History of Detroit Tigers in Timeline
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan. Established in 1894 as a member of the Western League, they are a charter franchise of the American League and the only Western League team remaining in its original city. The Tigers compete in the AL Central Division and hold the distinction of being the oldest continuous one name, one city franchise in the AL.
1900: American League Renaming
In 1900, the Western League renamed itself the American League, remaining a minor league.
1901: Start of Win-Loss Record
From 1901 to 2024, the Detroit Tigers' overall win–loss record is 9,676–9,567–93 (.503).
1901: Establishment as Major League Franchise
In 1901, the Detroit Tigers were established as a major league franchise.
1901: Reference to First American League Season
The 2024 City Connect jersey's cap features a vehicle identification number tag, "190135456884", referencing the Tigers' first American League season of 1901.
1902: Walt Dropo Ties Major League 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, resolving conflicts and rumors of the Detroit Tigers relocating to Pittsburgh.
1903: Use of Simple Block 'D' on Uniforms
In 1903, the Detroit Tigers used a simple block 'D' on their uniforms.
1903: Ballcap Mascot Replaced
In 1903, the Detroit Tigers' initial ballcap mascot, a red tiger on a dark background, was replaced by the letter "D".
1904: Introduction of Blackletter 'D' on Uniforms
In 1904, a version of the team's blackletter 'D' was first seen on Detroit Tigers uniforms.
1905: Acquisition of Ty Cobb
In 1905, the Detroit Tigers acquired 18-year-old Ty Cobb, who became one of the greatest players of all time.
1907: AL Pennant Win
In 1907, led by Ty Cobb and Sam Crawford's hitting, and Bill Donovan and Ed Killian's pitching, the Detroit Tigers won the AL pennant with a 92-58 record.
1908: World Series Loss to Cubs
In 1908, the Chicago Cubs defeated the Detroit Tigers in the World Series in five games.
1909: World Series Loss to Pirates
In 1909, the Detroit Tigers lost the World Series to the Pittsburgh Pirates in seven games, with an 8-0 defeat in the final game at Bennett Park.
1909: AL Pennant Win and Cobb's Triple Crown
In 1909, the Detroit Tigers won the AL pennant with a 98–54 record, and Ty Cobb won the batting triple crown.
1910: Third Place Finish
In 1910, the Detroit Tigers dropped to third place in the American League with an 86–68 record.
1911: Second Place Finish
In 1911, the Detroit Tigers posted 89 wins but finished second, well behind the Philadelphia Athletics.
May 15, 1912: Ty Cobb Attacks a Fan
On May 15, 1912, Ty Cobb went into the stands during a game to attack a fan and was suspended.
1912: Dismal Sixth Place and Mullin's No-Hitter
In 1912, the Detroit Tigers finished in a dismal sixth place, but George Mullin pitched the franchise's first no-hitter on July 4.
1912: Move to Navin Field
In 1912, the Detroit Tigers moved into Navin Field, which was built on the same location as Bennett Park.
1913: Dismal Sixth Place Finish
In 1913, the Detroit Tigers finished in a dismal sixth place for the second consecutive season.
1915: Club Record and Stolen Base Record
In 1915, the Detroit Tigers won a then-club record 100 games, narrowly losing the AL pennant, and Ty Cobb set a stolen base record with 96 steals.
1915: One of the Few Times a Team Failed to Reach Postseason
The 1961 Detroit Tigers' season marked one of the few times in major league history that a team failed to reach the postseason despite winning 100 or more games. It had happened once before to the Tigers in 1915.
1916: Third Place Finish
In 1916, the Detroit Tigers dropped to third place with an 87–67 record.
1920: Jennings Leaves, Cobb to Manage
After the 1920 season, Hughie Jennings left the Detroit Tigers, and Ty Cobb took over managerial duties in 1921.
August 19, 1921: Cobb's 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 at age 34.
1921: Cobb Takes Over Managerial Duties
In 1921, Ty Cobb took over managerial duties for the Detroit Tigers. During his six years at the helm, the team topped out at 86 wins and never won a pennant.
1921: Record Team Batting Average
In 1921, the Detroit Tigers amassed 1,724 hits and a team batting average of .316, setting the highest team hit total and batting average in AL history.
1923: Heilmann's .403 Average
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.
November 1926: Cobb's Retirement Announcement
In November 1926, Ty Cobb announced his retirement after 22 seasons with the Detroit Tigers, though he returned later.
1927: Heilmann's .398 Average
In 1927, Harry Heilmann finished with a .398 batting average and won his fourth AL batting title.
1930: Introduction of Script "Detroit" on Road Jersey
In 1930, the script "Detroit" design was first used as part of the Detroit Tigers' road jersey.
1933: Acquisition of Mickey Cochrane
Following the 1933 season, the Detroit Tigers acquired catcher Mickey Cochrane from the Philadelphia Athletics to serve as player-manager.
