2012 Detroit Tigers season

2012 Detroit Tigers
American League Champions American League Central Champions
Major League affiliations
American League (since 1901)
Central Division (since 1998)
Location
Comerica Park (since 2000)
Detroit, Michigan (since 1894)
Other information
Owner(s)	Mike Ilitch
Manager(s)	Jim Leyland
Local television	Fox Sports Detroit (Mario Impemba, Rod Allen)
Local radio	Detroit Tigers Radio Network (Dan Dickerson, Jim Price)
Stats	ESPN.com BB-reference
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The 2012 Detroit Tigers season was the team's 112th season. On October 1, 2012, the Tigers clinched the AL Central title, the club's first repeat title since 1934–1935.^[1] They finished the regular season 88–74. They defeated the Oakland Athletics in the American League Divisional Series, 3 games to 2.^[2] It was the Tigers' second consecutive ALDS win. The Tigers went on to sweep the New York Yankees in the American League Championship Series ^[3] before being swept themselves by the San Francisco Giants in the World Series.^[4]

1 Roster moves
2 Delmon Young's arrest
3 Individual accomplishments
- 3.1 All-Stars
4 Standings
- 4.1 2012 American League Central
- 4.2 2012 American League Playoff Teams
5 Game log
6 Farm system
7 References
8 External links

Roster moves

Releases

On October 29, the Tigers released relief pitcher Joel Zumaya to free agency.^[5]

On November 1, the Tigers released outfielder Magglio Ordóñez, infielder Carlos Guillén, and starting pitcher Brad Penny to free agency.^[6]

On December 12, the Tigers released utility infielder Will Rhymes to free agency.^[7]

On March 12, the Tigers released relief pitcher David Pauley. On March 15, Pauley cleared waivers and became a free agent.^[8]

On April 26, the Tigers released veteran infielder Brandon Inge after 12 seasons.^[9]

Key injuries

On December 16, the team announced that relief pitcher Al Alburquerque had surgery on his pitching elbow, to replace a stress fracture.^[10]

On January 17, it was reported that designated hitter/catcher/infielder Víctor Martínez tore his ACL and needs surgery to repair it.^[11] On March 12, the team placed Martinez on the 60-day disabled list and declared him out for the season.^[12]

Signings and key returns

The Tigers signed free agent first baseman Prince Fielder on January 24.

On October 28, the Tigers picked up the option on closer José Valverde.^[13]

On November 18, the Tigers signed catcher Gerald Laird to a one-year contract. Laird had been the Tigers' primary catcher for the 2009 and 2010 seasons.^[14]

Also on November 18, the club purchased the minor league contracts of pitching prospects Casey Crosby, Tyler Stohr and Matt Hoffman; outfielder Avisail Garcia and infielder Hernan Perez.^[15]

On November 30, the Tigers re-signed second baseman Ramón Santiago to a two-year deal.^[16]

On December 9, the Tigers announced a one-year deal with relief pitcher Octavio Dotel. There is an option for the 2013 season.^[17]

On January 16, the Tigers avoided arbitration with starting pitcher Rick Porcello and reliever Phil Coke, signing both to one-year deals.^[18] The following day, the team agreed on one-year deals for starting pitcher Max Scherzer, outfielder Delmon Young and utilityman Don Kelly. This helps the team avoid an arbitration hearing for the 10th year in a row.^[19]

On January 24, the Tigers signed first baseman Prince Fielder to a nine-year, $214 million deal.^[20] As a result, Miguel Cabrera moved to third base.^[21]

On April 20, the Tigers re-acquired pitcher Zach Miner from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for cash. Miner will report to the AA Erie Seawolves.^[22]

Trades

On December 9, the Tigers traded relief pitcher Ryan Perry to the Washington Nationals for fellow reliever Collin Balester.^[23]
On July 23, the Tigers traded pitcher Jacob Turner and two minor league prospects (catcher Rob Brantly and pitcher Brian Flynn) to the Miami Marlins for starting pitcher Aníbal Sánchez and infielder Omar Infante.^[24]
On August 6, the Tigers acquired utilityman Jeff Baker from the Chicago Cubs for two minor league players to be named later.^[25] He was traded to the Atlanta Braves on August 31 for a player to be named later.^[26]

