Welcome to Detroit Sports Forum!

By joining our community, you'll be able to connect with fellow fans that live and breathe Detroit sports just like you!

Get Started
  • If you are no longer able to access your account since our recent switch from vBulletin to XenForo, you may need to reset your password via email. If you no longer have access to the email attached to your account, please fill out our contact form and we will assist you ASAP. Thanks for your continued support of DSF.

Detroit Tigers Team Notes Over 4 Million Views!!!! Thankyou!

February 9 in Tigers and mlb history:

1895: New York Giants owner Andrew Freedman institutes reserved grandstand seats to attract businessmen.

1916: The National League celebrates its 40th anniversary with a Waldorf-Astoria banquet. The NL's first president, Morgan G. Bulkeley, is present. The chief speaker is former president William Howard Taft.

1916: The National League votes down a proposal by the Giants, Braves, and Cubs to increase club player limit from 21 to 22. (The Reds want a decrease to 20).

1920: The Joint Rules Committee bans all foreign substances or other alterations to the ball by pitchers, including saliva, resin, talcum powder, paraffin, and the shine and emery ball. A pitcher caught cheating will be suspended for 10 days.
The American League allows each club to name just two pitchers who will be allowed to use the pitch for one more season.
The National League allows each club to name all its spitball pitchers. No pitchers other than those designated will be permitted to use the banned pitch, and none at all after this season (however, the designated pitchers will eventually be allowed to use the pitch for the rest of their careers).
Other rules changes: the adoption of writer Fred Lieb's proposal that a game-winning home run with men on base be counted as a home run even if the batter's run is not needed to win the game. Also, the intentional walk is banned, and everything that happens in a protested game will go in the records.

1922: Judge Kenesaw Landis cracks down on phony player deals. He fines the Cards and Tigers $150 each, and three minor league clubs a total of $1,400 for violating waiver rules. In March, he will assess the Giants $1,764 for the improper transfer of a player.

1924 - Washington Senators owner Clark Griffith names 2B Bucky Harris, last year's team captain, as the new Nationals' manager. Harris had annoyed Griffith by playing pro basketball over the winter, in violation of his contract, but the owner still tabs him the job. Harris, 28, team captain, is at spring training when he receives the offer by letter.
Harris will later become manager of the Tigers from 1929-1933, and 1955-1956.

1927: The A’s sign free agent legend Ty Cobb.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DwE8nUAX4AEqTxd.jpg

1951: The St. Louis Browns sign Satchel Paige, 45. He has been out of Major League Baseball since last pitching for the Cleveland Indians in 1949.

1961: Willie Mays signs for $85,000, currently the biggest contract in Major League Baseball.

1971: Former Negro Leagues P Satchel Paige is nominated for the Hall of Fame. On June 10 the Hall's new Special Committee on the Negro Leagues will formally select Paige for induction.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GjXiJCOWcAA5czq?format=jpg&name=mediumhttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/GjWLDR0WoAAbn1-?format=jpg&name=mediumhttps://pbs.twimg.com/media/GjWbRT6WkAEfJ7e?format=png&name=900x900
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GjXfYiSXEAA3lrX?format=jpg&name=medium






1975: Happy Birthday to Hall of Famer Vladimir Guerrero, born this day in Nizao, Dominican Republic.

1976: Oscar Charleston is selected for the Hall of Fame by the Special Committee on the Negro Leagues.

1984: The Los Angeles Dodgers waive 2-time National League All-Star Dusty Baker, who had vetoed a trade to Oakland during the winter meetings.

1988: The Detroit Tigers signed Tom Brookens as a free agent.

1994: The Ted Williams Retrospective Museum and Library opens in Hernando, FL.

2000: The Reds send four players - pitcher Brett Tomko, outfielder Mike Cameron and two minor leaguers to the Mariners and agree to a contract extension to obtain Seattle's superstar Ken Griffey Jr. Junior's nine-year $116.5 million contract is the richest package in history, but in the current market is considered quite a bargain.

