The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team located in Detroit. They play in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the American League (AL) Central Division. The team is one of the eight original teams in the AL. It was founded in Detroit in 1894 as a member of the minor league Western League. The Tigers are the only Western League team still playing in its original city. They are also the oldest AL team still playing in their original city under their original name.

Since becoming a major league team in 1901, the Tigers have won four World Series championships (1935, 1945, 1968, and 1984). They have also won 11 AL pennants (1907, 1908, 1909, 1934, 1935, 1940, 1945, 1968, 1984, 2006, and 2012) and four AL Central division championships (2011, 2012, 2013, and 2014). The team won division titles in 1972, 1984, and 1987 as part of the AL East. Since 2000, the Tigers have played their home games at Comerica Park in Downtown Detroit.

The Tigers built Bennett Park at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Trumbull Avenue in Corktown, just west of Downtown Detroit. They began playing there in 1896. In 1912, the team moved into Navin Field, which was built on the same location. Navin Field was expanded in 1938 and renamed Briggs Stadium. It was renamed Tiger Stadium in 1961, and the Tigers played there until 1999.

From 1901 to 2025, the Tigers’ overall win-loss record is 9,763–9,642–93 (.503). The franchise’s best winning percentage was .656 in 1934, and its worst was .265 in 2003.

History

The franchise was founded as a member of the reorganized Western League in 1894. 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 Michigan and Trumbull Avenues, which would remain the team's base of operations for the next 104 seasons. The first game at The Corner was an exhibition on April 13, 1896. The team, now occasionally called the "Tigers," beat a local semi-pro team, known as the Athletics, by a score of 30–3. The Tigers played their first Western League game at Bennett Park on April 28, 1896, defeating the Columbus Senators 17–2.

At the end of the 1897 season, Rube Waddell was loaned to the team to gain professional experience. After being fined, Waddell left Detroit to pitch in Canada.

When the Western League renamed itself the American League for 1900, it was still a minor league, but the next year, it broke from the National Agreement and declared itself a major league, openly competing with the National League for players and for fans in four contested cities. For a while, there were rumors of the team relocating to Pittsburgh. However, these rumors were put to rest when the two leagues made peace in 1903 when they signed a new National Agreement.

The Tigers were established as a charter member of the now major league American League in 1901. They played their first game as a major league team at home against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 25, 1901, with an estimated 10,000 fans at Bennett Park. After entering the ninth inning behind 13–4, the team staged a dramatic comeback to win 14–13. The team finished third in the eight-team league.

That initial season they were the first major league team to have a mascot—a red tiger on a dark background—on their ballcap. It was replaced by the letter "D" in 1903, and their iconic Olde English-style letterform appeared the following year.

In 1905, the team acquired 18-year-old Ty Cobb, a fearless player who came to be regarded as one of the greatest players of all time. The addition of Cobb to an already talented team that included Sam Crawford, Hughie Jennings, Bill Donovan, and George Mullin quickly yielded results.

Behind the hitting of outfielders Ty Cobb (.350) and Sam Crawford (.323), and the pitching of Bill Donovan and Ed Killian (25 wins each), the Tigers went 92–58 to win the AL pennant in 1907 by 1.5 games over the Philadelphia Athletics. They moved on to their first World Series appearance against the Chicago Cubs.

Game 1 ended in a rare 3–3 tie, called due to darkness after 12 innings. The Tigers scored only three runs in the succeeding four games, never scoring more than one run in a game, and lost the Series, 4–0.

The Tigers won the AL by just a half-game over the 90–64 Cleveland Naps with a 90–63 record. Cobb hit .324, while Sam Crawford hit .311 with 7 home runs, which was enough to lead the league in the "dead ball" era.

The Cubs, however, defeated the Tigers again in the 1908 World Series, this time in five games. This would be the Cubs' last World Championship until 2016.

In 1909, Detroit posted a 98–54 season, winning the AL pennant by 3.5 games over the Athletics. Ty Cobb won the batting triple crown in 1909, hitting .377 with 9 home runs (all inside-the-park) and 107 RBIs. He also led the league with 76 stolen bases. George Mullin was the pitching hero, going 29–8 with a 2.22 ERA, while fellow pitcher Ed Willett went 21–10. Mullin's 11–0 start in 1909 was a Tigers record for 104 years, finally being broken by Max Scherzer's 13–0 start in 2013.

