Detroit Tigers
From the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum’s collection containing tens of thousands of artifacts, our curators have created each team’s Starting Nine by hand-picking nine must-see pieces for each of the 30 MLB teams. This limited-time list is the perfect introduction to the Museum for every Detroit Tigers fan. Don’t wait to make your visit to Cooperstown to take the Hall of Fame Starting Nine challenge.
Ty Cobb: 1911 Trophy
Tigers outfielder Ty Cobb received this “Honey Boy” Evans trophy for posting the highest major league batting average in 1911. It is one of four consecutive Evans trophies the Georgia Peach won from 1909 to 1912, when he regularly ranked among baseball's best in hits, runs scored and stolen bases.
Baseball Timeline: 1900-1929
Lou Whitaker: Final Season Bat
Lou Whitaker used this bat in 1995, the final season of a stellar 19-year big league career with Detroit. After being honored as the AL Rookie of the Year in 1978, the Tigers fan favorite earned three Gold Glove Awards, won four Silver Slugger Awards, made five All-Star squads, and set a franchise record with 2,308 games played at second base.
The Souls of the Game
Hank Greenberg: 1935 MVP Watch
Tigers first baseman Hank Greenberg received this Hamilton pocket watch from The Sporting News for winning the American League MVP Award in 1935. That season the Detroit slugger led the league in homers (36) and RBI (168), as the club took its second consecutive AL pennant and first-ever World Championship.
Baseball Timeline: 1930-1970
Miguel Cabrera: Triple Crown Bat
Tigers slugger Miguel Cabrera used this bat on Sept. 18, 2012, to swat his 40th home run of the season. Cabrera not only finished the season with a .330 batting average, 44 homers and 139 RBI for baseball’s first Triple Crown in 45 years, he also won the AL MVP Award.
Whole New Ballgame
Al Kaline: 3,000th Hit Bat
On Sept. 24, 1974, Detroit DH Al Kaline doubled to right with this bat for his 3,000th career hit, becoming just the 12th player to reach the milestone. Kaline packed a lot of punch at the plate, with nearly one-third of his 3,007 total hits going for extra bases.
One for the Books
Armando Galarraga: Near-Perfect Game Base
On June 2, 2010, Tigers pitcher Armando Galarraga mowed down Cleveland’s first 26 batters. When the 27th batter grounded to the right side, Galarraga stepped on this first base for an apparent perfect game. Although replays later showed the batter was out, Galarraga was forced to settle for an “imperfect” perfect game.
One for the Books
Denny McLain: 30th Win Glove
The only pitcher to win 30 games in a season since Dizzy Dean in 1934, Detroit's Denny McLain reached the milestone while wearing this glove, topping the Oakland A’s on Sept. 14, 1968. McLain ended the year at 31-6 and won both the AL MVP and Cy Young Awards.
One for the Books
Alan Trammell: World Series MVP Award
During the five-game 1984 Fall Classic, Tigers shortstop Alan Trammell hit .450 with two homers, five runs scored, six RBI and a stolen base to earn this Series MVP Award.
Autumn Glory
Ernie Harwell: Microphone
From 1960 until his retirement in 2002, Ernie Harwell's smooth voice floated through the radios of Detroit fans throughout the Midwest. As the Voice of the Tigers, Harwell called World Series victories, All-Star Games and uncountable great moments. He donated this microphone, which he used in the 1960s, in 1999.
Scribes & Mikemen
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