
1902: Dropo ties Kling's Record
In 1952, Tiger first baseman Walt Dropo got a hit in 12 consecutive plate appearances over a three-game stretch from July 14 to 15, tying a major league record set by Johnny Kling in 1902.
1903: Peace agreement between leagues
In 1903, the American League and National League signed a new National Agreement, ending relocation rumors.
1903: Ballcap mascot replaced
In 1903, the Detroit Tigers replaced the initial season's ballcap mascot with the letter "D".
1903: Simple Block D Used on Uniforms
In 1903, the Detroit Tigers used a simple block D on their uniforms.
1904: Blackletter D First Seen on Uniforms
A version of the team's blackletter D was first seen on Detroit Tigers uniforms in 1904.
1905: Acquisition of Ty Cobb
In 1905, the Detroit Tigers acquired 18-year-old Ty Cobb, a player who became regarded as one of the greatest of all time.
1907: Tigers win AL pennant
In 1907, the Detroit Tigers won an AL pennant.
1907: Tigers win AL pennant, reach World Series
In 1907, the Detroit Tigers, behind the hitting of Ty Cobb and Sam Crawford, and the pitching of Bill Donovan and Ed Killian, went 92–58 to win the AL pennant by 1.5 games over the Philadelphia Athletics and moved on to their first World Series appearance against the Chicago Cubs.
1908: Tigers defeated in World Series by Cubs
In 1908, the Chicago Cubs defeated the Detroit Tigers in the World Series in five games, marking the Cubs' last World Championship until 2016.
1908: Tigers win AL pennant
In 1908, the Detroit Tigers won an AL pennant.
1909: Tigers win AL pennant, Cobb wins batting triple crown
In 1909, Detroit posted a 98–54 season, winning the AL pennant by 3.5 games over the Athletics. In 1909, Ty Cobb also won the batting triple crown, and George Mullin had an 11–0 start.
1909: World Series loss to Pittsburgh Pirates
In 1909, the Detroit Tigers lost the World Series to the Pittsburgh Pirates in seven games, with an 8–0 loss in the final game at Bennett Park.
1909: Tigers win AL pennant
In 1909, the Detroit Tigers won an AL pennant.
1910: Tigers drop to third place in American League
In 1910, the Detroit Tigers dropped to third place in the American League with an 86–68 record.
1911: Tigers finish second
In 1911, the Detroit Tigers posted 89 wins to finish second in the American League.
May 15, 1912: Cobb attacks fan and is suspended
On May 15, 1912, Ty Cobb went into the stands to attack a fan and was suspended. The Tigers protested the suspension by fielding a team of replacement players, losing 24–2.
1912: Team moves into Navin Field
In 1912, the Detroit Tigers moved into Navin Field, which was built on the same location as Bennett Park.
1912: Tigers sink to sixth place, Mullin pitches no-hitter
In 1912, the Detroit Tigers sunk to a dismal sixth place, but George Mullin pitched the franchise's first no-hitter on July 4.
1913: Tigers finish in sixth place
In 1913, the Detroit Tigers sunk to a dismal sixth place in the American League for the second straight year.
1915: Tigers Failed to Reach Postseason
In 1961, the Detroit Tigers failure to reach the postseason despite winning 100 or more games, though it had happened once before to the Tigers in 1915.
1916: Tigers drop to third place
In 1916, the Detroit Tigers dropped to third place with an 87–67 record.
1916: Philadelphia Athletics Set AL Record of 117 Losses
In 2003, the Tigers' record eclipsed the previous AL record of 117 losses set by the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics.
1920: Hughie Jennings leaves the Tigers
In 1920, Hughie Jennings left the Detroit Tigers after accumulating 1,131 wins as a manager.
August 19, 1921: Cobb collects 3,000th career hit
On August 19, 1921, Ty Cobb collected his 3,000th career hit off Elmer Myers of the Boston Red Sox, becoming the youngest player to reach that milestone.
1921: Cobb takes over managerial duties
In 1921, Ty Cobb took over managerial duties for the Detroit Tigers.
1921: Record-breaking hits and batting average
In 1921, the Detroit Tigers amassed 1,724 hits and a team batting average of .316, the highest in AL history, but finished in sixth place due to poor pitching.
1923: Heilmann hits .403
In 1923, Harry Heilmann hit .403, becoming the last AL player to top .400 until Ted Williams in 1941.
1925: Heilmann wins batting title
In 1925, Harry Heilmann collected six hits in a season-ending doubleheader to win the batting title, finishing at .393 to Tris Speaker's .389.
November 1926: Cobb announces retirement
In November 1926, Ty Cobb announced his retirement after 22 seasons with the Detroit Tigers.
1927: Heilmann wins fourth AL batting title
In 1927, Harry Heilmann won his fourth AL batting title, finishing at .398.
1930: Script "Detroit" Appears on Road Jersey
In 1930, the script "Detroit" design was first used on the Detroit Tigers' road jersey.
