Events in Sport
American League Reorganized
1900-03-16 AL meets in Chicago, Ban Johnson announces AL league will be Chicago White Stockings, Washington Senators, Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Blues, Boston Americans, Philadelphia Athletics and Baltimore Orioles
- 1901-04-25 In last of 9th, Detroit Tigers, trailing by 13-4, score 10 runs to win one of greatest comebacks in baseball (1st game in Detroit)
- 1901-05-01 Chicago White Sox outfielder Herm McFarland hits first grand slam in American League history in 19-9 win at home against Detroit; Tigers commit 12 errors
- 1901-08-21 Baltimore Orioles pitcher Joe McGinnity is suspended from MLB for punching & spitting on umpire Tom Connolly in previous day's 5-2 loss to Detroit Tigers; lifetime suspension reduced to 12 days
- 1902-09-20 Chicago White Sox pitcher Jimmy 'Nixey' Callahan no-hits Detroit Tigers, 3-0
- 1903-05-06 Chicago White Sox commit 11 errors against Detroit Tigers but win 10-9 at South Side Park. Chicago
Sports History
1905-08-30 Detroit Tigers future Baseball HOF center fielder Ty Cobb makes his MLB debut, doubling off Jack Chesbro in a 5-3 win over the NY Highlanders at Bennett Park, Detroit
- 1905-09-06 Chicago White Sox pitcher Frank Smith no-hits Detroit Tigers, 15-0
- 1907-10-12 Baseball World Series: Chicago Cubs beat Detroit Tigers, 2-0 at Bennett Park for 4-0-1 series victory; Cubs' first Championship
- 1908-10-05 Chicago White Sox pitcher Ed Walsh beats Detroit Tigers, 6-1, his 40th victory of the MLB season; forces AL pennant race to the final day
- 1908-10-14 Baseball World Series: Chicago Cubs beat Detroit Tigers, 2-0 at Bennett Park, Detroit to clinch 4-1 series win; 6,210 fans is smallest crowd in WS history; Cubs retain title
- 1909-07-16 MLB Detroit Tigers and Washington Senators play longest scoreless game in AL history - 18 innings at Bennett Field in Detroit, Michigan [1]
- 1909-10-16 Baseball World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates beat Detroit Tigers, 8-0 at Bennett Park to clinch 4-3 series win; Tigers' third straight WS defeat
- 1910-04-21 Cleveland Naps play 1st game at League Park, lose to Detroit Tigers 5-0
- 1911-06-18 Detroit Tigers trail Chicago White Sox, 13-1 at Bennett Park, Detroit; recover to win, 16-15 for the biggest comeback in Major League Baseball history
- 1911-07-02 Detroit Tigers legend Ty Cobb hits in his 40th straight game in 14-6 rout of Cleveland. Streak ends next game
- 1911-07-04 Chicago White Sox pitcher Ed Walsh halts Ty Cobb's 40-game hitting streak as Cobb goes 0 for 4 in a 7-3 win over Detroit Tigers at Bennett Park
- 1912-05-18 Philadelphia Athletics rout Detroit Tigers, 24-2 at Shibe Park; Tigers use amateurs in protest at Ty Cobbs suspension from the game
- 1912-08-30 St Louis Brown Earl Hamilton no-hits Detroit Tigers, 5-1
Baseball Record
1912-09-11 Philadelphia second baseman Eddie Collins steals MLB record 6 bases in the Athletics' 9-7 win over Detroit Tigers at Navin Field
- 1915-10-05 Detroit Tigers speedster Ty Cobb steals his 96th base of the season in 5-0 loss to Cleveland Indians; stands as MLB record until 1962 (Maury Wills, 104)
- 1918-06-03 Boston Red Sox pitcher Dutch Leonard throws his 2nd no-hitter; beats Detroit Tigers, 5-0 at Navin Field
- 1922-04-30 Chicago pitcher Charlie Robertson throws a perfect game as the White Sox beat Detroit Tigers, 2-0 at Navin Field
- 1925-05-26 Future Baseball Hall of Fame center fielder Ty Cobb is first to collect 1,000 extra-base hits when he doubles in Detroit Tigers' 8-1 win against the Chicago White Sox at Comiskey Park
- 1926-11-03 Legendary baseball figure Ty Cobb resigns as Detroit Tigers manager; replaced by George Moriarty, first man to hold MLB's 4 principal jobs: player, umpire, scout and manager
- 1929-04-16 Cleveland rookie center fielder Earl Averill, becomes first American League player to hit a HR on 1st at bat; Indians beat Detroit Tigers, 5-4 at League Park
