FIELDER GONE!

DETROIT TIGERS ACQUIRE IAN KINSLER FROM THE TEXAS RANGERS IN EXCHANGE FOR PRINCE FIELDER AND CASH CONSIDERATIONS

DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers tonight announced that the club has acquired second baseman Ian Kinsler from the Texas Rangers in exchange for first baseman Prince Fielder and cash considerations.  

"We are fortunate to be in a position to acquire a quality and proven player in Ian Kinsler," said David Dombrowski, Tigers President, Chief Executive Officer and General Manager. "Ian is an All-Star caliber talent who provides our lineup with a top of the order bat and has been a solid defensive performer at second base. The Tigers organization thanks Prince Fielder for his contributions to our ballclub for the past two seasons and we wish him all the best in the future."

Kinsler, 31, batted .277 (151x545) with 31 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs and 72 RBI in 136 games with the Rangers in 2013. The three-time All-Star (2008, 2010, 2012) compiled a .978 fielding percentage at second base for Texas this season.

He was originally selected in the 17^th round of the 2003 June draft by the Rangers and made his major league debut in 2006. In eight seasons at the major league level with Texas, he has hit .273 (1145x4201) with 249 doubles, 23 triples, 156 home runs and 539 RBI in 1,066 career games.

Kinsler, 6-0, 200 lbs, is a native of Tucson, Arizona and resides in Dallas, Texas during the offseason.
Fielder, 29, batted .279 (174x624) with 36 doubles, 25 home runs and 106 RBI in 162 games played with the Tigers in 2013. In nine seasons at the major league level, Fielder hit .286 (1352x4732) with 269 doubles, 10 triples, 285 home runs and 870 RBI in 1,322 games between the Brewers and the Tigers.   

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TIGERS PURCHASE CONTRACTS OF SEVEN PLAYERS

DETROIT- The Detroit Tigers today announced the club has purchased the contracts of lefthanded pitcher Kyle Lobstein, righthanded pitcher Justin Miller and first baseman Jordan Lennerton from Triple A Toledo, shortstop Eugenio Suarez and center fielder Daniel Fields from Double A Erie, and righthanded pitcher Jose Valdez and right fielder Steven Moya from Single A Lakeland. 

Lobstein, 24, posted a 13-7 record, 3.27 ERA (167.2IP/61ER) and 148 strikeouts in 28 starts between Double A Erie and Triple A Toledo during the 2013 season. He limited opponents to a .264 batting average (165x624) between both levels. He was tabbed the Tigers Minor League Pitcher of the Month in May after posting a 3-1 record, 2.68 ERA (37IP/11ER), two complete games and 29 strikeouts in six starts with Double A Erie during the month.

Miller, 26, split the 2013 season between Double A Frisco and Triple A Round Rock. He finished 1-0 with a 6.19 ERA (16.0IP/11ER) and 21 strikeouts with Frisco. He posted a 0-1 record, 9.82 ERA (11.0IP/12ER) and 12 strikeouts with Round Rock.

Lennerton, 27, batted .278 (143x514) with 68 runs scored, 25 doubles, a triple, 17 home runs and 57 RBI in 139 games with Triple A Toledo during the 2013 season. Lennerton earned a spot on the World Team for the Futures Game held prior to Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game in New York City this season. Additionally, he was awarded a Rawlings Minor League Gold Glove at first base after posting a .996 fielding percentage in 2013. He has appeared in 13 games with Leones de Ponce in the Puerto Rico Winter League following the season, batting .348 (16x46).

Fields, 22, hit .284 (130x457) with 71 runs scored, 27 doubles, six triples, 10 home runs and 58 RBI in 118 games with Double A Erie in 2013. He ended the season ranked 10^th in the Eastern League with a .284 batting average.

Suarez, 22, spent the majority of the 2013 season with Double A Erie, batting .253 (112x442) with 53 runs scored, 24 doubles, four triples, nine home runs and 45 RBI in 111 games with the club. He has seen action in four games with Leones del Caracas in the Venezuelan Winter League following the season.

