2006 Detroit Tigers season
Encyclopedia
The 2006
Detroit Tigers
won the American League Pennant
. They represented the AL
in the World Series
before falling to the St. Louis Cardinals
4 games to 1. The season was their 106th since they entered the AL in 1901.
, the 2006 season had the Tigers surging to the top of the major league standings in May, a position they did not relinquish until the final day of the season. The play of veterans like Kenny Rogers
and Todd Jones, the emergence of previously unestablished players Curtis Granderson
, Brandon Inge
, Craig Monroe
and Marcus Thames
, and significant production from erstwhile All-Stars Iván Rodríguez
, Magglio Ordóñez
and Carlos Guillén
all contributed to the team's success.
A great deal of credit was also given to manager Jim Leyland
. On April 17, after an uninspiring 10-2 loss at home to the Cleveland Indians
dropped the team's record to 7-6, the manager launched into a tirade against the team about its lack of effort, telling the media, "We stunk. They [the players] were already on the plane to Oakland." It appeared to light a fire under the players, spurring them on to a stretch in which they won 28 of 35 games. Leyland repeatedly preached the concept of playing hard for nine full innings, and the players took up that mantra, as evidenced not just by their words but also by the team's propensity for late-inning clutch hits, rallies and comebacks.
Statistically, the biggest factor in the team's success was its pitching, which led the major leagues in ERA and shutouts. Rookie Justin Verlander
won the AL Rookie of the Year Award, and fellow starters Kenny Rogers
, Jeremy Bonderman
and Nate Robertson
, as well as rookie reliever Joel Zumaya
, all had noteworthy seasons. There was concern when starter Mike Maroth
had to undergo surgery early in the season, but his replacement Zach Miner
proved to be adequate.
The Tigers' newfound success attracted a new generation of fans, many of whom who had never seen winning baseball in Detroit before. Detroit hit 16 home runs in their first four games, the most ever by any team in their first four games of the season. Tigers fans traveled to road games in large numbers, most notably at the interleague series with the Chicago Cubs
at Wrigley Field
from June 16–18. The crowd could be heard chanting "Let's Go Tigers!" throughout all three games, all of which were Detroit victories.
The major doubt many fans and pundits had was whether the Tigers could compete against other top-tier American League teams. Early in the season, the team lost series to the New York Yankees
and Boston Red Sox
, and lost five of six games to the reigning World Series
champion (and AL Central rival) Chicago White Sox
. But on July 20, at a game which featured a particularly stirring rendition of the national anthem by local opera singer Eugene Zweig, and a standing-room-only crowd that included actor Tom Hanks
and director Ron Howard
, the Tigers beat White Sox pitching ace José Contreras
to take the series two games to one from the White Sox, the team's first series victory against an upper-echelon AL team in 2006. In their next two series, against the AL West division-leading Oakland Athletics
, and the red-hot Minnesota Twins
, who were 34-8 over their previous 42 games, the Tigers also won two out of three.
On July 31, Tigers management traded minor-league pitcher Brian Rogers
to the Pittsburgh Pirates
in exchange for left-handed hitting and three-time All Star first baseman Sean Casey. The move added a left-handed bat to the lineup, especially necessary after Dmitri Young
was released in September.
On August 7, the Tigers were 40 games above .500 (76-36) and cruising. They would lose their next five games, and the last six weeks of the season were punctuated by a nosedive, as Plácido Polanco
's separated shoulder and suddenly silent bats led to a 19-31 record in the last 50 games of the season.
Only the big cushion built in the summer saved the Tigers from what would have been baseball's most statistically infamous collapse, as they clinched a playoff berth on September 24 with an 11-4 win over the Kansas City Royals
. But even that cushion couldn't save a division title. On October 1, despite a rare relief appearance from Kenny Rogers, the Tigers fell out of the top spot in the American League Central
with a 10-8 extra-inning loss to the Royals in their last regular season game. Detroit lost their last five games, all at home, against the Toronto Blue Jays
and the Royals.
The loss made the Tigers the wild card entrant in the American League Playoffs; their opening-round opponent would be the New York Yankees. The Tigers ended the regular season with a 95-67 record.
Note: pitchers' batting statistics not included
Note: G = Games pitched, IP = Innings pitched, W = Wins, L = Losses, ERA = Earned run average, SO = Strikeouts
Note: G = Games pitched, W = Wins, L = Losses, SV = Saves, HLD = Holds, ERA = Earned run average, SO = Strikeouts
were heavy favorites over the Tigers to win the series because of their "modern-day Murderers' Row" lineup. All nine batters were current or former All-Stars. The Yankees won the first game, 8-4.
In Game 2, the Tigers took an early 1-0 lead before Johnny Damon
hit a three-run homer for New York in the 4th inning. The Tigers came back with single runs in the 5th, 6th, and 7th, including a game-tying home run by Carlos Guillén
and a go-ahead RBI triple by Curtis Granderson
, to come from behind to win, 4-3.
In Game 3, which was the first postseason game played in Detroit
since 1987, the Tigers shut out the Yankees, 6-0. Kenny Rogers pitched 7⅔ scoreless innings and struck out eight in winning for the first time in his postseason career and defeated the Yankees for the first time since 1993.
In Game 4, the Tigers defeated the Yankees 8-3 to win the American League Division Series
, 3 games to 1. Jeremy Bonderman threw a perfect game through five innings, and allowed just one run on five singles over his 8⅓ innings in giving the Tigers a second straight dominating starting pitching performance.
The final out kicked off a joyous celebration of players and fans throughout Comerica Park and Downtown Detroit. The celebration even included Kenny Rogers pouring champagne over a police officer's head (he can be seen on video clearly asking permission before doing so). In the process of winning the final three games, the Tigers held the fearsome Yankees lineup scoreless for 20⅔ consecutive innings (from the 4th inning of Game 2 until the 7th inning of Game 4) while scoring 17 runs in that span.