1934: Tigers' Longest Winning Streak Since 1934 Team
After a loss on September 1, the Tigers had a 12-game winning streak, the team's longest winning streak since the 1934 team won 14 straight.
1934: First Back-to-Back Postseason Appearance Since 1934–35
Coupled with the Tigers' division title in 2011, 2012 marked the first back-to-back divisional titles in team history, and first back-to-back postseason appearances since 1934–35.
1934: Best Winning Percentage
In 1934, the Detroit Tigers achieved their best winning percentage of .656.
1934: World Series Loss to Cardinals
In 1934, the Detroit Tigers lost the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games, marred by an incident involving Joe Medwick and angry fans.
1934: AL Pennant Win and Team Record
In 1934, the Detroit Tigers won the AL pennant with a 101–53 record, setting a team record for wins and the best win percentage in team history.
1934: Establishment of Blackletter 'D' on Uniforms
In 1934, the blackletter 'D' appeared frequently on Detroit Tigers uniforms until being established.
1934: No Challenge to 1934 Team
In 1935, the Detroit Tigers did not challenge the 1934 team's 101 wins, but their 93-58 record was still enough to win them the AL pennant.
1934: Denny McLain's 30 Wins First Since Dizzy Dean
In 1968, Denny McLain went 31-6 (with a 1.96 ERA), the first time a pitcher had won 30 or more games in a season since Dizzy Dean accomplished the feat in 1934.
1934: Establishment of the Home Uniform
Since 1934, the Detroit Tigers have worn essentially the same home uniform: solid white jersey with navy blue piping down the front and an Old English "D" on the left chest, white pants, navy blue hat with a white letter D in the blackletter or textur/textualis typeface.
1934: First Meeting Since 1934
The 1968 World Series was the first time the Detroit Tigers and Cardinals had met in the World Series since 1934.
1935: World Series Championship
In 1935, the Detroit Tigers won a World Series championship.
1935: Greenberg Named AL MVP
In 1935, the Detroit Tigers' lineup featured four Hall of Famers, and Hank Greenberg was named AL MVP after leading the league in home runs and RBIs.
1936: Second Place Behind Yankees
In 1936, despite expectations, the Detroit Tigers finished in a distant second place behind the New York Yankees.
1937: Second Place Behind Yankees
In 1937, for the second year in a row, the Detroit Tigers finished in a distant second place behind the New York Yankees.
1938: Doubts about Pennant in 1939
During the final week of the 1938 season, the Detroit Tigers held out doubts about a pennant in 1939.
1938: Home Run Record Challenge
In 1938, Hank Greenberg challenged Babe Ruth's single-season home run record, finishing with 58 home runs.
1938: Expansion of Navin Field, Renamed Briggs Stadium
In 1938, Navin Field was expanded and renamed Briggs Stadium.
1939: Doubts about Pennant in 1939
During the final week of the 1938 season, the Detroit Tigers held out doubts about a pennant in 1939.
1939: Further Down Standings
In 1939, the Detroit Tigers fell further down the standings with an 81-73 record.
1939: Tigers Tied St. Louis Browns for Most Home Losses
The 2019 Tigers tied the 1939 St. Louis Browns for the most home losses (59) during a season in the modern era.
1940: Prediction for 1940
During the final week of the 1938 season, the Detroit Tigers predicted that 1940 would be their year.
1940: Giebell's Pennant-Clinching Game
In 1940, rookie Floyd Giebell pitched the pennant-clinching game against Bob Feller of the Indians, securing a 2-0 victory for the Detroit Tigers.
1940: World Series Loss to Cincinnati Reds
In 1940, the Detroit Tigers lost the World Series to the Cincinnati Reds in seven games. Bobo Newsom's father passed away in Cincinnati after watching his son win Game 1. Newsom won Game 5 and pitched Game 7 on one day's rest, but the Tigers lost the deciding game 2–1.
1940: Struggle to Recapture Glory
In 1940, the Detroit Tigers were trying to recapture their former glory.
1940: AL Pennant Win and Greenberg's MVP
In 1940, the Detroit Tigers won the AL pennant by one game, and Hank Greenberg won his second AL MVP award.
1941: Ted Williams Hits .406
In 1941, Ted Williams hit .406, breaking the drought of AL players hitting over .400 since Harry Heilmann in 1923.
1943: Tigers Finish No Higher Than Fifth Place
In 1943, the Detroit Tigers finished no higher than fifth place.
1945: Winning Records but No Pennant
Following their World Series win in 1945, the Detroit Tigers continued to have winning records for the remainder of the decade, finishing second in the AL three times but never winning the pennant.
1945: World Series Championship
In 1945, the Detroit Tigers won a World Series championship and an AL pennant.
