The Detroit Tigers

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...

 2008 season

2008 Major League Baseball season

The 2008 Major League Baseball season began on March 25, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan with the 2007 World Series champion Boston Red Sox defeating the Oakland Athletics at the Tokyo Dome 6–5 in the first game of a two-game series, and ended on September 30 with the host Chicago White Sox defeating the...

was the team's 108th season in Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball

Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...

's 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...

. After being picked by many to win the AL Central Division

American League Central

The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...

 and the World Series

World Series

The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...

, the Tigers started the season a disappointing 0-7, being swept by the Kansas City Royals

2008 Kansas City Royals season

The Kansas City Royals' 2008 season began with the team searching for its 15th manager in franchise history. Trey Hillman, former minor league baseball and Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters manager, was hired as the team's skipper on October 19, 2007.The team looked to improve upon its record of...

 and Chicago White Sox

2008 Chicago White Sox season

The 2008 Chicago White Sox Season is the organization's 109th season in Chicago and 108th in the American League. The White Sox won the American League Central division title for the first time since 2005. They finished the regular season tied with the Minnesota Twins and won a one-game playoff...

. Their first victory of the season came against the Boston Red Sox

2008 Boston Red Sox season

The Boston Red Sox' 2008 season began on March 25, in Tokyo, Japan for the MLB Japan Opening Day 2008. The Red Sox were attempting to become the first repeat World Series Champions since the 1999–2000 New York Yankees and also be the first repeat Champions of the 21st century. They also tried to...

. Not until the Tigers' 80th game did the team reach a .500 record.

Although eliminated from the pennant race on September 29, 2008, they nonetheless had to play a makeup game against the Chicago White Sox

Chicago White Sox

The 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...

, where the Tigers lost 8 to 2 (this game was necessary to complete the White Sox' season, since the White Sox were in second place by half a game behind the Minnesota Twins

Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...

 at the end of the regular season). The Tigers finished the season in last place in the AL Central, trailing the division-winning White Sox by 14.5 games.

Despite the disappointing performance, the Tigers drew a franchise-record home attendance of 3,202,645 for the season. The team ranked third in the American League and eighth in Major League Baseball for home attendance in 2008.

Offseason

The Tigers started the offseason by trading prospects Jair Jurrjens

Jair Jurrjens

-Childhood:Jurrjens grew in a quiet neighborhood called ´Kura Piedra´ pronounced in Dutch as ´Steenkoraal or Stenenkoraal´, and was always active in baseball. His older brother, Carl Jr., also played baseball.Jurrjens speaks English, Spanish, Dutch and Papiamentu....

 and Gorkys Hernandez

Gorkys Hernández

Gorkys Gustavo Hernández is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization currently assigned to their triple A Indianapolis Indians of the International League....

 to the Atlanta Braves

Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....

 for shortstop

Shortstop

Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...

 Edgar Rentería

Edgar Rentería

Edgar Enrique Rentería Herazo , nicknamed "The Barranquilla Baby," is a Colombian professional baseball shortstop. He throws and bats right-handed. Previously, he has played for the Florida Marlins, the St...

. Renteria took over the everyday shortstop job with Carlos Guillén

Carlos Guillén

Carlos Alfonso Guillén is a Major League Baseball second baseman and switch-hitter....

 moving to first base.

Reliever Joel Zumaya

Joel Zumaya

Joel Martin Zumaya is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher known for his record-breaking fastballs.-Baseball career:...

 underwent surgery October 31, 2007 for AC joint

Acromioclavicular joint

The acromioclavicular joint, or AC joint, is a joint at the top of the shoulder. It is the junction between the acromion and the clavicle. -Function:...

 reconstruction and is expected to miss half the 2008 season

2008 Major League Baseball season

The 2008 Major League Baseball season began on March 25, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan with the 2007 World Series champion Boston Red Sox defeating the Oakland Athletics at the Tokyo Dome 6–5 in the first game of a two-game series, and ended on September 30 with the host Chicago White Sox defeating the...

 .