, winners of the American League Western Division
. The A's had defeated the Minnesota Twins
in a three-game sweep in the ALDS.
The Tigers won Game 1, 5-1, as Nate Robertson scattered six hits and three walks over his five shutout innings. In the fourth inning, with men on second and third and nobody out, Robertson memorably struck out the side to preserve his own victory.
Detroit also won Game 2, 8-5. Oakland had an early two-run lead before the Tigers' four-run fourth inning gave them the lead for good. Seldom-used outfielder Alexis Gómez got the surprise start as the designated hitter. Gómez hit a homer and drove in four runs, providing another example of Jim Leyland pushing all the right buttons this season.
Returning to Comerica Park for Game 3, the Tigers shut out the A's, 3-0. Kenny Rogers was masterful again, allowing only two singles and running his scoreless streak to 15 innings, and the A's did not get a hit off relievers Fernando Rodney and Todd Jones. The two hits were the fewest allowed in a post-season game in franchise history.
In Game 4, Oakland jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. Detroit, looking to sweep the A's, fought back to tie the game on a solo home run by Magglio Ordóñez
in the 6th inning. In the bottom of the ninth with two outs and runners on first and second base, Ordóñez hit his second home run of the night, a three-run walk-off home run
off of A's closer Huston Street
that sent the Tigers to their first World Series since 1984. The American League Pennant was the tenth in Tigers history, and the pennant was won with a walk-off home run for only the third time ever (The last team to do it were the 2003 New York Yankees
, when Aaron Boone
hit a walk off home run to defeat Boston.).
World Series
Regardless of the outcome for the 2006 World Series, one manager would join Sparky Anderson
as the only skippers in history to manage teams from both the AL and NL to a title. Cardinals manager Tony La Russa
, who considers Anderson his mentor, won the 1989 World Series
with the Athletics
, while Tigers manager Jim Leyland
had won the 1997 World Series
with the Marlins
.
The Cardinals won the first game of the World Series in Detroit 7-2, behind excellent pitching from unheralded Cardinals starter Anthony Reyes
.
In Game Two, Kenny Rogers continued his astounding postseason, allowing two hits and no runs through eight innings, as the Tigers triumphed 3-1.
But the Tigers lost the next three games. They were shut out 5-0 in game three by Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter
; they lost a 5-4 heartbreaker in game four; and in game 5, the Tigers committed two costly errors, lost a 2-1 lead, and fell 4-2. In the first inning rookie pitcher Justin Verlander threw two wild pitches, tying the Series record (AP); this was in sharp contrast to the five total that he had thrown in all of his previous games. Verlander would go on to commit a throwing error in the fourth inning, allowing the tying run to score.
In the series, the Tigers committed eight errors, five by the pitching staff alone, the most in World Series
history. While the Tigers' 4-1 World Series loss the Cardinals was a complete disaster, it did not diminish the team's remarkable turnaround.
Note: G = Games pitched, IP = Innings pitched, W = Wins, L = Losses, ERA = Earned run average, SO = Strikeouts
Note: G = Games pitched, W = Wins, L = Losses, SV = Saves, HLD = Holds, ERA = Earned run average, SO = Strikeouts
2006 Major League Baseball season
In , the Major League Baseball season ended with the National League's St. Louis Cardinals winning the World Series with the lowest regular season victory total in history. The American League continued its domination at the All-Star Game by winning its fourth straight game; the A.L. has won nine...
Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
won the American League Pennant
2006 American League Championship Series
-Game 1:Tuesday, October 10, 2006 at McAfee Coliseum in Oakland, CaliforniaOakland was 0-for-13 with runners in scoring position, while Detroit turned four double plays...
. They represented the AL
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
in the World Series
2006 World Series
The 2006 World Series, the 102nd edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, began on October 21 and ended on October 27, and matched the American League champion Detroit Tigers against the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals won the Series in five games, taking...
before falling to the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
4 games to 1. The season was their 106th since they entered the AL in 1901.
Regular season
The Detroit Tigers were baseball's surprise success story of 2006. After years of futility, including an AL-record 119 losses in 20032003 Detroit Tigers season
The 2003 Detroit Tigers lost more games than any other team in American League history and came within one loss of tying the 1962 New York Mets for the most losses in modern major league history. The team’s record was 43-119, giving them a .265 winning percentage...
, the 2006 season had the Tigers surging to the top of the major league standings in May, a position they did not relinquish until the final day of the season. The play of veterans like Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers
Kenneth Donald "Kenny" Rogers is an American singer-songwriter, photographer, record producer, actor, and entrepreneur...
and Todd Jones, the emergence of previously unestablished players Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player...
, Brandon Inge
Brandon Inge
Charles Brandon Inge is an American professional baseball infielder for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
, Craig Monroe
Craig Monroe
Craig Keystone Monroe , nicknamed "C-Mo," is a Major League Baseball outfielder who most recently played for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Professional career:...
and Marcus Thames
Marcus Thames
Marcus Markley Thames is an American professional baseball outfielder. He has previously played for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers....
, and significant production from erstwhile All-Stars Iván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez Torres , nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Major League Baseball catcher...
, Magglio Ordóñez
Magglio Ordóñez
Magglio José Ordóñez Delgado is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right fielder. He has played for the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers . Ordóñez is six feet, one inch tall and weighs .-Professional career:...
and Carlos Guillén
Carlos Guillén
Carlos Alfonso Guillén is a Major League Baseball second baseman and switch-hitter....
all contributed to the team's success.