1945: World Series Victory Over the Cubs
In 1945, the Detroit Tigers, with Newhouser, Trucks, and Trout pitching and Greenberg leading the offense, won World Series Game 7 against the Cubs with a score of 9–3. Newhouser secured a 5-0 lead before throwing a pitch. Due to many stars still being in the military, some consider this World Series one of the worst-played.
1946: Newhouser's Outstanding Season and Kell's Acquisition
In 1946, Hal Newhouser led the league in wins and ERA but finished second for the AL MVP award. The Detroit Tigers also acquired George Kell, who would become a 10-time all-star.
1949: Kell Wins Batting Title
In 1949, George Kell won the batting title in a close race with Ted Williams, edging him out .34291 to .34276 on the last day of the season.
1950: Frustrating Season
The 1950 Detroit Tigers season was frustrating. Despite a .617 winning percentage, they finished three games behind the New York Yankees.
1952: Death of Walter Briggs Sr.
In 1952, Detroit Tigers team owner Walter Briggs Sr. died.
1952: Dismal Season and Virgil Trucks' No-Hitters
In 1952, the Detroit Tigers had a dismal season, going 50–104. However, Virgil Trucks threw two no-hitters. Walt Dropo also got a hit in 12 consecutive plate appearances.
1952: Tigers Win Total
The Detroit Tigers win total was the lowest it had been since 1952.
1953: Debut of Al Kaline
In 1953, outfielder Al Kaline debuted for the Detroit Tigers, beginning a career where he never played a day in the minor leagues.
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.
1955: Wire-to-Wire Division Lead
In 1955, the Brooklyn Dodgers led their division wire-to-wire, from opening day and every day thereafter, culminating in the World Series championship.
1956: Sale of the Team
In 1956, Walter Briggs Jr. was forced to sell the Detroit Tigers to John Fetzer and Fred Knorr.
1957: Fetzer Owned Tigers
John Fetzer had owned the Detroit Tigers since 1957.
1958: Integration of Roster
In 1958, the Detroit Tigers integrated their roster when Dominican player Ozzie Virgil Sr. joined the team, becoming the second to last team to do so.
1959: Change to Block Lettering on Road Jersey
In 1959, the Detroit Tigers changed their road jersey from a script "Detroit" to a block lettering style.
1960: Road Uniform with Block "Detroit" Lettering and Uniform Change
From 1960 to 1993, the Detroit Tigers sported road uniforms with a block "Detroit" lettering. In 1960, the Tigers changed their uniform to read "Tigers" in script form, but the change only lasted one season before the traditional uniform was reinstated.
1961: Briggs Stadium Renamed Tiger Stadium
In 1961, Briggs Stadium was renamed Tiger Stadium.
1961: Non-White Starters
In 1961, the Detroit Tigers club featured two non-white starters, Bill Bruton and Jake Wood.
1961: Outstanding Campaign and Improvement
In 1961, the Detroit Tigers had an outstanding campaign, leading the majors in runs scored and winning 101 games, a 30-game improvement over 1960, but finished behind the Yankees. Norm Cash won the batting title.
1961: Fielder First AL Player 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 in 1961.
1962: Stolen Base Record Broken
In 1962, Maury Wills broke Ty Cobb's 1915 stolen base record.
1963: Lolich and McLain Enter Rotation
In 1963, pitchers Mickey Lolich and Denny McLain entered the Detroit Tigers rotation. Willie Horton also joined the team.
1964: Stanley and Northrup Join Team
In 1964, Mickey Stanley and Jim Northrup joined the Detroit Tigers.
1966: Bizarre Season with Managerial Changes
The 1966 season was bizarre for the Detroit Tigers as managers Chuck Dressen and Bob Swift resigned due to health problems. Frank Skaff took over until the end of the season. Dressen and Swift both died during the year, and Mayo Smith was hired as the new manager following the season.
1967: Close Pennant Race
In 1967, the Detroit Tigers were involved in a close pennant race. They needed to sweep a doubleheader against the California Angels to force a playoff with the Red Sox but lost the second game, giving the Red Sox the pennant. The Detroit Tigers finished one game behind Boston. Earl Wilson led the major leagues with 22 wins.
1967: First Triple Crown Since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967
On the final day of the season in 2012, Cabrera earned the Triple Crown in batting, leading the AL in batting average (.330), home runs (44), and runs batted in (139), a feat not accomplished since Carl Yastrzemski in 1967.
1968: "Go Get 'Em, Tigers" song and phrase
During the 1968 season, the Detroit Tigers were cheered on by the phrase, "Go Get 'Em, Tigers", which was made popular by a song of the same name written and recorded by Artie Fields. "Sock it to 'em, Tigers!" was also a popular phrase during this time.
