Fansided

Each MLB team’s best season ever

By Joshua Sadlock

HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 29: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros celebrates with George Springer #4 after hitting a three-run home run during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 29: Jose Altuve #27 of the Houston Astros celebrates with George Springer #4 after hitting a three-run home run during the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in game five of the 2017 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – JUNE 30: Former Detroit Tigers infielders Alan Trammell (L) and Lou Whitaker pose for a photo with the 1984 World Championship trophy prior to the game against the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park on June 30, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the A’s 5-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – JUNE 30: Former Detroit Tigers infielders Alan Trammell (L) and Lou Whitaker pose for a photo with the 1984 World Championship trophy prior to the game against the Oakland Athletics at Comerica Park on June 30, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers defeated the A’s 5-4. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

Detroit Tigers: 1984

The Detroit Tigers are a proud franchise with a storied history that dates back to the early days of professional baseball. They have won the pennant 11 times and taken the World Series four times. The most recent championship for the Tigers came in 1984, and they also won the most games in franchise history that year.

The 1984 Tigers won 104 games and blew away the rest of the American League. With power up and down the lineup, the Tigers led the American League with 187 home runs. They had eight players in double digits and were led by catcher Lance Parrish who hit 33 with 98 RBI. Kirk Gibson also had a solid year with 27 home runs, 91 RBI and 29 stolen bases. Up the middle, Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker formed the backbone of a strong defense.

Detroit also dominated on the mound, leading the league in ERA. Their rotation, topped by Jack Morris, Dan Petry and Milt Wilcox was among the best in baseball. The bullpen was where the Tigers truly excelled, with Willie Hernandez and Aurelio Lopez combining for 46 saves and a 2.43 ERA in 278 innings of work. Doug Bair also averaged nearly two innings per appearance out of the bullpen.

In the postseason, the Tigers steamrolled the Kansas City Royals in the ALCS with Gibson winning MVP honors. The World Series wasn’t much closer, as the Tigers downed the Padres 4-1. Trammell was the MVP of the Fall Classic after hitting .450/.500/.800 with two home runs and six RBI. Trammell and Whitaker combined to score 11 of Detroit’s 23 runs in the World Series. Both are deserving of induction into the Hall of Fame.

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