subject: The Detroit Tigers Tickets : The Tigers Have Worn Essentially The Same Home Uniform Since 1934 [print this page] The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in 1894 as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships (1935, 1945, 1968 and 1984) and have won the American League pennant 10 times. Since 2000, the team has played at Comerica Park.
The Tigers constructed Bennett Park at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Trumbull Avenue and began playing there in 1896. In 1912, the team moved into Navin Field, which was built on the same location. It was expanded in 1938 and renamed Briggs Stadium. It was renamed Tiger Stadium in 1961 and the Tigers played there until moving to their current park, Comerica Park in 2000.
The Tigers had an eventful off-season with some big trades, releases and pickups. Most noteworthy was a three team trade that had them giving Curtis Granderson to the Yankees and Edwin Jackson to the Diamondbacks; in return they picked up outfield prospect Austin Jackson and pitcher Phil Coke from New York, and pitchers Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth from Arizona. Other key losses included the releases of Placido Polanco, Fernando Rodney and Brandon Lyon, who all left via free agency. Starter Nate Robertson was traded at the end of spring training to the Florida Marlins for a minor-league pitcher (Jay Voss) and cash considerations.
Key signings included a five-year contract extension for ace Justin Verlander, and the acquisitions of All-Star closer Jose Valverde and two-time World Series champion Johnny Damon.
Austin Jackson made the Tigers opening day roster, and was American League Rookie of the Month for April.2010 also saw the debuts of several rookies from the Tiger farm system, including Brennan Boesch, Scott Sizemore, Danny Worth, Casper Wells and Will Rhymes. Boesch was called up on April 23, 2010, and was named the AL Rookie of the Month for May and June.
The Tigers sent three players to the 2010 All-Star game. Miguel Cabrera and Jose Valverde were selected as reserves, and starter Justin Verlander was added to the team when another AL starter who was selected was unable to pitch due to scheduling. At the All-Star break, the Tigers were a half-game out of first place in the AL Central, behind the Chicago White Sox. But a slow start and injuries to key players Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen and Brandon Inge shortly after the break sent the Tigers into a tailspin.
Closer Valverde would also suffer a series of nagging injuries down the stretch. The Tigers finished the season with an 81-81 record, good for third place, 13 games back of the division-winning Minnesota Twins. While playing outstanding baseball at home, the Tigers were just 29-52 on the road. Only the Seattle Mariners had fewer road wins than the Tigers among American League teams.
Among the season highlights were Miguel Cabrera putting up MVP-caliber numbers (.328 average, 38 home runs, 126 RBI), Austin Jackson's Rookie-of-the-Year worthy season (.293 average, 103 runs, 181 hits, 27 stolen bases), and another strong season from Justin Verlander (18-9 record, 3.37 ERA, 219 strikeouts). After a slow start and a brief trip to the minors, Max Scherzer showed promise with a 12-11 record, 3.50 ERA and 181 strikeouts.
On June 2, Armando Galarraga had a perfect game going with 2 outs in the top of the ninth when first base umpire Jim Joyce made a controversial call, ruling Jason Donald safe at first when video replay showed he was out. Joyce later said "I just cost that kid a perfect game, I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay."
Later Galarraga told reporters Joyce apologized to him directly and gave him a hug. Despite large fan support for overturning the call, Bud Selig let the call stand, but said he would look into expanding instant replay for the future. It would have been the first perfect game in Tigers history.
The Tigers have worn essentially the same home uniform since 1934 solid white jersey with navy piping down the front and a Gothic script or blackletter (often called Old English) "D" on the left chest, white pants, navy hat with white Old English "D". When they play away, the D on their hats is orange, with the word "DETROIT" across the shirt. A version of the team's Old English D was first seen on Tigers uniforms in 1904, after using a simple block D in 1903. The Old English D appeared frequently after that until being established in 1934.
In 1960, the Tigers changed their uniform to read "Tigers", but the change only lasted one season before the traditional uniform was reinstated.
In 1995, the Tigers introduced an alternate jersey, solid navy with the team's alternate logo (a tiger stepping through the "D") on the chest. It was worn a few times and then abandoned.The Tigers are the only team in Major League Baseball to have a color on their road uniforms that is not on their home uniforms (orange).The Tigers use slightly different versions of the initial logo on the cap and jersey.