A great deal of credit was also given to manager Jim Leyland
Jim Leyland
James Richard "Jim" Leyland is a Major League Baseball manager, currently with the Detroit Tigers.He led the Florida Marlins to a World Series championship in 1997, and previously won three straight division titles with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
. On April 17, after an uninspiring 10-2 loss at home to the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
dropped the team's record to 7-6, the manager launched into a tirade against the team about its lack of effort, telling the media, "We stunk. They [the players] were already on the plane to Oakland." It appeared to light a fire under the players, spurring them on to a stretch in which they won 28 of 35 games. Leyland repeatedly preached the concept of playing hard for nine full innings, and the players took up that mantra, as evidenced not just by their words but also by the team's propensity for late-inning clutch hits, rallies and comebacks.
Statistically, the biggest factor in the team's success was its pitching, which led the major leagues in ERA and shutouts. Rookie Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander
Justin Brooks Verlander is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball....
won the AL Rookie of the Year Award, and fellow starters Kenny Rogers
Kenny Rogers (baseball player)
Kenneth Scott Rogers is a former American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 20-year baseball career, he pitched from 1989-2008 for six different teams. In addition to being known for his fielding , he pitched the fourteenth perfect game in major league baseball history...
, Jeremy Bonderman
Jeremy Bonderman
Jeremy Allen Bonderman is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who currently is a free agent. Bonderman is six feet and two inches tall and weighs 220 pounds. He bats and throws right-handed...
and Nate Robertson
Nate Robertson
Nathan Daniel "Nate" Robertson, is a Major League Baseball pitcher who currently pitches in the Seattle Mariners organization.-Florida Marlins:...
, as well as rookie reliever Joel Zumaya
Joel Zumaya
Joel Martin Zumaya is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher known for his record-breaking fastballs.-Baseball career:...
, all had noteworthy seasons. There was concern when starter Mike Maroth
Mike Maroth
Michael Warren Maroth is a former American Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Born in Orlando, Florida, and after attending the University of Central Florida, the left-handed Maroth made his Major League debut in for the Detroit Tigers.-Early career:A third-round pick in the draft, Maroth...
had to undergo surgery early in the season, but his replacement Zach Miner
Zach Miner
Zachary Charles Miner is a Major League Baseball pitcher currently in the Kansas City Royals organization. He bats and throws right-handed.-Atlanta Braves:...
proved to be adequate.
The Tigers' newfound success attracted a new generation of fans, many of whom who had never seen winning baseball in Detroit before. Detroit hit 16 home runs in their first four games, the most ever by any team in their first four games of the season. Tigers fans traveled to road games in large numbers, most notably at the interleague series with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
at Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
from June 16–18. The crowd could be heard chanting "Let's Go Tigers!" throughout all three games, all of which were Detroit victories.
The major doubt many fans and pundits had was whether the Tigers could compete against other top-tier American League teams. Early in the season, the team lost series to the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
and Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, and lost five of six games to the reigning World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
champion (and AL Central rival) Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. But on July 20, at a game which featured a particularly stirring rendition of the national anthem by local opera singer Eugene Zweig, and a standing-room-only crowd that included actor Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks
Thomas Jeffrey "Tom" Hanks is an American actor, producer, writer, and director. Hanks worked in television and family-friendly comedies, gaining wide notice in 1988's Big, before achieving success as a dramatic actor in several notable roles, including Andrew Beckett in Philadelphia, the title...
and director Ron Howard
Ron Howard
Ronald William "Ron" Howard is an American actor, director, and producer. He came to prominence as a child actor, playing Opie Taylor in the sitcom The Andy Griffith Show for eight years, and later the teenaged Richie Cunningham in the sitcom Happy Days for six years...
, the Tigers beat White Sox pitching ace José Contreras
José Contreras
José Ariel Contreras Camejo is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently with the Philadelphia Phillies...
to take the series two games to one from the White Sox, the team's first series victory against an upper-echelon AL team in 2006. In their next two series, against the AL West division-leading Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, and the red-hot Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, who were 34-8 over their previous 42 games, the Tigers also won two out of three.
On July 31, Tigers management traded minor-league pitcher Brian Rogers
Brian Rogers
Brian Alan Rogers is a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent. He made his major league debut as a September call up on September 1, 2006, with the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Detroit Tigers:...
to the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
in exchange for left-handed hitting and three-time All Star first baseman Sean Casey. The move added a left-handed bat to the lineup, especially necessary after Dmitri Young
Dmitri Young
Dmitri Dell Young is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Young is 6'2" and 275 pounds...
was released in September.
On August 7, the Tigers were 40 games above .500 (76-36) and cruising. They would lose their next five games, and the last six weeks of the season were punctuated by a nosedive, as Plácido Polanco
Plácido Polanco
Plácido Enrique Polanco is a Major League Baseball player who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies and has also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers. He is a third baseman, but in the past has played second base and shortstop...
's separated shoulder and suddenly silent bats led to a 19-31 record in the last 50 games of the season.
Only the big cushion built in the summer saved the Tigers from what would have been baseball's most statistically infamous collapse, as they clinched a playoff berth on September 24 with an 11-4 win over the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. But even that cushion couldn't save a division title. On October 1, despite a rare relief appearance from Kenny Rogers, the Tigers fell out of the top spot in the American League Central
American League Central
The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...
with a 10-8 extra-inning loss to the Royals in their last regular season game. Detroit lost their last five games, all at home, against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
and the Royals.
The loss made the Tigers the wild card entrant in the American League Playoffs; their opening-round opponent would be the New York Yankees. The Tigers ended the regular season with a 95-67 record.
