List RulesPlease only rank the players based on their time with the Tigers
This is a list of the greatest Detroit Tigers players in team history.The Detroit Tigers are a baseball institution. Formed in 1894, are the oldest continuous one-name, one-city franchise in the American League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships (1935, 1945, 1968, and 1984) and have won the American League pennant 11 times (1907, 1908, 1909, 1934, 1935, 1940, 1945, 1968, 1984, 2006, and 2012). Like other American League teams, the best players to play for the Tigers are generally position players. Some of the greatest players in baseball history have played for Detroit.
One of the best Tigers ever is Ty Cobb. Say what you want about the guy's demeanor and aggressive mean streak (he is known to have spiked his opponents sliding into bases), but what's indisputable is his stat line. Cobb won 12 batting titles, including nine in a row from 1907 to 1915. He won the 1911 AL MVP award, hit over .400 three times and has a career batting average of .366, a Major League Record.
Another big slugger to sport the old English D is Hammerin' Hank Greenberg. The first Jewish superstar in professional sports, Greenberg bashed over 50 home runs in 1938 and won the MVP award in 1935 and 1940. Add five All Star appearances and two World Series championships, it's easy to see why Greenberg is one of the most beloved sluggers in Tigers history.
This list of the Greatest Detroit Tigers of All Time also includes stars of today, including Miguel Cabrera and Justin Verlander. These two players in their prime are the most dominant position player and pitcher in the game. If you see a Tigers player who deserves to be mentioned as the greatest Tigers of all time, feel free to add him to this list.1
1,523210Ty Cobb
Outfielder, Center fielder2
1,298213Al Kaline
Designated hitter, Right fielder3
1,049254Hank Greenberg
Outfielder, First baseman4
1,109306Mickey Lolich
Pitcher5
725173Mickey Cochrane
Catcher6
875233Bill Freehan
Catcher7
851252Charlie Gehringer
Second baseman8
894249Norm Cash
First baseman9
1,379735Miguel Cabrera
First baseman, Third baseman10
487218Harry Heilmann
Right fielder, Outfielder11
539248Hal Newhouser
Pitcher12
363117Dick McAuliffe
Second baseman, Shortstop13
33266Sparky Anderson
Manager, Second baseman14
999580Justin Verlander
Pitcher15
499194Mark Fidrych
Pitcher16
3209217
18764Dizzy Trout
Pitcher18
869542Alan Trammell
Shortstop19
28780Rocky Colavito
Right fielder, Outfielder20
31668Jim Northrup
Outfielder, Center fielder21
18557John Hiller
Pitcher22
383191Denny McLain
Pitcher23
21559Schoolboy Rowe
Pitcher24
685443Jack Morris
Pitcher25
696457Lou Whitaker
Second baseman