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2006 Detroit Tigers: Where are they now?

By Andy Patton

DETROIT - OCTOBER 14: Players from the Detroit Tigers celebrate at home plate as Craig Monroe runs home on a 3-run walk-off home run, hit by Magglio Ordonez, against the Oakland Athletics during Game Four of the American League Championship Series October 14, 2006 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers won 6-3 to sweep the Athletics and advance to the World Series. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
DETROIT - OCTOBER 14: Players from the Detroit Tigers celebrate at home plate as Craig Monroe runs home on a 3-run walk-off home run, hit by Magglio Ordonez, against the Oakland Athletics during Game Four of the American League Championship Series October 14, 2006 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers won 6-3 to sweep the Athletics and advance to the World Series. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT – AUGUST 23: Pitcher Zach Miner #31 of the Detroit Tigers delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the game on August 23, 2006 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. The White Sox won 7-5. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT – AUGUST 23: Pitcher Zach Miner #31 of the Detroit Tigers delivers a pitch against the Chicago White Sox during the game on August 23, 2006 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. The White Sox won 7-5. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Zach Miner

Zach Miner made his big-league debut in 2006. He was thrust into a starting role after an early season injury to Mike Maroth. He made 27 total appearances on the season, including 16 starts. His 4.84 ERA relegated him to the bullpen later in the year and in the playoffs.

Miner transitioned to the bullpen in 2007, throwing 53.2 innings with a career-best 3.02 ERA. He split between the bullpen and the rotation again in 2008, making 45 total appearances including 13 starts. He had a respectable 4.27 ERA and 104 ERA+. However, his 4.7 K/9 was ugly – especially for someone primarily coming out of the bullpen.

He went 7-5 with a 4.29 ERA in 92.1 innings in 2009 before becoming a free agent. After spending three seasons toiling in the minor leagues, Miner returned to the big leagues in 2013 with the Philadelphia Phillies.

He retired after that season, finishing with a 4.25 ERA in 385.1 innings.

Miner completely switched careers and is now a financial consultant with Fidelity Investments. He did an interview with Jupiter Magazine and recalled this story about his first big league game:

"Our manager, Jim Leyland, pulled me aside earlier that morning to ask if I had family coming and to tell me to remind them it was an early 1:05 p.m. start time. He said, ‘Make sure they show up on time, because if they arrive at 1:10, I may have already yanked you out of the game."

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