Highlights
There were many memorable moments during the regular season. Some of the highlights:- On April 16, Chris Shelton became the fastest player to eight home runs in American League history, and the Tigers won a 1-0 game behind a sparkling three-hitter by Mike MarothMike MarothMichael Warren Maroth is a former American Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Born in Orlando, Florida, and after attending the University of Central Florida, the left-handed Maroth made his Major League debut in for the Detroit Tigers.-Early career:A third-round pick in the draft, Maroth...
and one-hit relief by Joel ZumayaJoel ZumayaJoel Martin Zumaya is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher known for his record-breaking fastballs.-Baseball career:...
and Fernando RodneyFernando RodneyFernando Rodney is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Rodney throws a fastball in the mid to upper-90 miles per hour and a changeup in the low 80s.-Minor leagues:...
.
- On April 20, the Tigers came into the ninth down 3-1, but clutch hits tied the game, and Brandon IngeBrandon IngeCharles Brandon Inge is an American professional baseball infielder for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
's resolute 15-pitch walk (Jim Leyland called it a "1½ Marlboro" at-bat, in reference to his noted chain-smoking when in the dugout) forced in the winning run.
- On May 3, in the eighth inning of a tense pitching duel, Brandon Inge beat a throw to second to avoid a double play, then Alexis GómezAlexis GómezAlexis DeJesus Gómez is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently playing for Diablos Rojos of the Mexican League.-Minor leagues:...
singled him in for a 2-1 comeback victory.
- On May 20, Cincinnati's Ken Griffey, Jr.Ken Griffey, Jr.George Kenneth "Ken" Griffey, Jr. , nicknamed "Junior" and "The Kid", is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and during his final years, designated hitter...
hit a grand slam that put the Reds up, 6-5, but with two outs in the ninth inning, Curtis GrandersonCurtis GrandersonCurtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player...
hit a home run that tied the game, and the Tigers won in extra innings.
- On June 1, hits by Ivan Rodríguez and Magglio Ordóñez (and gum-chewing by Nate Robertson) set up Carlos Guillén's game-winning ("walk-off") single, completing a five-run comeback and defeating the Yankees.
- On June 18, Kenny Rogers won his 200th game, becoming only the 26th left-hander in baseball history to do so.
- On June 27, Roger ClemensRoger ClemensWilliam Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
hurled a three-hitter, but Nate Robertson outpitched him and the Tigers won, 4-0.
- On July 11, the 2006 All-Star Game featured three Tigers—Rodríguez, Kenny Rogers and Ordóñez—for the first time since 1987. Rodríguez was voted as a starter, while Rogers was named the starting pitcher. The battery combination of Rogers and Rodríguez was the first time a Tigers pitcher threw to a Tigers catcher to start the Mid-Summer Classic since Denny McLainDenny McLainDennis Dale "Denny" McLain is a former American professional baseball player, and the last major league pitcher to win 30 or more games during a season —a feat accomplished by only thirteen players in the 20th century....
threw to Bill FreehanBill FreehanWilliam Ashley Freehan is a former professional baseball player. He played his entire Major League Baseball career as a catcher for the Detroit Tigers...
in 1966.
- On July 14, in a tie game, with two out and two on in the top of the ninth, reliever Todd Jones faced dangerous slugger Mark TeahenMark TeahenMark Thomas Teahen is an American-Canadian professional baseball infielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball....
, who had already hit two home runs in the game. Jones threw Teahen every pitch he could, and Teahen repeatedly fouled each pitch off. Finally Jim Leyland walked to the mound—where he told Jones his visit was a ruse, designed to fool Teahen into thinking Jones would be throwing anything but a fastball. Leyland walked off the field, Jones threw a fastball, and Teahen swung and missed for strike three. Then, in the bottom of the ninth, Carlos GuillénCarlos GuillénCarlos Alfonso Guillén is a Major League Baseball second baseman and switch-hitter....
hit the Tigers' first walk-off home run of the season for the victory. After the game, Jones said of Leyland's visit to the mound: "I thought, ‘Wow, you’re a really good manager.’"
- On July 19, Craig Monroe hit a grand slam in a Tigers victory over the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
.
- On July 20 (see above), the Tigers essentially beat the White Sox on a Marcus Thames slide into second. The slide broke up a seemingly sure double play, which allowed the winning run to score later that inning.
- On July 24, the Tigers became the first team since the 1891 St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
to score 5 runs or more in the first inning in three consecutive games.
- On July 28, the Tigers weathered 12 strikeouts by rookie Twins phenom Francisco LirianoFrancisco LirianoFrancisco Liriano y Casillas is a left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Minnesota Twins.-Professional career:...
, and won another tight game with a 10th-inning single by Craig MonroeCraig MonroeCraig Keystone Monroe , nicknamed "C-Mo," is a Major League Baseball outfielder who most recently played for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Professional career:...
.
- On August 1, Carlos GuillénCarlos GuillénCarlos Alfonso Guillén is a Major League Baseball second baseman and switch-hitter....
hit for the cycle, becoming the first Tiger since Damion EasleyDamion EasleyJacinto Damion Easley is a former Major League Baseball player who is currently Executive Director of Warrior Baseball Academy. He is also an assistant coach for the Peoria Padres.-Biography:...
did it in 2001, and the third since 1950, to do so.
- On August 5, Iván Rodríguez hit a walk-off home run with two outs in the ninth inning to complete a comeback against the Cleveland Indians.
- On August 27, a 7-1 victory over the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
secured the Tigers an 82nd victory—and their first winning season since 1993.
- On August 30, with two outs in the top of the ninth, Craig Monroe blasted a dramatic three-run home run, erasing a one-run deficit, stunning the crowd at Yankee Stadium, and giving the Tigers a 5-3 come-from-behind victory over the Yankees.
- On September 12, Craig Monroe tied a club record with three outfield assists, including throwing two runners out at the plate, and Carlos Guillén slugged two home runs, one from each side of the plate, the second being a walk-off in the bottom of the ninth that won the game, 3-2, over the Texas Rangers.
- On September 23, the Tigers scored ten runs in the first inning in a 15-4 victory over the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
. The game marked Plácido Polanco's return from the disabled list; he had three hits.
