Sparky Anderson and the 15 Most Powerful Figures in Detroit Tigers History

Since 1894, the Detroit Tigers have been one of the greatest franchises in professional sports.

Even through the ups and downs, the Tigers have always provided both their fans and the city of Detroit with memories that will last forever. 

From their first World Series championship in 1935 to Magglio Ordonez's series-clinching home run during the ALCS in 2006, the Detroit Tigers have been a constant in the Motor City.  The realities of the world fade away in Motown as winter gives way to spring and the Tigers take the field each April.

Because of the Tigers' storied history, many key figures have graced the great city of Detroit with their dominant presences. Their presences will last a lifetime in the hearts and minds of all Tigers fans. 

Here are 15 of the most powerful figures in Detroit Tigers history. 

15. Cecil Fielder

It is hard to argue with results when it comes to Cecil Fielder.

"Big Daddy" spent six years in Detroit and did everything he could to take the Tigers back to prominence.  He was a three-time All-Star and a two-time Silver Slugger award winner. 

During the 1990 season, he managed to accumulate 51 home runs and 132 RBI's.  He had the ability to get big hits at the right time and helped bring a power bat to the Detroit lineup.  His power was evident, as he became the first player in franchise history to hit at least 25 home runs in six consecutive seasons. 

Fielder is also the only player in Tigers history to win the "Tiger of the Year" award in three consecutive years: 1990, 1991 and 1992.

While he was unable to help catapult the Tigers to a contender during his time in a Detroit uniform, his on-field abilities and lovable personality made him a fan favorite all over town.

14. Jim Leyland

Some fans do not like Jim Leyland.  Others praise him for his work with the team for the past five years.  No matter who you are, Jim Leyland has made this team a contender. 

No longer are the Tigers the laughingstock of the league.  No longer are they losing over 100 games a season. 

Now, things are different. A lot of that has to be attributed to the work of Leyland. 

Since his hire before the 2006 season, Leyland's Tigers have finished above .500 every year but one (2008).

While Leyland is known for his rough demeanor, some say that has given the Tigers the fighting attitude they bring to every game.  He has a no-nonsense attitude and demands the best from his players.  He has a knack for putting players in the right positions to succeed. 

He may not be the favorite of every Tigers fan, but he has helped provide some of the greatest memories in franchise history.

13. Dave Dombrowski

While Dave Dombrowski has only spent nine years with the Tigers, he has left an indelible mark on the franchise.  

During his time at Florida, he was known as a general manager with the ability to create championship baseball teams.  He helped bring two championships to the state of Florida (1997 and 2003).  While he was not a member of the Marlins organization in 2003, it was the players that he brought to the team that won the title.

Dombrowski has helped bring the Tigers back from obscurity and has made them a contender each and every year they take the field.  He helped bring an ALCS Championship in 2006, a first-time AL Central title in 2011, and an ALDS Championship in 2011. 

Tigers fans get excited each and every offseason, as it is hard to tell what move Dombrowski is going to make next.  He will stop at nothing to bring a championship to Detroit, and some may say that the elusive championship is on the horizon. 

12. Mike Illitch

After purchasing the Tigers in 1992, Mike Illitch has made his presence known throughout the city of Detroit each and every season.

While the Tigers suffered many down seasons in the late 90s and early 2000s under his supervision, it is hard to argue with the fact that he has helped to bring Detroit back to prominence.

His willingness to spend money on significant and big-time players has helped force Detroit back to the forefront of Major League Baseball. 

Illitch has also helped to fund various charities that give back to the city of Detroit, including Ilitch Charities for Children, Little Caesars Love Kitchen and the Little Caesars Veterans Program.

Mike Illitch's place in Detroit Tigers history has been firmly established; it is because of him that the Tigers are where they are today. 

11. Miguel Cabrera

Another player in his prime for the Detroit Tigers is current first baseman Miguel Cabrera. 

Setting aside his legal issues and personal demons, it is hard to argue with the dominance that Cabrera has shown during his short career. 

Expectations were high in 2008 when Dave Dombrowski initiated the blockbuster deal that brought Cabrera over from the Florida Marlins.  Just two years removed from the World Series, Cabrera was expected to be the player that put them over the hump.

While the Tigers were not able to make it back to the playoffs until the 2011 season, Cabrera has done exactly what he was brought to Detroit to do.

Like Verlander, he is coming off his best season to date, hitting .344 in 161 games with an on-base percentage of .448. 

