Editing Detroit Tigers (section)

====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>