1933: Cochrane acquired as player-manager
Following the 1933 season, the Detroit Tigers acquired catcher Mickey Cochrane from the Philadelphia Athletics to serve as player-manager.
1934: McLain first pitcher in 30 years to win 30 games
Denny McLain was the first pitcher to win 30 or more games in a season since Dizzy Dean accomplished the feat in 1934. McLain had a dominant season and went 31-6.
1934: World Series loss to St. Louis Cardinals
In 1934, the Detroit Tigers lost the World Series in seven games to the St. Louis Cardinals. The final game was marred by an incident involving Joe Medwick being pelted with debris.
1934: Tigers win AL pennant
In 1934, the Detroit Tigers won an AL pennant.
1934: Tigers win AL pennant with team record
In 1934, the Detroit Tigers won the AL pennant with a 101–53 record, a team record at the time for wins and the best win percentage in team history.
1934: Best winning percentage
In 1934, the Detroit Tigers' franchise's best winning percentage was .656.
1934: Tigers' lineup featured four Hall of Famers
In 1935, the Detroit Tigers lineup featured four future Hall of Famers. Although they did not challenge the 1934 team's 101 wins, their 93–58 record was good enough to give them the AL pennant by three games over the New York Yankees.
1934: Home Uniform Design Established
Since 1934, the Detroit Tigers have worn a solid white jersey with navy blue piping and an Old English "D" on the left chest as their home uniform.
1934: Last World Series Meeting Between Cardinals and Tigers
The 1968 World Series was the first time the Tigers and Cardinals had met in the World Series since 1934. The Cardinals were led by Bob Gibson.
1934: Blackletter D Established
The blackletter D was established on Detroit Tigers uniforms in 1934, after appearing frequently since 1904.
1934: 1934 team Compared
The only team in Tigers' history with a better winning percentage than the 1915 squad was the 1934 team that lost the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals.
1935: Tigers win World Series championship
In 1935, the Detroit Tigers won one of their four World Series championships.
1935: Tigers win AL pennant, Greenberg named MVP
In 1935, the Detroit Tigers' lineup featured four future Hall of Famers, and they won the AL pennant. Hank Greenberg was named AL MVP.
1936: Second place finish behind Yankees
In 1936, despite being forecast to win the American League pennant, the Detroit Tigers fell to a distant second place behind the New York Yankees.
1937: Second place finish behind Yankees
In 1937, the Detroit Tigers had a second place finish behind the New York Yankees for the second consecutive year.
1938: Prescient doubts about pennant in 1939
During the final week of the 1938 season, the Detroit Tigers presciently held out doubts about a pennant in 1939.
1938: Greenberg challenges home run record
In 1938, Hank Greenberg challenged Babe Ruth's single-season home run record but failed to homer in the final weekend.
1938: Expansion and renaming to Briggs Stadium
In 1938, Navin Field was expanded and renamed Briggs Stadium.
1939: Prescient doubts about pennant in 1939
During the final week of the 1938 season, the Detroit Tigers presciently held out doubts about a pennant in 1939.
1939: Team falls further in standings
In 1939, the Detroit Tigers fell further down the standings with an 81–73 record.
1940: Expectations for 1940
During the final week of the 1938 season, the Detroit Tigers figured that 1940 would be their year.
1940: Bobo Newsom's Ace Season and Giebell's Pennant-Clinching Game
In 1940, Bobo Newsom was the Detroit Tigers' ace pitcher, achieving a 21-5 record with a 2.83 ERA. Rookie Floyd Giebell, in his third major league start on September 27, pitched a 2-0 shutout against Bob Feller and the Indians, securing the pennant for the Tigers. Rudy York hit a 2-run homer in that game.
1940: Tigers Lose the World Series
In 1940, the Detroit Tigers lost the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds in seven games, with a final score of 2-1. Bobo Newsom, despite winning two games including one after his father's death, was unable to secure the victory in the deciding game.
1940: Tigers win AL pennant
In 1940, the Detroit Tigers won an AL pennant.
1940: Tigers win AL pennant, Greenberg wins MVP
In 1940, the Detroit Tigers won the AL pennant by one game over the Cleveland Indians and two games over the New York Yankees. Hank Greenberg won his second AL MVP award.
1941: Williams hits .406
In 1941, Ted Williams hit .406, after Harry Heilmann hit .403 in 1923, who was the last AL player to top .400 until Ted Williams.
1945: Tigers' Winning Records After World Series
Following their World Series win in 1945, the Detroit Tigers maintained winning records for the rest of the decade but did not win the pennant. The team had a strong showing after the win.
1945: Tigers Win World Series Game 7
In 1945, the Detroit Tigers won World Series Game 7 against the Cubs with a 9-3 victory, led by Hal Newhouser. The game was notable as many stars had not returned from military service, leading to a contest deemed poorly played by some baseball scholars.
