Editing Detroit Tigers (section)

===Falling short (2007–2010)===
[[File:Curtis Granderson.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Curtis Granderson]] in 2007]]

====2007====
{{Main|2007 Detroit Tigers season}}

During the offseason, the Tigers traded for outfielder [[Gary Sheffield]], who had been a part of the 1997 World Series champion Florida Marlins managed by Jim Leyland.<ref>{{cite news|first=Ronald|last=Blum|title=Yankees Trade Gary Sheffield to Tigers|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/10/AR2006111001028.html|newspaper=The Washington Post|agency=Associated Press|date=November 10, 2006|access-date=October 11, 2018|archive-date=October 5, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181005001522/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/10/AR2006111001028.html|url-status=live}}</ref> In addition to acquisitions, Dombrowski developed a productive farm system. Justin Verlander and Joel Zumaya, the most notable rookie contributors to the 2006 team, were followed by [[Andrew Miller (baseball)|Andrew Miller]], who was drafted in 2006 and called up early in the 2007 campaign, and minor leaguer [[Cameron Maybin]], an athletic five-tool outfielder ranked #6 in [[Baseball America]]'s 2007 Top 100 Prospects.<ref>{{cite web|title=2007 Top 100 Prospects|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/263445.html|website=Baseball America|date=February 28, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070303180038/https://www.baseballamerica.com/today/prospects/features/263445.html|archive-date=March 3, 2007|access-date=October 22, 2018}}</ref>

On June 12, Verlander threw the Tigers' first no-hitter since 1984 (Jack Morris) and the first in Comerica Park history, in a 4–0 win over the [[2007 Milwaukee Brewers season|Milwaukee Brewers]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Tigers' Verlander throws no-hitter against Brewers|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-baseball-nohitter/tigers-verlander-throws-no-hitter-against-brewers-idUSB73490120070613|website=Reuters|date=June 12, 2007|access-date=October 11, 2018|archive-date=September 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180906233706/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-baseball-nohitter/tigers-verlander-throws-no-hitter-against-brewers-idUSB73490120070613|url-status=live}}</ref> The Tigers had the best record in baseball in late July, but lost a few players to injuries and started to play poorly in the second half.<ref>{{cite web|first=Danny|last=Knobler|title=Rogers out for 3 months after surgery to remove blood clot|url=https://www.mlive.com/tigersinsider/2007/03/rogers_out_for_3_months_after.html|website=MLive|date=March 30, 2007|access-date=October 11, 2018|archive-date=August 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811131328/https://www.mlive.com/tigersinsider/2007/03/rogers_out_for_3_months_after.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Extensive torque on ball causes Zumaya's injury|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2864439|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=May 9, 2007|access-date=October 11, 2018|archive-date=October 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012054148/http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2864439|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Danny|last=Knobler|title=Jurrjens heads to DL, but it doesn't look too serious|url=https://www.mlive.com/tigersinsider/2007/08/jurrjens_heads_to_dl_but_it_do.html|website=MLive|date=August 26, 2007|access-date=October 11, 2018|archive-date=January 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117130249/https://www.mlive.com/tigersinsider/2007/08/jurrjens_heads_to_dl_but_it_do.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Larry|last=Lage|title=Game of the Day <nowiki>|</nowiki> Tigers hammer Yankees 16–0|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/game-of-the-day-tigers-hammer-yankees-16-0/|website=The Seattle Times|agency=Associated Press|date=August 28, 2007|access-date=October 12, 2018|archive-date=October 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012214632/https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/game-of-the-day-tigers-hammer-yankees-16-0/|url-status=live}}</ref> The Tigers were officially eliminated from playoff competition on September 26, 2007, when the [[2007 New York Yankees season|New York Yankees]] clinched a wild card berth.<ref>{{cite web|title=Minnesota Twins at Detroit Tigers Box Score, September 26, 2007|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET200709260.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=October 11, 2018|archive-date=October 12, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012094406/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET200709260.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tigers win in 5, but eliminated from {{sic|nolink=y|reason=error in source|posteason}}|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270926106|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=September 27, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190330122258/http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=270926106|archive-date=March 30, 2019|access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref> The Tigers, at 88–74, finished second in the AL Central.<ref>{{cite web|title=2007 American League Season Summary|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2007.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=October 11, 2018|archive-date=December 24, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201224103942/https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2007.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref>

Magglio Ordóñez captured the AL batting title in 2007 with a .363 average, becoming the first Tiger to win it since Norm Cash did so in 1961.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ordonez becomes 2nd Tiger to win AL batting title since 1961|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/id/270930104|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=September 30, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012054129/http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap/_/id/270930104|archive-date=October 12, 2018|access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref>