It was hoped that a new opponent in the 1909 Series, the Pittsburgh Pirates, would yield different results. The Tigers performed better in the Fall Classic, taking Pittsburgh to seven games, but they were blown out 8–0 in the decisive game at Bennett Park.

The Tigers dropped to third place in the American League in 1910 with an 86–68 record. They posted 89 wins in 1911 to finish second, but were still well behind a powerhouse Philadelphia Athletics team that won 101 games. The team sank to a dismal sixth place in both the 1912 and 1913 seasons. A bright spot in 1912 was George Mullin pitching the franchise's first no-hitter in a 7–0 win over the St. Louis Browns on July 4, his 32nd birthday.

Cobb went into the stands in a May 15, 1912, game to attack a fan that was abusing him, and was suspended. Three days later, the Tigers protested the suspension by fielding a team of replacement players against the Philadelphia Athletics. They lost 24–2. During this five-season stretch, Cobb posted batting averages of .383, .420, .409, .390, and .368, winning the batting title every year.

In 1915, the Tigers won a then-club record 100 games, but narrowly lost the AL pennant to the Boston Red Sox with a 95–59 record. Cobb hit .375, while Sam Crawford hit .343 with 12 home runs. The Tigers' lineup included Hall of Famers Ty Cobb, Sam Crawford, and George Sisler.

The Tigers dropped to third place in the

Nickname

In their first season in 1894, the team was called the Wolverines and Creams. Later, they became known as the Tigers. There are many stories about how they got their nickname. One story is about the striped socks they wore. George Stallings, the team's manager, said he came up with the name. However, the first known use of the name was in the Detroit Free Press on April 16, 1895. This was a year before Stallings joined the team.

In the book A Place for Summer: A Narrative History of Tiger Stadium, Richard Bak says the name came from the Detroit Light Guard, a military group known as "The Tigers." This group fought in important battles during the Civil War and the 1898 Spanish-American War. When the team joined the major leagues, they asked the Light Guard for permission to use the name. After receiving approval, the team has been called the Tigers ever since.

Rivalries

The rivalry between the Tigers and the Chicago White Sox is one of the oldest active rivalries in the league today. Both teams joined the American League in 1901 after being original members of the Western League. They have played against each other every year for more than 120 seasons. Like other professional sports teams in Chicago and Detroit, such as the Bulls and Pistons in the NBA, the Blackhawks and Red Wings in the NHL, and the Bears and Lions in the NFL, the Tigers and White Sox have a strong rivalry. Even though they have played over 2,200 games against each other, the teams have never met in the postseason.

The Tigers also have divisional rivalries with the Cleveland Guardians, Kansas City Royals, and Minnesota Twins. The rivalry with Cleveland became intense on August 7, 2013, when the Tigers and Guardians were first and second in the AL Central standings. Some Tigers fans chanted "Let's go Tigers!" during the game, while Cleveland fans responded with "Detroit's bankrupt!" because Detroit was going through a financial crisis in 2013. Footage of the chants was shared online, and some fans criticized Cleveland fans for the chant. The Tigers won the game 6–5 in 14 innings. The teams met in the postseason for the first time in the 2024 American League Division Series, where the Guardians won 3–2. They faced each other again in the 2025 American League Wild Card Series, where the Tigers won 2–1.

The Tigers have an ongoing rivalry with the Toronto Blue Jays because the Tigers were in the same division as the Blue Jays when they played in the AL East.

Although the Tigers have not often faced their divisional rivals in the postseason, they had a major playoff rivalry with the New York Yankees in 2006, 2011, and 2012. The Tigers won each series, including a four-game victory in the 2012 ALCS.

The Tigers have also faced teams from the National League many times in the World Series, such as the Chicago Cubs (four times) and St. Louis Cardinals (three times). In interleague play, the Pittsburgh Pirates are considered the Tigers' "natural rival."

Fanbase

The Detroit Tigers have many fans in areas near Lake Erie, including parts of Michigan, northwestern Ohio, southwestern Ontario, and a smaller group of fans in Erie, Pennsylvania. This is because Detroit is close to these regions, and the Tigers have a Double-A team called the Erie SeaWolves in northwestern Pennsylvania. The Tigers also have a Triple-A team called the Toledo Mud Hens in Toledo, Ohio, and another Double-A team in Erie.