1946: Newhouser's Outstanding Season and Kell's Arrival
In 1946, Hal Newhouser led the league in wins and ERA but finished second in MVP voting. The Tigers acquired George Kell, who would become a Hall of Famer. Kell batted over .300 in eight straight seasons.
1949: Kell Wins Batting Title
In 1949, George Kell won the batting title, edging out Ted Williams. Kell's performance on the last day of the season secured his victory, making it a close race.
1950: Tigers' Frustrating Season
In 1950, the Detroit Tigers had a .617 winning percentage, but finished three games behind the New York Yankees. The Yankees went on to win the World Series, sweeping the Philadelphia Phillies.
1952: Death of Walter Briggs Sr.
In 1952, Walter Briggs Sr., the owner of the Detroit Tigers, passed away. His son, Walter Briggs Jr., inherited the team. The change in ownership marked a transition for the franchise.
1952: Tigers' Dismal Season and Trucks' No-Hitters
In 1952, the Detroit Tigers had one of their worst seasons, finishing with a 50-104 record. Despite the poor performance, Virgil Trucks threw two no-hitters, and Walt Dropo tied a major league record with hits in 12 consecutive plate appearances.
1952: Tigers have their lowest win total since 1952
In 1975, the Detroit Tigers had their lowest win total since 1952, with 57 wins.
1953: Al Kaline's Debut
In 1953, Al Kaline debuted with the Detroit Tigers. He was one of the few major league players who never played in the minor leagues. Kaline's arrival marked a significant moment for the team.
1955: Kaline Becomes Youngest Batting Champion
In 1955, Al Kaline hit .340 to become the youngest-ever batting champion in major league history at age 20. This achievement highlighted Kaline's exceptional talent and marked a significant milestone in his career.
1955: Dodgers lead division wire-to-wire
The Tigers leading their division wire-to-wire, culminating in the World Series championship, had not been done in the major leagues since the 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers.
1956: Briggs Jr. Forced to Sell Team
In 1956, Walter Briggs Jr. was compelled to sell the Detroit Tigers. The team was then acquired by broadcast media owners John Fetzer and Fred Knorr, marking another shift in the team's ownership.
1957: John Fetzer owns the Tigers
John Fetzer had owned the Detroit Tigers since 1957.
1959: Change to Block Lettering Style on Jersey
In 1959, the Detroit Tigers changed their road jersey from a script "Detroit" to a block lettering style.
1960: Block "Detroit" Lettering on Road Uniforms
From 1960 to 1993, the Detroit Tigers sported road uniforms with a block "Detroit" lettering.
1960: Before The Improvement
The 1960 Detroit Tigers team went 71-83, prior to improving the following season.
1961: Renaming to Tiger Stadium
In 1961, Briggs Stadium was renamed Tiger Stadium.
1961: Non-White Starters on the Tigers
In 1961, the Detroit Tigers featured two non-white starters, Bill Bruton and Jake Wood. Black players such as Willie Horton, Earl Wilson, and Gates Brown contributed to Detroit's rise in the standings later in the 1960s.
1961: Tigers' Outstanding Season but Missed Postseason
In 1961, the Detroit Tigers had an outstanding campaign, leading the majors in runs scored and winning 101 games. However, they finished eight games behind the Yankees and missed the postseason. Norm Cash won the batting title.
1961: Fielder becomes first AL player to hit 50 home runs since Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle
In 1990, Cecil Fielder became the first AL player to hit 50 home runs since Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle did in 1961.
1961: Norm Cash Wins Batting Title
In 2007, Magglio Ordóñez captured the AL batting title, becoming the first Tiger to win it since Norm Cash did so in 1961.
1962: Stolen base record broken by Maury Wills
In 1962, Maury Wills broke Ty Cobb's 1915 stolen base record.
1962: New York Mets Lost 100 games before September
The 1962 New York Mets were a first-year expansion team that lost 100 games before September.
1963: Lolich and McLain Join Rotation, Horton Debuts
In 1963, pitchers Mickey Lolich and Denny McLain joined the Detroit Tigers' rotation. Outfielder Willie Horton also debuted, strengthening the team's lineup.
1964: Stanley and Northrup Join Tigers
In 1964, Mickey Stanley and Jim Northrup joined the Detroit Tigers. They would contribute to the team and assist in Detroit's Rise.
1966: Tigers' Bizarre Season and Managerial Changes
In 1966, the Detroit Tigers finished third in a bizarre season marked by health problems that forced manager Chuck Dressen and acting manager Bob Swift to resign. Frank Skaff took over until the end of the season. Both Dressen and Swift died during the year, and Mayo Smith was hired as the new manager following the season.
1968: "'Go Get 'Em, Tigers'" Becomes Popular Phrase
During the 1968 season, the phrase "Go Get 'Em, Tigers", popularized by a song by Artie Fields, became a popular cheer for the Detroit Tigers.
1968: Tigers Clinch Pennant and McLain's Dominance
In 1968, the Detroit Tigers clinched the pennant on September 17, finishing with a 103-59 record. Denny McLain had a dominant season, going 31-6 and winning both the AL MVP and Cy Young Award.