- 1929-05-24 Chicago WS pitcher Ted Lyons and Detroit's George Uhle go 21 innings before Tigers get a run to win, 6-5; longest game (3 hours, 31 mins) ever at Comiskey Park, Chicago
Sports History
1933-12-03 As part of a famous MLB fire sale of players, Philadelphia A's owner Connie Mack sells catcher Mickey Cochrane to Detroit for $100,000; Cochrane is immediately named Tigers manager
- 1934-10-09 Baseball World Series: St Louis Cardinals rout Detroit Tigers, 11-0 at Navin Field to clinch 4 games to 3 series victory and 3rd championship
- 1935-10-07 Baseball World Series: Detroit Tigers beat Chicago Cubs, 4-3 at Navin Field for 4 games to 2 series win; Tigers win first championship in 5 WS appearances
Sports History
1935-10-20 Detroit Tigers future Baseball Hall of Fame first baseman Hank Greenberg is named AL MVP by the BWAA; Boston Red Sox pitcher Wes Ferrell is runner-up
- 1937-08-14 Detroit Tigers score MLB record 36 runs in double header vs St. Louis Browns at Navin Field; win 16-1 & 20-7
Baseball Record
1938-10-02 Future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller strikes out record 18 Detroit Tigers; his Cleveland Indians still lose 4-1 at Cleveland Stadium
Sports History
1939-05-02 New York Yankee Lou Gehrig ends 2,130 consecutive game streak, Yanks beat Detroit Tigers 22-2
Sports History
1940-01-14 MLB Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis gives free agency to 91 Detroit Tigers minor league players
- 1940-08-05 St Louis Brown's pitcher John Whitehead no-hits Detroit Tigers, 4-0 in 6 innings (rain shortened)
Sports History
1940-08-24 Red Sox left fielder Ted Williams pitches the last 2 innings in a 12-1 loss to Detroit Tigers, Williams allows 3 hits & 1 run
- 1940-10-03 Cincinnati Reds' win Game 2 of the Baseball World Series, 5-2 v Detroit Tigers at Crosley Field; snap 10-game losing streak for NL going back to Game 6 in 1937; Reds win series, 4-3
- 1940-10-08 Baseball World Series: Cincinnati Reds beat Detroit Tigers, 2-1 at Crosley Field for 4 games to 3 series win; Reds second championship
- 1941-08-06 Detroit Tigers pitcher Al Benton collects 2 sacrifices in an inning, a MLB record; wins 11-2 vs Cleveland Indians
- 1944-11-28 Detroit Tigers pitcher Hal Newhouser is named AL MVP
- 1945-05-18 MLB Detroit Tigers & Philadelphia A's both have 7 straight games postponed due to rain
- 1945-07-21 Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia A's play 24 inning 1-1 tie
- 1945-10-03 Detroit Tigers and Chicago Cubs meet in Baseball World Series for the 4th time; Hank Borowy pitches a 6-hit shutout as Cubs win Game 1, 9-0 at Briggs Stadium; Detroit wins series, 4-3
- 1945-10-10 Baseball World Series: Detroit Tigers beat Chicago Cubs, 9-8 at Wrigley Field to clinch series, 4 games to 3; Tigers second championship
- 1947-01-18 Detroit Tigers sell Hank Greenberg to Pirates (for $25-35,000)
- 1948-06-15 First night game at Briggs Stadium, Detroit: Tigers beat Philadelphia A's, 4-1
- 1948-06-30 Cleveland Indians' future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Lemon no-hits Detroit Tigers, 2-0
- 1949-05-05 Detroit Tigers second baseman Charlie Gehringer is elected in the Baseball Hall of Fame
- 1950-06-23 New York Yankees (6) & Detroit Tigers (5) hit record 11 HRs at Briggs Stadium; Tigers win, 10-9
- 1950-07-02 Cleveland Indians' pitcher Bob Feller wins his 200th MLB game, 5-3 v Detroit Tigers
- 1951-07-01 Cleveland Indians veteran hurler Bob Feller pitches his 3rd career no-hitter beating Detroit Tigers, 2-1
- 1952-01-31 Detroit Tigers Harry Heilmann & Pittsburgh Pirates Paul Waner elected to Baseball Hall of Fame
Sports History
1952-08-06 St. Louis Browns veteran pitcher Satchel Paige, 46, becomes oldest pitcher to win a complete shutout, 1-0 v Detroit Tigers in 12 innings
- 1953-06-18 Red Sox rookie Eugene Stephens is 1st player in AL history to register 3 hits in an inning; Boston score 17 runs in 7th Inning in 23-3 rout of Detroit Tigers at Fenway Park