====2008====
{{Main|2008 Detroit Tigers season}}
[[File:Justin Verlander 2008.jpg|thumb|230px|[[Justin Verlander]], June 2008]]
Going into the 2008 season, the franchise traded for prominent talent in [[Édgar Rentería]] (from the [[Atlanta Braves]]) and [[Miguel Cabrera]] and [[Dontrelle Willis]] (from the [[Florida Marlins]]).<ref>{{cite web|title=Tigers deal two prospects to Braves for Renteria|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3085675|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=October 30, 2007|access-date=October 15, 2018|archive-date=October 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016032715/http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3085675|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Tigers send top prospects to Marlins for Cabrera, Willis|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3141703|website=ESPN.com|agency=ESPN.com news services|date=December 5, 2007|access-date=October 15, 2018|archive-date=October 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016032725/http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3141703|url-status=live}}</ref> However, the Tigers, who now boasted the second-highest team payroll in the majors at over $138 million,<ref>{{cite web|author=Fox Sports |url=http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7978102/2008-MLB-team-payrolls |title=Fox Sports on MSN: 2008 MLB team payrolls |work=[[Fox Sports]] |access-date=December 27, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080610021454/http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/7978102/2008-MLB-team-payrolls |archive-date=June 10, 2008 }}</ref> began the regular season by losing seven straight games.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tigers fall to Red Sox for seventh straight loss|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-baseball-boston/tigers-fall-to-red-sox-for-seventh-straight-loss-idUSN0841513420080408|website=Reuters|date=April 8, 2008|access-date=October 15, 2018|archive-date=October 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016032635/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-baseball-boston/tigers-fall-to-red-sox-for-seventh-straight-loss-idUSN0841513420080408|url-status=live}}</ref> The Tigers climbed back, and at the midway point of the season, they were 42–40.<ref>{{cite web|title=Twins' bullpen loses touch as Tigers come back to win sixth in row|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280630109|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=July 1, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403023311/http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280630109|archive-date=April 3, 2019|access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref> In the end, the team finished miserably, slumping to a 74–88 record.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ramirez's grand slam paves way as White Sox force tiebreaker with Twins|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280929104|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=September 30, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191202112510/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=280929104|archive-date=December 2, 2019|access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref> Justin Verlander finished with his worst season as a pro, as he went 11–17 with a 4.84 ERA.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jayson|last=Stark|title=Jayson Stark: Detroit Tigers' success hinges on pitching|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/spring2009/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3976410|website=ESPN.com|date=March 13, 2009|access-date=October 15, 2018|archive-date=October 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016032713/http://www.espn.com/mlb/spring2009/columns/story?columnist=stark_jayson&id=3976410|url-status=live}}</ref> The Tigers also lost closer Todd Jones to retirement on September 25, 2008.<ref>{{cite web|title=Tigers reliever Todd Jones to retire|url=https://www.upi.com/Tigers-reliever-Todd-Jones-to-retire/71821222365827/|website=UPI.com|date=September 25, 2008|access-date=October 15, 2018|archive-date=October 16, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181016032542/https://www.upi.com/Tigers-reliever-Todd-Jones-to-retire/71821222365827/|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite the disappointing season, the team set an attendance record in 2008, drawing 3,202,654 customers to Comerica Park.<ref>{{cite web|first=Bill|last=Shea|title=Tigers at the midway point: Attendance bleeding continues|url=https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20170703/blog003/633116/tigers-midway-point-attendance-bleeding-continues|website=Crain's Detroit Business|date=July 3, 2017|access-date=October 15, 2018|archive-date=October 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181015231613/https://www.crainsdetroit.com/article/20170703/blog003/633116/tigers-midway-point-attendance-bleeding-continues|url-status=live}}</ref>

