1991 Detroit Tigers season
Encyclopedia
The Detroit Tigers
finished in second place in the American League East
with a record of 83-79 (.519). They outscored their opponents 817 to 794. The Tigers drew 1,641,661 fans to Tiger Stadium in 1991, ranking 12th of the 14 teams in the American League
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Cecil Fielder
Travis Fryman
Paul Gibson
Bill Gullickson
Mike Henneman
Walt Terrell
Mickey Tettleton
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Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
finished in second place in the American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
with a record of 83-79 (.519). They outscored their opponents 817 to 794. The Tigers drew 1,641,661 fans to Tiger Stadium in 1991, ranking 12th of the 14 teams in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
.
Offseason
- November 26, 1990: John ShelbyJohn ShelbyJohn T. Shelby is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1981–1991. His nickname was "T-Bone" for his slight frame...
was signed as a free agent by the Tigers. - December 3, 1990: Bill GullicksonBill GullicksonWilliam Lee Gullickson is a former major league baseball pitcher who played for six different major-league teams, in Canada, the U.S...
was signed as a free agent by the Tigers. - December 3, 1990: Buddy GroomBuddy GroomWedsel Gary "Buddy" Groom Jr. is a former Major League Baseball left-handed middle relief pitcher. He attended the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor and was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the amateur draft....
was drafted by the Tigers from the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
in the 1990 minor league draft. - January 11, 1991: Jeff Robinson was traded by the Tigers to the Baltimore OriolesBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
for Mickey TettletonMickey TettletonMickey Lee Tettleton , is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, and Texas Rangers...
. - January 21, 1991: Skeeter BarnesSkeeter BarnesWilliam Henry "Skeeter" Barnes is a retired Major League Baseball utility player for the Cincinnati Reds , Montreal Expos , St...
was signed as a free agent by the Tigers. - March 19, 1991: Torey LovulloTorey LovulloSalvatore Anthony "Torey" Lovullo is a former Major League Baseball infielder and current first base coach of The Toronto Blue Jays. He was the manager of the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. He is an alumnus of the University of California, Los Angeles...
was traded by the Tigers to the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
for Mark LeiterMark LeiterMark Edward Leiter is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who had an 11-year career from -, . Leiter grew up in Toms River, New Jersey.-Career:...
.
Regular season
- In 1991, Cecil FielderCecil FielderCecil Grant Fielder is a former professional baseball player who was a noted power hitter in the 1980s and 1990s. He attended college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas . He played with the Toronto Blue Jays , Detroit Tigers , New York Yankees , Anaheim Angels and Cleveland Indians...
led all of baseball in home runs (44) and RBIs (133) for the second consecutive season. Once again, he finished second in the MVP voting. The MVP award was given to Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. Angry over missing out on the honor for the second straight season, Fielder lashed out at the voters, going so far as to accuse them of racism in their selection of Ripken, who was white. - During the season, Bill GullicksonBill GullicksonWilliam Lee Gullickson is a former major league baseball pitcher who played for six different major-league teams, in Canada, the U.S...
would be the last pitcher to win at least 20 games in one season for the Tigers in the 20th Century.
Notable transactions
- April 5, 1991: Scott LusaderScott LusaderScott Edward Lusader is a former Major League Baseball player who played for the Detroit Tigers from – and briefly for the New York Yankees in . Lusader attended the University of Florida before playing in the major leagues...
was selected off waivers from the Tigers by the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. - June 3, 1991: Kevin MorganKevin Morgan (baseball)Kevin Lee Morgan is a former Major League Baseball player and current New York Mets executive. In , he had one at bat for the Mets, playing two innings in the field at third base. He is currently the Mets' Director of Minor League Operations.-Sources:...
was drafted by the Tigers in the 30th round of the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft1991 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1991 Major League Baseball draft.-Supplemental First Round Selections:-Other notable players:...
. - June 11, 1991: Jeff KaiserJeff KaiserJeffrey Patrick Kaiser is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of seven seasons in the majors for five different teams between and . During those seasons, he never pitched more than 15 games, nor more than 16.2 innings at the major league level. He finished his career with an...
was signed as a free agent by the Tigers. - August 5, 1991: John MosesJohn Moses (baseball)John William Moses , is a retired professional baseball player who played outfield in the Major Leagues from 1982-1992. He later was a 1st Base/Outfield Coach for the Seattle Mariners from 1998–2003 and the Cincinnati Reds in 2006...
was signed as a free agent by the Tigers. - August 13, 1991: John Shelby was released by the Tigers.
- August 25, 1991: John Moses was released by the Tigers.