Delmon Young's arrest

On April 27, 2012, an intoxicated Delmon Young was arrested for third-degree assault and an “aggravated harassment hate crime” in New York City after a confrontation with a group of Jewish tourists in which he made antisemitic remarks outside of their hotel before a series against the Yankees. Later in the day, Young issued a statement apologizing for his actions. On April 30, Young was suspended without pay for seven games, and ordered to undergo therapy.^[27] His next court date is November 7, 2012. If convicted, Young could possibly serve a year in jail, however his lawyers are currently attempting to reach a plea deal with the Manhattan district attorney.^[28]

Individual accomplishments

On September 27, starting pitcher Doug Fister struck out 9 batters in a row, a new American League record. It was just one short of the Major League record of 10 in a row, accomplished by Tom Seaver in 1970.^[29]
With a .330 average, 44 home runs and 139 RBIs, slugger Miguel Cabrera became the first player in 45 years to win the Triple Crown of Batting, leading the American League in all three categories. The last player to accomplish this feat was Carl Yastrzemski in 1967.^[30] He went on to win the 2012 AL Most Valuable Player Award.^[31] He also won this year's AL Hank Aaron Award,^[32] and the AL Silver Slugger award.^[33]
Starters Justin Verlander and Max Scherzer finished first and second among the American League strikeout leaders, with 239 and 231, respectively.^[34] Verlander finished second in a very close AL Cy Young Award race for 2012, collecting 149 points (12 first-place votes) to 153 points (13 first-place votes) for Tampa Bay Rays starter David Price.^[35]
On October 13, during Game 1 of the ALCS, Delmon Young hit his sixth career post-season home run, setting a new franchise record.^[36] Young later won the ALCS MVP Award.^[37]
Outfielder Austin Jackson won the Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award.^[38]

All-Stars

The Tigers sent three players to the All-Star Game: pitcher Justin Verlander (fifth appearance), third baseman Miguel Cabrera (seventh appearance, third with the Tigers), and first baseman Prince Fielder (fourth appearance, first with the Tigers). Fielder was voted in as a starter,^[39] and won the Home Run Derby with 28 home runs, the second time in his career and his first with the Tigers.^[40] Fielder also won a Silver Slugger Award.^[33]

Standings

2012 American League Central

American League Central	W	L	Pct.	GB	Home	Road
Detroit Tigers	88	74	0.543	—	50–31	38–43
Chicago White Sox	85	77	0.525	3	45–36	40–41
Kansas City Royals	72	90	0.444	16	37–44	35–46
Cleveland Indians	68	94	0.420	20	37–44	31–50
Minnesota Twins	66	96	0.407	22	31–50	35–46

2012 American League Playoff Teams

Division Winners	W	L	Pct.
New York Yankees	95	67	0.586
Detroit Tigers	88	74	0.543
Oakland Athletics	94	68	0.580

Wild Card teams (Top 2 qualify for 1-game playoff)	W	L	Pct.	GB
Baltimore Orioles	93	69	0.574	—
Texas Rangers	93	69	0.574	—
Tampa Bay Rays	90	72	0.556	3
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim	89	73	0.549	4
Chicago White Sox	85	77	0.525	8
Seattle Mariners	75	87	0.463	18
Toronto Blue Jays	73	89	0.451	20
Kansas City Royals	72	90	0.444	21
Boston Red Sox	69	93	0.426	24
Cleveland Indians	68	94	0.420	25
Minnesota Twins	66	96	0.407	27