1968: Return to the World Series
In 1968, the Detroit Tigers returned to the World Series, clinching the pennant on September 17 with a 103-59 record. Denny McLain went 31-6, winning both the AL MVP and Cy Young Award.
1968: World Series Championship
In 1968, the Detroit Tigers won a World Series championship and an AL pennant.
1968: World Series Against the Cardinals
In the 1968 World Series, the Detroit Tigers faced the St. Louis Cardinals. Manager Mayo Smith made the bold decision to play Mickey Stanley at shortstop.
1969: Expansion and Realignment
In 1969, both leagues expanded and realigned into two divisions, placing the Detroit Tigers in the American League East. Denny McLain had another outstanding season, earning his second straight Cy Young Award. The Tigers finished second in the division behind the Baltimore Orioles.
1969: Oakland Athletics Become Competitive
In 1969, the Oakland Athletics became steadily competitive after the realignment of the league.
1969: Billy Martin Manages Twins
Prior to managing the Detroit Tigers, Billy Martin managed the Minnesota Twins to an AL West Division title in 1969, but was fired after that season due to rocky relationships with his players.
1970: Disappointing Season and Mayo Smith's Departure
The Detroit Tigers had a disappointing 1970 season, finishing fourth in the AL East. Mayo Smith was let go and replaced by Billy Martin.
1971: John Hiller Suffers Heart Attack
In 1971, John Hiller suffered a heart attack, sidelining him from baseball.
1971: Second-Place Finish and Lolich's Strikeouts
In 1971, the Detroit Tigers, managed by Billy Martin, posted 91 wins but finished second behind the Baltimore Orioles. Mickey Lolich led the AL with 308 strikeouts, a franchise record.
1972: Feud Begins Between Martin and Northrup
A feud started between Jim Northrup and Billy Martin during the 1972 ALCS, which Northrup claimed affected his playing time in the 1973 season.
1972: Orange Trim Added to Road Uniform
In 1972, the Detroit Tigers added orange trim to their road uniforms with a block "Detroit" lettering.
1972: Tigers capture AL East division title
In 1972, the Detroit Tigers captured their first AL East division title due to an early season strike that affected the schedule, leading to the 86–70 Tigers winning by just 1⁄2 game. Eddie Brinkman was named Tiger of the Year, while Mickey Lolich won 22 games, Joe Coleman won 19, and Woodie Fryman, acquired on August 2, went 10–3 with a 2.06 ERA.
1972: AL East Division Title
In 1972, the Detroit Tigers won a division title as a member of the AL East.
1972: ALCS Game 2 marred by incident
In the 1972 ALCS Game 2, Tigers reliever Lerrin LaGrow hit Bert Campaneris on the ankle with a pitch, leading to Campaneris throwing the bat at LaGrow. Both LaGrow and Campaneris were suspended for the remainder of the series.
1973: John Hiller's Comeback Season
In 1973, John Hiller had his first full season since his heart attack in 1971. He collected a league-leading 38 saves and posted a 1.44 ERA.
1973: Tigers drop to third place; Martin fired
In 1973, the Detroit Tigers dropped to third place. Manager Billy Martin was fired in September for ordering his pitchers to throw spitballs, and third base coach Joe Schultz served as interim manager for the remainder of the season.
1974: Kaline Retires
In 1974, Al Kaline retired from the Detroit Tigers after notching his 3,000th career hit.
1975: Tigers Have Lowest Win Total Since 1952
In 1975, the Detroit Tigers had their lowest win total (57) since 1952.
1976: Mark Fidrych Debuts and Shines
In 1976, 21-year-old rookie Mark Fidrych, known as "The Bird," debuted for the Detroit Tigers. He finished the season with a record of 19–9 and an American League-leading ERA of 2.34, earning the AL Rookie of the Year award.
1976: Rodriguez Wins Gold Glove
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: Tigers Did Not Have A Winning Season
In 1977, the Detroit Tigers did not have a winning season.
1977: Fielder First to Hit 50 Home Runs Since George Foster
In 1990, Cecil Fielder became the first player to hit 50 home runs since George Foster in 1977.
1978: Tigers Have Winning Season
In 1978, the Detroit Tigers had their only winning season under Ralph Houk.
1978: End of Houk's Tenure
Ralph Houk served as the Detroit Tigers manager through the end of the 1978 season.
June 14, 1979: Sparky Anderson Hired
On June 14, 1979, George "Sparky" Anderson began his tenure as the manager of the Detroit Tigers.
1980: Kaline Elected to Hall of Fame
In 1980, Al Kaline was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.
1982: Caps with White Trim
Until 1982, the Detroit Tigers caps initially featured white trim within the orange "D".
1983: Hernandez Acquired
In 1983, Willie Hernandez was acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies in the offseason.
1983: Tigers Finish Second
In 1983, the Detroit Tigers finished second in the AL East with 92 wins.