====2009====
{{Main|2009 Detroit Tigers season}}

Going into the 2009 season, the Tigers acquired starter [[Edwin Jackson (baseball)|Edwin Jackson]] from the 2008 AL Champion [[Tampa Bay Rays]], and called up rookie and former #1 draft pick [[Rick Porcello]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Tigers add Jackson to rotation in second trade; Joyce moves to Tampa Bay|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3761515|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=December 11, 2008|access-date=October 17, 2018|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308220852/https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3761515|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=Porcello>{{cite web|first=Gillian|last=Van Stratt|title=A farewell to arm: Looking back at Rick Porcello's career with the Detroit Tigers|url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2014/12/looking_back_at_rick_porcellos.html|website=MLive|date=December 11, 2014|access-date=October 17, 2018|archive-date=May 17, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517230551/https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2014/12/looking_back_at_rick_porcellos.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Jackson was outstanding in the first half, making his first All-Star team, while Porcello was solid most of the year, posting a 14–9 record with a 3.96 ERA and displaying grit and maturity beyond his 20 years of age.<ref name=Porcello/><ref>{{cite web|first=Paul|last=Wezner|title=Three Tigers Named to AL All-Star Team|url=https://247sports.com/mlb/tigers/Article/Three-Tigers-Named-to-AL-All-Star-Team-104625954/|website=247Sports|date=July 5, 2009|access-date=October 17, 2018|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308034324/https://247sports.com/mlb/tigers/Article/Three-Tigers-Named-to-AL-All-Star-Team-104625954/|url-status=live}}</ref> Justin Verlander bounced back from an off 2008 to win 19 games. He posted a 3.45 ERA and led the AL in strikeouts (269) to finish third in the AL Cy Young balloting.<ref name="2009 stats">{{cite web|title=2009 Detroit Tigers Statistics|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/2009.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=October 17, 2018|archive-date=October 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018043228/https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/2009.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Kornacki|title=Success for Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander is built in offseason|url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2009/10/success_for_tigers_pitcher_jus.html|website=MLive|date=October 6, 2009|access-date=October 17, 2018|archive-date=January 19, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210119031246/https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2009/10/success_for_tigers_pitcher_jus.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Kansas City Royals' Zack Greinke wins American League Cy Young Award|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=4663979|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=November 18, 2009|access-date=October 17, 2018|archive-date=July 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160730152129/http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=4663979|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Fernando Rodney]] assumed the closer role in spring training, replacing the retired Todd Jones.<ref>{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Kornacki|title=Fernando Rodney named Tigers' closer for now|url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2009/04/fernando_rodney_gets_first_opp.html|website=MLive|date=April 2, 2009|access-date=October 18, 2018|archive-date=October 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019001613/https://www.mlive.com/tigers/index.ssf/2009/04/fernando_rodney_gets_first_opp.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Rodney responded with 37 saves in 38 tries, while [[Bobby Seay]], [[Fu-Te Ni]], [[Brandon Lyon]], and [[Ryan Perry]] shored up the middle relief that plagued the team in 2007 and 2008.<ref name="2009 stats"/><ref>{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Kornacki|title=Lefty Bobby Seay settles down with the Tigers|url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2009/06/lefty_bobby_seay_settles_down.html|website=MLive|date=June 27, 2009|access-date=October 18, 2018|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308122714/https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2009/06/lefty_bobby_seay_settles_down.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=James|last=Schmehl|title=Tigers' Fu-Te Ni returns to Taiwan, addresses game-fixing probe|url=https://www.mlive.com/cutoffman/2009/10/tigers_fu-te_ni_returns_to_tai.html|website=MLive|date=October 28, 2009|access-date=October 18, 2018|archive-date=March 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310015732/https://www.mlive.com/cutoffman/2009/10/tigers_fu-te_ni_returns_to_tai.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Kornacki|title=Reliever Brandon Lyon interested in returning to Tigers|url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2009/11/reliever_brandon_lyon_interest.html|website=MLive|date=November 10, 2009|access-date=October 18, 2018|archive-date=August 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814152510/https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2009/11/reliever_brandon_lyon_interest.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Kornacki|title=Tigers' Ryan Perry puts motorcycle accident behind, concentrates on pitching|url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2010/02/tigers_pitcher_ryan_perry_fina.html|website=MLive|date=February 19, 2010|access-date=October 18, 2018|archive-date=January 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116040828/https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2010/02/tigers_pitcher_ryan_perry_fina.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Despite the improvements, the Tigers once again found themselves struggling to hold a lead in the AL Central. The team entered September with a 7-game lead in the division, but wound up tied with the [[2009 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]] at 86 wins by the final day of the regular season.<ref>{{cite web|title=Win puts Tigers in tiebreaker with Twins for Central crown|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=291004106|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=October 5, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404201350/http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=291004106|archive-date=April 4, 2019|access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref><ref name=Tiebreaker>{{cite web|first=Nick|last=McIntyre|title=October 6, 2009: Twins defeat Tigers in Game 163 to win AL Central tiebreaker|url=https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/october-6-2009-twins-defeat-tigers-game-163-win-al-central-tiebreaker|website=Society for American Baseball Research|access-date=October 17, 2018|archive-date=October 18, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181018043232/https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/october-6-2009-twins-defeat-tigers-game-163-win-al-central-tiebreaker|url-status=live}}</ref> The season ended on October 6 with a 6–5 loss in 12 innings to the Twins in the [[2009 American League Central tie-breaker game|tie-breaker game]], leaving the Tigers with an 86–77 record.<ref name=Tiebreaker/><ref>{{cite web|title=2009 American League Season Summary|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2009.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=October 23, 2018|archive-date=October 24, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024035218/https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2009.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> The Tigers spent 146 days of the 2009 season in first place, but became the first team in Major League history to lose a three-game lead with four games left to play.<ref name=Tiebreaker/><ref>{{cite web|last=Matuszewski |first=Erik |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=az7vYlJIT_Hg |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120721130715/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601079&sid=az7vYlJIT_Hg |url-status=dead |archive-date=July 21, 2012 |title=Tigers Face Historic Collapse in Baseball Tiebreaker With Twins |publisher=Bloomberg.com |date=October 6, 2009 |access-date=December 27, 2013}}</ref>