Game log

Regular season

Postseason

American League Division Series

American League Championship Series

World Series

Record vs. opponents

Team	BAL	BOS	CWS	CLE	DET	KC	LAA	MIN	NYY	OAK	SEA	TB	TEX	TOR	NL
Baltimore	–	13–5	6–2	4–4	3–3	5–4	2–7	5–2	9–9	4–5	8–1	10–8	2–5	11–7	11–7
Boston	5–13	–	6–2	5–3	5–5	4–3	0–6	4–3	5–13	1–8	5–4	9–9	2–6	7–11	11–7
Chicago	2–6	2–6	–	11–7	6–12	6–12	3–5	14–4	5–2	3–3	8–1	4–3	6–3	6–4	9–9
Cleveland	4–4	3–5	7–11	–	10–8	8–10	5–4	6–12	1–5	2–8	4–4	4–4	4–5	2–4	8–10
Detroit	3–3	5–5	12–6	8–10	–	13–5	5–5	10–8	4–6	4–3	1–5	5–2	3–7	4–2	11–7
Kansas City	4–5	3–4	12–6	10–8	5–13	–	4–5	7–11	3–4	5–4	1–7	4–2	4–5	2–6	8–10
Los Angeles	7–2	6–0	5–3	4–5	5–5	5–4	–	6–3	4–5	9–10	11–8	1–9	10–9	4–4	12–6
Minnesota	2–5	3–4	4–14	12–6	8–10	11–7	3–6	–	3–4	4–5	2–8	1–5	2–8	2–5	9–9
New York	9–9	13–5	2–5	5–1	6–4	4–3	5–4	4–3	–	5–5	6–3	8–10	4–3	11–7	13–5
Oakland	5–4	8–1	3–3	8–2	3–4	4–5	10–9	5–4	5–5	–	12–7	5–4	11–8	5–4	10–8
Seattle	1–8	4–5	1–8	4–4	5–1	7–1	8–11	8–2	3–6	7–12	–	4–6	9–10	6–3	8–10
Tampa Bay	8–10	9–9	3–4	4–4	2–5	2–4	9–1	5–1	10–8	4–5	6–4	–	5–4	14–4	9–9
Texas	5–2	6–2	3–6	5–4	7–3	5–4	9–10	8–2	3–4	8–11	10–9	4–5	–	6–3	14–4
Toronto	7–11	11–7	4–6	4–2	2–4	6–2	4–4	5–2	7–11	4–5	3–6	4–14	3–6	–	9–9

Source: MLB Standings Grid

Roster

(*) = Was on team for part of 2012 season.

Player stats

Batting

Note: G = Games played; AB = At Bats; R = Runs scored; H = Hits; 2B = Doubles; 3B = Triples; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; AVG = Batting average; SB = Stolen bases

Player	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	AVG	SB
Alex Avila	116	367	42	89	21	2	9	48	.243	2
Jeff Baker	15	35	1	7	2	0	0	4	.200	0
Quintin Berry	94	291	44	75	10	6	2	29	.258	21
Brennan Boesch	132	470	52	113	22	2	12	54	.240	6
Miguel Cabrera	161	622	109	205	40	0	44	139	.330	4
Andy Dirks	88	314	56	101	18	5	8	35	.322	1
Brad Eldred	5	16	1	3	1	1	0	1	.188	0
Prince Fielder	162	581	83	182	33	1	30	108	.313	1
Avisail García	23	47	7	15	0	0	0	3	.319	0
Bryan Holaday	6	12	3	3	1	0	0	0	.250	0
Omar Infante	64	226	27	58	7	5	4	20	.257	7
Brandon Inge	9	20	2	2	1	0	1	2	.100	0
Austin Jackson	137	543	103	163	29	10	16	66	.300	12
Don Kelly	75	113	14	21	2	1	1	7	.186	2
Gerald Laird	63	174	24	49	8	1	2	11	.282	0
Jhonny Peralta	150	531	58	127	32	3	13	63	.239	1
Hernan Perez	2	2	1	1	0	0	0	0	.500	0
Ryan Raburn	66	205	14	35	14	0	1	12	.171	1
Ramón Santiago	93	228	19	47	7	1	2	17	.206	1
Omir Santos	3	8	0	1	0	0	0	1	.125	0
Danny Worth	43	74	9	16	3	0	0	3	.216	0
Delmon Young	151	574	54	153	27	1	18	74	.267	0
Matt Young	5	10	2	1	1	0	0	1	.100	0

Pitching

Note: W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; SV = Saves; IP = Innings pitched; R = Runs allowed; ER = Earned runs allowed; BB = Walks allowed; K = Strikeouts