In Ontario, the Tigers have built a strong fan base. Most baseball fans in southwestern Ontario support the Tigers instead of the Toronto Blue Jays. Cities like Windsor and Sarnia in Ontario have large groups of loyal Tigers fans.

Rally cry

During the 1968 season, fans cheered the team with the phrase "Go Get 'Em, Tigers," which came from a song written and recorded by Artie Fields. Another popular phrase at the time was "Sock it to 'em, Tigers!"

In 1984, during the World Series championship run, fans used the phrase "Bless You Boys," which was created by sportscaster Al Ackerman.

In 2005, the team began using the phrase "Who's Your Tiger?" as its slogan.

During the 2006 season, a new rally cry started in the Tigers' dugout. In a June game against the New York Yankees, pitcher Nate Robertson was interviewed by FSN Detroit during the game. While speaking, Robertson began chewing Big League Chew bubble gum. Later, the Tigers scored enough runs to tie the game. This led to the phrase "Gum Time" becoming popular.

At the same time, a local man named James Van Horn, who lived near Comerica Park, often yelled "Eat 'Em Up Tigers! Eat 'Em Up!" as he walked nearby. This chant became widely used by fans.

In 2009, the team used the phrase "Always a Tiger" as its slogan.

In 2011, the slogan was changed back to "Who's Your Tiger?"

During the 2018 season, a new rally cry began. In a May game against the Los Angeles Angels, a goose appeared on the field during a rain delay. After a short time, the goose left the field and flew into the scoreboard. It was not hurt. When the game continued, the Tigers scored five runs in the sixth inning and won the game 6–1. This event led to the phrase "Rally Goose" becoming popular.

Uniforms and logos

Since 1934, the Tigers have worn the same home uniform: a white jersey with navy blue trim along the front and an Old English "D" on the left chest, white pants, and a navy blue hat with a white "D" in the Old English typeface. On their road uniforms, the "D" on the hat is orange, and the word "Detroit" is written in script across the jersey. The script "Detroit" design first appeared on road jerseys in 1930 and remained until 1959, when it was changed to block letters.

The current road uniform was first worn in 1994 with racing stripes, then without stripes from 1995 to 1997, and later updated to a design inspired by the team's mid-1950s road uniforms. Before this, the Tigers wore two different cap styles with orange brims: one with only an orange "D" (1994) and another with a tiger walking through a white "D" logo (until 1997).

From 1960 to 1993, the Tigers wore road uniforms with block "Detroit" lettering, adding orange trim in 1972. Caps initially had white trim inside the orange "D" until 1982. The blackletter "D" first appeared on uniforms in 1904, replacing a simple block "D" used in 1903. The blackletter "D" became common after 1934. In 1960, the Tigers briefly used a script "Tigers" on their uniforms, but this change was reversed after one season.

The Tigers once had different versions of the Old English "D" on their caps and jerseys. In 2018, the curved logo on home uniforms was changed to match the sharp-cornered hat logo, and the cap logo was made larger. In 2019, the cap logo was reduced in size but kept the sharp-cornered design on home jerseys.

In 2023, the Tigers signed a uniform sponsorship deal with Meijer, a major store chain in Grand Rapids. The uniform patch (on the sleeve of the player's dominant hand) features navy blue on white for home uniforms and white text on black with an orange outline for road jerseys.

Unique features of the Tigers' uniforms:
– The Tigers are the only Major League Baseball team with a color (orange) on their road uniforms that is not on their home uniforms. Orange first appeared on road uniforms in 1903 and became a full-time accent color in 1972. The team also wore orange "D" navy caps at home during the late 1940s through the 1950s.
– The Tigers' uniforms have more belt loops than any other team, as their pants lack the wide "tunnel" loops found on most baseball pants.

In 1995, the Tigers introduced a solid navy blue alternate jersey with a tiger stepping through the "D" on the chest. It was worn for one home game.

For their annual Negro Leagues Tribute Game, the Tigers wear throwback jerseys from the Detroit Stars to honor players and contributions from the Negro Leagues.