2001: After 13 months of negotiations, Derek Jeter and the Yankees finalize a $189 million, 10-year contract. The deal makes the All-Star shortstop second only to Alex Rodriguez ($252 million/10 years) as highest-paid player in the history of the sport.

2004: The Detroit Tigers released Bobby Estalella.

2005: The Cubs trade reliever Kyle Farnsworth and a player to be named to the Tigers in exchange for pitcher Roberto Novoa and minor leaguers Scott Moore and Bo Flowers.

2006: Deliberating for a little more than four hours, a jury rules the Angels did not breach a contract with the city of Anaheim when the ball club changed its name. Thirteen months ago, the team known as the Anaheim Angels became the "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim", prompting the city where it plays to file a law suit claiming the change in name amounted to at least $100 million in lost revenue.

2009: 12-time All-Star and 3-time MVP Alex Rodriguez publicly admits to using steroids from 2001 to 2003, while a member of the Texas Rangers. Rodriguez apologizes for his past errors; he had not commented on the issue since Sports Illustrated had broken a story about a positive 2003 test two days earlier.

2012: The Detroit Tigers signed Zack Segovia as a free agent.

2017: Major League Baseball announces that a variation of the "Schiller Rule" used in International Baseball will be tested in two Rookie-level Minor Leagues this season. In the Gulf Coast League and the Arizona League, if a game is tied after nine innings, every subsequent inning will start with a runner already on second base.

2020: The Mookie Betts trade, originally completed on February 4th but which had threatened to unravel due to concerns by the Red Sox over the health of Twins prospect Brusdar Graterol, is finally completed. Graterol now goes to the Dodgers, who send Jeter Downs and Connor Wong to Boston as compensation, and receive Luke Raley and a draft pick from the Twins while also sending them a player to be named later.

2022: The Detroit Tigers signed Carlos Sanabria as a free agent.

Tigers players birthdays:

Don Hankins 1927.

Vic Wertz 1947-1952, 1961-1963.

John Young 1971.
Founder of Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities (RBI).

Pat Underwood 1979-1980, 1982-1983.

Brewer Hicklen 2025.

Tigers players who passed away:

Milt Welch 1945.

Bill Froats 1955.

Jerry Casale 1961-1962.

Baseball Reference
 
DEEPER DISCUSSIONS.
Totally Tigers

Yes, this is Monday if you’re wondering why Sunday’s blog is appearing today. It’s because of big events that happened to the Tigers, combined with the Super Bowl that disrupts fans’ attention to baseball.
So let’s get to this week’s thought-provoking question….

He was hired to blow up a dysfunctional, antiquated franchise. Made hundreds of moves to broom entire departments and bring in all new people.
In his first year, the Tigers won 12 more games than under the former regime. Finishing in 2nd place.
The next 2 years resulted in October baseball.
But moves started to quiet down in 2024. The roster didn’t change much and no big free agent contracts were signed. Maybe because it was still too soon.
A few secondary players from the minors and drafted by the former Front Office came up but not to much fanfare. Four veteran starting pitchers (3 recently acquired) completely bombed.
Some former #1 draft picks started to finally emerge last year and the rejuvenation of their most expensive player happened.
But the winter of 2025 started off quietly. Too quietly for most of us. No big moves, several near misses and the promise that the focus would be on acquiring pitching, not bats.
We’re waiting on the debuts of several top prospects which will likely be this year. But the team is still without a regular 3Ber.
Then this past week happened. Tarik Skubal won his arbitration case and while this distraction was taking place, the team signed Framber Valdez to a 3-year $115 mill contract. A move no one saw coming. Absolutely no one.
Just these 2 contracts alone pushed payroll higher by $70 mill which is more than several other teams’ entire roster salaries. Their payroll is expected to reach $230 mill if there are no further changes.
The Tigers are now being billed as having the best 1-2 punch in team starting rotations.
Yes, these moves were all made by PoBO Scott Harris.
So what do you think about him now?
Today’s blog addresses this question and allows readers to share their thoughts in more detail. And hopefully, to actively engage with others by responding to their posts and creating back-and-forth discussion threads. The more the merrier!
For this one blog only, you’ve got 6 sentences max to share your thoughts. Of course, you can also respond to other readers.
TT will supply the ammunition. One thought-provoking question. Several options provided. One hard choice to be selected. One vote.
Ready?