Starters

Player	W	L	ERA	G	GS	IP	R	ER	BB	K
Doug Fister	10	10	3.45	26	26	161⅔	73	62	37	137
Rick Porcello	10	12	4.59	31	31	176⅓	101	90	44	107
Aníbal Sánchez	4	6	3.74	12	12	74⅔	36	31	15	57
Max Scherzer	16	7	3.74	32	32	187⅔	82	78	60	231
Justin Verlander	17	8	2.64	33	33	238⅓	81	70	60	239

Bullpen

Player	W	L	ERA	G	GS	SV	IP	R	ER	BB	K
Al Alburquerque	0	0	0.68	8	0	0	13⅓	1	1	8	18
Collin Balester	2	0	6.50	11	0	0	18	14	13	11	12
Duane Below	2	1	3.88	27	1	0	46⅓	25	20	8	29
Joaquín Benoit	5	3	3.68	73	0	2	71	31	29	22	84
Phil Coke	2	3	4.00	66	0	1	54	28	24	18	51
Casey Crosby	1	1	9.49	3	3	0	12⅓	13	13	11	9
Octavio Dotel	5	3	3.57	57	0	1	58	23	23	12	62
Darin Downs	2	1	3.48	18	0	0	20⅔	8	8	9	20
Luis Marte	1	0	2.82	13	0	0	22⅓	7	7	9	19
José Ortega	0	0	3.38	2	0	0	2⅔	1	1	1	4
Luke Putkonen	0	2	3.94	12	0	1	16	7	7	8	10
Daniel Schlereth	0	0	10.29	6	0	0	7	10	8	5	6
Jacob Turner	1	1	8.03	3	3	0	12⅓	11	11	7	7
José Valverde	3	4	3.78	71	0	35	69	34	29	27	48
Brayan Villarreal	3	5	2.63	50	0	0	54⅔	20	16	28	66
Thad Weber	0	1	9.00	2	0	0	4	4	4	2	1
Adam Wilk	0	3	8.18	3	3	0	11	11	10	3	7

Farm system

Level	Team	League	Manager
AAA	Toledo Mud Hens	International League	Phil Nevin
AA	Erie SeaWolves	Eastern League	Chris Cron
A	Lakeland Flying Tigers	Florida State League	Dave Huppert
A	West Michigan Whitecaps	Midwest League	Ernie Young
Short-Season A	Connecticut Tigers	New York-Penn League	Andrew Graham
Rookie	GCL Tigers	Gulf Coast League	Basilio Cabrera

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Lakeland

References

^ Tigers are the ones to reclaim AL Central title MLB.com, October 1, 2012
^ Verlander sends Tigers to second straight ALCS MLB.com, October 12, 2012
^ Party to the Max: Tigers sweep way to Series MLB.com, October 18, 2012
^ Fall cleaning: Giants sweep Series in Detroit MLB.com, October 28, 2012
^ Was Tuesday Joel Zumaya's swan song? Despite surgery, he wants to stay Tiger by Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press, October 12, 2011
^ Magglio, Guillen Not Expected Back in Detroit MLB.com November 1, 2011
^ Tigers Do Not Tender Will Rhymes a Contract For the 2012 Season MLB.com December 12, 2011
^ Tigers part ways with struggling righty Pauley MLB.com March 12, 2012
^ Detroit Tigers sever ties with Brandon Inge, but 'heart will always be in Detroit' MLive.com, April 26, 2012
^ Tigers Al Alburquerque Undergoes Elbow Surgery to Fix Stress Fracture MLB.com December 16, 2011
^ V-Mart could miss season because of ACL tear MLB.com January 17, 2012
^ Tigers injury report MLB.com
^ Tigers exercise 2012 team option on Valverde MLB.com October 28, 2011
^ Tigers, Catcher Gerald Laird Reunite With One-Year Contract MLB.com November 18, 2011
^ Tigers Add Five Prospects to 40-Man Roster MLB.com November 18, 2011
^ Tigers re-sign Santiago to a two-year contract MLB.com November 30, 2011
^ Tigers Sign Veteran Reliever Dotel For One Year MLB.com December 9, 2011
^ Tigers Agree to Terms With Porcello, Coke MLB.com January 16, 2012
^ Tigers Sign Remaining Arbitration-Eligible Trio MLB.com January 17, 2012
^ Prince, Tigers reportedly reach nine-year deal MLB.com January 24, 2012
^ Cabrera, Prince will anchor the corners for Tigers FoxSportsDetroit.com January 26, 2012
^ Tigers Re-Acquire Zach Miner From Royals MLB.com April 20, 2012
^ Tigers Swing Deal For Right-Hander Balester MLB.com December 9, 2011
^ Rosecrans, C. Trent. CBS Sports, July 23, 2012. "Tigers land Anibal Sanchez, Omar Infante from Marlins."
^ Tigers acquire utilityman Baker from Cubs MLB.com, August 6, 2012
^ Braves acquire Jeff Baker from Tigers CBSSports.com Retrieved on August 31, 2012
^ Delmon suspended seven days by MLB MLB.com, April 30, 2012
^ Tigers' Delmon Young hopes to reach hate-crime deal USA Today, August 3, 2012
^ Fister sets AL strikeout mark against Royals MLB.com, September 27, 2012
^ Miggy secures first Triple Crown since 1967 MLB.com, October 3, 3012
^ Miggy beats Trout to add AL MVP to collection MLB.com, November 15, 2012
^ Fall Classic foes Miggy, Posey win Aaron Award MLB.com, October 27, 2012
^ ^a ^b Miggy, Prince are Silver Slugger winners MLB.com, November 8, 2012
^ AL Strikeout Leaders CBS Sports
^ David Price wins 2012 American League Cy Young Award cbssports.com on November 14, 2012
^ Delmon Young delivers Game 1 victory to Detroit Tigers after Jose Valverde blows four-run lead MLive.com, October 14, 2012
^ Clutch hitting earns Young ALCS MVP honors MLB.com, October 18, 2012
^ Wilson names Jackson Tigers' top defensive player MLB.com, November 5, 2012
^ Prince, Miggy, Verlander named AL All-Stars MLB.com, July 1, 2012
^ Twice crowned: Tigers' first Derby winner a Prince MLB.com, July 9, 2012

