List of Detroit Tigers seasons

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Comerica Park, home field of the Tigers since the 2000 season. Detroit Tigers opening game at Comerica Park, 2007.jpg
Comerica Park, home field of the Tigers since the 2000 season.

This is a list of seasons completed by the Detroit Tigers . They played in the Western League from their inception in 1894 to the 1900 season; in 1900, the league changed its named to the American League and became a major league in 1901. The Tigers have completed 124 seasons in Major League Baseball, qualifying for the postseason seventeen times and reaching the World Series eleven times (1907-1909, 1934, 1935, 1940, 1945, 1968, 1984, 2006, 2012) with four world championships (1935, 1945, 1968, 1984).

Contents

Through the efforts of team executive (and future owner) Frank Navin, the Tigers acquired a handful of talent in the first decade of the 20th century that would bear results. In 1905, the Tigers acquired Ty Cobb to join a team that had steadily acquired players of talent such as Sam Crawford, Hughie Jennings and Bill Donovan (the former two and Cobb would each reach the Hall of Fame). Cobb would play 21 years with the Tigers, and they would reach the World Series three times during his era, although they would lose each time. The end of the Cobb era in 1926 opened up a period of rebuilding that bore fruit in 1934 with a quartet of future Hall of Famers in Hank Greenberg, Goose Goslin, Charlie Gehringer, and Mickey Cochrane (they acquired the latter two in a 1934 trade). That year, they went 101–53 (with a winning percentage of .656) and won the pennant. They lost in the ensuing World Series but returned the following year after going 93–58. They lost Greenberg in Game 2 due to injury but persevered over the Chicago Cubs to win their first world championship.

After the death of Navin in 1935, Walter Briggs Sr. (a part-owner since 1919) took over as primary owner, which he would operate until his death in 1952. The Tigers toiled in mediocre play until their next pennant in 1940 while Greenberg won his second MVP award, although the Tigers lost in seven games. World War II meant that Greenberg would be away from 1941 to 1944 due to service, and the Tigers regressed despite the efforts of pitchers such as Hal Newhouser, who won the MVP Award in 1944 and 1945 (the only pitcher to win back-to-back MVP Awards). Greenberg and others would return in 1945 to help the Tigers narrowly win the AL pennant with an 88–65 record. Facing the Cubs, they won in seven games. While the Tigers would do well in the remainder of the decade while adding a future Hall of Famer in George Kell, they would not win another pennant for seventeen years (with the 1950s resulting in seven losing seasons). Briggs Sr was succeeded by his son Jr, but he would sell the team to John Fetzer and Fred Knorr in 1956. Al Kaline made his debut on the roster in 1953 and became a mainstay for the next two decades. The 1960s brought some needed sparkplug players such as Norm Cash, Willie Horton, Mickey Lolich and Denny McLain. The Tigers won 101 games in 1961 but fell short of the pennant by eight games. Six years later, they finished one game short of the Boston Red Sox for the pennant after losing the last game of the year. The following year, they would take hold of the pennant with 103 victories while McLain won the MVP Award and the Cy Young Award. In the final Series played before the division era, the Tigers defeated the St. Louis Cardinals in a classic seven-game series that saw them come back from a 3–1 series deficit. A gradual decline over the next decade was followed by the hiring of Sparky Anderson in 1979, for which he led them to the 1984 World Series championship; he retired in 1995. The next decade brought plenty of losing before manager Jim Leyland and rookie pitcher Justin Verlander helped bring them back to prominence. The Tigers would reach the World Series that year but lost in five games; they would win four consecutive division titles from 2011 to 2014 (led by Miguel Cabrera) and reach the World Series in 2012, which they lost in a sweep.

Through 124 seasons of baseball, the Tigers have recorded 72 seasons at .500 or better, 70 of which have been winning campaigns. [1]

Record season-by-season

The following table describes a season-by-season listing of the Tigers win–loss record.