1983: Monaghan Buys Team
In late 1983, Tom Monaghan purchased the Detroit Tigers.
1984: "Bless You Boys" phrase
During the 1984 World Series championship run, the Detroit Tigers were cheered on to the cry, "Bless You Boys," a phrase coined by sportscaster Al Ackerman.
1984: Tigers' Dominant Season
In 1984, the Detroit Tigers started the season 9–0, including a no-hitter by Jack Morris. They finished with a franchise-record 104 victories, leading the division from opening day. Willie Hernández won both the Cy Young Award and AL MVP.
1984: World Series Championship
In 1984, the Detroit Tigers won a World Series championship and an AL pennant, as well as a division title as a member of the AL East.
1984: Tigers in the World Series
In 1984, the Detroit Tigers would open the World Series on the road in San Diego.
1985: Third-Place Finish
In 1985, the Detroit Tigers had a third-place finish.
1986: Third-Place Finish
In 1986, the Detroit Tigers had a third-place finish.
1987: AL Division Title Victory
In 1987, the Detroit Tigers Won the AL division title.
1987: Tigers Clinch Division Title
In 1987, the Detroit Tigers clinched the AL East division title with a 1-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays on October 4. Frank Tanana pitched a complete-game shutout, and Larry Herndon hit a home run.
1987: ALCS Loss
In 1987, the Detroit Tigers were upset in the American League Championship Series by the Minnesota Twins 4-1.
1987: Tigers Win AL East
In 1987, the Detroit Tigers won the AL East title after a strong season, fueled by the acquisition of Doyle Alexander. They clinched the division on October 4 with a 1–0 victory over Toronto.
1987: First Division Title of Any Kind Since 1987
On September 16, the Tigers clinched the AL Central Division title with a 3–1 win. It was their first division title of any kind since 1987.
1989: Tigers Collapse
In 1989, the Detroit Tigers collapsed to a 59–103 record, worst in the majors.
December 1990: Harwell's Contract Not Renewed
In December 1990, the Detroit Tigers and radio station WJR announced that they were not renewing the contract of Ernie Harwell, leading to fan protests.
1991: Tigers Post Winning Record
In 1991, the Detroit Tigers posted a winning record.
1991: First 20-Game Winner Since Bill Gullickson
On August 27, Verlander won against the Minnesota Twins with a score of 6-4, becoming the first Tiger since Bill Gullickson in 1991 to achieve 20 wins in a season.
1992: Anderson Breaks Record
In 1992, Sparky Anderson broke Hughie Jennings' record for most wins as a Detroit Tigers manager.
1992: Mike Ilitch Buys Franchise; Harwell Rehired
In August 1992, Mike Ilitch bought the Detroit Tigers franchise and rehired Ernie Harwell. Cecil Fielder won the AL RBI title.
1992: Mike Ilitch Became Tigers Owner
Mike Ilitch, the Tigers owner since 1992, died at the age of 87 on February 10, 2017.
1992: Verlander First Pitcher Since Dennis Eckersley to Win AL MVP
On November 15, Justin Verlander was selected as AL MVP, becoming the first pitcher to win the award since Dennis Eckersley won it in 1992.
1993: Last Winning Season
In 1993, the Detroit Tigers had their last winning season for a number of years.
1993: End of Block "Detroit" Lettering on Road Uniforms
In 1993, the Detroit Tigers stopped using the road uniforms with a block "Detroit" lettering.
1994: Adoption of Current Road Uniform with Racing Stripes
In 1994, the Detroit Tigers first wore the current version of their road uniform, initially with racing stripes, and wore an orange 'D' cap.
October 2, 1995: Sparky Anderson Retirement
On October 2, 1995, manager Sparky Anderson ended his career with the Detroit Tigers and retired from baseball.
1995: Road Uniform without Racing Stripes
From 1995 to 1997, the Detroit Tigers' road uniform went with a stripe-free design.
1995: Introduction of Navy Blue Alternate Jersey
In 1995, the Detroit Tigers introduced a solid navy blue alternate jersey, which featured the team's primary logo at the time, a tiger stepping through the D, on the chest. It was worn for one home game.
1995: End of Sparky Anderson's Tenure
The 1995 season marked the end of George "Sparky" Anderson's tenure as the manager of the Detroit Tigers.
1996: Team Record Losses
In 1996, under new general manager Randy Smith, the Detroit Tigers lost a then-team record of 109 games.
1997: Tiger walking through a 'D' logo
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 rights 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 due to the addition of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
1998: First AL Central Title Since Joining Division in 1998
On September 16, the Tigers clinched the AL Central Division title with a 3–1 win. It was their first AL Central title since joining the division in 1998.
2000: Inaugural Season at Comerica Park
In 2000, Comerica Park opened and was immediately criticized for its deep dimensions, which made it difficult to hit home runs. The team brought in Juan González for the inaugural season.
