Established
1894
City
Detroit
League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1901 – 1999 / American League
1894 – 1901 / Western League
Team History
1894 – Present / Detroit Tigers
Nickname
Tigers – The Detroit Tigers have been in Major League Baseball (MLB) since 1901 and are one of the oldest teams still playing. As such, they have a long history and many unique traditions that set them apart from other teams. One of these is their nickname: The Detroit Tigers! But where did this name come from?
Detroit Tigers Origin
The team was initially called “the Wolverines” after Michigan’s state animal, but by 1905 they had changed their name to “the Tigers.” This was likely due to the popularity of boxing heavyweight champion James J. Jeffries, nicknamed “Tiger Jim." Fans were inspired by his strength and courage on display in each fight he took part in, thus leading them to adopt his moniker for their beloved baseball team as well!
In addition to being named after Tiger Jim Jeffries, it is believed that some fans also thought tigers represented power and ferocity - two traits associated with winning sports teams at any level - which further cemented its place as an appropriate mascot for this particular franchise. When Ty Cobb joined forces with Sam Crawford in the 1907-1908 season, together they formed what is known today as "The Georgia Peach" or "Tyrus & Sam." These two players helped lead The Detroit Tigers toward becoming one of baseball's most successful franchises ever!
Through hard work over time, along with excellent leadership provided by past managers like Sparky Anderson or current manager Ron Gardenhire, The Detroit Tigers continue making strides both in field performance wise while also maintaining strong fan support off the field through various marketing campaigns featuring famous mascots such Paws & Roary among others... These combined aspects make up why we love our beloved hometown MLB Team: THE DETROIT TIGERS!!!
Championship
World Series 4
1984, 1968, 1945, 1935
Stadium
2000 – Present / Comerica Park
1912 – 1999 / Tiger Stadium
1938 – 1960 / Briggs Stadium
1912 – 1938 / Navin Field
1896 – 1911 / Bennett Park
1894 – 1895 / Boulevard Park
Owner
2018 – Present / Ilitch Holdings
1992 – 2017 / Mike Ilitch
1983 -1992 / Tom Monaghan
1961 – 1983 / John Fetzer
1956 – 1961 / Fred Knorr & John Fetzer
1952 – 1956 / Walter Briggs, Jr.
1935 – 1952 / Walter Briggs, Sr.
1919 – 1935 / Frank Navin
1908 – 1919 / Bill Yawkey & Frank Navin
1903 – 1908 / Bill Yawkey
1902 – 1903 / Samuel F. Angus
1901 – 1902 / James D. Burns
1894 – 1900 / George Vanderbeck
- 1894
- 1935
- 1945
- 1968
- 1984
- 1992
- 2000
Detroit Tigers Team Formation
The current Detroit club was a charter member when the Western League reorganized for the 1894 season. They originally played at Boulevard Park, sometimes called League Park. It was located on East Lafayette, then called Champlain Street, between Helen and East Grand Boulevard, near Belle Isle. In 1895, owner George Vanderbeck decided to build Bennett Park at the corner of ...
World Series Winner 1935
The 1935 World Series featured the Detroit Tigers and the Chicago Cubs, with the Tigers winning in six games for their first championship in five Series appearances.
World Series Winner 1945
The 1945 World Series matched the American League Detroit Tigers against the National League Chicago Cubs. The Tigers won the Series, four games to three, giving them their second championship and first since 1935.
World Series Winner 1968
The 1968 World Series featured the defending champion St. Louis Cardinals against the Detroit Tigers, with the Tigers winning in seven games for their first championship since 1945, and the third in their history. The Tigers came back from a 3-1 deficit to win three in a row, largely on the arm of MVP Mickey Lolich, who won three complete ...
World Series Winner 1984
The 1984 World Series began on October 9 and ended on October 14, 1984. The American League champion Detroit Tigers played against the National League champion San Diego Padres, with the Tigers winning the series four games to one. This was the first World Series that Peter Ueberroth presided over as commissioner. Ueberroth began his tenure on October 1, succeeding ...
Mike Illitch New Owner
Mike Ilitch purchased the Detroit Tigers in 1992 from fellow pizza magnate Tom Monaghan the founder of Domino’s Pizza for baseball was a sport that he had played as a youth. Under his ownership, the Tigers logged losing records in twelve out of thirteen seasons before their turnaround in 2006. After acquiring the team, Ilitch clearly expressed interest in moving ...
Opening Comerica Park
Comerica Park is an open-air ballpark located in Downtown Detroit. It serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball, replacing historic Tiger Stadium in 2000. The park is named after Comerica Bank, which was founded in Detroit and was based there when the park opened. Comerica’s headquarters have since been moved to Dallas, though the bank ...
To qualify as the greatest player for this team, the player must have played one season for this team. If not, we will remove the player.
* verifies that player has played for this team as an added player by a fan.
Detroit Tigers History
The Detroit Tigers History began in 1894 as a Western League team in Detroit, Michigan. Joining the American League in 1901, they became a charter franchise, the only one still in its original city with its original name. The Detroit Tigers baseball team first played at Boulevard Park, moving to Bennett Park in 1896. Their nickname, inspired by the Detroit Light Guard’s “Tigers” moniker, became official by 1895.
Early Detroit Tigers History saw success with the 1905 acquisition of Ty Cobb, a legendary hitter. Consequently, the team won three consecutive American League pennants from 1907 to 1909, though they lost each World Series. In 1912, Navin Field replaced Bennett Park, later becoming Briggs Stadium and then Tiger Stadium, hosting Detroit Tigers baseball until 1999.
The Detroit Tigers History faced challenges, including lean years post-World War I. However, the 1930s brought resurgence with stars like Hank Greenberg and Charlie Gehringer. The Detroit Tigers baseball team won pennants in 1934 and 1940, clinching their first World Series in 1935 against the Chicago Cubs, a milestone in Detroit Tigers History.
World War II impacted the roster, but the 1945 season marked a high point. Led by Hal Newhouser, who won consecutive MVP awards, the Detroit Tigers baseball team secured the World Series, defeating the Cubs. Meanwhile, the 1968 season, dubbed “Year of the Tiger,” saw Mickey Lolich’s heroics lead to another championship.
Tigers Achievements
The Detroit Tigers History includes four World Series titles (1935, 1945, 1968, 1984) and 11 AL pennants (1907–1909, 1934, 1935, 1940, 1945, 1968, 1984, 2006, 2012). Additionally, they won seven AL East titles and four AL Central titles (2011–2014). The Detroit Tigers baseball record reflects 17 postseason appearances through 2024.
Iconic players like Al Kaline, “Mr. Tiger,” and Miguel Cabrera, who earned the 2012 Triple Crown, define the Detroit Tigers History. Despite recent struggles, with no winning season since 2014, young talents like Tarik Skubal signal hope. Thus, Detroit Tigers baseball continues to inspire, blending a storied past with future promise.
Sports Fan Products
Retired Number
2 / Charlie Gehringer
3 / Alan Trammell
5 / Hank Greenberg
6 / Al Kaline
11 / Sparky Anderson
16 / Hal Newhouser
23 / Willie Horton
42 / Jackie Robinson
47 / Jack Morris
*Blue is this team’s history