World Series championsAL champions *Division champions (1969–present) ^Wild card berth (1995–present) ¤
SeasonLevelLeagueDivisionFinish Wins Losses Win% GB Post-Season Awards
1901 MLB AL 3rd7461.548
1902 MLBAL7th5283.38530½
1903 MLBAL5th6571.47825
1904 MLBAL7th6290.40832
1905 MLBAL3rd7974.51615½
1906 MLBAL6th7178.47721
1907 MLBAL *1st9258.613Lost World Series (Cubs) 4–0 *
1908 MLBAL *1st9063.588Lost World Series (Cubs) 4–1 *
1909 MLBAL *1st9854.645Lost World Series (Pirates) 4–3 * Ty Cobb (TC)
1910 MLBAL3rd8668.55818
1911 MLBAL2nd8965.57813½ Ty Cobb (MVP)
1912 MLBAL6th6984.45136½
1913 MLBAL6th6687.43130
1914 MLBAL4th8073.52319½
1915 MLBAL2nd10054.649
1916 MLBAL3rd8767.5654
1917 MLBAL4th7875.51021½
1918 MLBAL7th5571.43720
1919 MLBAL4th8060.5718
1920 MLBAL7th6193.39637
1921 MLBAL6th7182.46427
1922 MLBAL3rd7975.51315
1923 MLBAL2nd8371.53916
1924 MLBAL3rd8668.5586
1925 MLBAL4th8173.52616½
1926 MLBAL6th7975.51312
1927 MLBAL4th8271.53627½
1928 MLBAL6th6886.44233
1929 MLBAL6th7084.45536
1930 MLBAL5th7579.48727
1931 MLBAL7th6193.39647
1932 MLBAL5th7675.50329½
1933 MLBAL5th7579.48725
1934 MLBAL *1st10153.656Lost World Series (Cardinals) 4–3 * Mickey Cochrane (MVP)
1935 MLB †AL *1st9358.616Won World Series (Cubs) 4–2 † Hank Greenberg (MVP)
1936 MLBAL2nd8371.53919½
1937 MLBAL2nd8965.57813 Charlie Gehringer (MVP)
1938 MLBAL4th8470.54516
1939 MLBAL5th8173.52626½
1940 MLBAL *1st9064.584Lost World Series (Reds) 4–3 * Hank Greenberg (MVP)
1941 MLBAL4th7579.48726
1942 MLBAL5th7381.47430
1943 MLBAL5th7876.50620
1944 MLBAL2nd8866.5711 Hal Newhouser (MVP)
1945 MLB †AL *1st8865.575Won World Series (Cubs) 4–3 † Hal Newhouser (MVP, TC)
1946 MLBAL2nd9262.59712
1947 MLBAL2nd8569.55212
1948 MLBAL5th7876.50618½
1949 MLBAL4th8767.56510
1950 MLBAL2nd9559.6173
1951 MLBAL5th7381.47425
1952 MLBAL8th50104.32545
1953 MLBAL6th6094.39040½ Harvey Kuenn (ROY)
1954 MLBAL5th6886.44243
1955 MLBAL5th7975.51317
1956 MLBAL5th8272.53215
1957 MLBAL4th7876.50620
1958 MLBAL5th7777.50015
1959 MLBAL4th7678.49418
1960 MLBAL6th7183.46126
1961 MLBAL2nd10161.6238
1962 MLBAL4th8576.52810½
1963 MLBAL5th7983.48825½
1964 MLBAL4th8577.52514
1965 MLBAL4th8973.54913
1966 MLBAL3rd8874.54310
1967 MLBAL3rd9171.5621
1968 MLB †AL *1st10359.636Won World Series (Cardinals) 4–3 † Denny McLain (MVP, CYA)
Mickey Lolich (WS MVP)
1969 MLBAL East 2nd9072.55619 Denny McLain (CYA)
1970 MLBALEast4th7983.48829
1971 MLBALEast2nd9171.56212
1972 MLBALEast ^1st8670.551Lost ALCS (Athletics) 3–2