For their "¡Fiesta Tigres!" game, the Tigers wear a white and navy blue home jersey with "Tigres" across the chest to recognize Hispanic and Latino players and coaches.

Like all MLB teams, the Tigers wore special jerseys for Players Weekend. In 2017, their away jerseys were grey with bright orange "Tigers" on the chest and an orange cap with a tiger instead of the Old English "D." Players used nicknames on the back of their jerseys. In 2018, the Tigers wore a blue jersey with orange sleeves and an orange cap with a tiger.

In 2024, the Tigers introduced their first City Connect jersey, inspired by Detroit's automobile industry. The navy blue jersey has electric blue tire tread patterns, the nickname "Motor City" on the front, and racing stripes. The sleeve patch includes a diamond highway shield from Michigan's State Trunkline Highway System and references Comerica Park's location on Woodward Avenue (M-1). The cap has "Detroit" on the front and a faux vehicle identification number tag referencing the team's 1901 season and four World Series titles.

In 2026, the Tigers introduced two new alternate uniforms: an orange home jersey and a navy road jersey. Both draw inspiration from the 1970s, 1980s, and early 1990s, including the 1984 World Series championship team. The orange jersey has a navy Old English "D" with a white outline, while the navy jersey features the script "Detroit" in orange with navy and white outlines. A new cap with a navy crown, orange Old English "D," and orange bill was also introduced to match both uniforms.

Baseball Hall of Famers

At Comerica Park, retired numbers and honored names are displayed on the outfield walls like this:

• Ty Cobb, Harry Heilmann, Heinie Manush, Hughie Jennings, and Sam Crawford are honored by their names on the wall at Comerica Park. They all played in an era where numbers were not worn on uniforms.
• Though their numbers are not officially retired, the names of Mickey Cochrane and George Kell are displayed at Comerica Park to honor their contributions to the Detroit Tigers organization. Cochrane wore No. 3, later retired for Alan Trammell, and Kell wore No. 21 for five years, No. 7 for two years, and No. 15 for one year. They both entered the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum as Detroit Tigers, and their plaques in the Hall show them wearing the Tigers' cap.
• Al Kaline was also a TV color commentator for the Tigers from 1975 to 2002. George Kell was also a play-by-play announcer for the Tigers from 1959 to 1963 and again from 1965 to 1996.
• Ernie Harwell spent 42 years (in two separate periods) calling Tigers games on radio and television. Harwell, Kell, and the aforementioned five players honored by name are grouped together in right field.
• Jackie Robinson’s No. 42 was retired throughout Major League Baseball in 1997.

Most players with retired numbers, including Ty Cobb, have statues behind their names, which are painted on the left-center field wall.

National Avenue, which runs behind the third-base stands at the Tigers’ previous home, Tiger Stadium, was renamed Cochrane Street for Mickey Cochrane. Cherry Street, which runs behind the left-field stands at Tiger Stadium, was renamed Kaline Drive for Al Kaline.

The most recent number retired by the Tigers was Jim Leyland, who had his No. 10 retired on August 3, 2024.

• Bill Coughlin 1907–1908
• Germany Schaefer 1907–1909
• George Moriarty 1911–1916
• Brad Ausmus 1999
• Doug Brocail 1999
• Dean Palmer 1999

Broadcasters

The Tigers' main radio station is WXYT-FM (97.1 FM). Dan Dickerson provides play-by-play commentary, while Bobby Scales, Dan Petry, and Andy Dirks take turns as color commentators. When Dickerson works on television, Greg Gania serves as a backup. Games are broadcast throughout Michigan, Toledo, and Archbold, Ohio.

In February 2026, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment announced that regional broadcasts of the Tigers would be managed by MLB Local Media starting in the 2026 season. The agreement also included the co-owned Detroit Red Wings. The following month, Ilitch Sports + Entertainment announced the creation of Detroit SportsNet to continue broadcasting games to cable and satellite providers in the Tigers' regional market.

The Tigers' television broadcast team includes Jason Benetti for play-by-play commentary, with Andy Dirks, Dan Petry, Todd Jones, and Bobby Scales taking turns as color commentators. When Benetti works for NBC Sports, Dan Dickerson serves as a backup.