Roster
| 1991 Detroit Tigers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders | Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = position; G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 154 | 501 | 132 | .263 | 31 | 89 | |
| 1B | 162 | 624 | 163 | .261 | 44 | 133 | |
| 2B | 138 | 470 | 131 | .279 | 23 | 78 | |
| 3B | 149 | 557 | 144 | .259 | 21 | 91 | |
| SS | 101 | 375 | 93 | .248 | 9 | 55 | |
| LF | 74 | 260 | 68 | .262 | 6 | 35 | |
| CF | 154 | 475 | 122 | .257 | 3 | 33 | |
| RF | 134 | 448 | 80 | .179 | 25 | 64 | |
| DH | 97 | 337 | 72 | .214 | 11 | 38 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 146 | 564 | 160 | .284 | 17 | 72 | |
| 86 | 194 | 46 | .237 | 7 | 29 | |
| 75 | 159 | 46 | .289 | 5 | 17 | |
| 60 | 151 | 35 | .232 | 1 | 16 | |
| 53 | 143 | 22 | .154 | 3 | 8 | |
| 16 | 30 | 5 | .167 | 0 | 0 | |
| 13 | 21 | 1 | .048 | 0 | 1 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 35 | 226.3 | 20 | 9 | 3.90 | 91 | |
| 33 | 217.3 | 13 | 12 | 3.77 | 107 | |
| 35 | 218.7 | 12 | 14 | 4.24 | 80 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 38 | 134.7 | 9 | 7 | 4.21 | 103 | |
| 38 | 88.7 | 3 | 6 | 4.57 | 29 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W= Wins; L= Losses; SV = Saves; GF = Games Finished; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | GF | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 10 | 2 | 21 | 50 | 2.88 | 61 | |
| 68 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 28 | 4.59 | 52 | |
| 47 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 4.06 | 47 | |
| 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.75 | 6 | |
| 10 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9.00 | 4 | |
| 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 14.85 | 1 | |
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 9.64 | 3 | |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3.38 | 4 |
Awards and honors
- Mickey TettletonMickey TettletonMickey Lee Tettleton , is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, and Texas Rangers...
, AL Silver Slugger Award at catcher - Cecil FielderCecil FielderCecil Grant Fielder is a former professional baseball player who was a noted power hitter in the 1980s and 1990s. He attended college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas . He played with the Toronto Blue Jays , Detroit Tigers , New York Yankees , Anaheim Angels and Cleveland Indians...
, AL Silver Slugger Award at first base
League top ten finishers
Rob DeerRob Deer
Robert George Deer is a former American baseball player. He attended Canyon High School in Anaheim and Fresno City College, and was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the 4th round of the 1978 amateur draft....
- MLB leader in strikeouts (175)
- #8 in AL in bases on balls (89)
- #9 in AL in at bats per home run (17.9)
Cecil Fielder
Cecil Fielder
Cecil Grant Fielder is a former professional baseball player who was a noted power hitter in the 1980s and 1990s. He attended college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas . He played with the Toronto Blue Jays , Detroit Tigers , New York Yankees , Anaheim Angels and Cleveland Indians...
- Finished 2nd in AL MVP voting behind Cal Ripken, Jr.Cal Ripken, Jr.Calvin Edwin "Cal" Ripken, Jr. , nicknamed "Iron Man", is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles ....
- MLB leader in home runs (44)
- MLB leader in RBIs (133)
- MLB leader in games played (162)
- #2 in AL in at bats per home run (11.2)
- #3 in AL in strikeouts (151)
- #6 in AL in total bases (320)
- #6 in AL in extra base hits (69)
- #8 in AL in plate appearances (712)
- #9 in AL in slugging percentage (.513)
- #9 in AL in runs scored (102)
- #10 in AL in runs created (110)
Travis Fryman
Travis Fryman
David Travis Fryman is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and shortstop, and currently a hitting instructor for the Cleveland Indians farm system...
- #4 in AL in strikeouts (149)
Paul Gibson
Paul Gibson (baseball)
Paul Marshall Gibson, Jr. is a former major league baseball pitcher. The Cincinnati Reds drafted Gibson in the third round in 1978, but released him in 1981. The Detroit Tigers signed him in May 1981...
- #7 in AL in games (68)
Bill Gullickson
Bill Gullickson
William Lee Gullickson is a former major league baseball pitcher who played for six different major-league teams, in Canada, the U.S...
- Finished 8th in AL Cy Young Award voting
- MLB leader in wins (20)
- AL leader in games started (35)
- #4 in AL in win percentage (.690)
- #4 in AL in bases on balls per 9 innings pitched (1.75)
- #7 in AL in earned runs allowed (98)
Mike Henneman
Mike Henneman
Michael Alan Henneman was a pitcher with a 10-year career from 1987 to 1996. He played for the Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers, both of the American League, and the Houston Astros of the National League....
- #9 in AL in games finished (50)
Walt Terrell
Walt Terrell
Charles Walter Terrell is a former starting pitcher with an eleven year career from 1982 to 1992. He played for the New York Mets , Detroit Tigers , San Diego Padres , New York Yankees , Pittsburgh Pirates , and once again the Detroit Tigers...
- AL leader in hits allowed (257)
- #3 in AL in earned runs allowed (103)
- #4 in AL in losses (14)
- #5 in AL in complete games (8)
- #6 in AL in shutouts (2)
Mickey Tettleton
Mickey Tettleton
Mickey Lee Tettleton , is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, and Texas Rangers...
- #2 in AL in bases on balls (101)
- #4 in AL in at bats per home run (16.2)
- #6 in AL in home runs (31)
- #7 in AL in strikeouts (131)
Players ranking among top 100 all time at position
The following members of the 1991 Detroit Tigers are among the Top 100 of all time at their position, as ranked by The Bill James Historical Baseball AbstractThe Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract
The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract is a reference-type book written by Bill James featuring an overview of baseball decade by decade, along with rankings of the top 100 players at each position. The original edition was published in 1985 by Villard Books, followed by The New Bill James...
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- Lou Whitaker: 13th best second baseman of all time
- Alan TrammellAlan TrammellAlan Stuart Trammell is a retired American baseball shortstop of the Detroit Tigers from to . Trammell, nicknamed "Tram", played his entire career with the Tigers, highlighted by a World Series championship in and an American League East division championship in . Although his arm was not...
: 9th best shortstop of all time