Detroit Tigers: The greatest African-Americans in team history

Chet Lemon

Much like Curtis Granderson, Chet Lemon was the starting center fielder and an integral piece of the 1984 World Series team. Originally drafted by the White Sox, Lemon came to the Tigers in a 1981 trade for outfielder Steve Kemp.

Lemon spent the next nine seasons in the Motor City. All told he finished his Tigers career slashing .263/.349/.437 with 142 home runs, a 117 OPS+ and a 30.6 bWAR, 16th in Tigers history.

Lemon led the league in HBP his first two seasons in Detroit. He made his third career All-Star game in 1984, his only with the Tigers. He finished that season slashing .287/.357/.495 with 20 home runs and a 130 OPS+ and a 6.2 bWAR.

Lemon chipped in during the World Series as well, going 5-for-17 with a run scored and two stolen bases against the Padres.

Lemon’s value came from both his bat and his glove, where he was an elite fielding center fielder. Although he never won a Gold Glove he was a positive fielder his entire career, posting a 2.3 dWAR in 1984.

Lemon retired in 1990 after a 16-year big league career. He finished with 1,875 hits, 215 home runs and a 121 OPS+. His 55.5 bWAR is 144th all time among position players, ahead of numerous Hall of Famers including Tony Perez and Willie Keeler.

Lemon was one of the greatest outfielders in Tigers history, and has a firm place among the teams all-time greats.

Next is a franchise icon who was an integral member of Detroit’s 1968 World Series winning team.