Moya, 22, batted .255 (93x365) with 52 runs scored, 19 doubles, five triples, 12 home runs and 55 RBI in 93 games with Single A Lakeland in 2013. He is playing in the Dominican Winter League with the Toros Del Este and has seen action in one game.

Valdez, 23, split the 2013 season between Single A West Michigan and Single A Lakeland. He posted a 1-1 record and 2.73 ERA (26.1IP/8ER) in 27 games with West Michigan last season. He finished 1-1 with a 2.74 ERA (23.0IP/7ER) in 23 games with Lakeland. He was selected to the Midwest League Midseason All-Star team. Following the season, he has appeared in four games with Gigantes del Cibao in the Dominican Winter League, posting a 3.38 ERA (2.2IP/1ER) with five strikeouts. 

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WHO WAS BETTER TEAM...THE '68 TIGERS OR THE '84 TIGERS?

“TIGERS DEBATE OF ALL DEBATES”

December 4, 2013

MGM Grand Casino

“Intrigue Room”

Which World Championship Tiger team, the '68 Tigers managed by Mayo Smith, or the '84 Tigers under Sparky, was the better team? It's a question that's been debated for almost 30 years.

The only way to answer that question is to get the players together from both those teams. That's exactly what's being planned in Detroit. Here are the details:
WHAT: THE TIGERS SHOWDOWN IN MOTOWN!

A great evening of dining, storytelling, memorabilia, autographs, raffles, and auction items, with stars of two Tigers World Series Championship teams.

WHO: It's the '68 Tigers, led by HOFER Al Kaline, 31 game winner Denny McLain, Slugger Willie Horton, and (just added) Super Sub Tom Matchick, and Reliever Jon Warden VS. the '84 Tigers, led by Sluggers Darrell Evans and Lance Parrish, and Starting Pitchers Dan Petry and Dave Rozema. Other names may be added in the future. It's an All-Star cast unlike anything you've seen in years! Author Eli Zaret will MC the debate and the storytelling (and maybe a few lies). You'll hear wild tales you never heard before!

 When: This never-to-be-forgotten event will be held on Wednesday, December 4. The "Meet and Greet" with Cash Bar will begin at 6PM, followed by dinner, an incredible auction, the great debate and storytelling, and the end of the auction.
Where: MGM Grand Hotel, located at 1777 Third St. in Detroit, a couple of Cabrera home runs east of old Tiger Stadium where these teams made history.

Why: To honor our heroes and to relive those great moments from the past. All profits support our injured military heroes and their families, as well as the USA Military All-Star Baseball Team.

Cost: Individual Tickets Cost $150 per person, and include one autograph per Tiger, subject to availability. Depending on demand, additional autographs may be available for a donation; all autograph proceeds are for our military heroes. Cost also includes a delicious buffet dinner at the MGM. Group tickets and sponsorships are also available; see the attached for details.

No guarantees, but we expect other celebrities also to appear at the event.

To buy a ticket, or if you have any questions, you can call Dave Lubbers at 810 588 9106,  616-534-3033 (home) or 616-540-2020 (cell). You can pay via cash, check, PayPal, or credit card.


It will be an incredible night that you will never forge

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MIGUEL CABRERA NAMED AMERICAN LEAGUE MVP

Miguel Cabrera was named the American League’s Most Valuable Player this evening in voting conducted by the Baseball Writers Association of America. He won the award with 23 first place votes and seven second place votes to capture the award for the second consecutive year. 

Cabrera, 30, batted .348 to win his third consecutive American League batting crown. He is the first Tigers player to lead the league in hitting in three straight seasons since Ty Cobb did so from 1917-1919. Cabrera also led the league with a .442 on-base percentage and a .636 slugging percentage, while he was tied for first with 37 go-ahead RBI, second with 44 home runs, 137 RBI and 353 total bases.

Cabrera is only the second player in franchise history to win the award in back-to-back seasons, joining Hal Newhouser, who was named the league’s MVP in 1944 and 1945.