1968: Tigers win World Series championship
In 1968, the Detroit Tigers won one of their four World Series championships.
1968: Tigers Face Cardinals in World Series
In the 1968 World Series, the Detroit Tigers played against the St. Louis Cardinals, marking their first meeting since 1934. Manager Mayo Smith made a bold decision to play Mickey Stanley at shortstop, allowing an outfield of Willie Horton, Jim Northrup, and Al Kaline.
1968: Mention of the Tigers' World Series season
Reference to the Tigers' 1968 World Series season.
1969: Billy Martin manages the Twins to an AL West Division title
In 1969, Billy Martin managed the Minnesota Twins to an AL West Division title, but was fired after that season due to issues with his players, including a fight with pitcher Dave Boswell at Lindell AC sports bar in Detroit.
1969: Tigers Fail to Defend Title
In 1969, the Detroit Tigers failed to defend their title, despite Denny McLain winning his second straight Cy Young Award (co-winner with Mike Cuellar). The Tigers finished second in the AL East behind the Baltimore Orioles.
1969: Oakland Athletics become competitive
The Oakland Athletics had become steadily competitive ever since the 1969 realignment.
1970: The Tigers finish fourth in the AL East
In 1970, the Detroit Tigers had a disappointing season, finishing fourth in the AL East with a 79–83 record. Following this season, Mayo Smith was replaced by Billy Martin as manager.
1971: John Hiller suffers a heart attack
In 1971, relief pitcher John Hiller suffered a heart attack.
1971: The Tigers finish second despite 91 wins
In 1971, the Detroit Tigers won 91 games under manager Billy Martin, but finished second in the AL East Division behind the Baltimore Orioles. Mickey Lolich had an outstanding season, leading the AL with 308 strikeouts and winning 25 games.
1971: Last All-Star Game
1972: Orange Trim Added to Block "Detroit" Lettering
In 1972, orange trim was added to the Detroit Tigers' block "Detroit" lettering on their road uniforms.
1972: Tigers capture AL East division title
In 1972, the Detroit Tigers captured their first AL East division title with an 86-70 record. Eddie Brinkman was named Tiger of the Year. Mickey Lolich won 22 games and Joe Coleman won 19. Woodie Fryman was acquired on August 2 and was the winning pitcher in the division-clinching game.
1972: Detroit faces Oakland in ALCS
In the 1972 American League Championship Series, Detroit faced the Oakland Athletics. Game 1 went to extra innings. Game 2 was marred by an incident where Lerrin LaGrow hit Bert Campaneris with a pitch, leading to suspensions.
1972: Northrup's feud with Martin begins
Jim Northrup attributed his part-time duty to an ongoing feud with Billy Martin that had actually started in the 1972 ALCS.
1973: John Hiller leads league in saves
In 1973, John Hiller had his first full season since his heart attack in 1971 and led the league with 38 saves, setting a Tigers record at the time.
1973: Tigers drop to third place; Martin fired
In the 1973 season, the Detroit Tigers dropped to third place in the division with an 85–77 record. Manager Billy Martin was fired in September after ordering his pitchers to throw spitballs in protest.
1974: The Tigers did not have a winning season
The Tigers did not have a winning season from 1974 to 1977.
1975: Tigers have their lowest win total since 1952
In 1975, the Detroit Tigers had their lowest win total since 1952, with 57 wins.
1976: Aurelio Rodriguez wins Gold Glove Award
In 1976, Aurelio Rodríguez won the Gold Glove Award at third base, ending Brooks Robinson's 16-year streak.
1977: Morris, Parrish, Trammell, and Whitaker debut
In 1977, Jack Morris, Lance Parrish, Alan Trammell, and Lou Whitaker all made their debuts for the Detroit Tigers.
1977: Fielder becomes first player to hit 50 home runs since George Foster
In 1990, Cecil Fielder became the first player to hit 50 home runs since George Foster did in 1977.
1977: The Tigers did not have a winning season
The Tigers did not have a winning season from 1974 to 1977.
1978: Houk finishes his fifth season as manager
In 1978, Ralph Houk served his fifth and final season as manager for the Detroit Tigers.
1978: Tigers have winning season
In 1978, the Detroit Tigers had their only winning season under manager Ralph Houk, winning 88 games.
June 14, 1979: Sparky Anderson becomes Tigers manager
On June 14, 1979, George "Sparky" Anderson became the manager of the Detroit Tigers.
1980: Al Kaline elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame
Al Kaline was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1980, his first year of eligibility.
1980: Brian Kingman Lost 20 Games
In 2003, Mike Maroth went 9-21, becoming the first pitcher to lose 20 games since Brian Kingman lost 20 for the Oakland Athletics in 1980.
1982: White Trim Removed from Orange "D" on Caps
Until 1982, the Detroit Tigers' caps featured white trim within the orange "D".
1983: Tigers finish second in AL East
In 1983, the Detroit Tigers finished second in the AL East with 92 wins, six games behind the Baltimore Orioles.
