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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 – OCTOBER 22: Craig Monroe #27 of the Detroit Tigers hits a solo home run as pitcher Jeff Weaver #36 and catcher Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals watch the ball fly over the outfield fence during Game Two of 2006 World Series October 22, 2006 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
DETROIT – OCTOBER 22: Craig Monroe #27 of the Detroit Tigers hits a solo home run as pitcher Jeff Weaver #36 and catcher Yadier Molina #4 of the St. Louis Cardinals watch the ball fly over the outfield fence during Game Two of 2006 World Series October 22, 2006 at Comerica Park in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Craig Monroe

Craig Monroe’s nine year MLB career was spread out across four different teams. However, he found almost all of his major league success while wearing the Old English D.

Monroe was drafted in the eighth round by the Texas Rangers in 1995. He made his big league debut in 2001 with the Rangers, only hitting .212 in 52 at-bats.

He was selected off waivers by the Tigers before the 2002 season and played sparingly, going 3-for-25.

The powerful right-hander reached his peak over the next four seasons in Detroit. From 2003-2006, Monroe slashed .267/.312/.466 with a 104 OPS+. He averaged 22 home runs and 81 RBI per season.

Monroe, like so many of his teammates, peaked in 2006. He set career highs in doubles (35) home runs (28) RBI (92) and total bases (261).

He caught fire in the postseason, smacking five home runs and driving in nine. He hit two home runs in the World Series, but went 1-for-20 otherwise.

Monroe spent the majority of 2007 with the Tigers before being shipped to the Cubs in August for Clay Rapada. He struggled in the Windy City and was traded after the season to the Twins.

Monroe again struggled in Minnesota and was released before the season ended. He spent the first half of 2009 with the Pirates before being released and calling it a career. He finished with 115 career home runs, 101 of them in a Tigers uniform.

Tiger fans have seen plenty of Monroe in his post playing days. The outfielder joined the broadcast team back in 2012 as a studio analyst. He occasionally provides color commentary as well.

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