1973 MLBALEast3rd8577.52512
1974 MLBALEast6th7290.44419
1975 MLBALEast6th57102.35837½
1976 MLBALEast5th7487.46024 Mark Fidrych (ROY)
1977 MLBALEast4th7488.45726
1978 MLBALEast5th8676.53113½ Lou Whitaker (ROY)
1979 MLBALEast5th8576.52818
1980 MLBALEast5th8478.51919
1981 MLBALEast4th3126.544
3rd2923.558
1982 MLBALEast4th8379.51212
1983 MLBALEast2nd9270.5686
1984 MLB †AL *East ^1st10458.642Won ALCS (Royals) 3–0
Won World Series (Padres) 4–1 †
Willie Hernández (MVP, CYA)
Sparky Anderson (MOY)
Alan Trammell (WS MVP)
1985 MLBALEast3rd8477.52215
1986 MLBALEast3rd8775.537
1987 MLBALEast ^1st9864.605Lost ALCS (Twins) 4–1 Sparky Anderson (MOY)
1988 MLBALEast2nd8874.5431
1989 MLBALEast7th59103.36430
1990 MLBALEast3rd7983.4889
1991 MLBALEast2nd8478.5197
1992 MLBALEast6th7587.46321
1993 MLBALEast4th8577.52510
1994 MLBALEast5th5362.46118 Playoffs canceled
1995 MLBALEast4th6084.41726
1996 MLBALEast5th53109.32739
1997 MLBALEast3rd7983.48819
1998 MLBAL Central 5th6597.40124
1999 MLBALCentral3rd6992.42927½
2000 MLBALCentral3rd7983.48816
2001 MLBALCentral4th6696.40725
2002 MLBALCentral5th55106.34239
2003 MLBALCentral5th43119.26547
2004 MLBALCentral4th7290.44420
2005 MLBALCentral4th7191.43828
2006 MLBAL *Central2nd ¤9567.5861Won ALDS (Yankees) 3–1
Won ALCS (Athletics) 4–0
Lost World Series (Cardinals) 4–1 *
Justin Verlander (ROY)
Jim Leyland (MOY)
2007 MLBALCentral2nd8874.5438
2008 MLBALCentral5th7488.45714½
2009 MLBALCentral2nd8677.5281
2010 MLBALCentral3rd8181.50013
2011 MLBALCentral ^1st9567.586Won ALDS (Yankees) 3–2
Lost ALCS (Rangers) 4–2
Justin Verlander (MVP, CYA, TC)
2012 MLBAL *Central ^1st8874.543Won ALDS (Athletics) 3–2
Won ALCS (Yankees) 4–0
Lost World Series (Giants) 4–0 *
Miguel Cabrera (MVP, TC)
2013 MLBALCentral ^1st9369.574Won ALDS (Athletics) 3–2
Lost ALCS (Red Sox) 4–2
Miguel Cabrera (MVP)
Max Scherzer (CYA)
2014 MLBALCentral ^1st9072.556Lost ALDS (Orioles) 3–0
2015 MLBALCentral5th7487.46020½
2016 MLBALCentral2nd8675.5348 Michael Fulmer (ROY)
2017 MLBALCentral5th6498.39538
2018 MLBALCentral3rd6498.39527
2019 MLBALCentral5th47114.29253½
2020 MLBALCentral5th2335.39712
2021 MLBALCentral3rd7785.47516
2022 MLBALCentral4th6696.40726
2023 MLBALCentral2nd7884.4819
2024 MLBALCentral3rd ¤8676.531Won ALWC (Astros) 2–0
Lost ALDS (Guardians) 3–2
Tarik Skubal (CYA, TC)
TotalsWinsLossesWin%
9,5909,491.503All-time regular season record (1901–2023)
6165.484All-time postseason record
9,6479,553.502All-time regular and postseason record

