5 in 50- The Detroit Tigers

Continuing my 5 in 50 series, today’s team is the Detroit Tigers. This will be a list of the top 5 greatest players for the Tigers in the last 50 years. The criteria are as follows: Player must have been part of team for at least 5 full seasons since 1972. Both regular season and post season success will be measured (statistical leaders, awards, et). Players on this list can be from any position. Multiple players at the same position can be included. I’ll list the major accomplishments for each player only for the team they are selected.

Here is my list of the top 5 greatest Tigers players in the last 50 years.

5. Lou Whitaker (1977-1995)- 3-time gold glove winner.  1984 World Series Champion.

4. Jack Morris (1977-1990)- Finished in top 5 Cy Young voting 3 times. Winningest pitcher in 80s. 1984 World Series champion.

3. Alan Trammell (1977-1996)- 1984 World Series MVP. 4-time gold glove winner. Finished 3 times in top 10 MVP voting.  

2. Justin Verlander (2005-2016)- 2011 AL Cy Young and MVP award winner. Finished in top 5 Cy Young voting 4 other times.

1. Miguel Cabrera (2008-2021)- 4-time AL batting champion, 2-time MVP. Triple crown winner in 2012.

Honorable mention to Max Scherzer, Lance Parrish, Kirk Gibson, Chet Lemon

Notes. It is safe to say these 5 are the best Tigers players in the last 50 years. The challenge was putting them in the correct order. I did consider putting Scherzer over Whitaker. But, although he won the Cy Young with the Tigers, Scherzer only played with the Tigers for 5 years. And his Hall of Fame career really took shape once he went to the Nationals. Whitaker was a terrific fielder and was part of the longest double play combinations in history (with Trammell). Morris is a Hall of Famer who continuously gave the Tigers wins and innings. Trammell is another Hall of Famer who was one of the great shortstops of his generation (should have won the MVP in 87). Verlander is a future Hall of Famer who is 1 of 11 pitchers to win both the Cy Young and MVP awards. And finally, Cabrera was an easy selection at the top of the list. He is another future Hall of Famer who is 1 of 14 players to win at least 4 batting titles.

Next up in the 5 in 50 series is the Kansas City Royals.