External links

Detroit Tigers official site

American League champions

American League Central champions

2012 MLB season by team

AL East	Baltimore Boston New York Tampa Bay Toronto

AL Central	Chicago Cleveland Detroit Kansas City Minnesota

AL West	Los Angeles Oakland Seattle Texas

NL East	Atlanta Miami New York Philadelphia Washington

NL Central	Chicago Cincinnati Houston Milwaukee Pittsburgh St. Louis

NL West	Arizona Colorado Los Angeles San Diego San Francisco

2012 Major League Baseball Postseason

World Series

American League Championship Series National League Championship Series

American League Division Series National League Division Series

American League Wild Card Game National League Wild Card Game

American League teams	Baltimore Orioles Detroit Tigers New York Yankees Oakland Athletics Texas Rangers

National League teams	Atlanta Braves Cincinnati Reds San Francisco Giants St. Louis Cardinals Washington Nationals

Detroit Tigers

Based in Detroit, Michigan

Franchise

Ballparks

Culture

Lore

Important figures

Hall of Fame members	Sparky Anderson Ty Cobb Mickey Cochrane Sam Crawford Charlie Gehringer Hank Greenberg Harry Heilmann Hughie Jennings Al Kaline George Kell Heinie Manush Hal Newhouser

Frick Award recipient	Ernie Harwell

Retired numbers

Minors

Key personnel

Owner: Mike Ilitch
General Manager: Dave Dombrowski
Manager: Brad Ausmus

World Series
championships (4)

League pennants (11)

American League: 1907
1908
1909
1934
1935
1940
1945
1968
1984
2006
2012

Division titles (7)

East: 1972
1984
1987
Central: 2011
2012
2013
2014

Wild card berths (1)

2006

Broadcasters

History: List of Detroit Tigers broadcasters

Seasons (113)

1900s	1900 1901 1902 1903 1904 1905 1906 1907 1908 1909

1910s	1910 1911 1912 1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919

1920s	1920 1921 1922 1923 1924 1925 1926 1927 1928 1929

1930s	1930 1931 1932 1933 1934 1935 1936 1937 1938 1939

1940s	1940 1941 1942 1943 1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949

1950s	1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959

1960s	1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969

1970s	1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979

1980s	1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989

1990s	1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999

2000s	2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

2010s	2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015

2012 Detroit Tigers season