- On September 24, the Tigers scored nine runs in the second inning en route to a 11-4 victory. The win secured their first playoff appearance since 1987.
Roster
| 2006 Detroit Tigers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches (infield) (pitching) (third base) (bullpen) (hitting) (first base) |
||||||
Batting
Note: Pos = Position, G = Games played, AB = At bats, H = Hits, Avg. = Batting average, HR = Home runs, RBI = Runs batted in| Player | Pos | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carlos Guillén Carlos Guillén Carlos Alfonso Guillén is a Major League Baseball second baseman and switch-hitter.... |
SS | 153 | 543 | 174 | .320 | 19 | 85 |
| Iván Rodríguez Iván Rodríguez Iván Rodríguez Torres , nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Major League Baseball catcher... |
C | 136 | 547 | 164 | .300 | 13 | 69 |
| Magglio Ordóñez Magglio Ordóñez Magglio José Ordóñez Delgado is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right fielder. He has played for the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers . Ordóñez is six feet, one inch tall and weighs .-Professional career:... |
RF | 155 | 593 | 177 | .298 | 24 | 104 |
| Plácido Polanco Plácido Polanco Plácido Enrique Polanco is a Major League Baseball player who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies and has also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers. He is a third baseman, but in the past has played second base and shortstop... |
2B | 110 | 461 | 136 | .295 | 4 | 52 |
| Vance Wilson Vance Wilson Vance Allen Wilson is a former Major League Baseball catcher. Wilson stands at 5'11" tall, and weighs 215 pounds... |
C | 56 | 152 | 43 | .283 | 5 | 67 |
| Brent Clevlen Brent Clevlen Brent Aaron Clevlen is a Major League Baseball outfielder who currently plays in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.-Personal life:Clevlen graduated from Westwood High School in 2002.-Major leagues:... |
OF | 31 | 39 | 11 | .282 | 3 | 6 |
| Omar Infante Omar Infante Omar Rafael Infante [in-FAHN-tay] is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently on the Miami Marlins... |
2B | 78 | 224 | 62 | .277 | 4 | 25 |
| Chris Shelton Chris Shelton (baseball player) Christopher Bob Shelton is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the New York Mets organization.-Amateur career:... |
1B | 115 | 373 | 102 | .273 | 16 | 47 |
| Alexis Gómez Alexis Gómez Alexis DeJesus Gómez is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently playing for Diablos Rojos of the Mexican League.-Minor leagues:... |
LF | 62 | 103 | 28 | .272 | 1 | 6 |
| Curtis Granderson Curtis Granderson Curtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player... |
CF | 159 | 596 | 155 | .260 | 19 | 68 |
| Marcus Thames Marcus Thames Marcus Markley Thames is an American professional baseball outfielder. He has previously played for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers.... |
LF | 110 | 348 | 89 | .256 | 26 | 60 |
| Craig Monroe Craig Monroe Craig Keystone Monroe , nicknamed "C-Mo," is a Major League Baseball outfielder who most recently played for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Professional career:... |
LF | 147 | 541 | 138 | .255 | 28 | 92 |
| Brandon Inge Brandon Inge Charles Brandon Inge is an American professional baseball infielder for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed.... |
3B | 159 | 542 | 137 | .253 | 27 | 83 |
| Dmitri Young Dmitri Young Dmitri Dell Young is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Young is 6'2" and 275 pounds... |
DH | 48 | 172 | 43 | .250 | 7 | 23 |
| Sean Casey | 1B | 53 | 184 | 45 | .245 | 5 | 30 |
| Matt Stairs Matt Stairs Matthew Wade Stairs is a former Canadian professional Major League baseball outfielder, first baseman, designated hitter, and pinch hitter. He played for 12 different teams, a major league record he shares with Octavio Dotel, Mike Morgan and Ron Villone... |
DH | 14 | 41 | 10 | .244 | 2 | 8 |
| Ramón Santiago Ramón Santiago Ramón D. Santiago is a Major League Baseball shortstop. He has spent most of his major league career at shortstop, but has also played a significant amount of time at second base... |
SS | 43 | 80 | 18 | .225 | 0 | 3 |
| Neifi Pérez Neifi Pérez Neifi Neftali Pérez is a Major League baseball player who most recently played for the Detroit Tigers. He played with the Colorado Rockies , Kansas City Royals , San Francisco Giants , and the Chicago Cubs... |
2B | 21 | 65 | 13 | .200 | 0 | 5 |
| Jack Hannahan Jack Hannahan John Joseph "Jack" Hannahan IV is an American professional baseball third baseman with the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball. Mainly a third baseman, Hannahan has also played other infield positions.... |
1B | 3 | 9 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
| Mike Rabelo Mike Rabelo Michael Gregory Rabelo is a former Major League Baseball catcher.Rabelo grew up in the city of New Port Richey, Florida, and attended Ridgewood High School... |
DH | 1 | 1 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Note: pitchers' batting statistics not included
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched, IP = Innings pitched, W = Wins, L = Losses, ERA = Earned run average, SO = Strikeouts
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Justin Verlander Justin Verlander Justin Brooks Verlander is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball.... |
30 | 186 | 17 | 9 | 3.63 | 124 |
| Kenny Rogers Kenny Rogers (baseball player) Kenneth Scott Rogers is a former American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 20-year baseball career, he pitched from 1989-2008 for six different teams. In addition to being known for his fielding , he pitched the fourteenth perfect game in major league baseball history... |
34 | 204 | 17 | 8 | 3.84 | 99 |
| Nate Robertson Nate Robertson Nathan Daniel "Nate" Robertson, is a Major League Baseball pitcher who currently pitches in the Seattle Mariners organization.-Florida Marlins:... |
32 | 208⅔ | 13 | 13 | 3.84 | 137 |
| Jeremy Bonderman Jeremy Bonderman Jeremy Allen Bonderman is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who currently is a free agent. Bonderman is six feet and two inches tall and weighs 220 pounds. He bats and throws right-handed... |
34 | 214 | 14 | 8 | 4.08 | 202 |
