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Detroit Tigers: 1990’s All-Decade Team

ByAndy 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, MI – OCTOBER 18: A general view of the field and sky as the Detroit Tigers host the 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)
DETROIT, MI – OCTOBER 18: A general view of the field and sky as the Detroit Tigers host the 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)

Third Baseman – Travis Fryman

1990’s Stats: .274/.334/.444 106 OPS+ 27.4 bWAR

Travis Fryman has the distinction of being the most valuable player of the 1990’s in Detroit, by virtue of spending the most time in the Motor City. His 4,792 plate appearances and 27.4 bWAR both led the team during the decade. His 149 home runs were second only to Fielder.

Fryman was drafted by the Tigers in the first round (30th overall) in 1987. He made his big league debut in 1990 and finished sixth in Rookie of the Year voting with a .297 average and nine home runs.

Fryman had 21 home runs and 12 stolen bases in 1991, but really broke out starting in 1992. From 1992-1994 Fryman made three All-Star games and won the 1992 Silver Slugger Award. He was the only shortstop not named Trammell or Cal Ripken to win the Silver Slugger award between 1983-1994. Fryman was playing shortstop in place of the injured Trammell. When Trammell was healthy, Fryman slid over to his natural spot at third base.

Fryman hit 20 or more home runs in five of his eight seasons in Detroit, with over 100 RBI in two of them. He was a four-time All-Star in the Motor City, and posted a 27.4 bWAR. That ranks him 19th in Tigers history, just ahead of Willie Horton and former teammate Tony Phillips.

Fryman was eventually dealt to the Arizona Diamondbacks, who flipped him to the Cleveland Indians less than two weeks later. Fryman finished out his career with the Indians, making one more All-Star game and winning a Gold Glove in 2000.

He finished his career with 223 home runs and a 34.5 bWAR, and is one of the most underrated Tigers stars of all-time.

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