How do you feel about Scott Harris today?

1. I always liked him.

2. I've warmed up to him.

3. I still don't like him.

4. Still somewhat of a mystery. Need more evaluation time.

VOTE
 
Tigers Topics: How much do you love A.J. Hinch as manager?
2026 will mark Hinch managing the Tigers longer than the Astros. Where is your confidence level in the skipper now?
BYBTB
 
February 10 in Tigers and mlb history:

1884: Billy Evans is born in Chicago, Illinois. One of the foremost umpires in history, Evans will spend 22 years in the American League. He will achieve great prestige for his fairness and unquestioned integrity.

1894: Hall of Famer Herb Pennock was born this day in Kennett Square, PA.

1910: Major League owners are now forbidden to own more than one baseball franchise.

1913: Tigers owner Frank Navin says position of coaches boxes is causing delays in play, due to catchers trying to hide signs.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C3_dPuZWEAEVR7n.jpg

1916: The Detroit Tigers purchased Jack Dalton and Howard Ehmke from the Buffalo Blues.

1920: At a joint meeting in Chicago, IL, it is decided that all bleacher prices will be raised to 50 cents, pavilion seats to 75 cents, and grandstand seating to $1.00. Clubs may set aside bleacher space for kids under 14 at 15 and 25 cents if they wish.
In other agreements, the May 15 - August 30 player limits are raised from 21 to 25, and the American League prohibits player transfers after July 1st; the National League, after August 20th.

1925: At an American League meeting, a plan is adopted to alternate the site of future World Series openers by league rather than deciding it by a coin toss, with Games One, Two, Six, and Seven in one park and Three, Four, Five in the other, unless a ban on Sunday baseball interferes in one city. The clubs finishing fourth in the AL will share in the World Series pool. World Series umpires get a raise to $2,500, while umps in city series will earn $700. The plan was proposed in 1924, but is formally adopted at this meeting.

1934: New player-manager Mickey Cochrane drops pinstripes and reinstates Old English "D" to Tigers home jerseys.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DT7BS_eW0AApBn9.jpg

1945: Slugger Jimmie Foxx signs with the National League's Philadelphia Phillies.

1953: The Chicago White Sox send pitchers Marv Grissom, Bill Kennedy and Hal Brown to the Boston Red Sox for 33-year-old infielder Vern Stephens. A perennial All-Star in the 1940s, Stephens' best years are behind him.

1971: Former player Bill White becomes the first black play-by-play broadcaster in major league history. WPIX-TV hires White to team with Phil Rizzuto and Frank Messer on New York Yankees broadcasts.
Phil Rizzuto makes a hilarious broadcasting blunder!


1971: Satchel Paige was the first Negro League player to be nominated for the Baseball HOF.

1975: Former Negro Leagues player Judy Johnson wins election to the Hall of Fame. A third baseman in the 1920s and 1930s, Johnson batted .309 over a 17-year professional career.

1986: The Detroit Tigers signed Tim Tolman as a free agent.

1993: The Detroit Tigers signed Kirk Gibson as a free agent. Gibson would spend his final 3 seasons back in Detroit, averaging .266 15 56 .825 over 320 at-bats.

2005: The Detroit Tigers signed Jason Grilli as a free agent.

2005: In his first public appearance since allegations of usage of performance-enhancing drugs surfaced, New York Yankees first baseman Jason Giambi apologizes to his teammates, Yankees fans and to baseball fans everywhere for letting them down last season. The All-Star first baseman, however, never uses the word steroids as he "accepts full responsibility for the controversy".