| Mike Maroth Mike Maroth Michael Warren Maroth is a former American Major League Baseball starting pitcher. Born in Orlando, Florida, and after attending the University of Central Florida, the left-handed Maroth made his Major League debut in for the Detroit Tigers.-Early career:A third-round pick in the draft, Maroth... |
13 | 53⅔ | 5 | 2 | 4.19 | 24 |
| Zach Miner Zach Miner Zachary Charles Miner is a Major League Baseball pitcher currently in the Kansas City Royals organization. He bats and throws right-handed.-Atlanta Braves:... |
27 | 93 | 7 | 6 | 4.84 | 59 |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched, W = Wins, L = Losses, SV = Saves, HLD = Holds, ERA = Earned run average, SO = Strikeouts
| Player | G | W | L | SV | HLD | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chad Durbin Chad Durbin Chad Griffin Durbin is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He has also played with the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals and Cleveland Indians of the American League and the Arizona Diamondbacks and Philadelphia Phillies of the National League... |
3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.50 | 3 |
| Joel Zumaya Joel Zumaya Joel Martin Zumaya is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher known for his record-breaking fastballs.-Baseball career:... |
62 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 30 | 1.94 | 97 |
| Jamie Walker Jamie Walker James Ross "Jamie the Cat" Walker is an American Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously pitched for the Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, and Baltimore Orioles.... |
56 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 2.81 | 37 |
| Colby Lewis Colby Lewis Colby Preston Lewis is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers.Lewis was originally a first-round draft choice of the Texas Rangers in the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft, and made his major league debut in... |
2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.00 | 5 |
| Chris Spurling Chris Spurling Christopher Michael Spurling is a relief pitcher, most recently with the Milwaukee Brewers minor league system. He enters the MLB season with a career 4.32 ERA... |
9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.18 | 4 |
| Fernando Rodney Fernando Rodney Fernando Rodney is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Rodney throws a fastball in the mid to upper-90 miles per hour and a changeup in the low 80s.-Minor leagues:... |
63 | 7 | 4 | 7 | 18 | 3.52 | 65 |
| Wilfredo Ledezma Wilfredo Ledezma Wilfredo Jose Ledezma is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. He has previously played for the Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals, and Pittsburgh Pirates... |
24 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 3.58 | 39 |
| Todd Jones | 62 | 2 | 6 | 37 | 0 | 3.94 | 28 |
| Jason Grilli Jason Grilli Jason Michael Grilli is an Italian-American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball... |
51 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 4.21 | 31 |
| Román Colón Román Colón Román Benedicto Colón is a Major League Baseball pitcher. He is 6 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs 245 pounds... |
20 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4.89 | 25 |
| Andrew Miller Andrew Miller (baseball) Andrew Mark Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-College:... |
8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6.10 | 6 |
| Jordan Tata Jordan Tata Jordan Arthur Tata is a retired major league starter/reliever. Tata made his major league debut, April 6, 2006 against the Texas Rangers in a 10-6 win. For college he attended Sam Houston State. He is 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 220 pounds... |
8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.14 | 6 |
| Bobby Seay Bobby Seay Robert "Bobby" Michael Seay is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays from 2001 to 2004, the Colorado Rockies in 2005, and the Detroit Tigers from 2006 to 2010.-High school:Seay is a graduate of Sarasota High... |
14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.46 | 12 |
American League Division Series
The New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
were heavy favorites over the Tigers to win the series because of their "modern-day Murderers' Row" lineup. All nine batters were current or former All-Stars. The Yankees won the first game, 8-4.
In Game 2, the Tigers took an early 1-0 lead before Johnny Damon
Johnny Damon
Johnny David Damon is an American professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter. From 2000–2008, he was third among active players in runs and seventh in hits and stolen bases . He is currently second among active leaders in triples , five behind Carl Crawford...
hit a three-run homer for New York in the 4th inning. The Tigers came back with single runs in the 5th, 6th, and 7th, including a game-tying home run by Carlos Guillén
Carlos Guillén
Carlos Alfonso Guillén is a Major League Baseball second baseman and switch-hitter....
and a go-ahead RBI triple by Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player...
, to come from behind to win, 4-3.
In Game 3, which was the first postseason game played in Detroit
Detroit, Michigan
Detroit is the major city among the primary cultural, financial, and transportation centers in the Metro Detroit area, a region of 5.2 million people. As the seat of Wayne County, the city of Detroit is the largest city in the U.S. state of Michigan and serves as a major port on the Detroit River...
since 1987, the Tigers shut out the Yankees, 6-0. Kenny Rogers pitched 7⅔ scoreless innings and struck out eight in winning for the first time in his postseason career and defeated the Yankees for the first time since 1993.
In Game 4, the Tigers defeated the Yankees 8-3 to win the American League Division Series
2006 American League Division Series
-Game 1, October 3:Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkA five-run third inning by the Yankees put the game out of reach for the Tigers. Bobby Abreu doubled to score Johnny Damon and Derek Jeter . Gary Sheffield then singled in Abreu, and Jason Giambi launched a two-run home run for a commanding 5–0...
, 3 games to 1. Jeremy Bonderman threw a perfect game through five innings, and allowed just one run on five singles over his 8⅓ innings in giving the Tigers a second straight dominating starting pitching performance.