1983: Hernandez is acquired from the Phillies
Willie Hernández, who won both the Cy Young Award and AL MVP in 1984, was acquired from the 1983 NL champion Philadelphia Phillies in the offseason.
1984: "'Bless You Boys'" Coined During World Series Run
During the 1984 World Series championship run, the phrase "Bless You Boys," coined by sportscaster Al Ackerman, became a popular cheer for the Detroit Tigers.
1984: Tigers get off to a hot start and cruise to division title
In 1984, the Detroit Tigers started the season 9-0, led their division wire-to-wire, and finished with a franchise-record 104 victories. Willie Hernández won the Cy Young Award and AL MVP.
1984: Tigers to open World Series in San Diego
In 1984, the Detroit Tigers were set to open the World Series on the road against the San Diego Padres.
1984: Tigers win World Series championship and AL pennant
In 1984, the Detroit Tigers won one of their four World Series championships, and also won an AL pennant.
1984: 1984 Teammates on Coaching Staff
In 2003, with Alan Trammell managing the team, fellow 1984 teammates Kirk Gibson and Lance Parrish were on the coaching staff.
1984: Verlander throws first no-hitter since 1984
On June 12, 2007, Justin Verlander threw the Detroit Tigers' first no-hitter since 1984 in a 4–0 win over the Milwaukee Brewers.
1985: Tigers finish third place
In 1985, the Detroit Tigers finished in third place.
1986: Tigers finish third place
In 1986, the Detroit Tigers finished in third place.
1987: Tigers acquire Doyle Alexander
In 1987, the Detroit Tigers acquired pitcher Doyle Alexander from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for minor league pitcher John Smoltz. The Tigers and Blue Jays faced off in seven hard-fought games during the final two weeks of the season.
1987: Tigers upset in ALCS by Twins
In 1987, the Detroit Tigers were upset in the American League Championship Series by the Minnesota Twins, who won the series 4-1. The Twins clinched the series in Game 5 at Tiger Stadium.
1987: First Playoff Berth Since 1987
On September 24, 2006, the Detroit Tigers clinched their first playoff berth since 1987.
1988: Baltimore Orioles Improved by 33 Games
The 2004 Tigers' improvement was the largest in the AL since the Baltimore Orioles had a 33-game improvement from 1988 to 1989.
1989: Team collapses to worst record
In 1989, the team collapsed to a 59–103 record, which was the worst in the majors. The franchise then attempted to rebuild using a power-hitting approach.
1989: Baltimore Orioles Improved by 33 Games
The 2004 Tigers' improvement was the largest in the AL since the Baltimore Orioles had a 33-game improvement from 1988 to 1989.
December 1990: WJR and Tigers part ways with Ernie Harwell
In December 1990, the Detroit Tigers and radio station WJR announced that they were not renewing the contract of long-time Hall of Fame play-by play announcer Ernie Harwell. It was announced that the 1991 season would be Harwell's last with the team. The announcement was met with resounding protests from fans.
1991: Bill Gullickson's 20 wins
In 1991, Bill Gullickson achieved 20 wins, but the team still lacked quality pitching. The team posted a winning record of 84-78.
1992: Sparky Anderson breaks Jennings' record
In 1992, Sparky Anderson broke Hughie Jennings' record of 1,131 wins as a manager for the Detroit Tigers.
1993: Last Winning Season for a Number of Years
In 1993, the Detroit Tigers had an 85-77 season, which would be their last winning season for a number of years.
1993: Pittsburgh Pirates start long losing streak
In 1993, the Pittsburgh Pirates began a long losing streak.
1993: First Winning Season Since 1993
On August 27, 2006, the Detroit Tigers achieved their first winning season since 1993.
1993: End of Block "Detroit" Lettering on Road Uniforms
The Detroit Tigers stopped using road uniforms with a block "Detroit" lettering in 1993, after using them since 1960.
1994: Start of longest sub-.500 stretch in franchise history
From 1994, the Tigers did not post a winning record, starting the longest sub-.500 stretch in franchise history.
1994: Current Road Uniform Introduced
In 1994, the current version of the Detroit Tigers' road uniform was first worn, initially with racing stripes, and the team wore a cap with just the orange "D".
October 2, 1995: Sparky Anderson Retires
On October 2, 1995, manager Sparky Anderson chose to end his career with the Detroit Tigers and retire from baseball altogether.
1995: Stripe-Free Road Uniform Design
From 1995 to 1997, the Detroit Tigers' road uniform featured a stripe-free design.
1995: Navy Blue Alternate Jersey Introduced
In 1995, the Detroit Tigers introduced a solid navy blue alternate jersey featuring the team's logo, a tiger stepping through the D, on the chest, and was worn for one home game.
1995: Sparky Anderson's tenure as Tigers manager ends
Sparky Anderson's tenure as manager of the Detroit Tigers ended at the end of the 1995 season.