- 1955-04-12 1st game in KC, KC A's beat Detroit Tigers, 6-2
- 1956-07-16 Detroit Tigers & Briggs Stadium sold for then record $5.5 million
Sports History
1957-01-10 Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick rules Bing Crosby can keep token stock in Detroit Tigers, even though he owns part of Pittsburgh Pirates
Sports History
1958-07-20 Detroit Tigers future Baseball HOF pitcher Jim Bunning no-hits Boston Red Sox, 3-0
Sports History
1960-04-17 MLB Cleveland Indians trade reigning home run champion Rocky Colavito to Detroit Tigers for reigning AL batting champion Harvey Kuenn; fans are unhappy
- 1960-10-11 Radio/TV executive John Fetzer buys a controlling interest of Detroit Tigers
- 1961-01-01 Briggs Stadium, home of baseball's Detroit Tigers is officially renamed Tigers Stadium
- 1962-06-24 Outfielder Jack Reed hits his only MLB home run in the 22nd-inning as NY Yankees edge Detroit Tigers, 9-7 in slowest extra-inning game in league history; 7:00 hours
Sports History
1963-04-08 Detroit Tigers claim young pitcher Denny McLain on waivers from the Chicago White Sox; McLain goes on the win Cy Young Award 1968, 69 and AL MVP 1968
- 1967-09-10 Chicago White Sox Joel Horlen no-hits Det Tigers, 6-0
- 1968-09-14 Detroit Tigers' Denny McLain's 30th victory of season
- 1968-10-10 Baseball World Series: Detroit Tigers beat St Louis Cardinals, 4-1 at Busch Memorial Stadium to clinch, 4-3 series win; MVP: Tigers pitcher Mickey Lolich
- 1972-07-14 Plate umpire and catcher in a game are brothers; Bill Haller is umpire and Tom Haller is Detroit Tigers catcher; Kansas City Royals win, 1-0
- 1972-08-05 Detroit Tigers shortstop Ed Brinkman commits an error, ending record streak of 72 games & 331 total chances without a misplay
- 1972-10-12 MLB American League Championship: Oakland Athletics beat Detroit Tigers, 3 games to 2
- 1973-04-27 KC Royals pitcher Steve Busby no-hits Detroit Tigers, 3-0
Sports History
1973-07-15 California Angel Nolan Ryan's 2nd no-hitter beats Detroit Tigers, 6-0
- 1973-08-04 NY Yankees pitcher Lindy McDaniel puts in one of the best relief stints in MLB history, entering in 2nd inning, allows only 1 run in 13 innings in 3-2 win v Detroit Tigers
Sports History
1973-09-02 Billy Martin is fired as Detroit Tigers manager due to continual differences with the front office; goes on to manage Texas, Oakland and NY Yankees (in 5 separate stints)
- 1973-09-30 New York Yankees close 50th year at Yankee Stadium with an 8-5 loss to Detroit Tigers for an 80-82 season record; manager Ralph Houk resigns
- 1975-06-18 Fred Lynn gets 10 RBIs in a single Red Sox game in a 15-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers
Sports History
1976-10-03 Future Baseball Hall of Fame right fielder Hank Aaron singles in his last MLB at-bat & drives in his 2,297th run as Milwaukee Brewers lose, 5-2 v Detroit Tigers
Baseball History
1979-06-12 Detroit Tigers fire manager Les Moss, hiring Sparky Anderson who stays until 1995; includes World Series title 1984 and AL Manager of the Year Award 1984 and 1987
Down With Disco!
1979-07-12 "Disco Demolition Night" at Comiskey Park: fans go wild destroying disco records and cause the White Sox to forfeit second game of a doubleheader to the Detroit Tigers
- 1983-10-10 Tom Monaghan becomes CEO of Detroit Tigers
- 1984-04-27 Cleveland Indians beat Detroit Tigers, 8-4, in 19 innings
- 1984-05-23 Detroit Tigers win AL record tying 16th straight road game
- 1984-05-24 Det Tigers win AL record 17th straight road game
- 1984-05-25 Detroit Tigers lose to Seattle 7-3 ends record tying 17 consecutive wins
- 1984-10-14 Baseball World Series: Detroit Tigers beat San Diego Padres, 8-4 at Tiger Stadium to clinch series, 4 games to 1; MVP: Detroit shortstop Alan Trammell
- 1986-10-03 Baltimore loses 6-3 to Detroit Tigers, assuring Orioles of club's first ever last-place finish in AL East standings
