Editing Detroit Tigers (section)

===Rebuilding the franchise (2004–2006)===
After the embarrassing 2003 season, the Tigers vowed to make changes.<ref name=Lapointe/><ref>{{cite web|first=John|last=Wagner|title=Tigers notebook: Ilitch vows to make changes|url=https://www.toledoblade.com/Pro/2003/09/29/Tigers-notebook-Ilitch-vows-to-make-changes/?abnpageversion=evoke|website=Toledo Blade|date=September 29, 2003|access-date=October 9, 2018|archive-date=October 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010063821/https://www.toledoblade.com/Pro/2003/09/29/Tigers-notebook-Ilitch-vows-to-make-changes/?abnpageversion=evoke|url-status=live}}</ref> Under Dave Dombrowski, the franchise demonstrated a willingness to sign marquee free agents.<ref>{{cite web|first=Patrick|last=OKennedy|title=Reviewing Dave Dombrowski's tenure with the Detroit Tigers|url=https://www.blessyouboys.com/2015/8/5/9097985/what-grade-does-dave-dombrowski-deserve-for-his-time-with-tigers|website=Bless You Boys|date=August 5, 2015|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=October 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010213628/https://www.blessyouboys.com/2015/8/5/9097985/what-grade-does-dave-dombrowski-deserve-for-his-time-with-tigers|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2004, the team signed or traded for several talented but high-risk veterans, such as [[Fernando Viña]], [[Rondell White]], [[Iván Rodríguez]], [[Ugueth Urbina]], and [[Carlos Guillén]], and the gamble paid off.<ref>{{cite web|title=Second baseman agrees to two-year deal|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1682929|website=ESPN.com|agency=ESPN.com news services|date=December 10, 2003|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=October 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010213624/http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1682929|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=AP: Rondell White Signs With the Tigers|url=https://apnews.com/4c166fb26455140664b188e236912e89|website=Associated Press|date=December 14, 2003|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=October 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011013638/https://apnews.com/4c166fb26455140664b188e236912e89|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Less than half of $40M is guaranteed|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1725282|website=ESPN.com|agency=ESPN.com news services|date=February 4, 2004|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=October 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011013623/http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1725282|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tigers, Urbina close to 1-year agreement|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2004-03-26-0403260326-story.html|website=Chicago Tribune|date=March 26, 2004|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=October 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010213548/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-2004-03-26-0403260326-story.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1988&dat=20040109&id=vUgiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=C60FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1689,608516&hl=en Tigers acquire veteran shortstop from Mariners] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225005256/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1988&dat=20040109&id=vUgiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=C60FAAAAIBAJ&pg=1689,608516&hl=en |date=February 25, 2021 }}, ''The Argus-Press'', Owosso, Michigan, January 9, 2004</ref> The 2004 Tigers finished 72–90, a 29-game improvement over the previous season.<ref name=Anderson/><ref>{{cite web|first=Blake|last=VandeBunte|title=Team 81: The 2004 Detroit Tigers|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/300749-team-81-the-2004-tigers|website=Bleacher Report|date=December 1, 2009|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=October 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011013707/https://bleacherreport.com/articles/300749-team-81-the-2004-tigers|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Trammell fired">{{cite web|title=Tigers fire Trammell after 71–91 season|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2179572|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=October 4, 2005|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=June 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612162519/http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2179572|url-status=live}}</ref> This was the largest improvement in the AL since the Baltimore Orioles had a 33-game improvement from 1988 to 1989.<ref name="Trammell fired"/>

Prior to the 2005 season, the Tigers spent a large sum for two prized free agents, [[Troy Percival]] and [[Magglio Ordóñez]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Percival to Sign With the Tigers|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/18/sports/baseball/percival-to-sign-with-the-tigers.html|website=The New York Times|agency=Associated Press|date=November 18, 2004|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=October 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010213605/https://www.nytimes.com/2004/11/18/sports/baseball/percival-to-sign-with-the-tigers.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Five-year deal worth $75 million|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1985108|website=ESPN.com|agency=ESPN.com news services|date=February 5, 2005|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=October 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011013625/http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=1985108|url-status=live}}</ref> On June 8, 2005, the Tigers traded pitcher Ugueth Urbina and infielder [[Ramón Martínez (infielder)|Ramón Martínez]] to the [[Philadelphia Phillies]] for [[Plácido Polanco]].<ref>{{cite web|title=POLANCO DEALT TO TIGERS|url=https://www.newsday.com/sports/polanco-dealt-to-tigers-1.664041|website=Newsday|agency=Associated Press|date=June 8, 2005|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=October 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011013611/https://www.newsday.com/sports/polanco-dealt-to-tigers-1.664041|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Tigers stayed on the fringes of contention for the AL [[wild card (sports)|wild card]] for the first four months of the season, but then faded badly, finishing 71–91.<ref name="Trammell fired"/><ref>{{cite web|title=Tigers beat reeling Twins to get back to .500|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=250724106|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=July 24, 2005|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=October 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011013942/http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=250724106|url-status=dead}}</ref> The collapse was perceived as being due both to injuries and to a lack of player unity; Rodríguez in particular was disgruntled, taking a leave of absence during the season to deal with a difficult divorce.<ref name="Trammell fired"/><ref>{{cite web|first=Mike|last=Harrington|title=Pudge isn't nudging Tigers toward postseason|url=https://buffalonews.com/2005/08/21/pudge-isnt-nudging-tigers-toward-postseason/|website=The Buffalo News|date=August 21, 2005|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=October 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181010213613/https://buffalonews.com/2005/08/21/pudge-isnt-nudging-tigers-toward-postseason/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Trammell, though popular with the fans, took part of the blame for the poor clubhouse atmosphere and lack of continued improvement, and he was fired at the end of the season.<ref name="Trammell fired"/>