Cabrera will no doubt be with Detroit for a long time; this will give him plenty of opportunities to solidify his place as one of the greatest Tigers to ever play the game. 

10. Hank Greenberg

Known as "Hammerin' Hank," Hank Greenberg was one of the most prolific power hitters of his time.  He spent 12 of his 13 seasons with the Detroit Tigers; he took a hiatus from the team between 1940 and 1941, as he was drafted and sent to fight during World War II. 

He was released two days before Japan bombed Pearl Harbor, which prompted him to re-enlist for the next four years. 

He returned to Detroit in 1945 and hit a home run in his first game back.

Greenberg's career numbers are impressive to say the least: .313 batting average, 1,276 RBI's and a .414 on-base percentage.  In one season, he hit 58 home runs and was walked 119 times. 

He was a five-time All-Star, as well as the MVP of the American League in 1935 and 1940. 

Greenberg is one of the best first basemen to ever play the game, and his name and number on the brick wall in left center field is a reminder to all Tiger fans of his greatness.

9. Justin Verlander

Even though he has only been in the league for seven years, there is no questioning Verlander's place in Tigers history.

Verlander, who is only 28 years old, still has many years left wearing the olde English "D."  However, his numbers up to this point have been nothing short of astounding.

He is coming off the best season of his career, which included winning both the MVP and Cy Young of the American League.  With his 2.40 ERA, 250 strikeouts and .192 hitting average for his opponents, Verlander is quickly becoming one of the best pitchers in the history of the Detroit Tigers.

There is no doubt Verlander will continue to amaze and astound all who tune in to watch him every fifth game for years to come. 

8. Lou Whitaker and Alan Trammell

Second baseman Lou Whitaker and shortstop Alan Trammell may make up the most prolific double-play tandem to ever play the game.

Their popularity surpassed the Detroit limits during the 80s and early 90s.  "Tram" and "Sweet Lou" were the longest-running double-play duo in league history. 

They played 1,918 games together for the Tigers from 1977-1995, and they combined for 11 All-Star appearances, seven Gold Glove awards and seven Silver Slugger awards.

During the 1983 season, Sports Illustrated had this to say about the dynamic duo: "Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker are the Detroit Tigers' double-play combination, one of the best, if not the best, in show."

If this isn't enough, they also made a special appearance on Magnum P.I. with Tom Selleck.

The Tigers have not seen a tandem like this since Whitaker and Trammell left in 1995.  Their place in Tigers history is certainly etched in stone. 

7. Willie Horton

From 1963 to 1977, Willie Horton was firmly entrenched in left field, and no Tigers fan will ever forget his accomplishments.

Horton made the AL All-Star team four times—1965, 1968, 1970 and 1973. 

During the World Series championship season of 1968, Horton hit 36 home runs and boasted a .285 batting average.  Horton manged to finish fourth in the AL MVP award during that season, which coincidentally was one of his best seasons as a professional. 

During the 12th Street riot of 1967, Horton stood in his uniform trying to restore order to the city, but to no avail.  Horton had this to say of his efforts: “This is my city and I had to do something to try and save it" (Bernreuter, The Saginaw News).  

In 2000, Willie Horton's number was retired to the wall in left center field.  His love for the city of Detroit was evident during his entire stay in the Motor City. 

Horton truly deserves to be placed in the upper echelon of Tigers players.  He undoubtedly left his mark on the franchise.

6. Charlie Gehringer

Another All-Star player for the Detroit Tigers and a member of the famed wall in the outfield of Comerica Park is Charlie Gehringer. 

Gehringer was a six-time All-Star during his 19 seasons in a Tigers uniform.  The longtime second baseman made his presence felt each and every time he took the field.  He helped to lead the Tigers to their first World Series championship in 1935.  During the World Series, he had a .375 batting average, which is impressive to say the least. 

The 1937 season was undoubtedly his best, as he had a .371 batting average and a .458 on-base percentage. Gehringer is also one of the best fielding second basemen to ever play the game.

While many current Tiger fans are unaware of his work during his time in Tiger Stadium, Gehringer helped make the Detroit franchise what it is today. 

5. Tiger Stadium

The corner of Michigan and Trumbull will always be a very special place.  The memories that were made at that location will never be forgotten by Tigers fans. 

It is hard for anyone to argue with the true power and aura that Tiger Stadium has had on the game of baseball. 

July 12, 1934: Babe Ruth hits home run No. 700

1941, 1951, 1971: All-Star game host (Jackson's towering home run into right field during the 1971 game is one of the most recognizable baseball highlights to this day.)