2000: Todd Jones Breaks Hiller's Saves Record
In 2000, Todd Jones broke John Hiller's Tiger record by collecting 42 saves.
2001: Dave Dombrowski Hired
In late 2001, Dave Dombrowski was hired as team president of the Detroit Tigers.
2002: Smith and Garner Fired
In 2002, after the Detroit Tigers started the season 0-6, Dave Dombrowski fired general manager Randy Smith and manager Phil Garner.
2002: First Major League Pitcher with 20 Wins Before End of August
On August 27, 2002, Verlander became the first major league pitcher since Curt Schilling to reach 20 wins before the end of August.
2003: Comerica Park Fence Adjustment
In 2003, the Detroit Tigers addressed criticism of Comerica Park by moving in the left-center fence to 370 feet.
2003: Worst Record in Franchise History
In 2003, the Detroit Tigers finished with a 43–119 record, the worst in franchise history.
2003: Worst Winning Percentage
In 2003, the Detroit Tigers recorded their worst winning percentage of .265.
2003: Tigers Pitchers Break Strikeout Record
On September 25, 2013, Tigers pitchers struck out 1,428 batters during the regular season, breaking the record of 1,404 held by the 2003 Chicago Cubs. Cabrera was voted the AL MVP for the second straight season, while Scherzer won the AL Cy Young Award.
2003: Worst Season in Tigers History
The 2003 season was the worst in Detroit Tigers history, as the team lost 119 games.
2004: Tigers Sign Veteran Free Agents
In 2004, the Detroit Tigers signed several talented but high-risk veterans and finished with a 72-90 record, a 29-game improvement over the previous season.
June 8, 2005: Trade with Philadelphia Phillies
On June 8, 2005, the Detroit Tigers traded Ugueth Urbina and Ramón Martínez to the Philadelphia Phillies for Plácido Polanco.
October 2005: Jim Leyland Hired as Manager
In October 2005, Jim Leyland replaced Alan Trammell as manager of the Detroit Tigers.
2005: Bullpens Moved at Comerica Park
In 2005, the Detroit Tigers moved the bullpens to the area beyond the left field fence at Comerica Park, filling the previous location with seats.
2006: "Gum Time" Rally Cry
During the 2006 season, a rally cry caught on in the Detroit Tigers' dugout. During a June game against the New York Yankees, pitcher Nate Robertson was featured in an in-game interview with FSN Detroit and began to stuff Big League Chew bubble gum into his mouth. The Tigers would spark a rally, in which they came back to tie the game. As a result, the phrase "Gum Time" became popular.
2006: Playoff Rivalry with the New York Yankees
In 2006, the Detroit Tigers began developing a significant playoff rivalry with the New York Yankees. The Tigers won the series against the Yankees in 2006.
2006: Last Postseason Appearance Until 2006
The Detroit Tigers' 1987 postseason appearance was their last until 2006.
September 25, 2008: Todd Jones Retirement
Todd Jones retired from the Detroit Tigers on September 25, 2008.
2008: Tigers renew with FanDuel Sports Network Detroit
In 2008, The Detroit Tigers renewed their deal with FanDuel Sports Network Detroit.
June 2, 2010: Jim Joyce's Controversial Umpire Call
On June 2, 2010, umpire Jim Joyce made a controversial call in the ninth inning of Armando Galarraga's near-perfect game against the Cleveland Indians, ruling Jason Donald safe at first, a call that was later shown to be incorrect.
May 7, 2011: First Tigers Player to Throw No-Hitter Since Verlander
On May 18, 2021, Spencer Turnbull became the first Tigers player to throw a no-hitter since Justin Verlander on May 7, 2011.
2011: José Valverde Breaks Jones' Saves Record
In 2011, José Valverde broke Todd Jones' saves record by collecting 49 saves.
2011: Multiple Statistical Awards for 2011 Tigers
In 2011, Justin Verlander won the pitching triple crown and AL Cy Young Award and AL MVP. José Valverde won the MLB Delivery Man of the Year Award, and Miguel Cabrera won the AL batting title, leading in on-base percentage and doubles.
2011: Playoff Rivalry with the New York Yankees
In 2011, the Detroit Tigers continued their playoff rivalry with the New York Yankees. The Tigers won the series against the Yankees in 2011.
2011: Five Tigers Selected for All-Star Game
In 2011, the Detroit Tigers had five players selected for the All-Star Game: Alex Avila, Justin Verlander, José Valverde, Miguel Cabrera, and Jhonny Peralta. Verlander was ineligible to play due to pitching on the Sunday before the game, and Peralta was a late addition replacing Derek Jeter.
2011: AL Central Division Championship
In 2011, the Detroit Tigers won an AL Central division championship.