- 1987-05-05 Detroit Tigers are 11 games back in AL, but go on to win AL East
Sports History
1987-06-01 Cleveland Indians pitcher Phil Niekro beats Detroit Tigers, 9-6 for his 314th MLB victory; combines with Joe Niekro (216) for most combined wins by brothers in baseball history (530)
- 1987-08-03 Detroit Tigers ace Jack Morris ties AL record with 5 wild pitches in a 4-2, 10 innings loss v Kansas City Royals
- 1987-10-12 Minnesota Twins beat Detroit Tigers, 9-5 in ALCS Game 5 at Tiger Stadium for 4-1 series win; go on to win club's first Baseball World Series
- 1990-01-15 In a shrewd move, Detroit Tigers sign 1st baseman Cecil Fielder who spent previous season in Japan; hits 51 homers this MLB season and becomes a premier power hitter for most of the 1990s
- 1991-10-06 Orioles' last game at Baltimore's Memorial Stadium (vs Det Tigers)
- 1992-09-25 Sparky Anderson ties Hughie Jennings as Detroit Tigers' winningest manager
- 1995-10-01 Future Baseball HOF pitcher Mike Mussina tosses Baltimore Orioles' 5th consecutive MLB shutout in season ending, 4-0 victory over Detroit Tigers
- 1996-04-02 Detroit Tigers slugger Cecil Fielder steals 1st base in 1,097th career game, a 10-6 win at Minnesota Twins; longest duration in MLB history without a stolen base
- 1997-07-27 Detroit Tigers retire pitching great Hal Newhouser's #16
- 1998-03-31 Expansion clubs, Tampa Bay and Arizona both suffer bad losses in their MLB debuts; Devil Rays lose, 11-6 to the Detroit Tigers and the Diamondbacks fall, 9-2 to Colorado Rockies
- 2006-10-14 MLB American League Championship: Detroit Tigers beat Oakland Athletics, 4 games to 0
- 2006-10-27 Baseball World Series: St. Louis beats Detroit Tigers, 4-2 in Game 5 at Busch Stadium to win Cardinals' 10th title in franchise history; MVP: Cardinals infielder David Eckstein
- 2011-10-15 MLB American League Championship: Texas Rangers beat Detroit Tigers, 4 games to 2
Birthdays in Sport
- 1869-04-02 Hughie Jennings, American Baseball Hall of Fame infielder (Baltimore Orioles) and manager (Detroit Tigers 1907-20), born in Pittston, Pennsylvania (d. 1928)
- 1877-02-27 Walter O Briggs, American entrepreneur and sports team owner (Detroit Tigers 1935-52), born in Ypsilanti, Michigan (d. 1952)
- 1880-04-18 Sam Crawford, American Baseball HOF outfielder (MLB HR leader 1901, 08; AL RBI leader 1910, 14, 15; MLB record 309 career triples; Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers), born in Wahoo, Nebraska (d. 1968)
- 1880-07-04 George Mullin, American baseball pitcher (Detroit Tigers; no-hitter 1912), born in Toledo, Ohio (d. 1944)
- 1882-10-15 Charley O'Leary, American baseball player (Detroit Tigers), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1941)
Ty Cobb (1886-1961)
1886-12-18 American Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder (AL MVP 1911; Triple Crown 1909; 12 × AL batting champion; Detroit Tigers) and manager (Detroit Tigers 1921-26), born in Narrows, Georgia
- 1889-09-22 George "Hooks" Dauss, American MLB baseball pitcher, 1912-26 (Detroit Tigers), born in Indianapolis, Indiana (d. 1963)
- 1894-08-03 Harry Heilmann, American Baseball HOF outfielder (4 × AL batting champion, Detroit Tigers) and broadcaster (WXYZ), born in San Francisco, California (d. 1951)
- 1896-04-25 Fred Haney, American MLB baseball player, 1922-29 (Detroit Tigers and 3 other teams), manager, 1939-41 and 1953-59 (Milwaukee Braves and 2 other teams), and executive, 1961-68 (Los Angeles Angels), born in Albuquerque, New Mexico (d. 1977)
- 1900-10-16 Goose Goslin, American Baseball HOF left fielder (World Series 1924 Washington Sens, 1935 Detroit Tigers; AL batting champion 1928; MLB All Star 1936), born in Salem, New Jersey (d. 1971)
- 1901-07-20 Heinie Manush, American Baseball HOF left fielder (MLB All-Star 1934 Washington Sens; AL batting champion 1926 Detroit Tigers), born in Tuscumbia, Alabama (d. 1971)
Mickey Cochrane (1903-1962)