The Tigers continued their offseason trading by acquiring Miguel Cabrera

Miguel Cabrera

José Miguel Cabrera Torres nicknamed "Miggy", is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....

 and Dontrelle Willis

Dontrelle Willis

Dontrelle Wayne Willis , nicknamed "The D-Train", is an American professional baseball pitcher. Willis is notable for his success during his first few years in the league and for his unconventional pitching style, which includes a high leg kick and exaggerated twisting away from the batter...

 from the Florida Marlins

Florida Marlins

The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...

 in exchange for highly-touted prospects Cameron Maybin

Cameron Maybin

Cameron Keith Maybin is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the San Diego Padres. He was the tenth pick in the 2005 First-Year Player Draft by The Detroit Tigers. He was consistently ranked as the Tigers top minor league prospect while in the organization.-High school:Maybin played high school...

 and Andrew Miller

Andrew Miller (baseball)

Andrew Mark Miller is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-College:...

, along with Mike Rabelo

Mike Rabelo

Michael Gregory Rabelo is a former Major League Baseball catcher.Rabelo grew up in the city of New Port Richey, Florida, and attended Ridgewood High School...

, Eulogio De La Cruz, Burke Badenhop

Burke Badenhop

Burke Heinrich Badenhop is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins. Burke played college baseball at Bowling Green State University. He played High School Baseball at Perrysburg High School in Perrysburg, Ohio...

 and Dallas Trahern

Dallas Trahern

Dallas Neal Trahern is a professional baseball pitcher.Trahern was drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 34th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft...

. Willis would sign a three-year, 29-million dollar contract extension, while Cabrera would receive an eight-year, 152.3-million dollar deal, the biggest contract in Tigers history.

During the offseason, the Tigers traded Omar Infante

Omar Infante

Omar Rafael Infante [in-FAHN-tay] is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently on the Miami Marlins...

 to the Chicago Cubs for Jacque Jones

Jacque Jones

Jacque Dewayne Jones is a Major League Baseball outfielder who currently is a free agent-Early life:...

, re-signed Todd Jones, and Kenny Rogers to one-year contracts. They also signed free agent Francisco Cruceta

Francisco Cruceta

Francisco Alberto Cruceta is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher and former starting pitcher for the Samsung Lions in the Korea Baseball Organization.-Los Angeles Dodgers:...

 from the Texas Rangers

Texas Rangers (baseball)

The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...

 organization to a one-year contract. Cruceta and Jacque Jones were eventually released during the season, and Todd Jones retired at the end of the season. The Tigers declined the option to sign Edgar Renteria at the end of the season.

Game log

>

2008 Game Log

Batting

Note: Pos. = Position; G = Games played; AB = At Bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting Average; HR = Home Runs; RBI = Runs Batted In