2011: Hopes of Second Consecutive Playoff Appearance
In 2012, the Tigers looked to defend their 2011 AL Central Division title, with the hopes of earning a second consecutive playoff appearance.
2011: Tigers Look to Defend AL Central Division Title
In 2012, the Tigers looked to defend their 2011 AL Central Division title.
November 15, 2012: Cabrera Named AL MVP
On November 15, 2012, Miguel Cabrera was named AL MVP.
2012: ALCS Sweep Against the New York Yankees
In 2012, the Detroit Tigers completed a dominant four-game sweep against the New York Yankees in the ALCS. Highlighted by Miguel Cabrera’s performance and Justin Verlander's Game 3 triumph, the 2012 series win deepened animosity between the clubs.
2012: AL Pennant and AL Central Division Championship
In 2012, the Detroit Tigers won an AL pennant and an AL Central division championship.
2012: Tigers Clinch AL Central Division Title
In 2012, the Tigers clinched the AL Central division title on October 1 with a 6–3 win. The Tigers concluded the season with an 88–74 record.
2012: Tigers Sign Prince Fielder
On January 24, 2012, the Tigers signed free agent Prince Fielder to a 9-year, $214 million contract after Víctor Martínez's injury. Miguel Cabrera moved back to third base, which led to the release of Brandon Inge on April 26.
2012: Tigers Look to Defend AL Pennant
The Tigers entered the 2013 season looking to defend their 2012 AL pennant.
August 7, 2013: Game against Cleveland at Progressive Field
On August 7, 2013, a game between the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland took place at Progressive Field, with both teams holding the top two positions in the AL Central standings. During the game, there were dueling chants between fans regarding Detroit's bankruptcy. The Tigers defeated Cleveland 6–5 in 14 innings.
2013: Scherzer Breaks Mullin's Record
In 2013, Max Scherzer broke George Mullin's 1909 Tigers record for the best start to a season by going 13-0.
2013: Tigers Sign Key Free Agents and Extend Verlander's Contract
In 2013, The Tigers signed Torii Hunter and Aníbal Sánchez, and Justin Verlander signed a contract extension. The Tigers placed six players on the 2013 American League All-Star team.
2013: Postseason Series Win and ALDS Defeat
In 2013, the Detroit Tigers swept the Houston Astros in the American League Wild Card Series, achieving their first postseason series win since 2013. However, they were later defeated by the Cleveland Guardians in five games in the American League Division Series.
2013: AL Central Division Championship
In 2013, the Detroit Tigers won an AL Central division championship.
2013: Tigers Sign Joe Nathan and Joba Chamberlain
In an effort to improve the struggling bullpen, the Tigers signed Joe Nathan and Joba Chamberlain in 2013.
May 2, 2014: Tigers Sign Joel Hanrahan
On May 2, 2014, the Tigers signed free agent reliever Joel Hanrahan to a one-year contract to improve their struggling bullpen.
2014: AL Central Division Championship
In 2014, the Detroit Tigers won an AL Central division championship.
2014: Tigers Swept in ALDS by Orioles
In the 2014 American League Division Series, the Tigers were swept by the Baltimore Orioles, 3–0. J. D. Martinez hit home runs in his first two career postseason games.
2014: First Time Since 2014 on September 27
The Detroit Tigers clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2014 on September 27, 2024.
2014: AL Central Division Title Under Ausmus
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 won one AL Central division title in 2014.
2015: Tigers Lost Two 2016 Draft Picks Due to Free Agency Compensation
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. 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.
2015: Smoltz Inducted into Hall of Fame
In 2015, John Smoltz was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
2015: Four Tigers Selected for All-Star Game
In 2015, the Tigers had four players selected for the MLB All-Star Game: Miguel Cabrera, David Price, J.D. Martinez and Jose Iglesias.
2015: Michael Fulmer Acquired by Tigers
Pitcher Michael Fulmer, acquired from the New York Mets organization in 2015, won the 2016 AL Rookie of the Year Award.
2016: Cubs' World Championship
2016 was the year that Chicago Cubs won the World Championship. It was their first World Championship since 1908.
2016: Average Viewership in 2016
During the 2016 season, the Detroit Tigers averaged a 7.56 rating and 138,000 viewers on primetime TV broadcasts.
2016: Michael Fulmer Wins AL Rookie of the Year Award
In 2016, Michael Fulmer, acquired from the New York Mets organization in 2015, won the AL Rookie of the Year Award.
2016: Tigers' Roster Changes for 2016 Season
In 2016, the Tigers had a new pitching coach, Rich Dubee, and replaced 9 out of 25 members of the 2015 roster through trades and free agency. Jordan Zimmermann and Justin Upton were among the new additions.
2016: Club Option for Joe Nathan
In an effort to improve a bullpen that often struggled in 2013, the Tigers signed veteran closer Joe Nathan to a two-year, $20 million contract, with a club option for 2016.