1903-04-06 American Baseball HOF catcher (MLB All-Star 1934, 35; World Series 1929, 30, 35; AL MVP 1928, 34; Philadelphia A's, Detroit Tigers) and manager (Detroit Tigers 1934–38), born in Bridgewater, Massachusetts
- 1903-05-11 Charlie Gehringer, American Baseball HOF 2nd baseman (6 x MLB All Star; World Series 1935; AL MVP & batting champion 1937; Detroit Tigers), born in Fowlerville, Michigan (d. 1993)
Hank Greenberg (1911-1986)
1911-01-01 American Baseball Hall of Fame first baseman (5 × MLB All-Star; World Series 1935, 45; AL MVP 1935, 40; Detroit Tigers), born in NYC, NY
- 1912-01-11 Lynwood Thomas "Schoolboy" Rowe, American baseball pitcher (Detroit Tigers), born in Waco, Texas (d. 1961)
- 1912-01-20 Walter Briggs Jr, American sports executive (owner Detroit Tigers 1952-56), born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 1970)
- 1913-08-17 Rudy York, American baseball player (Detroit Tigers), born in Ragland, Alabama (d. 1970)
- 1916-04-26 Virgil Trucks, American baseball pitcher (World Series 1945 Detroit Tigers; MLB All Star 1949, 54), born in Birmingham, Alabama (d. 2013)
- 1916-07-31 Billy Hitchcock, American baseball infielder, manager, official (Detroit Tigers; president Double-A Southern League 1971–80), born in Inverness, Alabama (d. 2006)
- 1917-11-01 Pat Mullin, American baseball outfielder (MLB All Star 1947-48; Detroit Tigers), born in Trotter, Pennsylvania (d. 1999)
- 1918-01-25 Ernie Harwell, American baseball broadcaster (Detroit Tigers 1960-2002), born in Washington, Georgia (d. 2010)
- 1921-02-08 Walter "Hoot" Evers, American MLB player, 1941, 1946-56, 2X All-Star (Detroit Tigers, and 5 other teams), born in St. Louis, Missouri (d. 1991)
- 1921-05-20 Hal Newhouser, American Baseball HOF pitcher (7 × MLB All-Star; World Series 1945; AL MVP 1944, 45; Triple Crown 1945; Detroit Tigers), born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 1998)
- 1922-08-23 George Kell, American Baseball HOF third baseman (10 x MLB All-Star; AL batting champion 1949; Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox), born in Swifton, Arkansas (d. 2009)
- 1926-08-06 Clem Labine, American baseball pitcher (MLB All-Star 1956, 57; World Series 1955, 59, 60; Brooklyn / LA Dodgers, Detroit Tigers), born in Lincoln, Rhode Island (d. 2007)
- 1930-12-04 Harvey Kuenn, American baseball utility (AL batting champion 1959; 10 × All-Star 1953–1960²; Detroit Tigers), born in West Allis, Wisconsin (d. 1988)
Jim Bunning (1931-2017)
1931-10-23 American Baseball HOF pitcher (9 x MLB All-Star; perfect game 1964; no-hitter 1958; Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies) and politician (US Senator Kentucky 1999-2011; US Representative 1987-99), born in Southgate, Kentucky
- 1931-11-16 Frank Bolling, American baseball second baseman (MLB All-Star 1961–62²; Gold Glove Award 1958; Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves), born in Mobile, Alabama (d. 2020)
Rocky Colavito (89 years old)
1933-08-10 American MLB baseball outfielder, 1955-68, 9X All-Star (Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, and 5 other teams), born in The Bronx, New York
Sparky Anderson (1934-2010)
1934-02-22 American Baseball HOF manager (World Series 1975, 76 Cincinnati Reds; WS 1984 & 2 x AL Manager of the Year, Detroit Tigers), born in Bridgewater, South Dakota
- 1934-10-02 Earl Wilson, American MLB baseball pitcher, 1959-70, (Boston Red Sox (no-hitter 1962), Detroit Tigers (AL wins co-leader, 1967), born in Ponchatoula, Louisiana (d. 2005)
- 1934-11-10 Norm Cash, American baseball 1st baseman (5 × MLB All-Star; World Series 1968; AL batting champion 1961; Detroit Tigers), born in Eldorado, Texas (d. 1986)
Al Kaline (1934-2020)
1934-12-19 American Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder (18 × MLB All-Star; World Series 1968; 10 × Gold Glove Award; Detroit Tigers), born in Baltimore, Maryland
- 1935-12-19 Tony Taylor, Cuban baseball second baseman (MLB All Star 1960; Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers), born in Central Álava, Cuba (d. 2020)
