The newsletter has been dedicated to the greatness of the past. We’ve broken down 50 baseball clubs in history (collectively, the best 50) that are determined by my new book The best team in baseball. Now, we have reached the top of the Detroit Tigers’ all-time roster in 1984.
Here is a quick boilerplate note that I attached to each story in this series:
I compiled the best 50 by analyzing 2,544 major league teams from 1903 to 2024. (The historical percentile for a given club is the percentage of its other 2,543 teams.)
Please refer to my book to explain my TS calculations. The book also offers a separate breakdown of the best and worst clubs every decade, along with a comprehensive overview of the best 50 (including a position-by-position lineup and more information than you will find in this newsletter), and a similar summary of the 10 worst teams of all time.
Now enter today’s profile.
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Team: Detroit Tigers in 1984
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Team Score: 98.987
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Ranking History: 1 out of 2,544
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Historical percentile: 100.00%
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Seasonal record: 104-58 (.642)
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Season position: No. 1 in the US Eastern League
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Final identity: World Champion
Baltimore won the world championship in 1983, and many experts are expected to repeat it. this Sports News 165 sports writers were investigated before the 1984 season. Most (96) predicted that the Orioles would once again dominate the American League East, while most (42) envisioned a second straight World Series victory.
Both predictions were immediately hay. Baltimore stumbled into the 7-13 record from the gate, while Detroit ranked first. The Tigers won 35 of their first 40 games, taking an 8.5 lead by May 24.
Detroit’s pace inevitably cooled down and critics began to make noise. “What I’ve heard is that if the Tigers didn’t start at 35-5, they wouldn’t have won.” Sparky Anderson. “I always thought this season lasted 162 games. Didn’t I?”
Of course they did it. Anderson’s crew was not hurt by opponents, leading the wire to the wire and leading 15 games.
Get a complete low in 50 greatest (and 10 weakest) clubs of all time
The Tigers issued a notice at the start of the American League Championship series, hitting 14 hits (including a three-book home run) in the Kansas City Royals’ 8-1 shelling. The next two games are closer, even though Detroit has received a sweep.
The World Series seems to be more even, with the Tigers and San Diego Padres splitting in the first two games. “I think it will be in seven games,” Sparky Anderson said nervously. But his tiger rolled from there and won 5-2, 4-2 and 8-4 consecutive victories.
pitcher Jack Morris In four wins in Detroit, Padres won four games in 18 innings. Shortstop Alan Trammell He was the club’s hottest World Series batsman, who had nine shots with two home runs, cementing his ’84 Tigers’ status as the greatest team of all time.
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Roger Craig Understand high-quality teams. He won the World Series ring as the Dodgers in 1955 and 1959 and the Cardinal in 1964. He served as the pitching coach for the 1984 Tigers, and he was willing to pair with the great clubs of the past. “We have a balanced team,” Craig said. “In every position, we may not have superstars, but a good player.”
Balance is indeed the key. The Detroit batsman didn’t score 35 home runs or drove home 100 runs, but the club led the home runs (187) and scored (5.12 per game). Of the 10-era leaders in the American League, no Tiger Pitcher completes, but the collective era of employees (3.49) is the best in the league.
“Whitaker and Trammell, they are the key to our baseball club,” Sparky Anderson said. Second baseman Lou Whitaker 161 hits were hit, with only one teammate in total, shortstop Alan Trammell (174). Both infielders earned Golden Gloves for defensive excellence, so did the catcher Lance Parrish. The latter also led the Tigers with 33 home runs and 98 runs. Kirk Gibson and Chet Lemonmix power with speed. Everyone hit at least 20 home runs, and Gibson’s 29 stolen bases surpassed the team.
Hot starter Jack Morris scored a staff-high 19 wins, a standout against the White Sox. But the real pitching star in Detroit is Willie Hernandeza spring training agreement with Philadelphia received a relief. Hernandez played in 80 games, earned 32 saves and scored a 1.92 ERA. Sparky Anderson said he did two things after the Tigers won the World Series. “I want to thank God first,” he said. “And I thank Hernandez.”