The final out kicked off a joyous celebration of players and fans throughout Comerica Park and Downtown Detroit. The celebration even included Kenny Rogers pouring champagne over a police officer's head (he can be seen on video clearly asking permission before doing so). In the process of winning the final three games, the Tigers held the fearsome Yankees lineup scoreless for 20⅔ consecutive innings (from the 4th inning of Game 2 until the 7th inning of Game 4) while scoring 17 runs in that span.
American League Championship Series
The Tigers faced the Oakland AthleticsOakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, winners of the American League Western Division
American League West
The American League West is one of three divisions in Major League Baseball's American League. The division currently has four teams, but it has had as many as seven teams before the 1994 realignment. Although its teams currently only reside along the west coast and in Texas, historically the...
. The A's had defeated the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
in a three-game sweep in the ALDS.
The Tigers won Game 1, 5-1, as Nate Robertson scattered six hits and three walks over his five shutout innings. In the fourth inning, with men on second and third and nobody out, Robertson memorably struck out the side to preserve his own victory.
Detroit also won Game 2, 8-5. Oakland had an early two-run lead before the Tigers' four-run fourth inning gave them the lead for good. Seldom-used outfielder Alexis Gómez got the surprise start as the designated hitter. Gómez hit a homer and drove in four runs, providing another example of Jim Leyland pushing all the right buttons this season.
Returning to Comerica Park for Game 3, the Tigers shut out the A's, 3-0. Kenny Rogers was masterful again, allowing only two singles and running his scoreless streak to 15 innings, and the A's did not get a hit off relievers Fernando Rodney and Todd Jones. The two hits were the fewest allowed in a post-season game in franchise history.
In Game 4, Oakland jumped out to an early 3-0 lead. Detroit, looking to sweep the A's, fought back to tie the game on a solo home run by Magglio Ordóñez
Magglio Ordóñez
Magglio José Ordóñez Delgado is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right fielder. He has played for the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers . Ordóñez is six feet, one inch tall and weighs .-Professional career:...
in the 6th inning. In the bottom of the ninth with two outs and runners on first and second base, Ordóñez hit his second home run of the night, a three-run walk-off home run
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
off of A's closer Huston Street
Huston Street
Huston Lowell Street is an American baseball relief pitcher for the Colorado Rockies. His father is former University of Texas quarterback James Street, and his brother Juston Street is currently a pitcher for the minor league Vancouver Canadians....
that sent the Tigers to their first World Series since 1984. The American League Pennant was the tenth in Tigers history, and the pennant was won with a walk-off home run for only the third time ever (The last team to do it were the 2003 New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, when Aaron Boone
Aaron Boone
Aaron John Boone is a former Major League Baseball infielder whose famous home run off Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield won the 2003 American League Championship Series for the New York Yankees. He played for the Cincinnati Reds, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Florida Marlins, Washington...
hit a walk off home run to defeat Boston.).
World Series2006 World SeriesThe 2006 World Series, the 102nd edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, began on October 21 and ended on October 27, and matched the American League champion Detroit Tigers against the National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. The Cardinals won the Series in five games, taking...
Regardless of the outcome for the 2006 World Series, one manager would join Sparky AndersonSparky Anderson
George Lee "Sparky" Anderson was an American Major League Baseball manager. He managed the National League's Cincinnati Reds to the 1975 and 1976 championships, then added a third title in 1984 with the Detroit Tigers of the American League. He was the first manager to win the World Series in both...
as the only skippers in history to manage teams from both the AL and NL to a title. Cardinals manager Tony La Russa
Tony La Russa
Anthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
, who considers Anderson his mentor, won the 1989 World Series
1989 World Series
†: Game 3 was originally slated for October 17 at 5:35 pm; however, it was postponed when an earthquake occurred at 5:04 pm.-Game 1:Saturday, October 14, 1989 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, California...
with the Athletics
1989 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics season saw the A's finish in first place in the American League West division, with a record of 99 wins and 63 losses, seven games in front of the Kansas City Royals. It was their second consecutive AL West title, as well as the second straight year in which they finished...
, while Tigers manager Jim Leyland
Jim Leyland
James Richard "Jim" Leyland is a Major League Baseball manager, currently with the Detroit Tigers.He led the Florida Marlins to a World Series championship in 1997, and previously won three straight division titles with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
had won the 1997 World Series
1997 World Series
-Game 1:Saturday, October 18, 1997 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami Gardens, FloridaThe first World Series game in the state of Florida, Game 1 featured a youngster and a veteran facing each other on the mound...
with the Marlins
1997 Florida Marlins season
The 1997 Florida Marlins season started off with the team trying to improve on their record from 1996. Their manager was Jim Leyland. They played home games at Pro Player Stadium...
.
The Cardinals won the first game of the World Series in Detroit 7-2, behind excellent pitching from unheralded Cardinals starter Anthony Reyes
Anthony Reyes
Anthony Loza Reyes is a right-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent.Reyes has a younger brother, Erik, who pitched for Concordia University Irvine in .-High School:...
.
In Game Two, Kenny Rogers continued his astounding postseason, allowing two hits and no runs through eight innings, as the Tigers triumphed 3-1.
But the Tigers lost the next three games. They were shut out 5-0 in game three by Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
; they lost a 5-4 heartbreaker in game four; and in game 5, the Tigers committed two costly errors, lost a 2-1 lead, and fell 4-2. In the first inning rookie pitcher Justin Verlander threw two wild pitches, tying the Series record (AP); this was in sharp contrast to the five total that he had thrown in all of his previous games. Verlander would go on to commit a throwing error in the fourth inning, allowing the tying run to score.
In the series, the Tigers committed eight errors, five by the pitching staff alone, the most in World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
history. While the Tigers' 4-1 World Series loss the Cardinals was a complete disaster, it did not diminish the team's remarkable turnaround.