- 1938-07-29 Don Wert, American baseball player (Detroit Tigers), born in Strasburg, Pennsylvania
- 1939-05-02 Gates Brown, American MLB outfielder (Detroit Tigers: 1963-75), born in Crestline, Ohio (d. 2013)
- 1940-04-12 Woodie Fryman, American baseball pitcher (MLB All-Star 1968, 76; Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, Montreal Expos), born in Ewing, Kentucky (d. 2011)
- 1941-11-29 Bill Freehan, American baseball catcher (11 x All Star; World Series 1968; 5 x Gold Glove; Detroit Tigers), born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 2021)
- 1942-10-18 Willie Horton, baseball slugger (Detroit Tigers)
- 1943-01-26 César Gutiérrez, Venezuelan baseball shortstop (hit 7-for-7 in single game without making an out 1970, Detroit Tigers), born in Coro, Venezuela (d. 2005)
- 1944-04-01 Rusty Staub, American baseball utility (6 x MLB All Star; Houston Colt .45s / Astros; Montreal Expos; NY Mets; Detroit Tigers) and broadcaster (Mets games 1986-95), born in New Orleans, Louisiana (d. 2018)
- 1946-12-25 Gene Lamont, American baseball catcher (Detroit Tigers) and manager (Manager of the Year 1993 Chicago White Sox; Pittsburgh Pirates), born in Rockford, Illinois
- 1947-05-26 Darrell Evans, American baseball infielder (MLB All-Star 1973, 83; World Series 1984; AL HR leader 1985; Atlanta Braves, SF Giants, Detroit Tigers), born in Pasadena, California
- 1948-06-16 Ron LeFlore, American baseball player (Detroit Tigers), born in Detroit, Michigan
- 1954-08-14 Mark Fidrych, American baseball player (Detroit Tigers) nicknamed "The Bird", born in Worcester, Massachusetts (d. 2009)
- 1957-05-12 Lou Whitaker, American MLB 2nd baseman (Detroit Tigers, 1978 AL Rookie of the Year), born in Brooklyn, New York
- 1958-02-21 Alan Trammell, American Baseball HOF shortstop (6 × MLB All-Star; World Series MVP 1984; Detroit Tigers) and manager (Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks), born in Garden Grove, California
- 1959-02-20 Bill Gullickson, American MLB baseball pitcher, 1979-94 (Montreal Expos, Detroit Tigers, and 2 other teams), born in Marshall, Minnesota
- 1961-09-16 Mark Parent, American baseball catcher (Detroit Tigers), born in Ashland, Oregon
- 1961-10-19 Tim Belcher, Sparta Ohio, baseball pitcher (Detroit Tigers, KC Royals)
- 1961-12-14 Jeff Robinson, American baseball pitcher, 1987-92 (Detroit Tigers; Baltimore Orioles; and 2 other teams), born in Ventura, California, (d. 2014)
- 1962-09-03 Dave Clark, American MLB baseball outfielder, 1986-98 (Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, and 5 other teams), manager (Houston Astros, 2009), and coach (Houston, Detroit Tigers), born in Tupelo, Mississippi
- 1963-09-21 Cecil Fielder, American baseball infielder (3 x MLB All Star, 2 x AL HR leader, Detroit Tigers; World Series 1996 Atlanta Braves), born in Los Angeles, California
- 1964-06-04 Steve Searcy, American baseball player (Detroit Tigers), born in Knoxville, Tennessee
- 1965-03-03 A J Sager, pitcher (Detroit Tigers), born in Columbus, Ohio
- 1965-07-15 Scott Livingstone, infielder (San Diego Padres, Det Tigers), born in Dallas, Texas
- 1966-10-11 Gregg Olson, American baseball pitcher (Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers), born in Omaha, Nebraska
- 1967-02-20 Kurt Knudsen, American baseball pitcher (Detroit Tigers)
- 1967-02-25 Rich Rowland, American baseball catcher (Detroit Tigers)
- 1967-07-06 Omar Olivares, MLB pitcher (Detroit Tigers), born in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
- 1967-10-29 Greg Gohr, American pitcher (Detroit Tigers), born in Santa Clara, California
- 1968-01-21 Tom Urbani, pitcher (St Louis Cards, Detroit Tigers), born in Santa Cruz, California
- 1968-11-06 Chad Curtis, American outfielder (NY Yankees, Detroit Tigers), born in Marion, Indiana
- 1968-12-17 Curtis Pride, outfielder (Detroit Tigers), born in Washington, D.C.