1996: Tigers lose record 109 games
In 1996, under new general manager Randy Smith, the Detroit Tigers lost a then-team record 109 games.
1997: Dave Dombrowski was GM of Florida Marlins World Series Champions
Dave Dombrowski, who was hired as team president for the Detroit Tigers in 2001, was the general manager of the 1997 World Series champion Florida Marlins.
1997: Florida Marlins win World Series
During the offseason after the 2006 season, the Detroit Tigers traded for outfielder Gary Sheffield, who had been a part of the 1997 World Series champion Florida Marlins managed by Jim Leyland.
1997: Tigers record best record over a span
In 1997, the Tigers recorded their best record over a span at 79-83.
1997: Leyland managed the Florida Marlins
In October 2005, Jim Leyland, who replaced Trammell as manager, managed Dombrowski's 1997 World Series champion Florida Marlins.
1997: Tiger Walking Through a White "D" Logo Cap Discontinued
Until 1997, the Detroit Tigers wore a cap featuring a tiger walking through a white "D" logo trimmed in orange.
1998: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit Picks Up Rights
In 1998, FanDuel Sports Network Detroit picked up the television rights for the Detroit Tigers, taking them away from Pro-Am Sports System.
1998: Tigers Move to AL Central
In 1998, the Detroit Tigers moved from the AL East to the AL Central as part of a realignment necessitated by the addition of the expansion Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
2000: Todd Jones breaks Hiller's saves record
In 2000, Todd Jones broke John Hiller's Tigers record for saves, recording 42 saves.
2000: Tigers record best record over a span
In 2000, the Tigers recorded their best record over a span at 79-83.
2000: Tigers begin playing home games at Comerica Park
Since 2000, the Detroit Tigers have played their home games at Comerica Park in Downtown Detroit.
2000: Inaugural Season at Comerica Park
The inaugural season at Comerica Park in 2000, drew criticism for its deep dimensions, leading to the nickname "Comerica National Park". The Tigers brought in Juan González, who only hit 22 home runs and cited the park's dimensions as a reason for turning down a contract extension.
2001: Todd Jones' Previous Detroit Season
In December 2005, Todd Jones signed a two-year deal to return to the Detroit Tigers, after spending five seasons in Detroit (1997-2001).
2001: Dave Dombrowski Hired as Team President
In late 2001, Dave Dombrowski was hired as team president for the Detroit Tigers.
2002: Dombrowski Fires Smith and Garner
In 2002, after the Detroit Tigers started the season 0-6, Dave Dombrowski fired general manager Smith and manager Phil Garner. Dombrowski took over as general manager, naming Luis Pujols interim manager.
August 30, 2003: Tigers approach modern MLB record for losses before September
On August 30, 2003, the Detroit Tigers' defeat to the Chicago White Sox caused them to join the 1962 New York Mets as the only modern MLB teams to lose 100 games before September.
2003: After Embarrassing Season, Tigers Vow To Make Changes
After the embarrassing 2003 season, the Detroit Tigers vowed to make changes and demonstrated a willingness to sign marquee free agents.
2003: Worst Record in Franchise History
In 2003, the Detroit Tigers finished 43–119, the worst record in franchise history.
2003: Worst Season in Tigers History
In 2003, the Detroit Tigers had their worst season in team history, losing 119 games. The 1952 team had previously held the record, which was a low point for the franchise.
2003: Left-center fence moved in
In 2003, the Detroit Tigers largely quieted the criticism of Comerica Park by moving in the left-center fence to 370 feet.
2003: Worst winning percentage
In 2003, the Detroit Tigers' franchise's worst winning percentage was .265.
2003: Tigers' Second Worst Season
In 2019, the Detroit Tigers had their second-worst season in franchise history, after their 43-119 record in 2003.
2004: 29-Game Improvement
In 2004, the Detroit Tigers finished 72-90, a 29-game improvement over the previous season.
June 8, 2005: Trade with Philadelphia Phillies
On June 8, 2005, the Detroit Tigers traded pitcher Ugueth Urbina and infielder Ramón Martínez to the Philadelphia Phillies for Plácido Polanco.
October 2005: Leyland Replaces Trammell
In October 2005, Jim Leyland replaced Trammell as manager.
2005: Bullpens moved in Comerica Park
In 2005, the Detroit Tigers moved the bullpens to the vacant area beyond the left field fence at Comerica Park and filled the previous location with seats.
2005: End of longest sub-.500 stretch in franchise history
The year 2005 marked the end of the longest sub-.500 stretch in franchise history.
2006: "'Gum Time'" Becomes Popular Rally Cry
During a June 2006 game against the New York Yankees, Tigers pitcher Nate Robertson's in-game interview featuring Big League Chew bubble gum sparked a rally, leading to the popular rally cry "Gum Time".
2006: Tigers Rookies Contributed to Team
In 2006, Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya were the most notable rookie contributors to the team.