====2010====
{{Main|2010 Detroit Tigers season}}
[[File:Alex Avila 2010.jpg|thumb|[[Alex Avila]], March 2010]]
Entering 2010, the Tigers parted ways with Curtis Granderson and Edwin Jackson as part of a three-way trade with the [[New York Yankees]] and [[Arizona Diamondbacks]]; in return they picked up outfield prospect [[Austin Jackson (baseball)|Austin Jackson]] and pitchers [[Phil Coke]], Max Scherzer and [[Daniel Schlereth]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Kornacki|title=It's official: Three-team trade sends Tigers' Curtis Granderson to Yankees, Edwin Jackson to D'Backs|url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2009/12/three-team_trade_sends_tigers.html|website=MLive|date=December 9, 2009|access-date=October 19, 2018|archive-date=February 15, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215014149/https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2009/12/three-team_trade_sends_tigers.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Jackson made the Tigers opening day roster, and was American League Rookie of the Month for April.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Beck|title=Jackson is AL Rookie of Month for April|url=http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100504&content_id=9785236&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det|website=MLB.com|date=May 5, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615103653/http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100504&content_id=9785236&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det|archive-date=June 15, 2011|access-date=October 19, 2018}}</ref> 2010 also saw the debut of [[Brennan Boesch]], who was named the AL Rookie of the Month for May and June.<ref>{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Beck|title=Boesch named AL's top rookie for May|url=http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100602&content_id=10723482&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det|website=MLB.com|date=June 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606072552/http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100602&content_id=10723482&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det|archive-date=June 6, 2010|access-date=October 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first1=Jason|last1=Beck|first2=Alex|last2=DiFilippo|title=Boesch is AL Rookie of the Month for June|url=http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100706&content_id=11988334&notebook_id=11994052&vkey=notebook_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det|website=MLB.com|date=July 7, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615104759/http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100706&content_id=11988334&notebook_id=11994052&vkey=notebook_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det|archive-date=June 15, 2011|access-date=October 19, 2018}}</ref>

At the All-Star break, the Tigers were a half-game out of first place in the AL Central, behind the [[2010 Chicago White Sox season|Chicago White Sox]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Beck|title=Tigers have learned season is a marathon|url=http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com:80/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100712&content_id=12224538&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det|website=MLB.com|date=July 14, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100718220005/http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100712&content_id=12224538&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det|archive-date=July 18, 2010|access-date=October 19, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> However, a slow start after the break and injuries to three key players sent the Tigers into yet another second half tailspin.<ref>{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Kornacki|title=Brandon Inge's injury could impact Tigers' interest in third basemen Mike Lowell, Ty Wigginton|url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2010/07/how_does_the_timing_connected.html|website=MLive|date=July 23, 2010|access-date=October 19, 2018|archive-date=January 16, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116035536/https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2010/07/how_does_the_timing_connected.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Magglio Ordonez, Carlos Guillen of Detroit Tigers placed on 15-day disabled list|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=5408370|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=July 26, 2010|access-date=October 19, 2018|archive-date=October 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020053037/http://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=5408370|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="2010 final game">{{cite web|title=Brandon Inge homers as Tigers avoid losing season|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=301003101|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=October 3, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190406220941/http://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=301003101|archive-date=April 6, 2019|access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref> The Tigers finished the season in third place with an 81–81 record, 13 games back of the division-winning [[2010 Minnesota Twins season|Minnesota Twins]].<ref name="2010 final game"/><ref>{{cite web|title=2010 American League Season Summary|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2010.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=October 23, 2018|archive-date=April 2, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402230033/https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/2010.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref> While playing outstanding baseball at home, the Tigers were just 29–52 on the road.<ref>{{cite web|first=Kurt|last=Mensching|title=Tigers road record: Why are they so awful away from Comerica Park?|url=https://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/11/4418730/tigers-road-record-home|website=Bless You Boys|date=June 11, 2013|access-date=October 19, 2018|archive-date=March 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308175928/https://www.blessyouboys.com/2013/6/11/4418730/tigers-road-record-home|url-status=live}}</ref>

