2013 Detroit Tigers Preview
Check back in the Spring for the Tigers 2013 Season Preview.
DETROIT TIGERS INFORMATION:
Founded: 1894
Location: Detroit, Michigan
Stadium: Comerica Park
Conference: American League
Division: Central Division
Rivals: St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians
Notable Players: Ty Cobb, Cecil Fielder, Al Kaline, Miguel Cabrera
Detroit Tigers World Series Title: 4, last World Series Title: 1984
Detroit Tigers AL Championships: 11, Last AL championship: 2012
The Detroit Tigers began as an expansion team in 1901. Like most new teams, the Tigers faced an uphill battle to build a fan base and attract new people to the sport, but right off the bat a gift fell in their laps. In 1905, the legendary Ty Cobb made his Major League debut and instantly changed the Tigers' fortunes. Cobb's talent was undeniable and helped the ball club make it to their first World Series in 1907. While the Tigers were swept by the Chicago Cubs, Cobb's arrival and subsequent success made Detroit a far more attractive place for young ballplayers and laid the foundation for future success.
The Tigers' first World Series Championship would have to wait until 1935, when the team benefited from the bat of MVP Hank Greenberg, who hit 36 home runs during the season. With other Hall of Famers like Charlie Gehringer and Mickey Cocherane in the lineup, the Tigers got revenge against the Chicago Cubs who dashed the Tigers' title aspirations two times prior. Cocherane ended up scoring the pivotal run of the series in Game 6 to give the team its first-ever championship. The team won another championship in 1945, after the team slid into the postseason. Once again, the Tigers were matched against the Cubs, and Hank Greenberg was the hero yet again with pivotal home runs that would carry the team to a Game 7 victory.
Perhaps the Tigers best championship squad was the 1968 championship team, which won 103 games and faced the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series. Even though Cardinals pitching legend Bob Gibson kept them on the ropes, the Tigers were able to pull it together and triumph in the seventh game. The Tigers wouldn't keep their fans waiting too long and captured yet another title in 1984 behind the pitching prowess of Jack Morris and the powerful bats of Kirk Gibson and Alan Trammel. The title also gave manager Sparky Anderson the unique distinction of being the first manager to win the World Series in both the National and American Leagues.
With an appearance in the World Series in 2006 and a division championship in 2011, the Tigers are one of the most dangerous teams in the American League. With their talented roster of young prospects and proven veterans, the team has a great chance of hanging another championship banner in Comerica Park in the coming years.
See Also:
Detroit Tigers Playoff Tickets
Detroit Tigers Preview History