February 10, 2017: Death of Tigers Owner Mike Ilitch
Mike Ilitch, the Tigers owner since 1992, died on February 10, 2017, at the age of 87. The team remains in an Ilitch family trust.
October 20, 2017: Tigers Hire Ron Gardenhire as Manager
On October 20, 2017, the Tigers announced that Ron Gardenhire would succeed Brad Ausmus as the team's manager.
2017: Players Weekend Jersey Design
From August 25–27, 2017, for the inaugural Players Weekend, the Detroit Tigers wore grey away jerseys with bright orange with "Tigers" on the chest, the orange cap had a tiger instead of the Old English "D" on it. Players were also encouraged to use nicknames on the back of their jerseys.
2017: Tigers Enter Rebuild and Brad Ausmus' Departure
In 2017, the Tigers began a rebuild, trading several players. Brad Ausmus' contract was not extended, ending his tenure as manager. The Tigers finished with one of the worst records in MLB and were awarded the number one overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft.
2017: Average Viewership in 2017
Through 25 games in 2017, Detroit Tigers games have averaged a 5.57 rating, which was fifth in the major league.
2018: Tigers Awarded Number One Pick in MLB Draft
Due to a tiebreaker in 2017, the Tigers were awarded the number one overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft.
2018: "Rally Goose" Incident and Phrase
During the 2018 season, a rally cry caught on with both Detroit Tigers players and fans. In a May game against the Los Angeles Angels, a goose appeared on the field during a second rain delay. The Tigers scored five runs in the sixth inning and won the game, 6–1. As a result, the goose was referred to as the "Rally Goose" and the phrase became popular.
2018: Uniform Logo Change
In 2018, the Detroit Tigers changed the classic curved logo on their home uniforms to match that of the sharp-cornered hat logo; additionally, the logo on the cap was enlarged.
2018: Players Weekend Jersey Design
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: 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.
2019: Tigers Sign Jordy Mercer and Josh Harrison
Significant changes to the 2019 season opening roster include the departure of José Iglesias, and the one-year signings of the middle infield tandem of Jordy Mercer and Josh Harrison, both formerly of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Tigers finished the season with a 47–114 record, the worst in all of Major League Baseball.
October 30, 2020: Tigers Hire A. J. Hinch as Manager
On October 30, 2020, the Tigers hired A. J. Hinch as manager.
May 18, 2021: Spencer Turnbull Pitches No-Hitter
On May 18, 2021, Spencer Turnbull pitched the eighth no-hitter in Tigers history against the Seattle Mariners.
August 10, 2022: Tigers Fire Al Avila
On August 10, 2022, the Tigers fired Al Avila as general manager.
September 19, 2022: Tigers Hire Scott Harris
On September 19, 2022, the Tigers hired Scott Harris as president of baseball operations.
October 25, 2022: Tigers Hire Rob Metzler
On October 25, 2022, the Tigers hired Rob Metzler as vice president and assistant general manager.
September 21, 2023: Tigers Hire Jeff Greenberg as General Manager
On September 21, 2023, the Tigers hired Jeff Greenberg as general manager.
August 3, 2024: Jim Leyland's Number Retirement
On August 3, 2024, Jim Leyland had his No. 10 retired by the Detroit Tigers.
2024: Newhouser Still Only Pitcher to Win Consecutive MVP Awards
As of 2024, Hal Newhouser is still the only pitcher in AL history to win the MVP Award in two consecutive seasons.
2024: Lolich Last Pitcher with Three Complete Game Victories
As of 2024, Mickey Lolich is the last pitcher to have three complete-game victories in a single World Series. He was named the 1968 World Series Most Valuable Player.
2024: Current Win-Loss Record
As of 2024, the Detroit Tigers' overall win–loss record from 1901 is 9,676–9,567–93 (.503).
2024: Unveiling of City Connect Jersey
In 2024, the Detroit Tigers unveiled their first City Connect jersey, which is a nod to Detroit's automobile industry. The primarily navy blue jersey with electric blue tire tread patterns has the "Motor City" nickname emblazoned in front along with racing stripes on the sleeves and pants.
2024: Postseason Matchup and Wild Card Series Win
In 2024, the Detroit Tigers' postseason matchup against the Cleveland Guardians intensified their divisional rivalry. The Tigers' upset sweep of the Houston Astros in the AL Wild Card Series reinvigorated fan support. The Guardians advanced after splitting a closely contested five-game ALDS.
2024: Tigers Clinch Playoff Berth
On September 27, 2024, the Detroit Tigers clinched a playoff berth for the first time since 2014, finishing the season with an 86–76 record.
2025: Exclusive Local Television Rights Holder
As of 2025, the Detroit Tigers' current exclusive local television rights holder is FanDuel Sports Network Detroit.
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