Among the season highlights were Miguel Cabrera hitting .328 with 38 home runs and an AL-best 126 RBI, earning the AL [[Silver Slugger Award]] at first base and finishing second in the AL MVP race (earning 5 of 28 first-place votes).<ref>{{cite web|first=Jason|last=Beck|title=Cabrera wins third Silver Slugger, first in Detroit|url=http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101111&content_id=16072650&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det|website=MLB.com|date=November 11, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110615110204/http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101111&content_id=16072650&vkey=news_det&fext=.jsp&c_id=det|archive-date=June 15, 2011|access-date=October 19, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Rangers' Hamilton wins AL MVP award|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/14342684/rangers-hamilton-wins-al-mvp-award|website=CBS Sports|agency=CBS Sports.com wire services|date=November 23, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120129204708/http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/story/14342684/rangers-hamilton-wins-al-mvp-award|archive-date=January 29, 2012|access-date=December 27, 2013}}</ref> Jackson (.293 average, 103 runs, 181 hits, 27 stolen bases) finished second in the AL Rookie of the Year voting.<ref name="2010 stats">{{cite web|title=2010 Detroit Tigers Statistics|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/2010.shtml|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=October 19, 2018|archive-date=October 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020011744/https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/2010.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Richard|last=Durrett|title=Texas Rangers closer Neftali Feliz wins AL Rookie of the Year award|url=https://www.espn.com/dallas/mlb/news/story?id=5809029|website=ESPN.com|date=November 16, 2010|access-date=October 19, 2018|archive-date=October 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020011644/http://www.espn.com/dallas/mlb/news/story?id=5809029|url-status=live}}</ref> Justin Verlander enjoyed another strong season (18–9 record, 3.37 ERA, 219 strikeouts).<ref name="2010 stats"/>

=====The near-perfect game=====
{{Main|Armando Galarraga's near-perfect game}}

On June 2, 2010, [[Armando Galarraga]] was pitching a perfect game against the [[Cleveland Indians]] with 2 outs in the top of the ninth inning when first-base umpire [[Jim Joyce]] made a controversial call, ruling [[Jason Donald (baseball)|Jason Donald]] safe at first. Video replay showed he was out.<ref name="Galarraga MLive">{{cite web|first=Steve|last=Kornacki|title=Tigers' Armando Galarraga comes within one out of perfect game after umpire misses call|url=https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2010/06/armando_galarraga_comes_within.html|website=MLive|date=June 2, 2010|access-date=October 19, 2018|archive-date=January 16, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200116004635/https://www.mlive.com/tigers/2010/06/armando_galarraga_comes_within.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Galarraga ESPN">{{cite web|title=Umpire: 'I just cost that kid a perfect game'|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300602106|website=ESPN.com|agency=Associated Press|date=June 2, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200115113958/https://www.espn.com/mlb/recap?gameId=300602106|archive-date=January 15, 2020|access-date=January 24, 2020}}</ref> A tearful Joyce later said, "I just cost that kid a perfect game. I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay."<ref name="Galarraga ESPN"/> Galarraga would later tell reporters that Joyce apologized to him directly and gave him a hug.<ref name="Galarraga MLive"/> The next day, with Joyce umpiring home plate, Galarraga brought out the lineup card and the two shook hands.<ref>{{cite web|title=A tearful Jim Joyce takes lineup card from Armando Galarraga|url=https://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/06/a-tearful-jim-joyce-takes-lineup-card-from-armando-galarraga.html|website=Los Angeles Times|date=June 3, 2010|access-date=October 19, 2018|archive-date=October 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020011529/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/sports_blog/2010/06/a-tearful-jim-joyce-takes-lineup-card-from-armando-galarraga.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Despite nationwide support for overturning the call, which included supportive statements from the Governor of Michigan and the [[White House]], commissioner [[Bud Selig]] let the call stand. However, he said he would look into expanding [[Instant replay in baseball|instant replay]] in the future.<ref>{{cite web|title=Selig won't overturn bad call nixing perfect game|url=https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/selig-won-t-overturn-bad-call-nixing-perfect-game-1.905969|website=CBC Sports|agency=Associated Press|date=June 3, 2010|access-date=October 19, 2018|archive-date=January 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117170449/https://www.cbc.ca/sports/baseball/selig-won-t-overturn-bad-call-nixing-perfect-game-1.905969|url-status=live}}</ref>