The Tigers have now featured the American League’s Most Valuable Player in each of the last three seasons, with Justin Verlander winning the award in 2011, and Cabrera following in 2012 and 2013. The Tigers are the first American League club to have back-to-back-to-back MVP’s since Roger Maris (1960-1), Mickey Mantle (1962) and Elston Howard (1963) won the MVP award in four straight seasons for the New York Yankees. Miguel Cabrera is the first American League Player to win back-to-back American League MVP Awards since Frank Thomas did so from 1993-4 with the Chicago White Sox. 

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MAX SCHERZER NAMED AMERICAN LEAGUE CY YOUNG AWARD WINNER

DETROIT- Max Scherzer was named the 2013 Cy Young Award Winner this evening in voting conducted by the Baseball Writers Association of America. He won the award with 28 first place votes, one second place vote, and one third place vote. 

Scherzer, 29, is the first Tigers player to win the award since Justin Verlander in 2011, and just the fourth pitcher in franchise history, joining Verlander (2011), Guillermo Hernandez (1984), and Denny McLain (1968-69).  

He led the American League with 21 wins and an .875 winning percentage, while he was second with 240 strikeouts, 10.08 strikeouts per nine innings, 25 quality starts, and a .198 batting average against, fifth with a 2.90 ERA, and tied for fifth with 214.1 innings pitched.  

Scherzer established a franchise record, winning 13 straight decisions to begin the season as a starter. In addition, he became just the second pitcher in American League history to fan six-or-more batters in his first 18 outings to begin the season, joining Pedro Martinez who struck out six-or-more batters in 29 straight outings to begin the season in 2000. (Source: Elias Sports Bureau) 

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Cabrera Wins Second Consecutive American League Hank Aaron Award

Award Recognizes Most Outstanding Offensive Performer in Each League Major League Baseball announced today that Miguel Cabrera of the Detroit Tigers and Paul Goldschmidt of the Arizona Diamondbacks have been selected as the winners of the 2013 Hank Aaron Award. This is Cabrera’s second consecutive season winning the Hank Aaron Award for the American League. Established in 1999 to honor the 25th Anniversary of Aaron breaking Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record, the Hank Aaron Award is officially sanctioned by Major League Baseball and recognizes the most outstanding offensive performer in each League. Fans voted for the award on MLB.com, and for the fourth straight year, a special panel of Hall of Fame players led by Hank Aaron joined fans in voting for the award. The Hall of Fame panel led by Aaron includes some of the greatest offensive players of all-time – Roberto Alomar, Johnny Bench, Tony Gwynn, Paul Molitor, Eddie Murray and Robin Yount. These Hall of Famers – who combined for 17,629 hits, 8,278 RBI and 1,723 home runs – were personally selected by Hank Aaron to lend their expertise to help select the best offensive performer in each League. "I want to extend my congratulations to Miguel Cabrera and Paul Goldschmidt on being selected as the winners of the 2013 Hank Aaron Award, an award named after one of the greatest players in the history of baseball," Baseball Commissioner Allan H. (Bud) Selig said. "Miguel completed another stellar season this year, including winning his third batting title. Paul was an offensive force on the Diamondbacks and in the National League.” “It is a privilege to have the award that recognizes the most outstanding offensive performer in each League named after me,” said Hank Aaron. “I want to congratulate Miguel and Paul on their outstanding seasons and extend my thanks to the Hall of Famers and fans who selected the winners.” Cabrera followed up his Triple Crown-winning season of 2012 with his third consecutive American League batting title after hitting .348 in 2013. The eight-time All-Star, who was the starting third baseman for the A.L. at the Midsummer Classic, became the first Tigers player to lead the A.L. in hitting in three consecutive seasons since Hall of Famer Ty Cobb accomplished the feat (1917-19). The 30-year-old slugger matched his career best with 44 home runs (also 2012) and collected 137 RBI, marking his sixth straight season of 100-or-more RBI for Detroit and joining Harry Heilmann (1923-29) as the only players in franchise history to do so. The Venezuela native led the A.L. with a .442 on-base percentage, a .636 slugging percentage and a .397 average with runners in scoring position while tying for first with 37 go-ahead RBI. He also ranked among league leaders in homers (2nd), RBI (2nd), total bases (2nd, 353), runs scored (T-2nd, 103), hits (T-2nd, 193), walks (3rd, 90) and multi-hit games (9th, 52). The 2012 A.L. MVP has eclipsed the 100-RBI mark in each of his full Major League seasons and he has hit at least .320 in eight of his last 10 seasons. Goldschmidt, who was selected to his first All-Star Game in 2013, hit .302 with 36 doubles, 36 home runs, 125 RBI, 99 walks and 103 runs scored in his second full season with the Diamondbacks. The 26-year-old led the National League in slugging percentage (.551), extra-base hits (75), RBI and total bases (332), and tied for first in homers. He also ranked third in walks, tied for third in runs scored, fourth with a .401 on-base percentage and tied for 10th in doubles. Among all Major Leaguers, the right-handed-hitting slugger tied for first in go-ahead RBI (37), go-ahead home runs (20), walk-off homers (3), and home runs after the eighth inning (7), while tying for most game-winning RBI (19) and RBI with runners in scoring position (84). The Texas State University product joined Hall of Famers Mel Ott (1929 and 1932) and Eddie Mathews as the only three N.L. players to post a .300 average, 35 home runs, 100 RBI, 100 runs scored and 99 walks during their 25-year-old season or earlier (ages as of June 30 of that season). In addition, Paul is the 19th player since 1977 to lead the N.L. or tie for the lead in home runs and RBI in a single season. Goldschmidt, who was drafted by the D-backs in the eighth round of the 2009 Draft, became the ninth player in the last 37 years to lead the N.L. or tie for the lead in homers and RBI while hitting at least .300, joining Matt Kemp (2011), Albert Pujols (2010), Ryan Howard (2006), Andres Galarraga (1996), Dante Bichette (1995), Barry Bonds (1993), Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt (1981) and George Foster (1977). Past winners of the award include: Miguel Cabrera and Buster Posey (2012), Jose Bautista and Matt Kemp (2011), Bautista and Joey Votto (2010); Derek Jeter and Albert Pujols (2009); Aramis Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis (2008); Alex Rodriguez and Prince Fielder (2007); Jeter and Ryan Howard (2006); David Ortiz and Andruw Jones (2005); Manny Ramirez and Barry Bonds (2004); Rodriguez and Pujols (2003); Rodriguez and Bonds (2001-02); Carlos Delgado and Todd Helton 2000) and Manny Ramirez and Sammy Sosa (1999).

