The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise based in Detroit, Michigan. They play in the American League Central division. The first game of the new baseball season is played on Opening Day, and being named the starter that day is an honor, which is often given to the player who is expected to lead the pitching staff that season,[1] though there are various strategic reasons why a team's best pitcher might not start on Opening Day.[2] Since joining the league in 1901, the Tigers have used 57 different Opening Day starting pitchers. The Tigers have a record of 56 wins and 61 losses in their Opening Day games.[3] They also played one tie game, in 1927.[3][4][5]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/47/George_Mullin.jpg/220px-George_Mullin.jpg)
The Tigers have played in three different home ball parks, Bennett Park from 1901 through 1911, Tiger Stadium (also known as Navin Field and Briggs Stadium) from 1912 to 1999 and Comerica Park since 2000. They had a record of five wins and two losses in Opening Day games at Bennett Park, 19 wins and 22 losses at Tiger Stadium and three wins and four losses at Comerica Park, for a total home record in Opening Day games of 26 wins and 28 losses.[3] Their record in Opening Day away games is 27 wins, 31 losses and one tie.[3][4][5]
Jack Morris has the most Opening Day starts for the Tigers, with 11 consecutive starts from 1980 to 1990. Morris had a record of seven wins and four losses in his Opening Day starts. George Mullin had ten Opening Day starts for the Tigers between 1903 and 1913. The Tigers won five of those games and lost the other five. Mickey Lolich had seven Opening Day starts between 1965 and 1974. He had a record of five wins and two losses in those starts. Justin Verlander has also made seven Opening Day starts for the Tigers, between 2008 and 2014. His record in those starts is one win and one loss with five no-decisions. Other Tiger pitchers with at least three Opening Day starts include Hal Newhouser with six, Earl Whitehill and Jim Bunning with four; and Tommy Bridges, Frank Lary and Mike Moore with three.[3]
The first game the Tigers played as a Major League team was on April 25, 1901, against the Milwaukee Brewers.[6] Roscoe Miller was the Tigers Opening Day starting pitcher for that game, which the Tigers won 14–13.[6] The Tigers have played in the World Series eleven times, in 1907, 1908, 1909, 1934, 1935, 1940, 1945, 1968, 1984, 2006, and 2012, with wins in four of those: 1935, 1945, 1968 and 1984.[7] The Tigers Opening Day starting pitchers in those seasons were Mullin (1907 and 1909), Ed Siever (1908), Firpo Marberry (1934), Rowe (1935), Newsom (1940), Newhouser (1945), Earl Wilson (1968), Morris (1984), Kenny Rogers (2006), and Justin Verlander (2012).[8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] The Tigers won five of those Opening Day games and lost the other five.[3]
Josh Billings was the Tigers Opening Day starting pitcher in 1928, despite being only 20 years old and having only won five Major League games prior to the season.[18][19] Bunning, who made four Opening Day starts for the Tigers was later elected to the United States Senate.[20] McLain, who made two Opening Day starts for the Tigers, was later convicted of embezzlement.[21] Bunning and Newhouser have each been inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame.[22]
Key
editW | Win |
---|---|
L | Loss |
T | Tie game |
ND (W) | No decision by starting pitcher; Tigers won game |
ND (L) | No decision by starting pitcher; Tigers lost game |
(W) | Tigers won game; no information on starting pitcher's decision |
(L) | Tigers lost game; no information on starting pitcher's decision |
Final score | Game score with Tigers runs listed first |
Location | Stadium in italics with ‡ for home game |
(No.) | Number of appearances as Opening Day starter with the Tigers |
* | Advanced to the post-season |
** | American League champions |
† | World Series champions |
Pitchers
editReferences
edit- General
- "Detroit Tigers Opening Day Starters and Results". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- "Detroit Tigers History & Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- Specific
- ^ Bastian, Jordan (March 22, 2010). "Marcum tapped for Jays' Opening Day". MLB.com. Retrieved September 26, 2010.
- ^ Dilbeck, Steve (February 24, 2014). "Dodgers may not start Clayton Kershaw in Sydney". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 25, 2014.
- ^ a b c d e f "Detroit Tigers Opening Day Starters and Results". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ a b c "Toronto 12, Detroit 5". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
- ^ a b c "Detroit 8, Kansas City 4". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2010-04-06.
- ^ a b c "Opening Day 1901". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Detroit Tigers History & Encyclopedia". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ a b "Opening Day 1907". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ a b "Opening Day 1908". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ a b "Opening Day 1909". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ a b "Opening Day 1934". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ a b "Opening Day 1935". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ a b "Opening Day 1940". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ a b "Opening Day 1945". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ a b "Opening Day 1968". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ a b "Opening Day 1984". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ a b "Opening Day 2006". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ a b "Opening Day 1928". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Josh Billings". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Jim Bunning Biography". Archived from the original on 2009-02-26. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ Thomashoff, C. (March 2002). "The downfall of former pitcher Denny McLain". Baseball Digest. Archived from the original on 2009-04-08. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "List of Hall of Famers". National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Archived from the original on December 28, 2008. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1902". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1903". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1904". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1905". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1906". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1910". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1911". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1912". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1913". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1914". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1915". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1916". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1917". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1918". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1919". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1920". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1921". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1922". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1923". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1924". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1925". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1926". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1927". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1929". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1930". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1931". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1932". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1933". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1936". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1937". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1938". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1939". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1941". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1942". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1943". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1944". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1946". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1947". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1948". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1949". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1950". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1951". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1952". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-02.
- ^ "Opening Day 1953". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1954". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1955". Retrosheet. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1956". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1957". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1958". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1959". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1960". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1961". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1962". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1963". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1964". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1965". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1966". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1967". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1969". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1970". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1971". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1972". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1973". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1974". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1975". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1976". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1977". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1978". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1979". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1980". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1981". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1982". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1983". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1985". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1986". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1987". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1988". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1989". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1990". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1991". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1992". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1993". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1994". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1995". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1996". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1997". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1998". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 1999". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 2000". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 2001". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 2002". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 2003". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 2004". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 2005". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 2007". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "Opening Day 2008". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
- ^ "NY Yankees 6, Detroit 3". Yahoo!. Retrieved 2011-04-02.
- ^ "April 5, 2012 Boston Red Sox at Detroit Tigers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2012-05-19.
- ^ "April 1, 2013 Detroit Tigers at Minnesota Twins Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-04-14.
- ^ "March 31, 2014 Kansas City Royals at Detroit Tigers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-04-14.
- ^ "April 6, 2015 Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers Play by Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2015-04-06.
- ^ "Opening Day 2016". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2016-05-04.
- ^ "Opening Day 2017". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2017-04-04.
- ^ "Opening Day 2018". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2018-04-28.
- ^ "Opening Day 2019". Baseball-Reference.com. March 28, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2019.
- ^ "Opening Day 2020". Baseball-Reference.com. July 24, 2020. Retrieved July 24, 2020.
- ^ "Cleveland Indians at Detroit Tigers Box Score, April 1, 2021". Baseball Reference. Retrieved April 2, 2021.
- ^ "Chicago White Sox at Detroit Tigers Box Score, April 8, 2022". Baseball Reference. Retrieved April 8, 2022.
- ^ "Detroit Tigers at Tampa Bay Rays Box Score, March 30, 2023". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 30, 2023.
- ^ "Detroit Tigers at Chicago White Sox Box Score, March 28, 2024". Baseball Reference. Retrieved March 28, 2024.