Player	Pos.	G	AB	H	Avg.	HR	RBI
Dusty Ryan Dusty Ryan Dusty Mitchell Ryan is a Major League Baseball catcher in the New York Mets organization.His first major league hit was a home run...	C	15	44	14	.318	2	7
Magglio Ordóñez Magglio Ordóñez Magglio José Ordóñez Delgado is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right fielder. He has played for the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers . Ordóñez is six feet, one inch tall and weighs .-Professional career:...	RF	146	561	178	.317	21	103
Plácido Polanco Plácido Polanco Plácido Enrique Polanco is a Major League Baseball player who plays for the Philadelphia Phillies and has also played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers. He is a third baseman, but in the past has played second base and shortstop...	2B	141	580	178	.307	8	58
Mike Hessman Mike Hessman Michael Steven Hessman is a third baseman who plays for the Orix Buffaloes in Nippon Professional Baseball's Pacific League...	3B	12	27	8	.296	5	7
Ivan Rodriguez Iván Rodríguez Iván Rodríguez Torres , nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Major League Baseball catcher...  *	C	82	302	89	.295	5	32
Miguel Cabrera Miguel Cabrera José Miguel Cabrera Torres nicknamed "Miggy", is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....	1B, 3B	160	616	180	.292	37	127
Carlos Guillén Carlos Guillén Carlos Alfonso Guillén is a Major League Baseball second baseman and switch-hitter....	3B, 1B, LF	113	420	120	.286	10	54
Clete Thomas Clete Thomas Michael Clete Thomas is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball.-Career:...	LF, CF, RF	40	116	33	.284	1	9
Ramón Santiago Ramón Santiago Ramón D. Santiago is a Major League Baseball shortstop. He has spent most of his major league career at shortstop, but has also played a significant amount of time at second base...	SS, 2B, 3B	58	124	35	.282	4	18
Curtis Granderson Curtis Granderson Curtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player...	CF	141	553	155	.280	22	66
Edgar Rentería Edgar Rentería Edgar Enrique Rentería Herazo , nicknamed "The Barranquilla Baby," is a Colombian professional baseball shortstop. He throws and bats right-handed. Previously, he has played for the Florida Marlins, the St...	SS	138	503	136	.270	10	55
Michael Hollimon Michael Hollimon Michael T. Hollimon is a Major League Baseball second baseman and shortstop in the Minnesota Twins organization...	2B, SS	11	23	6	.261	1	2
Jeff Larish Jeff Larish Jeffrey David Larish is a first baseman, third baseman, left fielder, and Designated Hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies organization....	DH, 1B, 3B	42	104	27	.260	2	16
Matt Joyce Matt Joyce (baseball) Matthew R. Joyce is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Tampa Bay Rays.-Early life:Joyce began his career at North Brandon Little League in Brandon, Florida....	LF, RF	92	242	61	.252	12	33
Marcus Thames Marcus Thames Marcus Markley Thames is an American professional baseball outfielder. He has previously played for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers and Los Angeles Dodgers....	LF, DH, 1B	103	316	76	.241	25	56
Ryan Raburn Ryan Raburn Ryan Neil Raburn is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Detroit Tigers. Though primarily an outfielder, Raburn can also play third base, second base, first base, and catcher....	LF, RF, 2B, 3B, CF	92	182	43	.236	4	20
Gary Sheffield Gary Sheffield Gary Antonian Sheffield , nicknamed "Sheff", is an American retired Major League Baseball outfielder. He played for eight major league ball clubs from 1988 to 2009, primarily as an outfielder.-Biography:...	DH, LF	114	418	94	.225	19	57
Brent Clevlen Brent Clevlen Brent Aaron Clevlen is a Major League Baseball outfielder who currently plays in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.-Personal life:Clevlen graduated from Westwood High School in 2002.-Major leagues:...	LF, CF, RF	11	24	5	.208	0	1
Brandon Inge Brandon Inge Charles Brandon Inge is an American professional baseball infielder for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....	C, 3B, CF, LF	113	347	71	.205	11	51
Jacque Jones Jacque Jones Jacque Dewayne Jones is a Major League Baseball outfielder who currently is a free agent-Early life:...  *	LF	24	79	13	.165	1	5
Dane Sardinha Dane Sardinha Dane Kealoha A. A. Sardinha is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent.-College career:...	C	17	44	7	.159	0	3

Note: Pitchers' batting statistics not included

Starting pitchers

Player	G	IP	W	L	ERA	SO
Armando Galarraga Armando Galarraga Armando Antonio Galarraga is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Galarraga made his Major League Baseball debut with the Texas Rangers on September 15, 2007...	30	178⅔	13	7	3.73	126
Freddy Garcia Freddy García Freddy Antonio García , nicknamed "The Chief", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent...	3	15	1	1	4.20	12
Jeremy Bonderman Jeremy Bonderman Jeremy Allen Bonderman is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who currently is a free agent. Bonderman is six feet and two inches tall and weighs 220 pounds. He bats and throws right-handed...	12	71⅓	3	4	4.29	44
Justin Verlander Justin Verlander Justin Brooks Verlander is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball....	33	201	11	17	4.84	163
Eddie Bonine Eddie Bonine Eddie Keith Bonine is Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies system.- College career :...	5	26⅔	2	1	5.40	9
Kenny Rogers	30	173⅔	9	13	5.70	82
Nate Robertson Nate Robertson Nathan Daniel "Nate" Robertson, is a Major League Baseball pitcher who currently pitches in the Seattle Mariners organization.-Florida Marlins:...	28	168⅔	7	11	6.35	108
Dontrelle Willis Dontrelle Willis Dontrelle Wayne Willis , nicknamed "The D-Train", is an American professional baseball pitcher. Willis is notable for his success during his first few years in the league and for his unconventional pitching style, which includes a high leg kick and exaggerated twisting away from the batter...	8	24	0	2	9.38	3