1986: Darrell Evans' home run on first pitch of Opening Day (earliest possible home run in a season)

Tiger Stadium has also had its place in the film industry.  Tiger Town, Raging Bull, Hardball, Renaissance Man and 61 are the movies that have used the storied stadium because of its fantastic history. 

Tiger Stadium will always be a special place for all Tiger fans; even though it is gone, it lives on in the hearts and minds of those who had the honor to walk through the turnstile. 

4. Ty Cobb

History has yet to repeat itself when it comes to Ty Cobb.  The game has not seen a center fielder as dominant at the plate as this man since he left baseball in 1928. 

The awards speak for themselves:

MVP: 1911, 1912, 1913, 1914

AL Triple Crown: 1909

Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1936

His career numbers are absolutely astounding: .366 batting average (highest career batting average in MLB history), .433 on base percentage, 1,938 RBI's, 897 stolen bases and 3,035 games played (most in MLB history). 

Through his rough temperament, aggressive play and dominant skill set, Ty Cobb become one of the greatest and most remembered players in Detroit Tigers history. 

3. Ernie Harwell

Ernie Harwell's voice will always resonate over the Detroit Tigers franchise. Some say they can still hear his voice when one of the Tigers hits a home run or when they turn a double play.

As the long-time announcer of the Tigers for 42 years, Harwell gave all fans something to cheer about.  He had a way to make any game exciting, no matter what the score was at the time. 

After the final game of his career in 2002, these were his final words:

"

The Tigers have just finished their 2002 season, and I have just finished my baseball broadcasting career. And it's time to say goodbye, but I think goodbyes are sad and I'd much rather say hello. Hello to a new adventure. I'm not leaving folks. I'll still be with you. Living my life in Michigan, my home state, surrounded by family and friends. And rather than goodbye, please allow me to say thank you...And it's my privilege and honor to share with you the greatest game of all.

"

Upon his death on May 4th, 2010, thousands of fans swarmed Comerica Park to pay their last respects to the voice on the radio and television that helped to raise them from children to adults.

The flag that bears the initials "E.H." that hangs just below our nation's flag will forever allow Tigers fans to relive many of the Tigers memories that Harwell's voice helped to make so memorable. 

2. Al Kaline

Tigers fans young and old know the name Al Kaline as well as the name of any player on the team.  "Mr. Tiger" has silently become one of the main figures of the Detroit Tigers franchise. 

Doing something not very common during the modern era of baseball, Al Kaline spent his entire 22-year career with the Tigers. 

He was chosen to 15 All-Star games and won 10 total Gold Gloves.  His ability at the plate and range in right field at Tiger Stadium made him stand out to anyone who paid their hard-earned money to sit and watch him.

Not only did he contribute to the success of the Tigers during his playing days, but he was also a color commentator for the organization with George Kell from 1975-2002.  Currently, he serves as a special assistant to Dave Dombrowski.

There is no questioning what he gave to the Tigers franchise from 1953-1974.  Presently, his influence over the Tigers franchise is obvious each and every day.  His wisdom and knowledge are helping to catapult the Tigers to the top in the American League. 

1. Sparky Anderson

There is no question that the name "Sparky" is synonymous with Detroit. 

As one of the greatest managers in baseball history, from 1979 to 1995, Anderson did exactly what he promised.  He made the Tigers a contender each and every season they took the field.

He currently owns the most victories for any Tigers manager; after winning the AL East pennant in 1984, he made this comment: "I have to be honest. I’ve waited for this day since they fired me in Cincinnati. I think they made a big mistake when they did that. Now no one will ever question me again." (Repeated in his diary of the 1984 season, "Bless You Boys.")

Boy, was he right.  Anderson helped put the city of Detroit and its beloved Tigers on the map. 

His on-field numbers and awards are impressive accomplishments.  However, what he has done for the city of Detroit will surely be his legacy.

Anderson was the creator of CATCH (Caring Athletes Teamed for Children's and Henry Ford Hospital), which is an organization that helps take care of children who are severely sick because their families do not have insurance or another way to afford the treatments. 

On June 26, 2011, Sparky Anderson had his number retired and placed on the wall in left center field.  I was lucky enough to be in attendance that day, as the Tigers played the Diamondbacks and won in dramatic fashion with a seven-run eighth inning. The emotions and memories felt during the ceremony were felt throughout Comerica Park that day, and it is something I will truly never forget.