2006: ALCS Win
In 2006, the Detroit Tigers swept the Oakland Athletics in the ALCS, thanks to a walk-off home run in Game 4 by right fielder Magglio Ordóñez. They advanced to the World Series, where they lost to the St. Louis Cardinals.
2006: Tigers win AL pennant
In 2006, the Detroit Tigers won an AL pennant.
2006: Mention of the Tigers' last postseason appearance
Reference to the fact that the Detroit Tigers' last postseason appearance was in 2006.
2006: Signs of Hope in 2006
The 2006 season showed signs of hope for the Detroit Tigers. The team reached a high point when they were 40 games over .500.
September 26, 2007: Tigers Eliminated From Playoff Competition
On September 26, 2007, the Detroit Tigers were officially eliminated from playoff competition when the New York Yankees clinched a wild card berth.
2007: Prospect Ranked 6th in Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects
During the offseason after the 2006 season, minor leaguer Cameron Maybin was ranked #6 in Baseball America's 2007 Top 100 Prospects.
2007: Ordonez Captures AL Batting Title
In 2007, Magglio Ordóñez captured the AL batting title with a .363 average.
2007: The Tigers middle relief was plagued in 2007
In 2009, Bobby Seay, Fu-Te Ni, Brandon Lyon, and Ryan Perry shored up the middle relief that plagued the team in 2007 and 2008.
September 25, 2008: Todd Jones Retirement
On September 25, 2008, Todd Jones retired from baseball.
2008: Tigers Renew with FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
In 2008, the Detroit Tigers renewed their television rights deal with FanDuel Sports Network Detroit, despite a bid from a rival channel.
2008: Rodney replaces Jones
In 2009, Fernando Rodney assumed the closer role in spring training, replacing Todd Jones who retired in 2008.
2009: Tigers acquire Jackson and call up Porcello
In 2009, the Detroit Tigers acquired starter Edwin Jackson and called up rookie Rick Porcello. Verlander won 19 games and led the AL in strikeouts.
June 2, 2010: Controversial Umpire Call Costs Galarraga Perfect Game
On June 2, 2010, Armando Galarraga was pitching a perfect game against the Cleveland Indians with 2 outs in the top of the ninth inning when first-base umpire Jim Joyce made a controversial call, ruling Jason Donald safe at first, costing Galarraga a perfect game.
May 7, 2011: Justin Verlander Throws No-Hitter
Justin Verlander threw a no-hitter for the Detroit Tigers, prior to Spencer Turnbull achieving the same feat on May 18, 2021.
2011: Jose Valverde breaks Todd Jones' saves record
In 2011, José Valverde broke Todd Jones' Tigers record for saves, recording 49 saves.
2011: Tigers win AL Central division championship
In 2011, the Detroit Tigers won an AL Central division championship.
November 15, 2012: Cabrera named AL MVP
On November 15, 2012, Miguel Cabrera was named AL MVP.
2012: Tigers win AL pennant and AL Central division championship
In 2012, the Detroit Tigers won an AL pennant and AL Central division championship.
2012: Pittsburgh Pirates end long losing streak
In 2012, the Pittsburgh Pirates ended their long losing streak.
November 20, 2013: Tigers trade Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers
On November 20, 2013, the Tigers traded Prince Fielder to the Texas Rangers for three-time All-Star second baseman Ian Kinsler plus cash considerations with regard to Fielder's remaining contract amount. The Tigers also traded Doug Fister to the Washington Nationals.
2013: Max Scherzer breaks Mullin's record
In 2013, Max Scherzer broke George Mullin's 1909 Tigers record for the best start by going 13-0.
2013: Tigers Secure Postseason Series Win
In 2013, the Detroit Tigers secured their first postseason series win since 2013 by sweeping the Houston Astros in the American League Wild Card Series 2–0.
2013: Tigers win AL Central division championship
In 2013, the Detroit Tigers won an AL Central division championship.
May 2, 2014: Tigers sign free agent reliever Joel Hanrahan
On May 2, 2014, a month into the season, with the bullpen having a combined 5.37 ERA, which was 29th out of 30 in MLB, the Tigers signed free agent reliever Joel Hanrahan to a one-year contract. However, he never came off the disabled list to pitch for the team.
2014: Tigers win AL Central division championship
In 2014, the Detroit Tigers won an AL Central division championship.
2014: Last Playoff Berth Until 2024
The Detroit Tigers hadn't been in the playoffs since 2014, until they clinched a berth in 2024.
2015: John Smoltz inducted into Baseball Hall of Fame
John Smoltz, who was traded to the Atlanta Braves by the Detroit Tigers in 1987, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2015.
2016: Tigers Averaged 7.56 Rating on Primetime TV
During the 2016 season, the Detroit Tigers averaged a 7.56 rating and 138,000 viewers on primetime TV broadcasts.
2016: Cubs Win World Series
The Cubs won the World Series in 2016. In 1908, the Chicago Cubs defeated the Detroit Tigers in the World Series in five games, marking the Cubs' last World Championship until 2016.