Relief pitchers

Player	G	W	L	SV	HLD	ERA	SO
Jason Grilli Jason Grilli Jason Michael Grilli is an Italian-American professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball...  *	9	0	1	0	0	3.29	10
Denny Bautista Denny Bautista Denny M. Bautista is Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Hanwha Eagles of the Korean Baseball Organization. He also played in Major League Baseball for the Baltimore Orioles, Kansas City Royals, Colorado Rockies, Detroit Tigers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and San Francisco Giants.-Florida...  *	16	0	1	0	3	3.32	10
Joel Zumaya Joel Zumaya Joel Martin Zumaya is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher known for his record-breaking fastballs.-Baseball career:...	21	0	2	1	5	3.47	22
Aquilino Lopez Aquilino Lopez Aquilino López Roa is a starting pitcher for the Kia Tigers of the Korean Baseball Organization...	48	4	1	0	4	3.55	61
Freddy Dolsi Freddy Dolsi Freddy Dolsi is a Major League Baseball pitcher.In May 2008, Dolsi was called up to the Tigers from the Double-A Erie SeaWolves to replace injured Denny Bautista. Dolsi made his major league debut on May 6, 2008, in relief against the Boston Red Sox...	42	1	5	2	7	3.97	29
Clay Rapada Clay Rapada Clayton Anthony Rapada is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball.-Career:...	25	3	0	0	2	4.22	15
Zach Miner Zach Miner Zachary Charles Miner is a Major League Baseball pitcher currently in the Kansas City Royals organization. He bats and throws right-handed.-Atlanta Braves:...	45	8	5	0	6	4.27	62
Gary Glover Gary Glover John Gary Glover was a Major League Baseball pitcher who currently plays for the SK Wyverns of the Korean Baseball League...  *	18	1	1	0	3	4.43	15
Bobby Seay Bobby Seay Robert "Bobby" Michael Seay is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays from 2001 to 2004, the Colorado Rockies in 2005, and the Detroit Tigers from 2006 to 2010.-High school:Seay is a graduate of Sarasota High...	60	1	2	0	13	4.47	58
Francis Beltrán Francis Beltrán Francis LeBron Beltrán is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a member of the York Revolution of the Atlantic League.-Chicago Cubs:...	11	1	0	0	2	4.85	9
Fernando Rodney Fernando Rodney Fernando Rodney is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Rodney throws a fastball in the mid to upper-90 miles per hour and a changeup in the low 80s.-Minor leagues:...	38	0	6	13	5	4.91	49
Todd Jones	45	4	1	18	0	4.97	14
Francisco Cruceta Francisco Cruceta Francisco Alberto Cruceta is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher and former starting pitcher for the Samsung Lions in the Korea Baseball Organization.-Los Angeles Dodgers:...	13	0	3	0	1	5.40	11
Casey Fossum Casey Fossum Casey Paul Fossum is an American baseball pitcher in the New York Mets organization. He played for the Boston Red Sox , Arizona Diamondbacks , Tampa Bay Devil Rays , Detroit Tigers , and New York Mets of Major League Baseball, and the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball...	31	3	1	0	6	5.66	28
Chris Lambert Chris Lambert (baseball) Christopher Raymond Lambert is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles organization. Lambert was claimed off waivers after the Detroit Tigers designated him for assignment....	8	1	2	0	0	5.66	15
Kyle Farnsworth Kyle Farnsworth Kyle Lynn Farnsworth is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently the closer for the Tampa Bay Rays.-High school and college:...  *	16	0	1	1	3	6.75	18
Yorman Bazardo Yorman Bazardo Yorman Osorio Bazardo is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Florida Marlins:...	3	0	0	0	0	24.00	3

* Statistics only include games with Tigers

Roster

2008 Detroit Tigers
Roster
Pitchers		Catchers Infielders		Outfielders		Manager Coaches (infield) (pitching) (bullpen) (third base) (hitting) (first base)

External links

• Detroit Tigers season at Baseball Reference