Batting
Note: G = Games played, AB = At bats, H = Hits, Avg. = Batting average, HR = Home runs, RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sean Casey | 10 | 37 | 16 | .432 | 2 | 9 |
| Carlos Guillén Carlos Guillén Carlos Alfonso Guillén is a Major League Baseball second baseman and switch-hitter.... |
13 | 47 | 17 | .362 | 1 | 4 |
| Alexis Gómez Alexis Gómez Alexis DeJesus Gómez is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently playing for Diablos Rojos of the Mexican League.-Minor leagues:... |
6 | 12 | 4 | .333 | 1 | 4 |
| Omar Infante Omar Infante Omar Rafael Infante [in-FAHN-tay] is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently on the Miami Marlins... |
2 | 3 | 1 | .333 | 0 | 0 |
| Plácido Polanco Plácido Polanco Plácido Enrique Polanco is a Major League Baseball player who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies and has also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers. He is a third baseman, but in the past has played second base and shortstop... |
13 | 51 | 16 | .314 | 0 | 4 |
| Brandon Inge Brandon Inge Charles Brandon Inge is an American professional baseball infielder for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed.... |
13 | 44 | 12 | .273 | 1 | 4 |
| Craig Monroe Craig Monroe Craig Keystone Monroe , nicknamed "C-Mo," is a Major League Baseball outfielder who most recently played for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Professional career:... |
13 | 50 | 12 | .240 | 5 | 9 |
| Marcus Thames Marcus Thames Marcus Markley Thames is an American professional baseball outfielder. He has previously played for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers.... |
8 | 21 | 5 | .238 | 0 | 1 |
| Curtis Granderson Curtis Granderson Curtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player... |
13 | 53 | 12 | .226 | 3 | 7 |
| Magglio Ordóñez Magglio Ordóñez Magglio José Ordóñez Delgado is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right fielder. He has played for the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers . Ordóñez is six feet, one inch tall and weighs .-Professional career:... |
13 | 51 | 10 | .196 | 3 | 8 |
| Iván Rodríguez Iván Rodríguez Iván Rodríguez Torres , nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Major League Baseball catcher... |
13 | 48 | 8 | .167 | 1 | 5 |
| Ramón Santiago Ramón Santiago Ramón D. Santiago is a Major League Baseball shortstop. He has spent most of his major league career at shortstop, but has also played a significant amount of time at second base... |
6 | 12 | 1 | .083 | 0 | 0 |
| Neifi Pérez Neifi Pérez Neifi Neftali Pérez is a Major League baseball player who most recently played for the Detroit Tigers. He played with the Colorado Rockies , Kansas City Royals , San Francisco Giants , and the Chicago Cubs... |
3 | 4 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
| Jeremy Bonderman Jeremy Bonderman Jeremy Allen Bonderman is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who currently is a free agent. Bonderman is six feet and two inches tall and weighs 220 pounds. He bats and throws right-handed... |
3 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
| Justin Verlander Justin Verlander Justin Brooks Verlander is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball.... |
4 | 2 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched, IP = Innings pitched, W = Wins, L = Losses, ERA = Earned run average, SO = Strikeouts
| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kenny Rogers Kenny Rogers (baseball player) Kenneth Scott Rogers is a former American Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 20-year baseball career, he pitched from 1989-2008 for six different teams. In addition to being known for his fielding , he pitched the fourteenth perfect game in major league baseball history... |
3 | 23 | 3 | 0 | 0.00 | 19 |
| Jeremy Bonderman Jeremy Bonderman Jeremy Allen Bonderman is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who currently is a free agent. Bonderman is six feet and two inches tall and weighs 220 pounds. He bats and throws right-handed... |
3 | 20⅓ | 1 | 0 | 3.10 | 11 |
| Nate Robertson Nate Robertson Nathan Daniel "Nate" Robertson, is a Major League Baseball pitcher who currently pitches in the Seattle Mariners organization.-Florida Marlins:... |
3 | 15⅔ | 1 | 2 | 5.17 | 8 |
| Justin Verlander Justin Verlander Justin Brooks Verlander is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball.... |
4 | 21⅔ | 1 | 2 | 5.82 | 23 |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched, W = Wins, L = Losses, SV = Saves, HLD = Holds, ERA = Earned run average, SO = Strikeouts
| Player | G | W | L | SV | HLD | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Todd Jones | 7 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0.00 | 4 |
| Jason Grilli Jason Grilli Jason Michael Grilli is an Italian-American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball... |
5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.00 | 1 |
| Zach Miner Zach Miner Zachary Charles Miner is a Major League Baseball pitcher currently in the Kansas City Royals organization. He bats and throws right-handed.-Atlanta Braves:... |
1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.00 | 0 |
| Wilfredo Ledezma Wilfredo Ledezma Wilfredo Jose Ledezma is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. He has previously played for the Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals, and Pittsburgh Pirates... |
4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2.25 | 2 |
| Fernando Rodney Fernando Rodney Fernando Rodney is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Rodney throws a fastball in the mid to upper-90 miles per hour and a changeup in the low 80s.-Minor leagues:... |
7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2.35 | 9 |
| Joel Zumaya Joel Zumaya Joel Martin Zumaya is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher known for his record-breaking fastballs.-Baseball career:... |
6 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3.00 | 6 |
| Jamie Walker Jamie Walker James Ross "Jamie the Cat" Walker is an American Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously pitched for the Kansas City Royals, Detroit Tigers, and Baltimore Orioles.... |
5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.15 | 3 |
Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Toledo, West MichiganExternal links
- Game Logs:
- 1st Half: Detroit Tigers Game Log on ESPN.com
- 2nd Half: Detroit Tigers Game Log on ESPN.com
- Batting Statistics: Detroit Tigers Batting Stats on ESPN.com
- Pitching Statistics: Detroit Tigers Pitching Stats on ESPN.com