(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
Decades are easy page breaks in sports history, but the Detroit Tigers have not always followed the calendar's script.
This season marks the close of the "aught decade," a decade of dramatic change for the boys from the Motor City.
We cheered our Tigers on as they sprinted into the decade with a brand spankin' new stadium, but soon looked on in horror as the team remained in the basement of the American League Central, barely missing out on an all-time loss record.
The Tigers' fortune did turn, though, with the signing of Pudge Rodriguez, the trade for Carlos Guillen, the signing of Magglio Ordonez, and a nice mix of young (Justin Verlander) and veteran (Kenny Rogers) pitching—the Tigers were World Series contenders.
The list of Detroit Tiger's All-Stars of the "aught decade" has reflected this transition of success. Early on, the Tigers only received the mandatory one player, but as the position in the standings rose, so did the number of All-Star selections.
2000 @ Turner Field, Atlanta, GA: The Tigers had only the one obligatory selection in 2000, Todd Jones.
"The Rollercoaster" may not be a popular guy in Motown these days, but he did put up some good first half numbers at the turn of the decade. Todd came into the All-Star break sporting a 2.53 ERA with 27 saves and 37 strikeouts in 32 innings pitched.
Todd pitched one inning without allowing a base runner in the game.
2001 @ Safeco Field, Seattle, WA: The Tigers, again, sent only one representative to the All-Star game.
Tony Clark went into the break hitting 0.305 with 13 home runs, 51 RBI, and 51 runs scored. Tony the Tiger went 0-1 with a strikeout in a pinch hitting role for the American League.
2002 @ Miller Park, Millwaukee, WI: For the third straight year in the decade, the Tigers only had one All-Star, this time Robert Fick got the nod. Mr. Fick entered the mid-summer classic hitting 0.290 with 11 home runs, 40 RBI, and 44 runs scored. The game ended in a tie, and you can blame Rober Fick (1-2).
He scored the tying run for the American League in the eighth inning.
2003 @ U.S. Cellular Field, Chicago, IL: Dimitri Young was the only Tiger (is there a trend here?) selected as an All-Star in 2003. "D'Meat Hook" hit 0.283 with 18 homers in the first half, driving in 49 runs while scoring 47.
Dimitri did not enter the game.
2004 @ Minute Maid Park, Houston, TX: For the first time since 1994, the Tigers received multiple All-Star bids. Newly acquired Ivan Rodriguez and Carlos Guillen both were named All-Stars.
Pudge won the fan vote to become the American league starting catcher by hitting 0.369 with 12 home runs, 59 RBI, and 45 runs scored. Carlos Guillen came in hitting 0.324 with 13 home runs, 65 RBI, and 64 runs scored. Pudge went 2-4 with one run and one RBI in the game, but Carlos did not play.
2005 @ Comerica Park, Detroit, MI: Ivan Rodriguez made his second All-Star Game as a Tiger, the lone Detroit representative in the home ballpark. Pudge entered the break, hitting 0.292 with six home runs, 32 RBI, and 42 runs scored.
The highlight of the all-star festivities was the Home Run Derby, where Pudge wowed the home fans by slugging it out with Bobby Abreu in the final round. Pudge went 0-1 with a walk and a strikeout.
2006 @ PNC Park, Pittsburgh, PA: The Tigers sent three to the All-Star Game for the first time since 1987, when four Tigers received All-Star bids.
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