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TIGERS SURPASS THREE MILLION TICKETS FOR 2013

TIGERS SURPASS THREE MILLION TICKETS SOLD FOR THE FOURTH TIME IN FRANCHISE HISTORY Club hits Three-Million Mark in Back-to-Back Seasons DETROIT – The Detroit Tigers welcomed their three millionth fan of the season to Comerica Park during tonight’s game vs. the Chicago White Sox. The Tigers have now surpassed three million tickets sold in back-to-back seasons, and have exceeded three million tickets sold in four of the last seven years. The Tigers previously reached the three-million plateau in 2012 when they sold 3,028,033 tickets. The club established a franchise record with 3,202,645 tickets sold in 2008, and reached the three-million mark for the first time in 2007 when the club sold 3,047,139 tickets. The Tigers have sold out 33 games this season. The 33 sellouts are the second-most sellouts in club history, trailing only the 2008 season when the club sold out 41 games. The Tigers average attendance of 38,021 ranks sixth in Major League Baseball, third in the American League and first in the American League Central Division. Since 2006, the Tigers have sold nearly 23 million tickets and have averaged nearly 2.8 million fans per season. “The entire Tigers organization would like to thank the fans for coming out to Comerica Park and supporting our team,” said Tigers Executive Vice President of Business Operations, Duane McLean. “Reaching three million tickets sold is a testament to not only the great product on the field, but also to the loyalty and support of the Tigers fans. They truly are the best in baseball.” To say thank you to Tigers fans for their incredible support throughout the season, Carlos Robles was randomly selected to represent all Tigers fans as the “Three Millionth Fan”, and received four 27-game season tickets for 2014, upgraded tickets for the game, a commemorative three millionth fan ticket, and a gift basket full of Tigers items, including a $500 gift card to the D Shop, movie passes to the Palladium and an overnight stay at Motor City Casino Hotel.

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