2015: Disgraced superstar Alex Rodriguez meets with owner Hank Steinbrenner, GM Brian Cashman and other members of the Yankees top brass to apologize for his past actions. Before his one-year suspension, which is now over, A-Rod was barely on speaking terms with his employer, and his representatives were routinely threatening to sue. But the meeting seems to have cleared the air.

2017: Long-time Detroit Tigers and Detroit Red Wings owner Mike Ilitch passes away at 88. Having made his fortune through a pizza chain, Ilitch purchased both the Detroit Red Wings of the National Hockey League in 1982 and the Tigers a decade later.
While the Tigers reached the World Series twice during his years as owner but never won the big prize, he is credited with revitalizing the franchise.

2020: The ramifications of the 2017 Astros sign-stealing scandal just won't end. Today, former Dodgers pitcher Mike Bolsinger files a civil suit in Los Angeles Superior Court accusing the Astros of "unfair business practices, negligence and intentional interference with contractual and economic relations." He points to an appearance on August 4th that season when he was lit up by the Astros, essentially ending his major league career, and asks for the Astros to forfeit the $31 million in bonuses resulting from their World Series win that year and give the money to charitable causes.

2021: The Detroit Tigers signed Greg Garcia as a free agent.
2021: The Detroit Tigers signed Renato Nunez as a free agent.

2021: For the second straight off-season, the Red Sox deal one of the starting outfielders from their 2018 World Series-winning team. One year after trading Mookie Betts, the BoSox send Andrew Benintendi, coming off a poor season, to the Royals as part of a three-team trade also involving the Mets, in return for OF Franchy Cordero, P Josh Winckowski and two players to be named later, while OF Khalil Lee goes from K.C. to the Mets.

Tigers players birthdays:

George Quellich 1931.

Bob Logan 1937.

Jim Stump 1957, 1959.

Jerry Davie 1959.

John Gamble 1972-1973.

Tigers players and executives who passed away:

Mike Ilitch owner 1992-2017.

Baseball Reference
 
MORE THAN JUST STATS.
Totally Tigers
 
First Baseman projected with greater than:
25 HR
75 R & RBI
110 wRC+
10.0 BB%
Nick Kurtz
Vlad Guerrero Jr
Matt Olson
Bryce Harper
Spencer Torkelson
Excited to see Torkelson take the next step this season.

DataBaseHit
 
Justin Verlander signs a one-year contract with the Detroit Tigers.
More to follow.

JV turns 43 in 10 days. In the last 2 months last year, he started 11 times. He struck out 60 in 62.2 IP. Went 6 or more innings 6 times. Went 7 or more innings 3 times. And, thew over 100 pitches 6 times. In fact on 8/31, he threw 121 pitches…At age 42. In 2025!

It’s real. The Tigers have signed Justin Verlander to a one-year deal worth $13 million. The deal includes $11M in deferrals.

Justin Verlander back where it all began, signs 1-year deal with Tigers.
Tigers official site

Detroit Tigers in agreement with Justin Verlander on a one-year deal.
We did not see this one coming either!
BYBTB

Tigers just gave fans the Justin Verlander moment they have been begging for.
He's coming home.
MCBTB

Detroit Tigers bringing back former ace Justin Verlander.
Detnews

Justin Verlander's Detroit Tiger Days.
Detnews

Justin Verlander signs with Detroit Tigers for 1 year, $13 million.
Freep

Tarik Skubal, Tigers fans react to Justin Verlander signing.
Freep

Detroit Tigers bringing back franchise legend Justin Verlander.
Mlive

Tigers Sign Justin Verlander.
MLBTR

Tigers sign veteran Justin Verlander to 1-year, $13M contract.
espn
 
The Tigers agreed to a minor-league contract with free agent Slater, including a spring training invite; it pays $2 million if he makes the big-league team, plus up to $500,000 in bonuses. Slater hit .216 last season across the White Sox and Yankees, shining with a .726 OPS against lefties, and brings a .341 career OBP plus glove skills from his Giants days. Detroit sees him as low-risk depth and righty balance for their young roster, with beat writers calling it smart insurance ahead of spring battles.
 
Back
Top