Detroit Tigers: 20 Best Hitters in the Last 30 Years

Aug 16, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Detroit Tigers first baseman

Miguel Cabrera

(right) flexes his arm as he celebrates with teammate

Jose Iglesias

after hitting a two run home run in the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Anyone who knows anything about the Detroit Tigers knows that the best hitters in the team’s history include Hall of Fame players like Ty Cobb, Al Kaline, Hank Greenberg, Willie Horton, Bill Freehan, and George Kell. These hitters are not only the best in the history of the Tigers, but they are also some of the best in the history of professional baseball. These timeless greats overshadow other players who have had outstanding seasons at the plate, but do not make the best-ever lists because of the records set by the heroes from Navin Field and Tiger Stadium.

This list of the best hitters from the Detroit Tigers includes players who have been on the team in the last 30 years. While this does include some hitters from the 1984 World Series team, the majority of the hitters on this list have never worn a championship ring with an Old English D engraved into it. Some of these hitters have had memorable clutch moments in important games. Some have won MVP awards. They have also led the league in several statistical categories. Most of them will never see their likenesses in statues in left field in Comerica Park, but many are favorites of current Detroit fans who never got to see Kaline, Cobb, Greenberg, Horton, Bobby Veach, or Norm Cash swing a bat in a live game.

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