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Detroit Tigers: 1990’s All-Decade Team

By Andy Patton

OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 25: Alan Trammell #3 of the Detroit Tigers fields the ball during the game against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum on June 25, 1996 in Oakland, California. The Tigers defeated the A's 10-8. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JUNE 25: Alan Trammell #3 of the Detroit Tigers fields the ball during the game against the Oakland Athletics at Oakland-Alameda Coliseum on June 25, 1996 in Oakland, California. The Tigers defeated the A's 10-8. (Photo by Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images) /
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Detroit Tigers
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 18: A detail of a Detroit Tigers hat with an official postseason logo is seen on the bat rack in the udgout againstthe New York Yankees during game four of the American League Championship Series at Comerica Park on October 18, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Center Fielder – Brian Hunter

1990’s Stats: .261/.317/.342 73 OPS+ 3.0 bWAR

Center Field was without a doubt Detroit’s weakest position of the 1990’s. Milt Cuyler led the team in appearances during the decade, but his 2.8 bWAR and .239/.304/.324 slash line was not enough to merit a place on this roster.

Brian Hunter was only with the Tigers for slightly over two seasons, but he made enough of an impact (specifically on the base paths) to merit the starting job on the All-Decade team.

Hunter was originally drafted by the Houston Astros back in 1989. He came to the Tigers in a December 1996 blockbuster. He was traded along with Doug Brocail, Orlando Miller, Todd Jones and cash to the Tigers in exchange for future manager Brad Ausmus, Jose Lima, Trever Miller, C.J. Nitkowski and Daryle Ward.

Hunter started in center field and hit leadoff for the Tigers in 1997, playing in all 162 games. He led the league with 74 stolen bases, although he was caught stealing a league-leading 18 times as well.

Hunter hit .254 and stole 42 bases in 1998, his second and final full season in the Motor City.

After 18 games in 1999, Hunter was shipped to the Seattle Mariners for Andy Van Hekken and Jerry Amador. He played for six teams across the next five seasons, stealing 83 bases but only posting a 61 OPS+.

Even though Hunter only played in 322 games with the Tigers, his 116 stolen bases rank him 15th all time in Tigers history. He didn’t do much with the bat, but his blazing speed and above-average defense in center field are enough for him to fill out the starting lineup for the All-Decade team.

Next up are the bench pieces:

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