- 1969-04-14 Brad Ausmus, American catcher (Detroit Tigers), born in New Haven, Connecticut
- 1969-04-25 Travis Fryman, American baseball infielder (5 × MLB All-Star; Gold Glove Award 2000; Silver Slugger Award 1992; Detroit Tigers), born in Lexington, Kentucky
- 1969-06-26 Mike Myers, American baseball pitcher (Detroit Tigers), born in Arlington Heights, Illinois
- 1969-11-30 Mark Lewis, American MLB infielder (Detroit Tigers), born in Hamilton, Ohio
- 1970-04-18 Rico Brogna, American MLB baseball player (Detroit Tigers), born in Turners Falls, Massachusetts
- 1970-08-18 Robert Higginson, American baseball outfielder (Detroit Tigers), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- 1971-03-05 Brian Hunter, American MLB baseball outfielder, 1994-2003, AL stolen base leader (99) - 1997 (Houston Astros, Detroit Tigers, and 4 other teams), born in Portland, Oregon
- 1971-04-04 Felipe Lira, Venezuelan MLB baseball pitcher, 1995-2001 (Detroit Tigers, and 2 other teams), born in Santa Teresa, Venezuela
- 1971-06-28 Greg Keagle, American MLB right-handed pitcher (Detroit Tigers), born in Corning, New York
- 1971-12-28 Melvin Nieves, Puerto Rican professional baseball outfielder (Detroit Tigers), born in San Juan, Puerto Rico
- 1972-06-15 Tony Clark, American MLB infielder, 1995-2009 (Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, and 4 other teams), and union leader (MLBPA director, 2013-present), born in Newton, Kansas
- 1972-07-13 Clint Sodowsky, Ponca City OK, pitcher (Detroit Tigers)
- 1972-07-21 Kimera Bartee, American MLB outfielder.1996-2001 (Detroit Tigers, and 2 other teams), and coach, 2017-21 (Pittsburgh Pirates, and 2 other teams), born in Omaha, Nebraska (d. 2021)
- 1975-07-18 Torii Hunter, American baseball outfielder (MLB All Star 2002, 07, 09, 10, 13; Gold Glove Award 2001–09; Minnesota Twins, LA Angels of Anaheim, Detroit Tigers), born in Pine Bluff, Arkansas
- 1975-09-30 Carlos Guillén, Venezuelan baseball shortstop (3-time MLB All Star; Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers), born in Maracay, Aragua
- 1977-06-28 Chris Spurling, American baseball player (Detroit Tigers), born in Dayton, Ohio
- 1978-05-17 Carlos Peña, Dominican MLB baseball infielder, 2001-14 (Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Devil Rays and 6 other teams), and broadcaster, born in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic
- 1980-06-26 Chris Shelton, American baseball player (Detroit Tigers), born in Salt Lake City, Utah
- 1982-05-28 Jhonny Peralta, Dominican MLB baseball shortstop, 2003-17, 3X All-Star (Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals), born in Santiago, Dominican Republic
- 1983-10-27 Brent Clevlen, American baseball player (Detroit Tigers), born in Austin, Texas
- 1985-05-19 (Marcellous) "Tyrell" Johnson, American NFL football safety, 2008-12 (Minnesota Vikings, Detroit Tigers), born in Rison, Arkansas
- 1985-05-21 Andrew Miller, American MLB baseball pitcher, 2006-present (Detroit Tigers, Florida Marlins, and 5 other teams), born in Gainesville, Florida
Deaths in Sport
- 1928-02-01 Hughie Jennings, American Baseball Hall of Fame infielder (Baltimore Orioles) and manager (Detroit Tigers 1907-20), dies of meningitis at 58
- 1941-01-06 Charley O'Leary, American baseball player (Detroit Tigers), dies at 65
- 1944-01-07 George Mullin, American baseball pitcher (Detroit Tigers; no-hitter 1912), dies at 63
- 1951-07-09 Harry Heilmann, American Baseball HOF outfielder (4 × AL batting champion, Detroit Tigers) and broadcaster (WXYZ), dies from lung cancer at 56
- 1952-01-17 Walter O Briggs, American entrepreneur and sports team owner (Detroit Tigers 1935-52), dies at 74
- 1961-01-08 Lynwood Thomas "Schoolboy" Rowe, American baseball pitcher (Detroit Tigers), dies at 50
Ty Cobb (1886-1961)
1961-07-17 American Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder (AL MVP 1911; Triple Crown 1909; 12 × AL batting champion; Detroit Tigers) and manager (Detroit Tigers 1921-26), dies of cancer at 74
Mickey Cochrane (1903-1962)
1962-06-28 American Baseball HOF catcher (MLB All-Star 1934, 35; World Series 1929, 30, 35; AL MVP 1928, 34; Philadelphia A's, Detroit Tigers) and manager (Detroit Tigers 1934–38), dies of lymphatic cancer at 59
- 1963-07-27 George "Hooks" Dauss, American MLB baseball pitcher, 1912-26 (Detroit Tigers), dies at 73
- 1968-04-19 Tommy Bridges, American baseball pitcher (Detroit Tigers), dies at 61
- 1968-06-15 Sam Crawford, American Baseball HOF outfielder (MLB HR leader 1901, 08; AL RBI leader 1910, 14, 15; MLB record 309 career triples; Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers), dies at 88