February 10, 2017: Death of Tigers Owner Mike Ilitch
On February 10, 2017, Mike Ilitch, the owner of the Detroit Tigers since 1992, passed away at the age of 87. The team remained in an Ilitch family trust and honored him with a "Mr. I" uniform patch.
October 20, 2017: Ron Gardenhire Hired as Manager
On October 20, 2017, the Detroit Tigers announced that Ron Gardenhire and the team had reached a three-year agreement for him to succeed Brad Ausmus as the team's manager.
2017: Players Weekend Inaugural Games
During the inaugural Players Weekend games from August 25–27, 2017, the Detroit Tigers wore grey away jerseys with bright orange and "Tigers" on the chest, with the orange cap having a tiger instead of the Old English "D".
2017: Tigers Averaged 5.57 Rating Through 25 Games
Through 25 games in 2017, the Detroit Tigers' games averaged a 5.57 rating, which was fifth in the major league.
2018: "'Rally Goose'" Phenomenon
During a May 2018 game against the Los Angeles Angels, a goose appeared on the field during a rain delay, later flying into the scoreboard unharmed. The Tigers then scored five runs and won the game, leading to the goose being dubbed the "Rally Goose".
2018: Curved Logo on Home Uniforms Changed to Match Hat Logo
In 2018, the Detroit Tigers changed the curved logo on their home uniforms to match the sharp-cornered hat logo; additionally, the logo on the cap was enlarged.
2018: Players Weekend Uniforms Feature Blue Jersey with Orange Sleeves
In the 2018 season, for Players Weekend, the Detroit Tigers wore a blue jersey with orange sleeves that said "Tigers" on the chest, with an orange cap that had a tiger on it.
2019: Significant changes to the 2019 season opening roster
In 2019, the Detroit Tigers experienced significant roster changes, including the departure of José Iglesias and the signings of Jordy Mercer and Josh Harrison. Michael Fulmer underwent Tommy John surgery and missed the season. The Tigers finished with a 47–114 record, the worst in Major League Baseball. The 2019 Tigers tied the 1939 St. Louis Browns for the most home losses (59) during a season in the modern era.
2019: Reversion to Smaller Logo on Cap
In 2019, the Detroit Tigers reverted to the smaller logo on the cap, but kept the cap sharp-cornered 'D' on the home jerseys.
October 30, 2020: Tigers Hire A. J. Hinch as Manager
On October 30, 2020, the Detroit Tigers hired A. J. Hinch as their manager.
May 18, 2021: Spencer Turnbull Throws No-Hitter
On May 18, 2021, Spencer Turnbull pitched the eighth no-hitter in Detroit Tigers history against the Seattle Mariners, becoming the first Tigers player to throw a no-hitter since Justin Verlander in 2011.
August 10, 2022: Tigers Fire Al Avila as General Manager
On August 10, 2022, the Detroit Tigers fired Al Avila from his position as general manager.
September 19, 2022: Tigers Hire Scott Harris as President of Baseball Operations
On September 19, 2022, the Detroit Tigers hired Scott Harris as their president of baseball operations.
October 25, 2022: Tigers Hire Rob Metzler as Vice President and Assistant General Manager
On October 25, 2022, the Detroit Tigers hired Rob Metzler as their vice president and assistant general manager.
September 21, 2023: Tigers Hire Jeff Greenberg as General Manager
On September 21, 2023, the Detroit Tigers hired Jeff Greenberg as their general manager.
August 3, 2024: Jim Leyland's No. 10 Retired
On August 3, 2024, the Detroit Tigers retired Jim Leyland's No. 10.
2024: Newhouser's MVP Award Record
As of 2024, Hal Newhouser remains the only pitcher in AL history to win the MVP Award in two consecutive seasons. He first achieved this feat in 1944. This is a notable pitching record.
2024: Lolich's World Series Record
As of 2024, Mickey Lolich remains the last pitcher to have three complete-game victories in a single World Series. He achieved this feat in the 1968 World Series.
2024: Tigers' win-loss record
From 1901 to 2024, the Detroit Tigers' overall win-loss record is 9,676–9,567–93 (.503).
2024: Tigers Clinch Playoff Berth for First Time Since 2014
In 2024, the Detroit Tigers clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2014, finishing the season with an 86–76 record.
2024: Tigers Unveil First City Connect Jersey
In 2024, the Detroit Tigers unveiled their first City Connect jersey, a nod to Detroit's automobile industry, featuring a navy blue design with electric blue tire tread patterns, the "Motor City" nickname, racing stripes, and a sleeve patch referencing Comerica Park's location on Woodward Avenue (M-1).
2024: Chicago White Sox surpassed loss record set by the Philadelphia Athletics
The 1916 Philadelphia Athletics' loss record was later surpassed by the 2024 Chicago White Sox.
2025: FanDuel Sports Network Detroit as Local TV Rights Holder
As of 2025, the Detroit Tigers' current exclusive local television rights holder is FanDuel Sports Network Detroit.
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