Record by decade

The following table describes the Tigers' MLB win–loss record by decade.

DecadeWinsLossesWin %
1900s683632.519
1910s790704.529
1920s760778.494
1930s818716.533
1940s834705.542
1950s738802.479
1960s882729.547
1970s789820.490
1980s839727.536
1990s702852.452
2000s729891.450
2010s782835.484
2020s330376.444
All-time9,6769,567.503

Postseason record by year

The Tigers have made the postseason seventeen times in their history, with their first being in 1907 and the most recent being in 2024.

YearFinishRoundOpponentResult
1907 American League Champions World Series Chicago Cubs Lost04
1908 American League Champions World Series Chicago Cubs Lost14
1909 American League Champions World Series Pittsburgh Pirates Lost34
1934 American League Champions World Series St. Louis Cardinals Lost34
1935 World Series Champions World Series Chicago Cubs Won42
1940 American League Champions World Series Cincinnati Reds Lost34
1945 World Series Champions World Series Chicago Cubs Won43
1968 World Series Champions World Series St. Louis Cardinals Won43
1972 American League East Champions ALCS Oakland Athletics Lost23
1984 World Series Champions ALCS Kansas City Royals Won30
World Series San Diego Padres Won41
1987 American League East Champions ALCS Minnesota Twins Lost14
2006 American League Champions ALDS New York Yankees Won31
ALCS Oakland Athletics Won40
World Series St. Louis Cardinals Lost14
2011 American League Central Champions ALDS New York Yankees Won32
ALCS Texas Rangers Lost24
2012 American League Champions ALDS Oakland Athletics Won32
ALCS New York Yankees Won40
World Series San Francisco Giants Lost04
2013 American League Central Champions ALDS Oakland Athletics Won32
ALCS Boston Red Sox Lost24
2014 American League Central Champions ALDS Baltimore Orioles Lost03
2024 American League Wild Card Wild Card Series Houston Astros Won20
ALDS Cleveland Guardians Lost23
17Totals12–136165 [a]

Best seasons in Detroit Tigers history

Best Seasons in Detroit Tigers History
RankYearWinsLossesWin %  Finish
1 1934 10153.656Lost 1934 World Series to Cardinals
2 1915 10054.6492nd in AL behind Red Sox
3 1909 9854.645Lost 1909 World Series to Pirates
4 1984 10458.642Won 1984 World Series over Padres
5 1968 10359.636Won 1968 World Series over Cardinals
6 1961 10161.6232nd in AL behind Yankees
7 1950 9559.6172nd in AL behind Yankees
8 1935 9358.616Won 1935 World Series over Cubs
9 1907 9258.613Lost 1907 World Series to Cubs
10 1987 9864.605Lost 1987 ALCS to Twins
11 1946 9262.5972nd in AL behind Red Sox
12 1908 9063.588Lost 1908 World Series to Cubs
13 2006 9567.586Lost 2006 World Series to Cardinals
13 2011 9567.586Lost 2011 ALCS to Rangers
15 1940 9064.584Lost 1940 World Series to Reds
16 1911 8965.5782nd in AL behind A's
16 1937 8965.5782nd in AL behind Yankees
18 1945 8865.575Won 1945 World Series over Cubs
19 2013 9369.574Lost 2013 ALCS to Red Sox
20 1944 8866.5712nd in AL behind Browns

Worst seasons in Detroit Tigers history

Worst Seasons in Detroit Tigers History
RankYearWinsLossesWin %
1 2003 43119.265
2 2019 47114.292
3 1952 50104.325
4 1996 53109.327
5 2002 55106.342
6 1975 57102.358

See also

References

  1. "Detroit Tigers Team History & Encyclopedia".
  2. "1907 World Series - Chicago Cubs over Detroit Tigers (4-0-1)". Baseball-Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
  1. Includes a tied Game 1 of the 1907 World Series [2]