Detroit Tigers Worst Managers of All Time

Mar 27, 2015; Dunedin, FL, USA; Detroit Tigers special assistant Alan Trammell (3) watches batting practice before the start of the spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Florida Auto Exchange Park. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-USA TODAY Sports

Alan Trammell (2003-2005)

Sadly, one of the most beloved Tigers players of all time is also the team’s worst manager in the history of the team. Alan Trammell led the Tigers through the team’s worst season and never had the team above a .500 win-loss record. For modern Detroit Tigers fans, there is one year that should be forgotten – 2003.  During that year, the team only won 43 games, losing 119. While this is not the worst loss in the Major League (that honor belongs to the 1918 Philadelphia Athletics 36-117), it is the worst loss in the modern American League.

More from Detroit Tigers News

• Detroit Tigers: Victor Reyes finding ways to get the job done
• The Detroit Tigers must cut their losses and release Jonathan Schoop
• Detroit Tigers: Garrett Hill’s new role and changed delivery are excellent
• Detroit Tigers: Joe Jiménez has rebounded in 2022
• Detroit Tigers: Is it finally time to move the fences in at Comerica Park?

The Tigers were so bad in 2003 that one player, Ramon Santiago, actually finished last in the three categories that earn players the Triple Crown. One of the pitchers, Matt Maroth, that year lost 21 games, which is a record for AL pitchers. Very few pitchers finished with less than a 6.00 ERA. Other than the embarrassing statistics, no one has been able to figure out why the 2003 team was so bad. They players got along in the clubhouse, Trammell had Lance Parrish and Kirk Gibson as coaches on his team, and the players were better than their stats showed.

In 2004, some fresh faces were introduced into the team and Trammell led them to a .444 win-loss percentage. But, in 2005, the percentage dropped slightly to .438. After Trammell left and Jim Leyland entered the picture, the 2006 team went to win the American League and play the St. Louis Cardinals in the Fall Classic.