A highlight of the 2005 campaign was Detroit's hosting of the [[2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|Major League Baseball All-Star Game]], its first since 1971.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tejada homers, named All-Star MVP|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/allstar05/news/story?id=2106569|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=July 13, 2005|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=August 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804050234/http://www.espn.com/mlb/allstar05/news/story?id=2106569|url-status=live}}</ref> In the [[Home run derby#2005|Home Run Derby]], Rodríguez finished second, losing to the Phillies' [[Bobby Abreu]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Abreu shatters Home Run Derby records|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/allstar05/news/story?id=2105813|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=July 12, 2005|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=October 8, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171008232154/http://www.espn.com/mlb/allstar05/news/story?id=2105813|url-status=live}}</ref>

In October 2005, [[Jim Leyland]], who managed Dombrowski's 1997 World Series champion Florida Marlins, replaced Trammell as manager; two months later, in response to Troy Percival's arm problems, closer [[Todd Jones]], who had spent five seasons in Detroit (1997–2001), signed a two-year deal to return to the Tigers.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tigers pounce quickly, hire Leyland to manage|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2180682|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=October 4, 2005|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=October 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011013954/http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2180682|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Rogers and Jones">{{cite web|title=Tigers sign veterans Kenny Rogers, Todd Jones|url=https://www.toledoblade.com/Pro/2005/12/08/Tigers-sign-veterans-Kenny-Rogers-Todd-Jones.html|website=Toledo Blade|date=December 8, 2005|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=October 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011013924/https://www.toledoblade.com/Pro/2005/12/08/Tigers-sign-veterans-Kenny-Rogers-Todd-Jones.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Veteran left-hander [[Kenny Rogers (baseball)|Kenny Rogers]] also joined the Tigers from the Texas Rangers in late 2005.<ref name="Rogers and Jones"/>

====The return of the Tigers: 2006 American League Champions====
[[File:Magglio Ordóñez 2008.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Magglio Ordóñez]] hit a walk-off home run to clinch the 2006 AL pennant]]
{{Main|2006 Detroit Tigers season}}
After years of futility, the 2006 season showed signs of hope. The impressive rookie campaigns of eventual AL Rookie of the Year [[Justin Verlander]], centerfielder [[Curtis Granderson]], and flamethrowing relief pitcher [[Joel Zumaya]], coupled with a well-publicized early-season tirade by Leyland, helped the team explode and quickly rise to the top of the AL Central.<ref name=Anderson/><ref name=Leyland/> The team reached a high point when they were 40 games over .500, but a second half swoon started to raise questions about the team's staying power.<ref name="Blown lead"/><ref name=Leyland/> On August 27, a 7–1 victory over the [[2006 Cleveland Indians season|Cleveland Indians]] gave the Tigers their 82nd victory and their first winning season since 1993.<ref name=Leyland/><ref>{{cite web|title=Detroit Tigers at Cleveland Indians Box Score, August 27, 2006|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE200608270.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=October 11, 2018|archive-date=October 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011214936/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE200608270.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rogers' gem helps Tigers avoid sweep vs. Indians|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=260827105|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=August 28, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330050101/http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=260827105|archive-date=March 30, 2019|access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref> On September 24, the Tigers beat the [[2006 Kansas City Royals season|Kansas City Royals]] 11–4 to clinch their first playoff berth since 1987.<ref>{{cite web|title=Detroit Tigers at Kansas City Royals Box Score, September 24, 2006|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA200609240.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=October 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011053532/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/KCA/KCA200609240.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Detroit rejoices in its first postseason since 1987|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2601779|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=September 25, 2006|access-date=October 10, 2018|archive-date=October 11, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011053722/http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2601779|url-status=live}}</ref> A division title seemed inevitable. All that was required was one win in the final five games of the season, which included three games against the Royals, whom the Tigers had manhandled much of the season. However, the Tigers lost all five games to finish 95–67, and the division title went to the 96–66 [[2006 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]]. The Tigers instead settled for the AL wild card.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tigers blow six-run lead, lose AL Central title in extras|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=261001106|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=October 2, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329172710/http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=261001106|archive-date=March 29, 2019|access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref>

The playoffs saw the Tigers beat the heavily favored [[2006 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] 3–1 in the [[2006 American League Division Series|ALDS]] and sweep the [[2006 Oakland Athletics season|Oakland Athletics]] in the [[2006 American League Championship Series|2006 ALCS]], thanks to a walk-off home run in Game 4 by right fielder Magglio Ordóñez.<ref>{{cite web|title=Detroit rocks NY: Bonderman, Tigers eliminate Yanks|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=261007106|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=October 8, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329150409/http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=261007106|archive-date=March 29, 2019|access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Ordonez's walk-off blast puts Tigers in World Series|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=261014106|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=October 15, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329150447/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=261014106|archive-date=March 29, 2019|access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref> They advanced to the [[2006 World Series|World Series]], where they lost to the underdog [[2006 St. Louis Cardinals season|St. Louis Cardinals]] in five games.<ref>{{cite web|title=Cards roll past Tigers for first Series win since '82|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=261027124|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=October 28, 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190906210802/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=261027124|archive-date=September 6, 2019|access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref>