The Winning Detroit Tigers
In April of 1901, the Detroit Tigers made their debut as an all major league baseball team. Their first game was scheduled to be played in what was expected to be a standing room only crowd but inclement weather caused the team to postpone the game until the next day. With 10,000 fans looking on, they won the game in a miraculous comeback in the last inning. The Tigers went on the finish the season third in an eight team league.
There are many stories about how the Tigers got their name, ranging from the striped socks they wore, to a manager creating the name. The most likely theory is that the name was taken from a local military unit that had been significant in the Civil War and the Spanish-American War. The team was given permission by the unit and that has been the name of the club ever since.
The Tigers are one of the only charter members of the American League to remain in their original hometown; they are also the only member of the former Western League to remain in their hometown and under the same name.
The Detroit Tigers have been to the World Series ten times in their history, winning four. They have won ten American League Pennants, three East Division Titles, and one Wild Card Berth.
The first home of the Tigers was Bennett Park, with Sunday home games in 1901 and 1902 being played at Burns Park, which was located on the owner’s private property because of blue laws in the state. Several stadiums have been used since, bringing the team to their current home, Comerica Park. The stadium has been in use by the team since its opening in 2000. Costing 300 million dollars, the stadium has increased seating several times, bringing its capacity to the current 41,782 seats.
In their community, the Detroit Tigers make appearances, host auctions, and donate for a variety of charities and foundations including their own. They focus on improving the community and the lives of its citizens through education, recreation, and focus on youth. They also pay tribute to and recognize the sacrifice and heroism of the armed forces of this country.
Tigers fans include some pretty famous people, many of whom can be seen wearing Tigers gear on television, in the movies, and even in some music videos. Between their entertaining games and their efforts at improving their community, the Detroit Tigers have earned the love and loyalty of fans throughout the region and beyond.
