Detroit Tigers: 20 Best Hitters in the Last 30 Years

Nov 1, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets right fielder

Curtis Granderson

(3) hits a solo home run off of Kansas City Royals starting pitcher

Edinson Volquez

in the first inning in game five of the World Series at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

17. Curtis Granderson

The 2015 World Series reminded Tigers fans what they lost when Curtis Granderson was traded to the New York Yankees. As a member of the 2006 Tigers, the Yankees, and the Mets, Granderson has seen his fair share of post-season games. While in Detroit, he hit .272 with 102 home runs and 299 RBIs. During the 2006 playoff, his OPS was 1.042 in the ALDS and 1.140 in the ALCS.

As a young player in Detroit, he had an amazing September call up in 2005. During this promotion, he hit an inside-the-park home run. Three days later, he followed it up with a five-hit game. Then two weeks later, he hit a walk-off home run to beat the Chicago White Sox. It was obvious after his short time with Detroit that he was ready to be a full-time addition to the roster.

As a hitter, he reached several major milestones. He matched Charlie Gehringer‘s record by hitting over 30 doubles, 20 triples, and 20 home runs in 2007.  Prior to Granderson’s feat, only six other players in history were in the 20-20-20 club. He joined an even more elite 20-20-20-20 club when he stole his twentieth base that same year. In 2009, he appeared in the All-Star Game.

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