- 1970-07-31 Walter Briggs Jr, American sports executive (owner Detroit Tigers 1952-56), dies at 58
- 1971-05-12 Heinie Manush, American Baseball HOF left fielder (MLB All-Star 1934 Washington Sens; AL batting champion 1926 Detroit Tigers), dies from throat cancer at 69
- 1971-05-15 Goose Goslin, American Baseball HOF left fielder (World Series 1924 Washington Sens, 1935 Detroit Tigers; AL batting champion 1928; MLB All Star 1936), dies at 70
- 1977-11-09 Fred Haney, American MLB baseball player, 1922-29 (Detroit Tigers and 3 other teams), manager, 1939-41 and 1953-59 (Milwaukee Braves and 2 other teams), and executive, 1961-68 (Los Angeles Angels), dies of a heart attack at 81
Hank Greenberg (1911-1986)
1986-09-04 American Baseball Hall of Fame first baseman (5 × MLB All-Star; World Series 1935, 45; AL MVP 1935, 40; Detroit Tigers), dies of cancer at 75
- 1986-10-11 Norm Cash, American baseball 1st baseman (5 × MLB All-Star; World Series 1968; AL batting champion 1961; Detroit Tigers), dies from drowning at 51
- 1988-02-28 Harvey Kuenn, American baseball utility (AL batting champion 1959; 10 × All-Star 1953–1960²; Detroit Tigers), dies from heart disease and diabetes at 57
- 1993-01-21 Charlie Gehringer, American Baseball HOF 2nd baseman (6 x MLB All Star; World Series 1935; AL MVP & batting champion 1937; Detroit Tigers), dies at 89
- 1993-10-21 Irving Torgoff, American baseball player (Detroit Tigers), dies at 75
- 1998-07-27 Bill Tuttle, American baseball player (Detroit Tigers), dies at 69
- 1998-11-10 Hal Newhouser, American Baseball HOF pitcher (7 × MLB All-Star; World Series 1945; AL MVP 1944, 45; Triple Crown 1945; Detroit Tigers), dies at 77
- 1999-08-14 Pat Mullin, American baseball outfielder (MLB All Star 1947-48; Detroit Tigers), dies at 81
- 2005-01-22 César Gutiérrez, Venezuelan baseball shortstop (hit 7-for-7 in single game without making an out 1970, Detroit Tigers), dies at 61
- 2005-04-23 Earl Wilson, American MLB baseball pitcher, 1959-70, (Boston Red Sox (no-hitter 1962), Detroit Tigers (AL wins co-leader, 1967), dies from a heart attack at 70
- 2007-03-02 Clem Labine, American baseball pitcher (MLB All-Star 1956, 57; World Series 1955, 59, 60; Brooklyn / LA Dodgers, Detroit Tigers), dies after exploratory brain surgery at 80
- 2009-03-24 George Kell, American Baseball HOF third baseman (10 x MLB All-Star; AL batting champion 1949; Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox), dies at 86
- 2009-04-13 Mark Fidrych, American baseball player (Detroit Tigers) nicknamed "The Bird", dies at 54
- 2010-05-04 Ernie Harwell, American baseball broadcaster (Detroit Tigers 1960-2002), dies at 92
Sparky Anderson (1934-2010)
2010-11-04 American Baseball HOF manager (World Series 1975, 76 Cincinnati Reds; WS 1984 & 2 x AL Manager of the Year, Detroit Tigers), dies from dementia at 76
- 2011-02-04 Woodie Fryman, American baseball pitcher (MLB All-Star 1968, 76; Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers, Montreal Expos), dies at 70
- 2013-03-23 Virgil Trucks, American baseball pitcher (World Series 1945 Detroit Tigers; MLB All Star 1949, 54), dies at 95
- 2013-09-27 Gates Brown, American MLB player (Detroit Tigers: 1963-75), dies at 74
Jim Bunning (1931-2017)
2017-05-26 American Baseball HOF pitcher (9 x MLB All-Star; perfect game 1964; no-hitter 1958; Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies) and politician (US Senator Kentucky 1999-2011; US Representative 1987-99), dies of a stroke at 85
- 2018-03-29 Rusty Staub, American baseball utility (6 x MLB All Star; Houston Colt .45s / Astros; Montreal Expos; NY Mets; Detroit Tigers) and broadcaster (Mets games 1986-95), dies from multiple organ failure at 73
Al Kaline (1934-2020)
2020-04-06 American Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder (18 × MLB All-Star; World Series 1968; 10 × Gold Glove Award; Detroit Tigers), dies at 85
- 2020-07-11 Frank Bolling, American baseball second baseman (MLB All-Star 1961–62²; Gold Glove Award 1958; Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves), dies from cancer at 88
- 2020-07-16 Tony Taylor, Cuban baseball second baseman (MLB All Star 1960²; Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Detroit Tigers), dies from stroke complications at 84
- 2021-08-19 Bill Freehan, American baseball catcher (11 x All Star; World Series 1968; 5 x Gold Glove; Detroit Tigers), dies from dementia at 79
- 2021-12-20 Kimera Bartee, American MLB outfielder.1996-2001 (Detroit Tigers, and 2 other teams), and coach, 2017-21 (Pittsburgh Pirates, and 2 other teams), dies of an undiagnosed brain tumor at 49